Gray Hair: The Hottest Trend

The hottest hair color of the moment is gray — WSJ reports. I have mixed feelings about this, meshed with joy, relief, and doubt. Joy and relief, because finally I can leave the grays alone and save myself from the endless torture of dyeing, root coloring, etc. Doubt, because — am I courageous enough to leave the gray?

Recently at a gathering, I noticed a young woman (40s is young) with stylish gray hair. Her tresses were long, and the gray was uniform. After a close (creepy!) look at her face, I knew she wasn't old enough to have so much gray hair. So I asked her if she had dyed her hair silver. There was a twinkle in her eye, and she told me with much enthusiasm that she had started graying at 26 — and a few years ago she threw the dyes out of her window forever. Now, everywhere she goes, someone (curious people like me) is always asking her about her hair. Bravo, I thought. She looked stylish, chic, and au naturel.

Another close friend has sported her grays with aplomb for years now. I remember egging her on a few years ago to dye her hair. But that was a few years ago — today when I meet her, I only admire her grace and beauty.

I'm sure, like all hair colors, gray is not for everyone. Even though the fashion and music world (Gaga) is going gaga over this trend, it's not for every woman. Still, this new trend gives me hope: I can at least try to go au naturel without worrying about looking old and haggard. Plus, maybe I'll give up the black eyeliner and red lipstick and try something new — blue liner, neutral colors.

Bring on the gray — at least today.