Hair Dye

Old ladies do not look like old ladies so much anymore.

This generation of older women (like my mother)is much more active than the one that preceded them—athletically, socially and intellectually.

Yet I believe the biggest reason for their sustained youth—the thing that most separates them from their mothers—is hair dye.

Back in the fall after having had my hair colored, my mother, upon seeing me said I love your blond hair—pretty soon you are going to look like me!

But as much as I love my mother and think she looks wonderful for her age, I did not perceive this as a compliment. I took it as information that I needed to bring back to my colorist.

I had become a victim of the Over-Blonding of America.

Haircoloring 101 postulates that as women age their base hair color must be lightened. It also postulates that in order for the base color to seem natural, highlights must be added to add natural shine and contrast. The highlights are also intended to hide the gray.

Superficially this has merit but in everyday practice this theory has morphed into a monster. The theory has been taken too far.

Because brunettes should remain fundamentally brunette. The base color should only be a step or two lighter—a natural dark chocolate brown  should be brought down to a medium brown not caramel blond. And the highlights should look like streaking the sun might have done-- and not painted on blond. Because when hair that was naturally dark brown is over-lightened it washes out the complexion-it has the opposite effect of which it was intended. Over-lightened hair ages women. And the root thing is a whole other disaster—dark brown roots + gray mixed with light brown hair and blond—it is not a good look. The grey is not less but more noticeable among the 3 other shades of hair color.

And I have been battling to get this point across to my colorist until my last appointment when I noticed that one of the beauticians in the shop had had her hair ombred.

I found the solution (literally).

My colorist modified the trend for my length hair and my age.

And so now my hair is a step or two lighter than my natural color at the root/base and then slowly (about 3 inches from the root) lightens down the shaft. At its lightest, the color is no longer blond but medium/light brown. I think my color looks more natural and my complexion is not washed out. And the root growth is no so outstanding.

  

And in the 1960’s---beginning with my mother’s generation—the root of it all---the advertising for Miss Clairol asked Does she? Or doesn’t she? 

There is no need to ask that question anymore. Everyone does. The better question is How well is she doing it?