Last year, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Fauzia in person when she organised a "Silver Sisters Meeting." It was a gathering filled with laughter, shared stories, and an overwhelming sense of camaraderie among those who have dared to defy the conventional norms of beauty.

In Fauzia's own words, here is her story:

"I was so judged, not just by society but by my own family, due to cultural expectations that a woman’s worth and her beauty lay in the color of her hair, which had to be a rich, dark shade. The punishing cycle of dyeing my hair began when I was shamed by my father for allowing my natural grey hair to show. 'You've let yourself go,' 'Don't you look in the mirror?' 'You should be ashamed'—these were the comments that convinced me I had let myself go and I needed to fix it.

As the years passed, I was desperate to let my natural hair grow but had been brainwashed into thinking I would look old, be dismissed, and considered unworthy. Roll on Covid 2020 and lockdown. My heart danced a little with the idea that I could let my roots grow out and, if I didn't like them, I could color them again. No one would be any the wiser, and I had nothing to lose. Well, a few months in and I was sold. I felt a sense of freedom I had longed for since the horrid and shameful 'you must dye your hair' day. When lockdown was eased, I didn't want to hide it either. I wanted the world to see that I was making a choice to do what I wanted to do with my hair. I reveled in the grombre two-tone of 'THEN' vs 'NOW.'

The impact of embracing my greys has taught me that I am worthy regardless of the choices I make in my life. I love the fact that I am unique, and being unique is nothing to be ashamed of. I don't want to be a carbon copy of anyone else; I want to be me. I was never stopped in the street by strangers telling me how amazing my rich, dark hair was, but now, I have lost count of the number of times strangers have stopped to 'wow' at it.

Grey hair has opened doors for me I would never have imagined. Modelling for an organic skincare brand and showcasing the beauty of my natural hair color in photoshoots is liberating.

I have encouraged many to ditch the dye, and that is the most rewarding outcome. The world is a better place for freedom of choice and societal and cultural acceptance for Mother Nature's beauty.

I wear my grey hair with pride and celebrate it."

Fauzia is @whitehairdontcare on Instagram. Don't forget to follow her! 

Love, Silvina