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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Women who let their hair go grey

836 replies

CJ2010 · 13/09/2012 10:36

I don't understand why women, except the very old, say age 70 plus do not cover their grey hair?

I know a couple of women who have just turned 40 who are letting their grey come through and are just leaving it. It makes them
look so much older and washed out. I don't understand it really. I appreciate that some women are into the 'natural' look and are not fussed with make up and hair dye but I think by not having colour on your hair you age yourself dramatically.

Grey hair looks so wrong on younger women. AIBU?

OP posts:
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5
meekspirit1 · 12/09/2017 22:07

CJC2010, as it has been said, some people can't take all the harsh chemicals in hair dye, and I'm one of those who can't. The last time I had my hair dyed about two years ago, I had to use neutralizing shampoo for about 3-4 weeks just to get rid of the irritation. I'm 51 and for some people, dying hair is just not worth the discomfort.

Lilimoon · 12/09/2017 22:10

Zooooooooombie!

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 12/09/2017 22:11

YABU

Subtlecheese · 12/09/2017 22:12

It's my hair. I am over 40. Fuck off as you don't get to tell me or anyone else what the fuck they should do with their body you overbearing excuse for a human.
^^ is my uncensored response to this sort of shit. I wouldn't normally bother with an answer but I am a bit bored tonight. As will be the op to start such a thread.

systemlakeland · 29/04/2018 17:44

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TacoFlavouredKisses · 29/04/2018 17:45

Zombieeeeeeee

LanguidLobster · 29/04/2018 17:50

This is really old Grin

I have a few whites coming through but that's fine!

ToadOfSadness · 29/04/2018 20:06

Just looked to see who had bumped this really old thread and to see if they have grey hair.

For what it's worth, grey is preferable to dark roots and hideous blue faded dirty looking hair any day.

specialsubject · 29/04/2018 20:32

this thread is so old that even the dippy op is probably grey now.

i saw a picture of jennifer lopez with grey hair, looked realy good. although her face had been so photoshopped it could have been anyone, but thats time magazine for you.

headinhands · 29/04/2018 21:49

I actually think dark haired women who colour their hair brown tend to look more washed out and aged. I might consider blonde highlights over my grey but not all brown.

systemlakeland · 30/04/2018 09:21

^ @headinhands Yes, I agree! I was darker when I was young but have found my skin and eyes are fading and my previous colour just looks so harsh now. The joys!!

Kitkat2018 · 30/04/2018 09:24

I'm 27 and have a couple of strands of white hair along my parting. I call it my glitter... mainly because I'm too lazy to go get it done.. I don't see why people should judge me for it? It's my hair?

BiddyPop · 30/04/2018 09:27

Ok, I read the PP and saw red, so haven't read the 800+ replies yet.

I am mid 40s and greying (1st greys appeared at 19!). I have done highlights, bright red, and colour to cover the greys over the time since. And lots of time with no colour at all.

I do wear makeup. I care about my appearance. I get facials, use anti-ago g creams etc. Have nice clothes, wear heels when it suits .....y'know minding myself.

I also get a haircut that suits me and my lifestyle. And that includes allowing the grey to show through. I like it. I also don't have time to sit and get colour re-done every 4 weeks (fast growing thick hair), and I have far better things to spend my money on than hair colouring.

systemlakeland · 30/04/2018 09:41

Agree with BiddyPop

I hate how not dyeing your hair and not wearing make-up is equated with not caring about your appearance. I do wear make-up, but am seriously considering letting my grey come through. Maybe one day I'll stop the make-up too, who knows?

But caring about one's appearance - surely that is about hygiene and brushing your hair and teeth, wearing clothing that isn't ripped and stained, etc. It needn't include hair dye and make-up necessarily.

Another reason for women to have to do extra things to themselves or be accused of giving up and not caring.

As you say, BiddyPop there is also the time and expense to consider!

VileyRose · 30/04/2018 09:45

It's not about how you look, more about how you feel. That's what's important! A women bringing her own power back by not having to reach for dyes. It's brilliant and looks much better IMO.

MyotherUsernameisaPun · 30/04/2018 09:54

You are obviously being unreasonable. Come on, OP!

Women. Aren't. Obliged. To. Be. Attractive.

And who's to say grey hair is unattractive anyway? You aren't the arbiter of beauty.

There is no obligation on any woman of any age to conceal her age or alter her appearance. There's also nothing wrong with doing those things. But it's a purely personal choice.

Beaverhausen · 30/04/2018 10:50

I am 47 and going grey, I like it it looks good inbetween all the natural red.

LEELULUMPKIN · 30/04/2018 10:57

I got my first grey hair at the age of 20. I plucked it out and stuck it in my diary! 28 years later, I am rocking the grey look with pride. With what life has put me through in those intervening years, I've hard earned every damn one of em!

hipposarerad · 30/04/2018 11:06

Someone has reanimated this corpse of a thread to make women feel shit about themselves...?

Well, nice try but considering the bags under my eyes, a belly so slack it's lost all its structural integrity and is practically a liquid, and varicose veins so heinous I look like I've had my legs replaced by a pair of giant Niknaks a few grey hairs are the least of my worries.

IsItThatTimeAlready131 · 30/04/2018 11:35

I think this thread will have its own grey hair soon!

HairyToity · 30/04/2018 11:39

I have some greys and just leave it. I worry about the chemicals in hair dyes and the cost! Money is tight enough. DH does not mind. Its not obvious obvious. Just thought I'd age naturally. I'm happy with this decision.

paxillin · 30/04/2018 11:39

I understand bearing a grudge, I really do. But a 6 YEAR OLD bunfight? Gimme strength.

hipposarerad · 30/04/2018 11:50

You're right of course paxillin, I just saw an opportunity to use my Niknaks gag and took it.

BreconBeBuggered · 30/04/2018 11:54

This thread is nearly as old as I am. I don't dye my hair. I think hair that's been dyed to buggery over the years can look bloody dreadful. My hair's fantastic. The rest of me is a bag of fat on a decrepit frame.

50shadesofgreyismylaundry · 30/04/2018 11:55

Is it the zombie apocalypse then? Just when I forgot to bulk buy big roll at Costco. Yesterday it was the zombie carpet thread.