by Deborah Paukstys

Created on: September 04, 2009

Women all over the country may now be giving themselves permission to go gray and to feel good about it. Of course, men have always seemed distinguished looking with gray hair. There's just something about a well coiffed, gray male head that induces feelings of safety and security, not to mention a bit of sex appeal too. But for women, gray hair has simply been a sign of loss of youth and ultimately a loss of attractiveness.

However things may be changing. Lately mainstream media has shown advertisements that feature gray haired women looking energetic and confident. Both of which are qualities that we often will associate with how attractive we find a person. Jamie Lee Curtis recently appeared in a commercial in which she had short gray hair; she is undeniably an attractive woman with a considerable amount of sex appeal.

Culturally speaking, we may have more choices for what looks good. It is no longer out of the question for a woman to decide to let her locks go gray and yet retain a sense of agelessness and vitality. Gray hair on a woman is no longer a symbol for a loss of youth, but a sign of independence and self-acceptance. Women are free from many of the stereotypes associated with having gray hair, and now make decisions about hair coloring based on personal preference.

"Washing that gray right out of your hair" has been synonymous with washing away the appearance of aging. Since aging is no longer synonymous with unattractiveness, women may now decide that they are indeed more attractive with gray hair than they would be with bottled-blonde or over-streaked brown.

In most cases the hair tones of ones youth are the most flattering to the natural skin tone. Natural hair will change over time with the skin and is arguably the most naturally flattering combination of tones. It seems that no matter the amount of scientific research the beautiful tones and natural highlights of a summer in the sun has never been duplicated by an artificial hair coloring. Perhaps the most flattering tones as we age are the ones that occur naturally. Such as gray.

Gray may even show up on the color wheel at the local salon. And people may find themselves debating if they like blonde's or brunette's better or it they just prefer gray. Its not that hair color is no longer an attribute for attractiveness but that gray hair may now be an attractive option.

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