by Laurie Pielak

Created on: January 30, 2009

I personally have been colouring my hair for years, but now in my early 50's I find I now colour it because I need to, not to get a new and different colour. My mother's hair is black at the age of 72, and my father is totally white at the age of 71. I have a girlfriend who is 53, and went white in her early 20's, and left it that way, until she turned 40ish, then started to colour it different shades of Red.

I think to colour your hair, or not to colour is a matter of personal preference. Some ladies look great with Silver, or Grey, or White hair. Other's like myself, look horrible. I used to colour my hair fairly dark, but was told some time ago, that the older you get, the lighter you should go, and for me, that's right. I now colour my hair, light browns, and the white picks up the colours in a little lighter tone, and it looks quite nice.

I don't think there is a right or a wrong here. Should you go grey naturally? Yes if that's what you want to do. Should you colour your hair, yes if that's what you want to do. It's your preference. There are no hard and fast fashion laws that say you should or you shouldn't.

There are so many colourants out there. If your not sure, use a temporary colour to see if you like it or not. Try different shades, different colours for that matter. There are women who just cannot let their hair go white, as they feel that if they do that, they are giving up the fight against age. I'm not sure why we fight it, exactly. It's the only thing that is a sure thing, besides death and taxes.

I don't think it should be viewed as a fight, but, just doing what you need to do, to make yourself feel better about yourself. And if that means colouring your hair, then go on, colour your hair.

I do know that as long as I can help it I will be colouring my hair. They have become resistant little things in the temple area, and I find I'm having to colour more often. However, with using the lighter shades, as recommended, it does make me look just a bit younger, which was not my intention, but a bonus!

So if you are one that likes to save money, do it your self, yes by all means. Read the labels. Some hair colours to tell you what percentage of grey they do cover. Try the one's that only last 4-6 washes if your not sure.

If you want to go the Salon route that's fine to, don't be afraid to tell them what exactly you want. What ever you decide, enjoy it, getting older and going grey is far better than the alternative.

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