Update: One Year Later…Do I Still Like My Gray/Silver Hair?

Friends it has been one year since I quit coloring my hair, and so the question I have been repeatedly asked,… usually from those who are on the fence regarding hair coloring…Do I still like my gray/silver hair color?

The answer to that is an astounding YES!  I posted about my decision to let my hair go natural a year ago and if you missed it and would like to review it, you can see that post here Going Gray And How I Did It..

So now it has been a year and I will tell you what shampoo I use and any other points that might interest you… and if you have any questions, I will be glad to answer them.  Many of you commented on that post and I thank you for your comments.

As many of you know, the Captain and I go to Church and Sunday School faithfully every Sunday.  And I tell you unabashedly, I STILL GET COMPLIMENTS ON MY HAIR EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY.  I am really not boasting (that is not a good thing) but it is true.  Every Sunday, at church or a restaurant afterwards, a woman and/or a man, tell me how they LOVE my hair.  It makes me wonder how bad my red hair looked before. LOL. The Captain has said: “Wow!” “People are still noticing your hair.”  Of course, he says he loves my hair and that is all I need, but I have to admit it makes one feel good to hear a nice compliment not only from people we know but from perfect strangers.  At this point, I have to say the Captain’s hair is more silver too, so we sort of ‘match’. LOL

 I believe I found a hair cut that is flattering and I go to the Beauty Salon for a hair cut only.  Christine at ‘Live Love Laugh Beauty Shop’  cuts my hair and I am in and out of there in about 20 minutes.  A far cry from the 2-3 hours spent in the chair every 4-5 weeks for hair color.  As for the hair cut, Chris uses a razor  cut on the back and sides….this is very, very short.  The only length I have is a gradual length from the crown where my hair is about 2 inches long (easy spiking) to the top front which is about 6 inches long. Actually, the photo at the top of my blog was taken last week and I am in need of another hair cut.  I have to tell you that Chris has been my Hair Stylist/Hair Dresser from literally the day the Captain and I moved to Florida. I consider her a good friend.  When I was going through chemo and losing my hair, she came to our home to take care of my hair when she found out I didn’t have the strength to get out of bed on my own.  Luv ya Chris!🥰

So what do I do to keep it silver?  Really nothing! However, I do use a purple shampoo to keep the yellow from showing up, but I do not leave it on for any length of time.  I shampoo and rinse quickly.  I also have a conditioner that is purple, but I don’t use it very often as my hair tends to be soft and manageable without a conditioner….and Chris says she notices the same.  I bought a gloss treatment when I first bought the purple shampoo and conditioner, but I have never used it.  I like to know I have it on hand in case one of these days my hair turns dull.  So far that has not happened.  

Shampoo, Conditioner and Gloss

So what shampoo do I use?  There are so many products on the market and believe me I have researched on my own as well as what other ladies (and gents) have used when they let their hair go ‘natural’ . Below is what I currently use: Silver Halo by Celesty. The cost is $29.00…and I have found it to last a long time.

I have used this Celesty shampoo since the very beginning.  I wash my hair at least once a week…more if I have lots of product in it such as the taffy I use, (see below) because I like textured and full hair.  (I know, just like Dolly Parton) LOL. Below are the 3 products I have on hand.  As I said, I only used the conditioner a few times and have never used the gloss…or color balance mask.

The below information is directly from the Celesty website and I am not compensated in any way, as they don’t even know I exist, but they were recommended to me in the beginning by a friend up North and I am pleased with the results. If you are interested in this product(s), read below or click on the  Celesty website:  

Cooler Tones. Brighter Hair. Clean, Not Coated. Silver Halo Color Balance Shampoo is a tone-correcting cleansing system designed for blonde, silver, gray, and lightened hair.  Unlike basic purple shampoos that only deposit pigment, this formula combines violet tone-correcting technology with balanced cleansing agents and amino acid support to remove buildup while refining tone — without leaving hair dry or stripped.

What It Does:. Neutralizes yellow and brassy tones
* Gently cleanses without over-drying
* Brightens dull, flat color
* Enhances shine and light reflection
* Leaves hair soft, fresh, and weightless

The Science: Violet pigments work opposite yellow on the color wheel, helping cancel unwanted warmth while cleansing. At the same time, a balanced surfactant system removes impurities without disrupting the hair’s natural feel, while amino-acid support helps maintain a smoother, healthier-looking surface.

Why It’s Different: Most toning shampoos can feel harsh or drying. Silver Halo is engineered to:
* Cleanse + tone in one step
* Maintain softness during washing
* Avoid heavy buildup or residue
* Support tone clarity without dulling

Ideal For:* Blonde (natural or color-treated)
* Silver or gray hair
* Bleached or highlighted hair
* Hair prone to brassiness or dullness

How to Use: Apply to wet hair and lather evenly. Leave on for 1–3 minutes depending on desired toning intensity, then rinse thoroughly. Use as needed to maintain cool, bright tones.

Of course there are other products out there and who knows… I may try one or two one of these days, especially if I feel my products are not working anymore.

My Hair Care Procedure:

I will also tell you exactly what I do for/to my hair.  You may or may not like to use extra products on your hair, but I find it works for me and people are kind to notice and comment.

After shampooing my hair, I sometimes use a small amount of Root Boost. You’ll find it available here:  TIGICatwalk Root Boost spray, I apply sporadically at the roots and then I blow my hair dry.  I don’t use the root boost every time I shampoo my hair…depends on how much time I want to spend on my hair on any given day. Either way it just takes a couple sprays at the roots on top of my head and then I move on to blow drying my hair.

After my hair is completely dry, I lift up clumps of dry hair around my crown and use small ‘sprays’ of Texture spray to the roots. You’ll find it available here:   Kenra Platinum Dry Texture Spray , and then I style my hair with my fingers. Yes, I use my fingers.  When I was asked by a few of my friends… what do I do with my hair and make-up.  I invited them over to my home and showed them a step by step process for hair and make-up.. I bravely faced them with a bare face and just shampooed hair.  🥴

But I digress, ok, I use my fingers on both hands to move the top of my hair around to the way I want it.  When I get it looking somewhat like I want it to look….which is high at the crown and layered over to one side of my face with sides pushed back, I use purple taffy . You’ll find it available here:  Kenra Taffy #13. This taffy is very sticky and I rub it between the  fingers of both hands and proceed to mess up all the hair my fingers have just adjusted and moved around.  Now I use the tips of my fingers to put it all back into place, making sure to not smooth it but layer it, showing the texture rather than neat and smooth.

I have used this taffy for years and years.  When my hair was red, I wore it very short with a sort of spike at the back crown, top and sides and this taffy was the only thing I could use to give the affect I wanted.

At this point,  I am finished with my hair styling, unless I want to be assured every hair stays in place…in which case I give it a few short bursts of Aussie hair spray. You’ll find it available here. Aussie Instant Freeze Hair Spray.

Since my hair is very, very short in the back and sides, the only length is the hair on top of my head. So I can dry my hair with my hair dryer in about 5-6 minutes.  From shampoo to finish takes me about 10 minutes.  I don’t know if the type of hair dryer matters to you, but I have two.  I have a heavy duty Dyson hair dryer, but I prefer to use my L’ange hair dryer.  They both dry my hair quickly but the L’ange is much lighter, so I tend to pick it up first.  I have them both on holders and find it is much easier and handier to have them readily available without opening a cabinet, etc.

You’ll find L’ange available here. L’ange Quiet Brushless Hair dryer.  And You’ll find Dyson Hair Dryer here.  Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer.

Silver Hair And Loving It.

So as I said above, I am liking… not only my silver hair but the ease with which I have to care for it.  I have also tried using the Rusk Thick Spray to give more body to my hair since it feels more silky than it did when I colored it.  I like the product and it does seem to give more body, but most of the time I use the above products.  My hair is not thin, but I do like big hair. LOL 

I have to add the same thing  I have heard from every single person who has went gray or silver.  I wish I would have let my hair go naturally gray or silver  years ago.  Who knows what those harsh chemicals have done to me?

Thank you for reading ‘Update: One Year Later…Do I Still Like My Gray/Silver Hair?’  I hope I have answered any questions you may have had.  If you have other questions, just ask and I will respond below in the comments.  I always comment on any of your comments as I love hearing from you.  I feel like we are having our own confessions, …over the hedge.

Blessings Always

1 Corinthians 11:13  ^“But if a woman lets her hair grow, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given her for a covering”. 

 

1 Corinthians 11:13 “Don’t you agree there is something naturally powerful in the symbolism—a woman, her beautiful hair reminiscent of angels, praying in adoration…” The Message, Eugene Peterson

  

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