right, tell me what to do about my grey hairs!

[movingaway]

I'm mid- thirties, shoulder length mid- brown hair. I used to think I just had the odd grey hair here and there- however when l looked in a mirror in (shock horror) broad daylight I realised I have bloody loads- especially noticeable if I, for example push my hair back so it inadvertantly parts the wrong way.

So what do I do- home hair dye? All over colour at the hairdressers? Or some kind of highlights/lowlights? Btw I am very suspicious of highlights, having had some awful ones once that just went too blonde and streaky.

I had dark hair with loads of grey at the roots and underneath the top sections. I had to dye it every 3 weeks which was a total pain.

I know highlights etc is the sensible grown up option but instead, last week, I bleached my hair and dyed it bright red (pic on profile)

No more black and white old lady hair!

How much do you care, and how much do you want to spend on it?

I'm in a similar situation and just use Nice and Easy semi-permanent home dye once a month, but I don't have very high standards and couldn't be arsed spending ages and £££ at the hairdressers.

I'm in a similar position. My scalp reacts badly to hair dye, so I have foils at a good salon. The hairdresser has matched the colours to my natural colours (my hair is a mix of blonde/brown so more than one colour to start with). The result is really good, very natural and is hardly noticeable when it grows out. It works for me.

The downside is that it is costly and time consuming.

Hmm to be honest I haven't had a haircut in about 6 months, and I am looking a bit bedraggled at the moment so I don't mind forking out at the hairdressers for something if it looks nice. Just not sure which way to go, and I am always hopeless at explaining myself at the hairdressers.

Ooh, Bunny I had bright red hair once many years ago! Sounds tempting...

One of the things that put me off highlights was the commitment and cost of going to the hairdressers every 4-6 weeks.

I cut my own hair and, like you, struggle to communicate with hairdressers.

Plus I didn't want to look like every other 30-something mummy out there.

I just cut all my hair off Looks fab.

I was very tempted to do that Gobblers - just shave it off and let it grow in white.

But then I looked in the mirror and realised I have neither the bone structure nor the balls to do it!

Bunny you suit that red fabulously!

OP, I dye my hair either roughly the same colour as it is naturally (reddish brown), or else a brighter red (depending on mood). I like doing home hair colour as it's cheap and you can experiment without feeling like it's a big deal at the hairdresser's if you hate it. IYSWIM.

Casting creme gloss is good for zapping the greys, comes in loads of colours and has a nice clear glossy effect rather than being horribly matt and flat like some can be. But I try various ones as they come along. Just have a browse in a big boots or supermarket and see what you fancy. When you get it right, i.e. a colour that suits you and has a shiny/glossy effect, your hair (and you) will look loads better even without a cut IME. When I have greys showing around my hairline it makes me look washed out.

One tip though is beware of going too dark. At least to start with, whether at home or in salon, don't go for a colour darker than your natural colour, as it can make you look weird and much older. When mine is too dark I look like my mum! (horrors)

I have cut mine off too. So easy. Also, I let myself go grey, had been dying my hair for about 20 years. A permanent dye. Got fed up of roots. Decided I was the 'right age' to be grey. I lasted 2 years.It is not a good look for me. I found a hairdresser who puts on a semi with highlights. Dye has moved on so much. I now go 8 weekly and roots are not a problem as the dye fades and the highlights kind of camouflage everything. If that makes sense.

I couldn't face the tyranny of endless dying, trying to age gracefully (ha!).

I used to have dark brown hair, has gone so grey now that I have to be blonde, so that the roots aren't so noticeable when it grows. ( it's also more flattering on older skin )
Guess you're not at that stage yet but unfortunately they will probably only get more plentiful...

( always wanted to be blonde actually :))

Hmm thanks all, maybe I'll try a semi permanent one and see how I go. I think I'm just never happy- I have had highlights before and despite using the words 'natural, subtle' etc they just looked too blonde and awful! But then all-over colours sometimes seem too flat or too dark.

In fact the only time I seem to like the colour is a few months after a home hair dye when it seems to develop a bit of a coppery sheen as it grows out/fades.

bunny you are my inspiration. You look great and I totally agree that hairdressers have a '30-something mummy look'.

I am way older than you but have fairly free flowing longish naturally curly hair and I just colour it at home, its natural colour, brown.

I am happy with this. It suits me.

Awww thank you Line