Live and let dye — but think Storm, not Bea Arthur

It’s been a year since I decided to let my hair go gray.

I’ve been coloring it for half of my life, ever since I found my first grays when I was 26. After all those years, I wasn’t even sure what my real hair color was.

But I hid my roots like they were something to be ashamed of. Now I realize, in the right light, some of the strands are like glitter.

If you’re thinking about it, now is a good time since silver hair is trendy among younger women. I’m sporting it in the newsroom alongside Lily, who’s 27.

Here’s my advice:

Enlist a good hairstylist. I met Brandee in my city parks and rec painting class so I knew she understood color. Hers was a gorgeous golden coppery red.

Do it all at once. Brandee had me grow out my roots an inch so she could get a good look at the color. Then, in one eight-hour sitting, she colored it to match.

When you stop coloring, you still color. For a little while anyway, to blend new growth in a way that looks natural.

Get a good cut, something modern and hip. You want Storm from X-Men, not Bea Arthur.

Be patient. It’s a process, though not as bad as growing out your bangs, and we’ve all done that and survived.

Do it when you’re ready. In this last year, dozens of women have asked me how I did it and then explained how they’d like to stop coloring. Just not yet.

I get it. I worried about the same things: Would I look older? Would I feel older? Would people treat me differently?

My plan is to go all Mother of Dragons and grow it long, but I might change my mind. I tell other women, do what feels right for you.

I wanted to see what was under there. Now that I know, I’m embracing my roots.