Do you have your hair coloured? Or are you happy to go grey?

[Swedes]

I found a few grey hairs today and I don't want to be grey, not yet.

I am only just coming to terms with keeping on top of a persistent single black hair that emerges from my chin every couple of weeks.

What are my options re the hair greying?

[bodiddly]

when I first started going grey I had highlights put in to help cover it but without having to dye the whole lot. It became too expensive though so now I use a home dye kit to dye the whole head rather than highlights. I am pretty grey so having it done in the salon so often isn't affordable any more!

[ilovetochat]

i have grey at the front and dye it all over at home.
pre dd i had highlights but its too expensive and takes too long.

[Hassled]

No, I am far from prepared to go grey. I will fight the good fight, and keep dyeing for a while yet (am 43).

I reckon 50 is going to be the turning point - by which stage I'm hoping that underneath all the dye I will have become an elegant white. In the meantime I'm going very slightly and gradually lighter, so the grey that appears isn't such a contrast to my natural dark reddish brown.

Buy a packet of Nice & Easy or somesuch (2 packets if you have lots of hair). It's dead easy and reasonably quick. Or you could get a professional job done, but it always feels like a waste of money to me when you can get the same results at home.

[Swedes]

I am a brunette. I currently have a very few mahogany lowlights put in when I get my hair cut. But they are v tiny and subtle.

I don't really want to have to dye all my hair - it's in good condition, but I don't like the greys.

[Tortington]

who wants grey? jewish stock. v.dark. grey early - of coure u dye it. is this like a female pissing competition?

[mrsmaidamess]

I have just done my own roots (with dd's help) I am going to go down fighting.

[Swedes]

Hassled - Home dye? Really? I once did home waxing and did the left calf but couldn't go through with the right calf. Far too painful.

Not a pissing contest. Just that I do see lots of people who go gracefully grey and seem quite happy about it.

[Hassled]

Home dyeing is a piece of piss, to extend/do something to the simile. Really nothing to fear - just don't have small children/other distractions around.

[Quattrocento]

I did start dyeing about three years ago but I've decided not to bother anymore, for two reasons.

Firstly, it is immensely timeconsuming to go to a salon and have it done properly - takes around half a day every couple of months and frankly I don't have the time

Secondly I have dark brown hair. The problem with dyeing dark brown hair is that just before the retint, it goes red. I did not want to go red. It doesn't suit me. Nor would highlights. Also people dyeing their hair dark brown generally stop about three years too late - because dyed dark hair can look very witchy. So you have to go lighter over time. Which also wouldn't suit me.

So I'm going grey. I tell myself I look distinguished.

[duckyfuzz]

I have rather too many grey hairs but am still persisting with g=hgilights rather than all over colour, not sure how long this will last and as I am thinking of going for a crop within the next month (when I will also turn 39) I think my hair is about to become rather high maintenance

[pointydog]

My hair is white and grey. I have no intention of going au natural beacuse I would look 104.

You have to have quite a striking face and be good with make-up to carry off being under 60 and grey.

[pointydog]

ahem, that was a very quick post and here's my disclaimer: I am not trying to insult anyone

[Heated]

I've had some grey since my late 20s and considerably more now, but am hoping to stem the tide for another 10 years.

Tried various, going lighter and darker but you have to commit time and ££ to it, especially when regrowth means it needs either a full head and then a half-head every 6 weeks. Have given up on home dyes since temporaries don't cover the grey, and with permanents had trouble with buildup, ending up with very dark roots and lighter at the crown and with some of them there is a tendency to go orange .

But currently very happy with hair; I have my roots done at the hairdressers and then they put through Paul Mitchell Shines which makes it look very glossy & healthy but still needs doing every 6 weeks.

[Starbear]

Thought it was okay grey. Then my lovely sister dye my hair and it did take years off me and the hair does look fab.

[Quattrocento]

Do you think so Pointy? Honestly dyeing didn't make a whole heap of difference to me. I'd quite like to have gone very prematurely grey, which can look lovely I think.

Is there a related question about length of hair?

[Swedes]

LOL at you all being so frank and unscared.

So let me get this right, just as I'm saving up for investment dressing and good underwear, I'm now going to have to divert the funds towards keeping my hair brown?

Permanent dyes can look a bit blocky (think Playmobil hair) - would I get away with one of those semi perm colours at the salon, with lowlights? Or would they not cover my greys.

[macherie]

Quattro, in case you change your mind, this is miracuolous for getting rid of the red tint. I nearly cried I was so happy when I discovered it.

You are right about needing to go lighter, my hair was v dark with accumulated dye, so I cut it short last summer, and have been meticulous about doing my roots, I use a brush to get better results and use medium brown rather than dark brown.

One year on I am really pleased with the results, my hair is glossy brown with no reds.

[Quattrocento]

I couldn't get the link to work, m? What is this wonder product then?

Will it solve the problem of time as well? Because that's the real blocker. Don't tell me to home dye - would end up with me dyeing everything in the bathroom (which I've just redone) all of my face, and missing my hair.

[MrsEricBana]

Swedes I am same as you and my hairdresser recommended something called "Natural Glossing" which is a semi permanent that would cover the greys and fade naturally rather than grow out in a line. Agree need to go a bit lighter as get older or looks too harsh - natural glossing can't do this BUT if the natural glossing colour you go for is lighter than your natural colour it will cover the greys (which are colourless) without darkening the overall look. (that was at Essensuals BTW)

[macherie]

Sorry, it is Aveda Black Malva conditioner, it is a wonder product!

[Swedes]

MrsEricBana - Ooh that's interesting. Is Essensuals a name of a product range, might I have to change hairdressers?

[missmelly]

Nice and easy semi permanents.. simple

[Swedes]

I have shoulder length hair that is very fine but there is masses of it. Would I really be able to do it at home?

How do I know which colour to choose?

[RustyBear]

Well, I'm under 60 (53 next month) & don't dye - I'm not grey all over, but maybe 20%. I have very dark hair & I actually like the grey sprinkling. Personally I think too many people carry on dyeing too long - there comes a point when it's more ageing than allowing the grey to show - it just looks strange.