Birthday Present: Gray Hair Solution

I started going gray when I was around 40 years old. As I approached my 54th birthday, I realized just how ridiculous its been trying to hide the gray hair under a mask of this shade of chestnut or that shade of brown.

When the last phase of skunk stripe appeared two weeks ago, I thought, enough is enough.

I called upon Georgina Mauriello, owner of Georgina’s Hair Studio, whom I met two years ago while working for the Amity Observer. I was so impressed by her honesty during our interview in 2009, that I decided she would not steer me in the wrong direction when I came to her with my request for a drastic change.

At first, I asked her to strip off 14 years of hair color and leave me with my natural color… whatever that is.

She asked that I come in for a consultation first, which I did on Feb. 18.

She pointed out that the bottom 8-10-inches of my mane was significantly darker than the top light brown layer that lie just before the gray stripe at my part — This is common for those who dye their hair at home and choose to do an all-over color for fear of wasting any product.

She said that if I was to go completely gray cold turkey, I may go into shock and either accept it or like it… but (from her past experience with customers) I most likely would not be too happy with such a drastic change.

My friends, too, told me “Don’t Do IT!!!!” except for Kathleen Schurman, the eternal optimist, who said gray hair could be very sophisticated.

Georgina suggested cutting off my long locks up to about my shoulders and styling it, then deciding what to do.

I am not a fancy girl: blue jeans, T-shirts, no makeup and no fuss hair… that’s me.

But, on Wednesday, Feb. 23, just about one week before my 54th birthday, I headed to Georgina’s for the big reveal and my new grown up look.

We started with a wash and conditioning then taking off a few inches.

The first few snips brought it up to shoulder length, then, more and more came off.

I haven’t had really short hair since I was pregnant with my daughter 24 years ago, but I liked that hair cut, so I didn’t protest and let Georgina do her thing… after all, I went to her because I trusted her.

A quick blow dry… and voila! Georgina demonstrated how I could get the same results at home in no time at all.

My haircolor looked lighter, and without the severe part, the 1-inch gray skunk stripe hardly even showed.

Georgina explained that we could let my hair go “natural” gradually by highlighting different areas when the gray growth became too much for me to bear.

Eventually it would all blend in and no one would even notice the change after a while.

I liked the new “do,” but the ultimate test was to go out in the community where people were used to seeing me every day.

First stop was the Orange Family Diner across the street from the salon – not only do they have the best Wifi in town, but the coffee is good and I like the owners and staff.

I got a couple of double takes when I walked in the door, but they recognized me quickly enough by the jacket I was wearing. A few oo’s and ah’s, a cup of coffee and some work done on the computer and I was off.

Next stop, Town Hall. This is where the cameras should have been rolling. The double takes were hilarious.

My daughter was most shocked by the change and wrinkled her nose at first, but her boyfriend jumped right in and said he like it…good enough for me!

By all accounts, I’d say I made a good decision. Now on to the next phase!

Today is my birthday… the first day of the rest of my life, and I’m feeling pretty good about that.