Society has always accepted a woman’s choice to cover up her gray hair as a method to maintain a youthful appearance. From the time we were little, we struggled with what gray hair represented because that’s what we were taught. A woman couldn’t be young and powerful and ambitious with gray hair.
By the time we were teenagers, we plucked everyone we saw. When the grays became more noticeable, our struggle transitioned into the salon and under the guidance of a beauty professional. As we aged, salon visits became more frequent as we fought a battle that always resulted in a loss, never truly covering the gray as fast as it grew in.
When Covid pressed pause on the world, we were forced back inside our homes. Nothing to do and nowhere to go meant our beauty routines changed. Things like makeup and hair color quickly became afterthoughts, and women began unexpected transformations. Hair grew longer. Grays followed with gusto. And when salons re-opened, many of us didn’t go back.
Something changed within us. We emerged different and transformed and way more accepting of the things we learned in the silence. Being in lockdown forced women to be comfortable with themselves. Self-care became a priority, and the focus on external beauty turned inward. No longer concerned with what was fashionable or falling in line with social norms, many women decided to forgo color permanently and began embracing their natural roots…grays and all. Celebrities such as Kelly Ripa, Salma Hayek and Hillarie Burton were vocal on social media about their gray roots growing in, posting selfies to let their followers know that they too knew the struggle and had accepted it.
Going back to your roots is as empowering as it is liberating. It frees you from frequent trips to the salon anytime those stubborn gray hairs peek through. Hair becomes healthier when it isn’t subjected to the damage caused from bleach and chemical dyes. And think of all the money you’ll save instead of spending it on highlights and balayage and base color.
The transition isn’t always easy. Depending on your hair length, it can take a while. But once you commit, there are products like Go Gray to ensure you maintain the integrity of your hair as you embark on the journey. Go Gray is a four-step multiproduct system that focuses on every phase, from initially lightening tough dyes to softening the grow out, to further removing artificial color and ultimately revitalizing hair health, appearance and feel. The gentle and effective pro-grade formulas help remove, revitalize and rejuvenate hair.
Remember, just because you are saying bye to the dye doesn’t mean you should ghost your hairdresser. Schedule regular haircuts. Use quality products. And remind yourself that at the root of it all is the power – YOUR POWER – to choose.