To Dye or Not to Dye, that is the question? Why are so many beautiful women afraid to wear their hair without covering the gray; or as I prefer to say, covering the silver? When you see a woman of a certain age, beautiful, confident, and well coiffed with salt and pepper hair, she stand out from the crowd, she looks distinguished and self possessed. She’s seems sure of herself and her value. If you have salt and pepper hair PLEASE post a picture of yourself on this blog. If you cover you silver and want to stop the repetitive cycle tell me why. If you refuse to let your silver show, tell me why. I want to hear from all the Silver Foxes out there, even the ones who are hiding.
11 Dec
Ask Anu 
Posted by Terri Holley on December 13, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I wrote a post about going gray a few months ago. Out of the 160+ post I have written, this gets the most attention.
http://mhlcoaching.typepad.com/the_health_and_life_mixin/2007/09/gray-hair-is-in.html
Posted by Anu Prestonia on December 13, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Thanks for the link Terri.
Posted by sherri on January 9, 2008 at 9:27 am
I have been dying my hair for a number of years. Recently the day or two after I put a wash in I had three to four new gray hairs. I am not dying to cover the gray I just like my face framed in reddish brown. I may need to consider creatively having khamit kinks add more gray to creative a tapestry of color that excites me! I think you inner beauty speaks louder than anything else!
Posted by Anu Prestonia on January 9, 2008 at 10:05 am
Dear Sherri,
As far as I know there’s no way to add gray. We can however, lighten or lift your natural color for more vibrancy. We look forward to serving you.
Posted by Shay on January 22, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I began to gray in my 30’s and wore it as a badge of wisdom, haha. Now that I’m in my 50’s I cover my gray on a regular basis. Part of the reason could be I don’t like the way the gray is coming in, nor do I like the mousy color of my natural hair. If there was a way to leave the gray but add vibrancy to the rest of my hair I would probaly consider this. Either way, I do not plan to cover my gray forever. I can imagine that when I hit the big 60 I will let my gray–mousy color and all– shine through. Wait a minute, maybe more like 65 or 70.
Posted by alchemist1977 on March 18, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Hola!
Great article. Check out a guy’s take on Gray Haired Beauties:
(sorry about the title, we’re authors “against” fiction)
Posted by Mrs. Blue on April 5, 2008 at 3:24 am
I started sprouting grays in junior high school. I’m 34. I have had 2 sets of locks over the last 14 years. I was very concerned about permanent color damage to my hair. Which for as long as I can remember is admired by both sexes for it’s lushness, texture and elasticity! I started with highlights 8 years ago and loved them. I decided to go all the way. It was a change that I welcomed and complimented me, made me visually softer somehow. I consider myself a red head. I do wonder about transitioning from color to gray but I have plenty of time for that. What color system does Khamit Kinks use? I’m a Clairol lady.
Posted by Anu Prestonia on April 5, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Wow,
Junior high school is quite young to start sprouting silver hair. I know what it means to be a red head. I did that for both of my first two sets of Locs. But now that I have my silver coming in, I only color my tips.
Our color system is Clairol. I find it works well with penetrating Locs and resistant hair that hasn’t been compromised by chemical straighteners. We do also use the Clairol Compliments which is cream based a bit gentler.
We hope to see you soon.
Posted by Robin622 on September 14, 2008 at 7:19 am
Alright..here it is:
I’m 55 years old, I’ve got kinky hair that I have kept very short for many years and the intention here is to keep it this way. I have also colored it for many of these years. I’m not concerned with the maintenance of braids, extensions, straightened hair, locks or any other high maintenance that African-Americans sport these days. Simplicity and economy, along with elegant good looks are my main concern with my hair.
Now… I’ve come to the point where I finally have some silver in my hair with which to flash – and I like it; which relieves me of having to bother coloring it any longer, since my natural color was just rather blah.
What, I ask, can I do to emphasize the silver in my salt and pepper hair? There are hair colors for silver hair and every other color, but nothing on the market to eccentuate the silver portion of salt & pepper hair.
Anyone with any reasonable or professional advice/suggestions?
Robin622
Posted by Anu Prestonia on September 16, 2008 at 9:47 am
Dear Robbin,
There are products on the market to brighten the silver. There are special shampoos and Clairol sells a product call Glorious Grays. It’s a rinse and it too will brighten the silver.
Posted by Marion on November 28, 2008 at 2:03 am
My hair is salt and pepper. I love the color of my hair and I lovewearing it natural. I think I want to loc my hair……?????
Posted by LaShaunda on December 29, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Hi Anu,
I found your site today. I went natural in October because I was tired of the perm eating up my scalp. It was a hard decision, because I wore twists for two years and I had a hard time with them because I felt like I looked like a mop.
Iām 41 and the silver took over when I cut off the perm. I tried dye before I went natural and the silver would pop back out in a weeks time. The last dye, my hair turned green. So now Iām afraid to try dye again.
My question is how to do I bring out the black in my hair? It looks dull against the silver. Everyone says I look regal with the silver, so Iām trying to rock it, but I hate the dull look of the black.
How can I make my hair shine?
Thanks and happy new year.
Posted by Anu Prestonia on December 30, 2008 at 8:39 am
Dear LaShaunda,
Sounds like you’ve been through it. Kinky hair does not “shine” in the way that straight hair does. One of the things that can give it a sheen is moisture. And dying your hair robs it of moisture. Make certain that your hair is receiving a fair amount of moisturizing treatments on a regular basis like hot oil or other deep conditioning treatments. You could also use an oil sheen. It’s best to use one that’s in a pump as opposed to an aerosol.
Posted by Anu Prestonia on December 30, 2008 at 8:34 am
Dear Marion,
Only you of course, can make that decision. If you are in the New York area, we’d love to consult with you on the process and what you can expect. Give us a call or fill out the consultation form on our website.
Posted by LaShaunda on January 15, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Thanks for the responds Anu, I wondered why I couldn’t get the shine I had when it was permed. I will look for the sheen in the pump. I’m assuming you’re not recomending dying š¦
I’m still trying to wrap my head around the gray. Somedays I like it some days I feel older than 41.
Thanks for having a forum where you can ask questions.
Posted by Folasade on June 8, 2010 at 2:32 pm
I have been a loyal client of Khamit Kinks and I have not had the urge to dye/henna/color/highlight my hair. I’m still in my early 40s & I must say the platinum(silver) looks great on me. I love being Au Natural!
Posted by Anu Prestonia on June 8, 2010 at 3:02 pm
You go Folasade!
Posted by Kim S Ramsey on June 8, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Hello Anu
Hope that you are well. I came from London ten years ago and I must say that every time I have had the pleasure to come to your shop, you have always treated me like a valued customer and I appreciate that.
Now for the gray part. Thanks for mentioning us gray haired sisters. I have had complete strangers stop me and ask my age as they say that my face looks too young for the gray. There is a certain stigma attached to being gray. Its like I have to cover them to please others. I actually like my gray. I have patches of white at the front and the rest of my hair is steel gray. I love it. I also like the fact that there is no touching up š . I have noticed that it can get brassy and is porous, but nothing that a good steam treatment can’t cure. I also use silver gray shampoo which helps clean this brassiness up.
I would love to see some dress tips and makeup tips for us gray girls. I have noticed that I cannot do too much patterning, but light pinks, navy, black, gray, white looks fabulous. To all the other gray girls, don’t let anyone bully you into color, its their own prejudices that they are projecting upon you. Do you. After all being gray illustrates that you are grown> LOL!
To Anu : Thanks for thinking outside of the box. I love your shop. The last time I was there I had a gray fro hawk and you took pictures. I had micro cornrows. (remember to tell that lady that braided my hair, she made me into an overnight celebrity. I got stopped everywhere. It was bananas.!!!)
If you have time, it would be nice of you to have a page of natural hair styles/designs for us gray heads. I would be willing to contribute if you need some models š
To all who read remember to reduce your stress, take care of you and yours. May the Creator bless you all with good health, a content spirit and multiple millions of dollars for your bank accounts.
Guidance
Kim S Ramsey
Posted by Anu Prestonia on June 9, 2010 at 7:30 am
Dear Kim,
You said it all. That’s what I’m talking about!!! Loving and acceptance takes one a long way.
I’m so happy that you enjoy your experience at Khamit Kinks. I will look into your record to see who did your hair and I will be sure to let the Stylist know that she created a celebrity.
Thank you for the blessings you put on us. That was very special.
Stay beautiful!
~Anu
Posted by Yvonne on June 8, 2010 at 4:06 pm
I just turned 40 in May. I started with grey hair at 29. This photo is lovely. Her grays are growing in a nice even space. I cover my grays because they don’t grow in flattering patterns such as this photo.
Posted by Anu Prestonia on June 9, 2010 at 7:27 am
Hi Yvonne,
On the one hand, I hear you. On the other hand, like with everything else in life, yours is going to be different from any body else, no matter what it is. I believe the trick is learning to love and accept what’s yours. We can always use the “excuse”, that ours isn’t like someone else’s so it doesn’t have the same value, or we can choose to look at it differently and when we do that, things appear differently.
Posted by Caryl on June 13, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I’m 58, from Pittsburgh PA. I’ve been coloring my gray since it began to come in in earnest about 15 years ago. The gray does grow evenly – I’d be totally gray all over if I didn’t color it.
I have locs down my back. In fact, I have an appointment at KK on Friday morning – I try to come there to get my locs groomed whenever I’m in NYC.
Honestly, I color my gray because I think it makes me look younger; I just don’t want to look my age. However, I have been thinking about stopping with the cover-up for several reasons: I have to get it done every 3 weeks, it is costly, I’m proud of my age, I’m tired of the pretense, etc. I’m afraid to stop, though, because I don’t know how it will look as it is growing out. I picture a ring of silver framing my face as it grows out.
Hopefully I’ll get some good advice when I’m there on Friday.
Posted by Anu Prestonia on June 14, 2010 at 6:02 am
Dear Caryl,
Don’t take it lightly when I say, “You’ve said it all and you’ve spoken for so many”. If you decide to make this leap and go natural with the color of your hair, there is going to be some “pain” involved; in terms of the process of transitioning”. Yes, you will have a silver frame, but that’s part of getting there. You cannot get from one place to another without the process of the journey. Keeping your Locs neat and groomed may really help with the process. I think that once you truly embrace the idea, your perspective will be different and you won’t see it as something woeful. It can be a learning excursion that will enrich your life and give you a keener sense of self.
I will be there on Friday, please be sure to introduce yourself.
We look forward to serving you.
~Anu