I pre-ordered this book almost a year ago (back in March of 2017), and am so happy that it's finally out! Although I've already transitioned to my silver hair and just passed my three-year dye-free anniversary, this is such an invaluable resource -- for those who are thinking about transitioning, for those who are in the process, and also for those who have already finished.
If you're not familiar with Lorraine Massey, she's the author of
Curly Girl: The Handbook
and the creator of the Deva Curl line of hair products. Her book helped launch the Curly Girl Method of not using silicones or sulfates on your hair, and helped me make the transition to embracing my natural waves when I first discovered her book over seven years ago. This new book does the same thing for the silver-hair movement that her previous book did for the curly-hair movement, and is a wonderful guide to embracing your natural silver hair.
The book is organized into several main sections:
* The Glories of Being Silver -- explains the benefits of going dye-free
* Enlightened -- provides suggestions for how to grow out your hair without adding any chemicals
* The Highs and Lows of Transitioning -- explains how you can use highlights and lowlights to help with the growing-out process
* Silver Streaks -- explains how adding a few streaks can help make the transition easier
* Pixie Magic -- shows examples of how cutting your hair short can help start the process
* Dyeing to Be Silver -- highlights (no pun intended) how adding silver can jump-start the transition
* Glorious Grey to Stay -- includes homemade recipes to help keep your hair healthy and shiny, especially if you want to avoid silicones and sulfates
* Silver Wear -- covers how to select clothes and makeup for your new coloring
What's great about this breakdown is that it covers all the various techniques that are out there for transitioning so that you can make the best decision as to how you want to go about it. For me personally, when starting the transition process, I had considered adding highlights or going for a pixie cut, but decided in the end to cut about 13 inches off my waist-length hair and to gradually grow it out. The first few months (when it looked like I was just lazy about coloring my roots and had a "skunk stripe," as it's called, going on) were the hardest, but using different styling techniques and cutting off most of my hair made the process easier for me. After initially cutting it to that shoulder-length lob, about ten months in, I decided to get it cut to just below my ears.
The last two chapters are especially invaluable, and I also love how many photos are included throughout the book to show what the process looks like on so many different women. Seeing photos provides motivation and makes the process seem less scary. It helps to know what to expect as you start this journey.
As mentioned at the start of my review, I just passed the three-year mark of being dye-free. When I made the decision to stop dying my hair at the age of 43, only a small handful of my friends were supportive; most told me that letting my silvers sparkle would age me, and there were only a few books out there that helped with the process. I decided to trust my instincts and stop dyeing, and have been so happy with that decision. Although I have much less grey than I thought I did and it seemed to take so long to grow out, the process helped me learn a lot about myself. The decision to stop coloring is such a personal one; many women stop because they can no longer handle the fumes or because they have allergic reactions to the chemicals in the dye. For me, it started because I wanted to move away from chemical color and had been doing my own henna for a few years, but it had stopped covering the grey. I finally realized that I also wanted to dismantle the stereotype that women can't look chic and youthful when they embrace their greys. Whatever your epiphany or "ah ha!" moment is, this book can help you through those rough patches that are bound to crop up.
Here are a few other tips while transitioning:
* If you're on Facebook, consider joining some of the grey hair groups that are out there. Checking in and seeing the process and the finished looks helped keep me on course during the process and kept me from wavering.
* Take monthly progress photos. It helps motivate you to see how you *are* making progress, even when it may not feel that way. (Warning: when you were dying your hair, it seemed like it would grow so quickly and you always had to color your roots, but when you're growing it out, time seems to slooooow way down! :-) )
* Start a Pinterest board of inspirational women with silver locks. When I felt my resolve wavering (and, to be honest, it's happened even recently), looking at those photos helped remind me that silver hair doesn't age you. I still pin new looks and images of silver goddesses to inspire me.
* Check out blogs and websites for more ideas. Lauren of How Bourgeois in particular has some wonderful posts about the process, as well as tricks for styling your hair during the grow-out process. Her half-up style was my go-to to help hide the demarcation line.
My hairstylist (who does Deva cuts for curly hair) said that Lorraine Massey may also be coming out with a line of hair products for silver hair, and I sure hope that she does!
Wherever you're at in your journey, I'd recommend getting this book. The information is so helpful and important, and I know I will return to this book again and again for ideas, just as I do with the _Curly Girl: The Handbook_. Lorraine, if you're reading this review, thank you for shining your light on us and providing us with such wonderful information!
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Reviews with images
Great Book!
Really enjoyed reading parts of this tonight and all the pictures, tips and stories. I really like this book. 😊👏🕊
