Gray Hair Archives - NIKOL JOHNSON

Silver Sister Spotlight with Caroline Labouchere

April 6, 2019 ·

Ladies, I am back to inspire you with a fierce Silver Sister Spotlight with Caroline Labouchere. I became friends with Caroline through Instagram and my desire to visit Dubai where Caroline lives. I DMed her on social media and told her I wanted to come and run with her and see the country her response “Come, I will take care of you,” She has such a sweet and calming spirit something that reads true on her Instagram Stories. Let’s introduce you to Caroline.

It’s not every day you see a striking model sporting natural grey hair, owning the runway, gracing magazine covers and standing out from the crowd with a message that simply says aging can be beautiful. Caroline is fifty-four years young and the Region’s (United Arab Emirates) first ‘grey’ model. She grew up in Bedfordshire, UK. Her father was Lord Luke of Pavenham; a hereditary Peer of the Realm. Caroline grew up as a Sloane Ranger and came out as a debutante with a strict mother who dressed her in typical upper-class style. She is a competitive marathon runner, alongside her husband who is a world-class elite endurance triathlete. She has run the Dubai and Paris Marathons and she is currently training to run her first Ultra marathon. She clearly lives an active and healthy lifestyle.

Q: When did you start to go grey?

A: I was turning quite grey around the year 2000. It was hard covering it up and I went through phases of letting it go (feeling old) and coloring it. Peer pressure definitely has an impact.

Q: Did you feel empowered by your grey hair or defeated?

A: Initially through the perception of everyone around me I felt the need to fit in. I now feel completely content with it and cannot wait to be more grey.

Q: Tell us about the recent award you received.

A: Oh my, from the first random email invitation to the event I had a week to pull it all together. I didn’t believe the request when the email first appeared in my inbox. The pageant was called Golden Ambassador for Beijing Tourism. I was found through social media. Contacted by a French man, I thought it was a hoax, I got my husband to speak to him on Skype. I finally spoke to another contestant from Paris via Instagram. After our chat, I decided to go for it. I found the perfect dress, eight inches too long but fabulous, my visa and was on a flight to China. Other than our outing to the Great Wall we cat walked and walked practicing for the big day, the pageant. It was nerve-wracking although the lights were so bright we couldn’t see the judges. It was an incredible experience, it is unlikely that I will enter a beauty pageant again. I am happy I did and honored to have won.

Q: How do you view aging?

A: I dislike some bits, the lack of skin elasticity being the main one. I stay very fit and find it frustrating that I cannot naturally do anything about it the inevitable march of time. I will age gracefully with some help I think. Jane Fonda is doing it right in my book.

Q: Do you feel the fashion and beauty industry supports women with grey hair?

A: No, especially makeup. The shops are daunting the lighting is bad and it is too easy to be mis-sold products. I would rather follow someone my age on Instagram and buy with their advice.

Want to be featured in my Silver Sister Spotlight or know someone that would? Email me [email protected] Can’t wait to feature more women that are aging and embracing it with a bold, fierce attitude.

Fashion Dysmorphia – Why The Need for Youth is Ruining Our Self-Esteem

February 22, 2019 ·

Let’s have a little sit-down chat, shall we? I recently subscribed to the magazine PORTER instead of receiving the magazine on my Nook. Porter came yesterday, and as I flipped through the magazine, I was creeped out at how young these models were for big brands like Chanel, Michael Kors, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, etc. It’s honestly disgusting to me that in 2019 we are still showing these little girls in clothes that cost over five thousand dollars a piece. Think about that for a second heck is anyone thinking about this or questioning how the fashion industry portrays women?

I don’t think so, or something would have changed by now. I can’t relate to teenagers in a Chanel suit or a teenager putting on Chanel makeup. I think it’s ridiculous for me to try and compare my skin, face, body to an embryo. Let’s remember that I probably see zero to one percent of the time a gray-haired model or woman over fifty featured in these magazines (that’s not a celebrity) such as Elle and Harpers Bazaar. Oh, wait! I did see a mature woman with long gray hair for Valentino but they had her hold up branches with leaves all over them so I couldn’t see her face. If you don’t believe me check out the March issue of Harpers Bazaar. We all know the fashion and beauty industry is extremely shallow but how is looking at a pubescent girl going to make me want to buy clothes? Buy an anti-wrinkle cream or even better seven hundred dollar shoes?

We all know the fashion and beauty industry is extremely shallow but how is looking at a pubescent girl going to make me want to buy clothes? Buy an anti-wrinkle cream or even better seven hundred dollar shoes?

Advertising is all subconscious ladies; you look through these magazines and page after glossy page you are bombarded with teenagers, unrealistic images, some women over the age of thirty and forty but very rarely. What does that say to us? If you are over forty, you are not beautiful, not worthy of being shown in an ad? Seriously how can you go to the Chanel counter and look at the teenage girls on their point of sale and think I am sixty-five I am going to look like that if I use this cream for four hundred dollars? Is thin, thinner, thinnest the only size in fashion? Surgery, laser, botox, filler anyone?

As a former model, I am getting so tired of seeing this display of ignorance and limited thinking by the fashion and beauty industry. It’s almost laughable to put Kaia Gerber (Cindy Crawfords daughter) a seventeen-year-old that has sparked tons of rumors recently for having an eating disorder in a Fendi or Jimmy Choo advertisement. Am I missing something? Because I feel like I am. I have nothing against Kaia or the other teenagers featured in these ads; it’s the ripple down effect that I want to point out. The pressure is beyond intense in the social media/fashion/beauty industries with more and more “influencers” completely changing their faces and bodies whether that is in the form of filters or full-blown surgeries. What is this saying to our daughters? What is this saying to women in general that feel like they are not enough because all they see is altered faced and bodies? The competition is brutal; influencers are all vying for a bite out of the lucrative pot of “influencer” marketing dollars. Enter why people buy fake followers and “likes” geez did I even just write that?

I ran a poll on my Instagram Stories the other day asking you if you thought it was weird that Chanel was featuring teenagers in their ads and most of you said that now that you think about my statement it WAS peculiar. Hearing from my followers reinforced what I have been thinking for a long time now, NO ONE IS THINKING ABOUT HOW WEIRD ANY OF THIS IS. We are all looking and not caring, or we are so numb to how dysfunctional these powerhouse advertisements are that we are blind to them. Do you think this will ever stop? Do you think that there could be a movement that one day companies will show who is really buying their clothes, accessories, and makeup?

In my opinion, it’s all fun and games for these girls until you see what’s happening behind the scenes with the pressure of social media and the pressure of the fashion industry to be thin, “perfect” and fit into a fake world ruled by numbers, subscribers, followers. Take for example Lisa Rina’s daughter Dalia, I caught up on the second episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills last night and was not surprised to see that Lisa’s daughter came out to the world about her eating disorder from the pressures of trying to be a model. More and more girls are looking at these ads like Chanel and Fendi with Kaia and thinking that this is normal. Selfie surgery is on the rise if you don’t know what that is you’re lucky.

Not all companies are creating this unrealistic disease. We still have CoverGirl and Neutrogena that have a brain and have tapped into their demographic. CoverGirl is featuring Maye Musk age seventy with the campaign slogan “I Am What I Make Up” and Neutrogena featuring Nicole Kidman age fifty-one for an age-appropriate skin care product like “Rapid Wrinkle Repair.” This post isn’t about not buying from Chanel or the rest of the fashion houses that are out of touch with women. This post is about being aware in a world where it seems we accept what we see and don’t stand up and say HEY! That’s Not Right!!! Start the conversation, stand up for what you think is right or wrong. Don’t sit back and think “Oh well, it’s all too big and out of reach for me.” or “I am just one voice who really cares?

I can’t wait until the day that I hear my mailbox clang pour a glass of crisp champagne and slide into my reclining couch to read the latest fashion magazine. I expect to see glossy page after glossy page women over forty that inspire me, encourage me to embrace my age and love my aging body. It might be far off on the fashion and beauty horizon, but I will never stop dreaming of the day we celebrate women through age and acceptance in magazines, billboards, the workforce, TV and commercials.

Why I Almost Deleted This Video

January 14, 2019 ·

It’s one thing to film a video it’s another to edit it and then watch it back. I was surprised at the reaction I had recently when I unexpectedly met another Silver Sister waiting in a line.

It’s becoming more apparent to me that it’s not just about the silver hair color that is connecting and pulling us together like a magnet. It’s bigger than that. The line of connection runs deep down into the soul of who we are and who we want to be in this world.

My video titled “How to Survive Your Gray Hair Journey” took an unexpected turn on the emotional roller coaster when I was filming. I never know what’s going to happen when I start shooting. On this particular video, I wanted to explain how Beauty Reinvented website even came to fruition, why I am so passionate about featuring other women on my blog and showing up in this world as a voice to break the beauty rules.

I mention a couple of examples of fate when publishing my book and meeting two women with compelling stories when I have been out and about town. I edited my video and watched it back multiple times, I started to second guess myself. Should I really be this vulnerable?

Should I let the world see me this emotional? I keep my emotions pretty close to the belt in general but after going through hell with IVF and connecting with women all over the world on what seemed to be one emotional explosion. I am much more lenient with myself when I have these little passionate windows to my soul.

Ladies, have you stopped and thought what your gray hair journey is all about? Is it really about hair color? Age? Or are you creating a bold voice/movement in society and within yourself?

I have sat and stared at the sky and thought how silly that I would let other peoples rules and ideas affect how I show up visually to the world. And I am so happy that I took the plunge in my thirties and said I DON’T CARE WHAT ANYONE HAS TO SAY ABOUT MY HAIR COLOR!!!!!!!

It’s about your attitude, building yourself up from the inside out and stepping into the uncomfortable feelings. If you are feeling uncomfortable, you are right where you need to be on this journey.

I decided that I wouldn’t be embarrassed or apologize about this video and how much I wave my hands around or how passionate I got on the topic. Most days I am still trying to be “perfect” but videos like this tell me to just be real and go with it. Stop fighting who you are and let that woman out.

Versace, Bulgari and a Breast Pump

December 20, 2018 ·

You know I couldn’t stay away from this topic! It’s just too juicy. Shedding some light on another controversial natural occurrence is breastfeeding, and it’s a touchy subject with a lot of people. Why? Well, you know just like having gray hair it’s weird and makes people feel uncomfortable, yet it’s natural. Go figure.

Rachel McAdams an actress that kept most of her pregnancy under the covers has slowly been talking publicly about her seven-month-old. Rachael appears on the cover of Girls, Girls, Girls a leading independent editorial women’s fashion magazine. Instead of going on and on about how feeding a baby from a breast freaks people out I am going to let the photographer and Girls, Girls Girls publication founder Claire Rothstein take it from here.
One look at Claire’s Instagram feed that is oozing with female sexuality, elegance and fierce attitude will have you captivated. Her Instagram caption on the photo she took of Rachel is everything.

View this post on Instagram

A million reasons why I wanted to post this picture. Obviously #rachelmcadams looks incredible and was quite literally the dream to work with but also this shoot was about 6 months post her giving birth to her son, so between shots she was expressing/pumping as still breastfeeding. We had a mutual appreciation disagreement about who’s idea it was to take this picture but I’m still sure it was hers which makes me love her even more. Breastfeeding is the most normal thing in the world and I can’t for the life of me imagine why or how it is ever frowned upon or scared of. I don’t even think it needs explaining but just wanted to put this out there, as if it even changes one person’s perception of something so natural, so normal, so amazing then that’s great. Besides she’s wearing Versace and @bulgariofficial diamonds and is just fucking major. Big shout out to all the girls 💪🏽 #rachelmcadams for @girls.girls.girls.magazine cover shoot 📸 @clairerothstein #pleaseshare Side note: I did not look anywhere near as fabulous as this when feeding/pumping. And that’s ok too. Stylist: @alicialombardini 👠 . #girlsgirlsgirlsmag #girlsgirlsgirls #bringingbackthewoman #nogrungejustglamour #independentmagazine #printisnotdead #normalisebreastfeeding #normalizebreastfeeding #breastfeeding #life #women #versace #bulgari

A post shared by Claire Rothstein Photographer (@clairerothstein) on Dec 18, 2018 at 1:11am PST

I love how Rachel looked raw and real plus ultra glamorous with and without the breast pump for this photo shoot. She radiates from within and shows the world that breastfeeding should be praised not shamed. I get that she had a complete stylist/hair and makeup team not to mention she was in designer clothes, BUT she chose to keep the breast pumps in the shot. It wasn’t a prop it was a real-life Mother working and trying to keep up with a newborn. This Ladies is precisely why I LOVE this photo shoot.

Jane Your Tartan!

December 13, 2018 ·

I woke up this morning to a comment on my Instagram that went something like this: “Tartan in your knickers doesn’t line up…..not well made.” Hmmm, first I had to stop reading with one eye open and recall what the hell tartan was, Oh, right my underwear. WOW, someone is looking at the seams in my UNDERWEAR noticing they don’t match up? LOL I have made it!

Jane Your Tartan! — Photo Credit: Rick Gomez Photography

I laid in bed looking at the ceiling thinking it’s amazing I am even taking pictures in my underwear at forty-three. It’s ironic because when I was shooting this shot, I would run over to my photographer Rick and say let me see how these are coming out. I then would proceed to tell many insults about my body or how the robe was laying. Rick always rolls his eyes and says something to the effect that I am foolish and not practicing what I preach. It’s the truth, for some reason we women like to beat ourselves up over little imperfections that in reality WE can only see.

I am just like you with not always being positive about my body, hair, skin you name it that is why I am so passionate about writing and speaking about being yourself, embracing your age and finding the silver lining that we all have inside.

It’s not so much about the tartan or my ridiculous thoughts about my body in this photoshoot but how women are so quick to point out the negative, the flaws in each other. Why is that? I know the comment about my dysfunctional seams on my underwear isn’t a huge deal and maybe it’s true that the seams are beyond screwed up, but it’s the underlying energy and example that this statement creates. Perhaps the woman that wrote the comment is very unhappy with her life, maybe she is sad around the holidays, and this made her feel better, or maybe she is coming apart at the seams (pardon the pun) and needed to say something that was just true and obvious? Whatever it was it wasn’t positive no matter how you try and lessen that comment.

So what is the lesson today? What’s your take away? Think about what you are saying first before you say or write it. The holidays are a very highly emotional time for a lot of people. Think about how your comment might make someone else feel. Do you think it will empower that man or woman? Do you think it makes you a better person if you say it? Get real with yourself, find out where your intentions are with the words and comments you say.

Words are powerful make yours be a reflection of who you are.

Why This Happened After The Victoria’s Secret Runway Show

December 5, 2018 ·

Like most of the world, I was excited to see the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on ABC the other night. I love the production aspect of the show, the musical talent, the adorned angel wings, the flowy silky material cascading off the model’s bodies but this show struck me as a little stale, behind the times and not empowering women.

The opening song was by Lelea James, a gorgeous singer that belted out the song “This is Me.” A song about being yourself and not letting people break you down. Great choice by Victoria’s Secret executives but that’s where the women empowerment stopped.

Model after model was an unrealistic size 2 (what’s new?), and max age twenty-two OK maybe there was a model that could be pushing twenty-five but you get the picture. I was waiting for the diversity to pop out behind the stage with wings pointed to the high heavens but it didn’t happen.

I thought well maybe Lelea will rip off that red dress she’s wearing and have this magnificent ensemble on????? Wait, they had to have booked Maye Musk because she’s killing it at seventy but sadly NO. Where were the over forty models heck over seventy models WHERE WERE THEY? NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

I sat there and thought does Victoria’s Secret a lingerie company that makes everything from sleepwear to bustiers believe that women over forty are not their customers? Or would the argument be that the world doesn’t want to see older women in lingerie walking down a runway? Ahhhhhh Houston I think we have a problem. How can we as women relate to a show about femininity, come as you are, break the barriers when the entire show is one dimensional?

I woke up the next morning thinking maybe I missed the plus size girls or did they rock it with some gray-haired models? I texted my girlfriend to double check before I posted anything on Instagram. Then this happened.

So I am not the only one that thought there was something wrong with the show? So proud of these girls for speaking up and doing their thing right in the middle of Times Square. Bravo!

Excerpt from the New York Post article:

The Siberia native and former “America’s Next Top Model” contestant came up with the idea of staging a guerrilla-style fashion show as a response to the less-than-inclusive Victoria’s Secret lingerie event.

Kazakova told The Post, “I was talking with my friends like, ‘Oh my gosh, it makes me feel horrible.’ A lot of people feel unattractive after watching it.”

Again, we need companies that we buy from supporting women of all ages, hair colors and sizes. Lingerie is not just for models that have a hip measurement of thirty-two but for all women to feel that they too can be sexy, demure, confident insert whatever adjective makes you happy.

I am so tired of this one-sided view of beauty. Nothing will ever change unless women speak up and ask for change. Yes, that’s right Ladies, you have to ask for it to see anything change. You want a raise ASK FOR IT, you want to change the way your PTA meetings are held ASK FOR IT, you don’t like the way your landlord speaks to you SAY SOMETHING. I don’t sit back and say well, I guess that’s just the way it is going to be right now. I get involved and stand up for myself. Ignite your power, make the decision and do it.

This aging issue is so big and has been happening for so long that it will take women on a mission to move the limited thinking on age. Just like the bold women in Times Square that made a statement so can you. I want to make myself very clear here this blog post is about the aging issue and how society views women that are aging. This is not about a “Me Too” movement or a march nor is it about wanting to be younger, thinner or jealous of these models. I had my glory days being an international model and walking the runway for many designers worldwide. I am showing up representing women that are aging, letting their hair go gray and keeping their voice alive. There is nothing wrong with a forty-year-old or an eighty-year-old on a Victoria Secret runway. I would love to know who is making the final cut on these models? Is it all women? Men and women? Or just men?

I know one thing for sure if a modeling agent sent Winnie Harlow the first model to walk Victoria’s Secret runway with Vitiligo (a skin disease where you lose the pigment in your skin) to the casting five years ago she would have never been considered. I can say this from my experience being a model and traveling the globe. If you so much as had a pimple on your face forget it they would say NEXT much less an issue where the pigment of your skin is lost creating large white areas on dark skin. The modeling industry has always been extremely harsh and there is no room for imperfection. It might not seem this way now since we see companies using plus-size models to transgender models, but the industry was not so forgiving just years prior.

Congratulations to women like Winnie and the plus-size women in Times Square that are boldly showing up in the world despite the strict “must be perfect” box.

How to Stay Fit Over 40

November 5, 2018 ·

You might have seen on my Insta-Stories the other day that I met a woman who had an unbelievably toned smokin body and then she dropped the bomb that she was seventy-one years old. I immediately thought can I hire you as my trainer? Maybe I can get her to write a workout program for me?

She has almost thirty years on me, and she looks like one strong powerhouse! I decided at that very moment that I better pull it together if I want to look like her when I am seventy-one. Her body was lean, toned and it wasn’t about plastic surgery. She told me that she works out at Orange Theory Fitness and Ladies, that’s fierce.

You are probably wondering why I am wearing sunglasses and a red lip while working out right? When you have silver hair, you can do whatever you want. I even didn’t shave my Greek stomach hair because I don’t think it matters does it?

Oh, I am sure there are plenty of women out there that will say something about that happy little trail. I ~~think~~ know there is beauty in what everyone takes and shames away. Now, have I always thought this hair on my stomach was beautiful? No, but I feel after you go through extremely challenging trials with your body what’s a little hair on your belly?

I started thinking that my body is the only thing I have any real control over in this world. I decide what I eat, drink and slather all over it, no one else does. Maintaining a fit physique doesn’t just happen it takes work to see incredible results. Not many people are up for putting in the time, discipline and sweat it takes to reap the toned and sculpted rewards.

Lucky for me, I have always been into working out and enjoy the challenge of pushing myself to new levels physically. Do I love every second of my workouts? Some days I do and others I would like to pull the covers over my head and pretend I am not alive.

When I was young, I was very active in playing soccer, tennis, and softball. As a teenager, I was drawn to the leotards and step aerobics then working out in the gym. I will admit in the 90’s I did buy Suzanne Sommers “Thigh Master.” Secretly I think that thing worked and toned my thighs.

As an adult kick-boxing was my jam, then I fell in love with spinning. I can’t tell you how many creative ideas have come to me in the hour spinning classes I have taken. Being active is a part of who I am. When I have stressful days, only a workout can reset my body and my attitude. It’s honestly a lifesaver. I made staying active a priority, and it became a habit.

It goes without saying that I put my body through hell when I fought to get pregnant with every IVF cycle, nine to be exact. Not only did I inject truckloads of synthetic hormones for four years but I altered the actual shape of my body. It’s unsettling to see the strange changes that synthetic hormones do to your body from the amount of hair growth to the inches on your thighs that appear practically overnight.

When you are a human science experiment like I was it’s incredible how out of whack your body can get and takes years to recover. I feel a responsibility to my body to stay in shape, eat right and work out because of everything I put my body through trying to get pregnant.

I am not obsessive with working out, but I do make the time every morning to power walk with my Frenchie then get in the gym for a Peloton session or my favorite cardio with the slide board. If you don’t know about the slide board you should, it’s a game changer for your butt, thighs, and legs.

Are you are sitting back reading this blog post and feeling bad about yourself because you haven’t worked out in years? This is your push. It’s time that you decided to get off your heinie and hire a trainer, sign up for a spin class, get your girlfriend to walk with you before or after work, make your dog your workout partner. The time is now, decide to push yourself and do it.

Dig deep because when you are out of your workout game, it is incredibly hard to start up again. My eye surgery this past summer derailed my working out, but once I got back into my groove, it was like I never took a little hiatus.

Here are my five top tips to stay in shape after forty:

Be realistic with yourself: Don’t try and run a marathon if you haven’t trained. Find a workout that makes you happy whether that is Pilates, yoga or walking on the beach or in the cold brisk mountains. It’s not about fitting into what you see in Shape magazine it’s about what makes you wake up in the morning.
Plan out your meals: Don’t wait until the very last minute when you are starving and about to eat anything and everything in sight. Set Sunday’s for your breakfast, lunch, and dinner planning each week. I just signed up for Martha Stewarts Meal Delivery Service to take the stress off of having to create exciting meals each week. I will do a review on what I thought of the quality and ease of making the meals later this month.
Set Goals: Where do you see yourself in one month, six months, one year from now physically? Map out your exercise plan and set mini goals. Once achieved reward yourself with something that makes you happy from a blow out at DryBar (one of my favorite things to do) or a delicious glass of wine. You deserve to celebrate yourself and reaching your fitness goals.
Find a partner: This can be your husband, girlfriend or someone you meet at the gym. Having a workout partner gives you a little push on the mornings where you want to hit the snooze button a million times.
Get involved: There are many ways you can find support with other women just like you looking to be in their best shape. Gyms have fun contests and programs that make you push yourself; Facebook groups are an excellent way to connect with other women that are sharing tips and advice on getting into shape. Don’t see a group that fits what you like? Create one yourself.

There are many free apps now that you can download on your phone that gives you personalized workouts. YouTube has excellent videos from simple exercises to the full-on CrossFit training. In the world we live in now you can’t make an excuse for not working out.

No time? Well, there are time management apps for that too or how about hiring a virtual assistant? See, I told you No Excuses. What’s your favorite workout to do? Share in the comments below I am always looking to add something new to my routine.

5 Things To Remember When You Stop Dyeing Your Hair

November 2, 2018 ·

Do you know what to expect when you stop dyeing your hair? I didn’t and I suspect the majority of women don’t either. Let’s keep it, real Ladies, we have dyed our hair for decades why would we think about all the pitfalls when we stop dyeing our hair?

I think it’s essential anytime before you wander in an unchartered territory such as the gray hair transition to get an overview of what to expect. I filmed a video a couple of months ago called What To Expect When Going Gray. I receive dozens of DM’s and emails a week from women telling me they had no clue on what to expect and wished they had some idea before they kicked their dye box to the curb.

I have rounded up five things to remember when you stop dyeing your hair.

Go into this exciting and unique time in your life with the knowledge of where the challenges and emotional pitfalls are, so you are prepared when you hit those rough patches. I feel the more you know, the more successful you will be with your gray hair goals.

Silver Sister Spotlight with Marilyn Moles Carlisle

October 28, 2018 ·

Ladies this Silver Sister Spotlight took me months to put together. It’s fascinating how the world works with pairing you up with incredible people. I was introduced to Marilyn by my photographer Rick Gomez he thought Marilyn would be an incredible woman to feature and guess what SHE IS.

Silver Sister Spotlight with Marilyn Moles Carlisle

Photo Credit: Rick Gomez Photography

Marilyn (Moles) Carlisle grew up on the west coast of Florida in Clearwater. Her father, a physician, and her mother’s love for animals inspired her interest in veterinary medicine. She attended college at the University of Florida and graduated from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. She continues to practice medicine part-time in South Florida, and although she loves dogs, her special interest is feline medicine. Although Marilyn continues to practice veterinary medicine part-time, she also has a successful side-career as a classic lifestyle model and actress. She knew that to be a credible (professional) actress she would need to commit to training. She took local classes weekly at night for over a year, attended weekend workshops and recently traveled to Chicago to train at the famous Second City for improv. Her dedication to her work at training has paid off. She has been in numerous commercials (national and local), independent ﬁlms including a Lifetime movie, appeared in tv shows and can be seen in magazines and on billboards. She enjoys balancing both sides of her careers although admittedly the scheduling can be hectic at times. ! Marilyn and her husband (Stephen) of 23 years have two wonderful sons who will be graduating from college and high school respectively. She has been sporting her platinum white hair for over 20 years. Women and men have commented on her hair for years, but now she is excited not to have her hair described as a “beautiful anomaly.” Women would approach me at the grocery store and say “I wish I had the courage to stop coloring my hair.” Marilyn loves traveling, dancing, sunsets, beach walks, and spending time with family and friends. So also enjoys mentoring young potential veterinarians in their exploration of the profession.

Q: When did you first start seeing gray?

At the age of 14, I remember standing in front of my bathroom mirror and ﬁnding my ﬁrst gray hairs. The more I pulled them, the more they seemed to grow.

Q: In your professional world as a veterinarian did you feel pressure to keep your hair dyed?

The only time I have really dyed my hair was during college and my early years of veterinary school. Perms and color were popular during the 1980‘s. When I graduated from the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, I was already transitioning into my natural color by using low lights in my hair to help blend the white and remaining dyed brown. I looked like I had a lot of frosting. Professionally I have been employed at the same animal hospital for the past 25 years. We have all grown up together, so my hair was just part of the package. Stereotypically doctors have that “distinguished” look so maybe that helped me too.

Photo Credit: Rick Gomez Photography

Q: Did your white hair come in all at once? Or did it take years to be this beautiful white color?

It seems that it came in all at once. When I decided to stop the low lights, I was 95% solid white. Only one small brown section in the front and at the ends as the low lights grew out. It looked okay, so I was lucky

Photo Credit: Rick Gomez Photography

Q: How did you feel when you decided to go gray? Was this a scary time for you?

When I wanted to start my family, I decided to totally give up the chemicals. Pregnancy and added chemicals just did not seem to be a healthy choice. My husband was supportive and loved my uniqueness, so he helped make it easy for me. My mother’s side of the family has a lot of beautiful white hair. My hair and my blue eyes deﬁnitely come from mom! Only once do I recall feeling bad about my hair. I took some “me time” and treated myself to a massage. After the massage, the masseuse asked: “Why don’t you color your hair?” “From the back, you look like an old lady, but from the front, you look so young?” That same week I went and added back the low lights. About a week later, a long time client at the animal hospital asked me why I colored my beautiful hair. He was right! That was the last time, and I have never looked back. The low lights just faded away, and thankfully my white hair came right back. To me, it looks glamorous like in the 1960’s just like my namesake Marilyn Monroe.

Q: What advice would you give other professional women when it comes to embracing your gray?

Professional women, and in fact all women should feel conﬁdent. Conﬁdence is strong and sexy all at the same time. Choose what makes you feel conﬁdent and then just run with it. Embrace your look!

Photo Credit: Lynn Parks Photography

Q: How did you get into lifestyle modeling? Are there any jobs that you loved working on as a gray-haired model?

Modeling and acting were never on my radar. However, in a Pilates class, I became friends with a woman who introduced me to an amazing photographer Rick Gomez. Rick took my ﬁrst headshot. The year was 2009, and really very few people had my look. Rick and my friend Patricia helped connect me with a few talent and modeling agencies. I approached my acting with determination to learn. I took acting classes as well as special workshops. Just as in my veterinary practice, I continue to strive to be my best. I have a type “A” personality and am a perfectionist. Modeling and acting are generally fun for me and reﬁlls “my love bank.” It does have a lot of rejection though and honestly; I still struggle with that at times. However, when I am on set, it is fun to step into someone else’s life as a character and the modeling helps me feel pretty. The mid-life career keeps me focused on taking good care of myself by making healthy food choices and exercising, especially loving my dance class. ! I have worked hard and tried to make wise choices. I have great agents who do their best to get me opportunities. A few of my favorite jobs include a Lifetime movie (Girlfriend Killer), and a billboard on I-95 (Seminole Casino). I have had some great commercials such as Prudential Retirement and a Dunkin Donuts where I combined my veterinary and acting worlds. Print jobs for award-winning country clubs (Boca West) are also fun. I also will be on the cover of Jan Rogers second book called “Going Gray Beauty Guide: 40 Gray8 Going Gray Stories” due out 2019 in hardcover and e-book. I am so very thankful and proud to represent our Silver Sisters!

Connect with Marilyn on Instagram: @Marilyn_Carlisle

Book Launch December 1st, 2018

October 18, 2018 ·

I am so excited to announce my first book launch on December 1st, 2018. Writing a book has always been on my radar, I wasn’t sure how my book would take shape would I write on infertility or going gray or both? In January, I made the decision that I would write a book to help women all over the world FINALLY have a Bold, Fierce, and encouraging step-by-step guide on how to embrace their natural gray hair in a modern and empowering manner. Beauty Reinvented encourages women to live authentically with an unapologetic attitude toward society’s view on gray hair and aging.

I had zero help when I started on my gray hair journey; I couldn’t find one woman in her thirties that had a blog or had written a book on how to go gray. I wanted a little insight, guidance, and raw information so I could be prepared but google search after google search I came up with nothing. I felt so alone and unattractive, but I pushed forward and made it to the silver lining two years later. I designed my book to be a workbook format that will help prepare you for all of the ups and downs of going gray. Some of the highlights of Beauty Reinvented include Developing Your Gray Attitude in chapter 4, and down-to-earth informative advice in chapter 5: My 5 Strategies to Going Gray. The book is rich with personal anecdotes and infused with my expert beauty advice on how to upgrade your skincare and makeup routines throughout your gray hair journey.

Beauty Reinvented will be available on Amazon and Kindle December 1st, 2018. Don’t forget to sign up for my Newsletter for exclusive invites, offers and discount codes.