A PHOTO ESSAY BY André Chung STYLING BY Amie Decker Beauty
Amie Decker and lead hairstylist Kelley Small brought their talents to the Her Mind “Shades of Gray” photo shoot. Amie Decker Beauty specializes in on-site hair and makeup for special events and photo styling. Thanks to Amie and Kelley for helping our models’ inner beauty shine through. Amiedeckerbeauty.com
Liz Bobo, Harpers Choice, legislator representing West Columbia, Maryland House of Delegates, 69
When my brown hair began changing color about 15 years ago I colored it subtly for a few months. Then I vividly recalled my Mom’s white hair and how much I loved it. From that point on, no more coloring. I now love my white hair and regard it as a tribute to my Mom.
Pamela Paulding, Kings Contrivance, yoga instructor, 60
“I began going gray while still in high school, so I have had a lot of years to make friends with it. I’ve been too busy living to take the time to color my hair. I have never meant it as a statement, but now that I am so completely gray, I find young folks seem to take heart in seeing someone happily and frankly unattached to the idea that a youthful approach to life belongs only to the young. I guess I see my gray hair and my wrinkles as badges of life lived. Now if I could only learn to love my varicose veins!”
Paula E. Hawkins, King’s Contrivance, retired major, U.S. Army, currently employed by the federal government, 55
“I started getting gray strands at 16 years old – it was passed to me through my mother. Men like it, women compliment and often want to know what color it is. I call it “God-kissed silver.” I love, love, love, my hair.”
Laurie Norris, Catonsville, senior policy advisor for the federal government, 57
“The idea of coloring my hair has never appealed to me. I think it’s because for my whole life I’ve been interested in the question, ‘What is my truth?’ Going gray at a youngish age is part of my truth. I feel at home in this place.”
Hilary Brich, Oella, yoga studio owner (Gogo Guru in Ellicott City), 48
“Letting yourself go gray is not the same thing as letting yourself go. When I see women with gray hair, I assume they are more interesting because they made the less popular choice in this youth-obsessed culture.”
Nora J. Bellows, Crofton, felted bag and knitted flower designer (Noni Designs studio in Savage Mill), 46
“I get more compliments and positive attention about my hair now than I ever did when it was either naturally dark (almost black) or dyed to be that color. My hair has become a personal signature and is always a topic of conversation amongst the participants in the workshops I teach—people are always asking me if this is the natural color and surprised when I say it is.”
Laura J. Bellows, Oella, designer/small business owner (Jul Designs), 45
“I think many women (and men) don’t see the color gray as a color, but rather as a signifier of ageing in an age-ist culture that associates beauty with youth. I do see gray as a color, and a color I like. When I first started to get gray hair and my hair was short, the silver hairs looked sparkly. Now that my hair is long, I can see the complex range of colors that make up the gray – dark brown, chestnut, gray, pure white, even clear and I like this rich combination.”
June Caldwell, Wilde Lake, retired psychologist, 84
My hair was jet black before, it almost looked artificial. It started to go gray when I was about 35. I tried dying it one summer and it really looked artificial, so I said, OK I’ll let it go gray. It’s striking for my face, and the clothes I wear. I wear reds, yellows, intense colors. I have a friend, her skin is as dark as mine. Her skin is black and her hair is white. She looks good. I don’t know if my hair is the African or Native American in me, but I love it.
Eva Anderson, Long Reach, dancer/choreographer, former director of Eva Anderson Dancers, 80
I was director of a professional dance company, so my photograph was consistently taken. I had to have an image people would recognize, so I tied my hair in a turban. As I got older, I’d dye it myself because we’d be on tour. Finally, I just said I’m not doing this anymore. The first time I saw a woman with her hair this short was back in the 1950s. I thought it was so chic. I always said, when I get old enough, I’m going to cut my hair that way. Short hair is also a statement. I wear lots of earrings; I don’t have pierced ears, so my jewelry goes back a long way. I always look the same, so when photographs are made, they know who it is.
Kat Kelley-Chung, Oakland Mills, yoga studio owner (Bikram in Columbia), 46
“I have never really thought that not dyeing my hair is a statement, but I guess it is. I’ve always preferred the “natural” way and try to stay away from chemicals and processing. I don’t believe beauty comes at a certain age or a certain look, it’s something that radiates from within so I put most of my attention on my health and fitness.”
Marlene Burrell-Sahl, Kings Contrivance, personal trainer (Next Level Fitness, Columbia), 46
“I never thought twice about whether or not I would color my hair. I am Japanese-American and learned at an early age how to be comfortable with physical attributes that were different from the ‘norm.’ I figured out that I should simply embrace my individuality, taking care of the parts of me that I can and letting the rest do its own thing allows me to age as gracefully as possible.”
Linda Gorton, Wilde Lake, commercial modeling, 60
“In my 40s I discovered a new confidence. It was around that time I decided to go gray. It was a personal decision that came from within; and I allowed myself to get used to the idea. When my hair was fully gray, I felt more of my authentic self bloom, and is still blooming. It is freeing. This is not the end, but the beginning. I haven’t turned back since!” *
