Maintaining A Youthful Look With Gray Hair
The stigma that used to be associated with gray hair defining someone as “old” is finally going away as more women continue to embrace their silver locks. There is a large movement called Silver Sisters for those who are gray or transitioning to gray. Letting your hair gray, whether naturally or with the help of blending highlights, is a personal choice. Many women are now going gray at an early age, choosing to not dye their hair. Some young people even dye their hair silver at the salon to achieve the same color that we concealed for so many years! So silver, gray and white hair color have become cool!
I receive comments all the time from women being concerned about looking old if they grow out their gray hair. Again, this is a personal decision to make. Some embrace it. Others aren’t ready for that change. And it's ok either way!! Aging with style is about embracing your unique beauty and confidence at every stage of life. Women can achieve this by staying true to themselves, taking care of their health, and adopting a fashion and beauty routine that enhances their natural features. It's all about self-expression and feeling comfortable in your own skin.
There are no rules for maintaining a youthful look with gray hair but there is some advice. It’s not always only about the hair color – there is also an overall style to consider. There are a gazillion articles and blogs about style so I’ll leave my readers to research those sites to find what works for them individually and personally. I’ll just offer some general advice and tips about maintaining a youthful lifestyle and appearance to my silver sisters and those considering going gray.
If you have decided to transition to gray and join the Silver Sisters Movement, congratulations. It’s a long journey and test of patience during this transformation. I felt a little rebellious to finally resist the stereotypes about women with gray hair being labeled as “old”. It was a great feeling to defy this antiquated way of thinking by transitioning to what is now my natural color. It doesn’t mean you have “let yourself go”! Gray hair is just another hair color! Maintaining a youthful outlook and vitality after 60 is possible with some lifestyle choices and you don’t have to invest a ton of money in any of those things!
Attitude and Confidence
Let’s first start with attitude. I don’t feel any different than I did when I was thirty-five but there have been some obvious physical changes that I can’t deny. We all age a little differently but how we accept it affects our attitude and vibe we project to others. I admit that I mentally and emotionally struggled turning sixty but once I accepted the inevitable fact that I am actually aging every year, I changed my outlook on how I “wear” my age and how I’m going to approach the next chapter. Acceptance brought more self-assurance, so I feel more empowered and encouraged about where it’s going! Part of that confidence led me to embrace my silver locks and see where it takes me. I am up for the challenge of wearing gray hair with style.
I want to enjoy this next chapter of life and experience as much as I can. My advice is to cultivate a positive outlook on life and embrace new experiences. Some of the advantages of aging include wisdom, stability and self-confidence. Stand tall and keep the shoulder’s back, walk with conviction and purpose. Beauty and confidence from within shows outwardly to those around us.
Stay Active
Staying active includes social, mental and physical activities. Sometimes it takes more effort to be social at this stage in life because everyone is busy with kids, grandkids, traveling, work/second careers, special interests, etc. Reach out to friends you haven’t seen in a while to a get a date on the calendar for lunch or dinner.
Find group activities whether it’s exercise classes, hobbies, church, volunteering or other. Keep your mind stimulated with reading, puzzles, games, news, or learning something new like a second language or taking up an interesting hobby!
Incorporate physical activity into your routine. It can help with mobility, energy, and overall well-being. It’s important to stay fit and find activities that you enjoy the most such as hiking, skiing, yoga, running, walking, weights, HIIT, group classes, swimming, aerobics, working with a personal trainer, etc. Any of these will keep you healthy as well as young at heart.
Style
I admit that I am addicted to Pinterest for inspiration from other women over sixty and how they rock the silver hair and their sense of style. Today, women over sixty look vibrant and youthful, wearing trendy hairstyles, clothes and accessories. There is no age limit for fashion and style. We are finally shattering the stereotypical image that society expected us to have after a certain age.
In order to maintain a more youthful appearance, you may consider updating the hairstyle, makeup and/or the wardrobe. Change the hair cut or modify how you style it. Stay current with fashion trends but keep basics in your closet. Find your own style but have one. Everyone’s style is personal and unique. Mix it up. Own it. If you are contemplating changing your current style, use Pinterest and Google for inspirational photos. Don’t just search what to wear over a particular age. Find styles that you like, are flattering, and fit your personality. Style categories can range from preppy, tailored, boho, edgy, sporty, denim casual, rocker, business casual, biker chic, western, elegant, flamboyant, grunge, loungewear, minimalistic, or any combination of these. I have a variety of these styles in my closet.
If you are shopping for bargains to revamp the wardrobe here are a few online resale options to explore:
RealReal, Poshmark, Thredup, Urban Renewal, eBay, Etsy.
Beauty and Health
Despite our parent’s advice, many folks from my generation spent hours at a time in the sun during their youth, religiously tanning with only baby oil and iodine – no spf. I didn’t even know what spf was… Now many of us are paying the price with sun damage from years of intense sun exposure. Whether you are a former a sun goddess, or were careful and wore a good sunscreen when you were outdoors, a good skincare regimen can help keep your skin looking healthy. Sun protection is crucial to prevent premature aging. It’s never too late to use sunscreen! There are a lot of beauty products on the market, but you don’t have to break the bank with these purchases. Ensure you get adequate and quality sleep for physical and mental rejuvenation. Focus on a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Stay hydrated and reduce processed foods. Take vitamins. Keep up with regular medical check-ups to catch and address health issues early.
A smile is the first things people notice. However, our teeth tend to yellow and shift as we age, making us appear older. Whitening the teeth is a great way to achieve a brighter smile. And floss regularly. If you find that you need to straighten your teeth because they have shifted over the years, Invisalign can accomplish this without having to wear the old-school metal braces. (I’ll share my Invisalign journey when I complete it.) Smiles are important and confidence shines through when we smile.
Silver Lining: Aging can bring about unique and valuable opportunities and perspectives that may not be present in our younger years. Remember, aging is a natural part of life, and embracing it gracefully is a key to staying youthful in spirit and appearance.
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