This week’s #womancrushwednesday is inspired by a very personal struggle. You see, I started going grey in my teens. Apparently, it’s genetic; as far back as I can remember, my dad had a healthy sprinkling of grey that has slowly taken over his head (possibly encouraged by raising four daughters…but let’s go with the genetics explanation, shall we?). So, in addition to inheriting his blue eyes and his constant need to eat (hanger – or hungry anger – is genetic, too, right?), I also got the greys. Thanks, dad.
Anyway, for the last decade and a half or so, I’ve been encouraging a lighter shade of blonde via bleach and highlights, so my grey hair problem is reasonably well camouflaged. However, I have long wondered when the time will come that I throw in the towel and transition to my natural silver. I quiz every grey haired woman I meet on when and how they decided to let it all hang out, so to speak. Most of them give me a rather confused stare. Many of them have no idea how to answer. To be young and grey is not desirable in this world of chasing eternal youth, but sometimes I just want to scream “F**K IT! I’M 27 AND GREY!” That would be crazy, though, right? Maybe not. Check out Vogue UK Fashion Features Editor, and my woman crush, Sarah Harris.
Harris, like me, started greying around age 16. By her 20s, she was ready to embrace her nonconformist shade. “I slowly grew fond of the way my silver flickered when it caught the light,” Harris says. Rather than battle the grey with dye, she nourishes and protects the natural colour by staying out of the sun (to prevent the ash tones from lifting, which would leave hair more yellow), and investing in good shampoos and conditioners. In a world where everything seems faked, isn’t it refreshing to see a young and successful woman (in the fashion world, no less) basically giving the middle finger to society’s fake-it-til-you-make it standards? She only in her early 30s, FYI.
As inspirational as her grey coif is, Harris also exhibits other crush-worthy attributes. She has that effortlessly cool fashion editor vibe. By the time she was my age, she was working at Vogue. And I am in love with her voice. I could listen to her talk all day (or just watch this video on repeat)….
So, what do you think? Are you down with the grey? I’ve proclaimed my desire to “just dye my hair grey” before, but it tends to fall on deaf ears (Megan wants to hear none of it). Maybe it’s time, though. It would certainly save me a fortune at the salon…
Much love, Madison Blake
