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We tend to associate old(er) people with grey hair and while many of them are rocking the wise wizard look, others opt for something a little more... colorful.

Patti Smeed had been a redhead since 1988 but got bored of it and decided she needed changes. Her son, a master colorist cosmetologist, agreed to help.

Now, there are 6 different colors in her hair: blue, dark blue, magenta, purple-slash-green, green and pink, and some of her original bleached blond color.

To celebrate the result, on August 12, Smeed tweeted a few pics of her newly dyed hair saying, "I am 74 years young and had this done to my hair today, I love it! What do you all think and be honest! In my profession, I had to be conservative and never could have had anything like this!" Her tweet instantly went viral, generating nearly 370K likes, and that's pretty much the best response she could've received. It has also inspired other old folks to share pictures of their brave hairstyles, reminding everyone to never to stop experimenting.

Image credits: PattiSmeed

Image credits: PattiSmeed

The editors of The Right Hairstyles blog said that women over 50 should keep in mind a few things when choosing the right hairstyle. According to them, the general go-to should be looking stately and elegant. "It's recommended to comb your locks back, opening your face," the beauty bloggers recommended. "Excessively shaggy hairstyles may appear sloppy and awkward. Bangs are ok, they make you look younger, but try to keep them neat and thin or styled to one side so that your forehead is not completely covered. Consider lighter hair hues, and you will easily take years off your face. Some older women look extremely flattering with silver hair. If you are not the lucky one, think of brown to blonde solutions or highlights."

They added that sticking to general recommendations on the choice of hairstyle, i.e. bear in mind your face shape and hair texture, is always a good idea. "Fine hair looks cuter when cut short and layered, while thick coarse tresses feel better in elongated cuts. They don’t have to be long. Lisa Rinna’s type of short-to-medium hairstyle is a very good option for thick hair."

However, just like with most beauty tips, recommendations aren't strict rules. They're there to give direction but aren't enforced on anyone. And the people who contributed to this thread certainly prove that. Just look at their confidence!

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#3

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Gina Babe
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had this and got so many compliments! She doesn't look 52!

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Demongrrrrl
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm 51 and have been wavering about dyeing my hair either purple or teal. These ladies are providing inspiration!

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Mia Cardenas
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same here. Love the teal and have been thinking about if for some time. Maybe we should!!!!

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NanZ
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You look so amazing!! Those colors blow my mind!! Absolutely beautiful!!

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Elli Rahim
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Taking this to my stylist! Hope you don't mind if I borrow the look - it's really lovely!

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Mia Cardenas
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have been thinking about this for a while. I think I have found my motivation! Same hair style, same color, same age!!! Love it!

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Bob Belcher
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So pretty. I love that her lipstick matches one of the colors in her hair.

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Billy The Kid
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hair colour change can put the beauty in people and it certainly suits you

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Z Alexi
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exquisite, elegant, turbo-charged...12 yrs of consistent work?! People think women w/short hair are lazy...not Ali Nelson w/high-octane mask.

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June Degarmo
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am 55 & I change my colors frequently. Have been blue & right now am neon green People even say I still look in my 30's. I have been changing it for so long I don't even know if my natural hair is going grey.{except for the grey chin hairs lol} My-new-gre...d04fd5.jpg My-new-green-7-2020-5f3cd5cd04fd5.jpg

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Aski Markup
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful, but does she look like a female Superman, Christopher Reeves, to anyone?

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DKS 001
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you're never too old to have colorful hair. Anyone who says you have to "look your age" is an idiot.

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Malakai
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awesome! I love green, and I love how it's done here, especially on the beard and 'stache

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Malakai
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of these are amazing, but it's awesome to see an older man rocking some bright colors! Wish I could see more guys being bold and colorful like this :)

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Luna Lovegood
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SHe looks so happy! And the pink really looks great on her!!!

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Malakai
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those hair colors compliment her green eyes so well. I hope it turns out as pretty as the filter--she'd rock purple!

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Nea
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Iwish i wer as carefree as children are and as older people learn to be..

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Scagsy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like a Unicorn's tail, I bet it leaves a trail of glitter behind it!

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#30

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Scagsy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we can safely call that a success! What colour are you trying next?

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Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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