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Original poster

Grey .... Don't think I can do it .....

34 replies

butterfliesinmytummy · 26/08/2014 23:13

So I haven't dyed my hair since February and I've had it cut short in a cool pixie cut so I have about 5 inches of grey roots and light ends.

I am 41 but feel so old with my grey hair, I don't think I can keep it up. I catch sight of myself in the mirror and wonder who the old lady is! I've been trying with make up, lipstick etc but I can't reconcile it all and I don't feel good about myself. I actually went and bought some hair dye today. Maybe I'm just not ready? Anyone else done a u turn on this?

OP posts:
GiniCooper · 26/08/2014 23:20

In my mind a pixie cut isn't even close to 5 inches long.

Is it the two tone thing that's wrong maybe?
Would you get the ends cropped so it's all one colour?

Original poster
butterfliesinmytummy · 26/08/2014 23:37

I guess it's not a short pixie crop, one side comes down to almost chin length. I don't want to go shorter as I don think it will suit me (neither does my hairdresser). Should also add that I live in Texas, where no one under 70 has grey hair or wrinkles....

OP posts:
helzapoppin2 · 26/08/2014 23:41

Ha, ha, get ya! I'm a good bit older than you, and can't face the grey.
My feelng is put it off as long as possible. If you can't see the evidence, you don't think about it so much. You don't sound ready for such a big step!

helzapoppin2 · 26/08/2014 23:43

You're not a realtor, are you? I lived in America and never saw one of them looking their age!

Original poster
butterfliesinmytummy · 26/08/2014 23:55

No, not a realtor, but I know plenty! Most are expats so pretty normal looking but there's still a "big hair / puffy lips / stretched skin" thing going on here. There's a uber-groomed culture here that grey hair doesn't seem to figure in and although I won't subscribe to it, it's not nice being so far along the spectrum that you've dropped off it.

Pondering further....

OP posts:
Inkspellme · 27/08/2014 07:13

I'm 46 and are just going through the letting it go grey process. I love it but this is my third attempt to do it over the last 5years. I felt like you the other times. But I was going from brown to grey at that point and I think the difference was just too much. I went blonde for about 18 months and now grey and its much better. It just feels less of a jump.

It doesn't sound like you are ready to go grey yet so I would go with the dye.

GiniCooper · 27/08/2014 07:59

Oh, that puts a different slant on things.
I'd be out with the dye in that case I think.
Try again in a few years maybe?

Pippidoeswhatshewants · 27/08/2014 08:11

I have just started hiding my grey with high and low lights, after my delightful dd pointed out my "silver" hair to everybody.
I am nearly 40 and definitely not old enough for grey! I wouldn't consider myself uber-groomed or groomed, even either.

Bonsoir · 27/08/2014 08:15

Pixie cuts are incredibly aging - there is nowhere left for the wrinkles and sag to hide.

noddyholder · 27/08/2014 08:18

I agree bonsoir you need exceptional bone structure to honour the pixie part. A few years ago the women in my book group decided at Xmas to ditch the dye and support each other through it! About 6 of them did it and they all went short too bar one who looks much better than the others.

PrimalLass · 27/08/2014 08:20

I'm 40 and there is no way I could carry off grey hair. That's what dye is for Grin

noddyholder · 27/08/2014 08:31

I am 49 no real grey and have red hair. People keep saying Oh you won't go grey yet and when you do it's that funny colour lol What do they mean?

AWombWithoutARoof · 27/08/2014 08:43

This is the perfect hair for women who want cool short hair but want to avoid the pixie thing.

I have lots of white at the front, but none on the top or back, am currently fighting it with highlights.

Grey .... Don't think I can do it .....
noddyholder · 27/08/2014 08:50

She is a goddess if you have her bone structure and physical type it is stunning

IDismyname · 27/08/2014 08:50

Thats my problem, too. I have grey at the front, mousy on top and graduating towards a salt and pepper look at the back.

I'd be happier if I was grey all over

cardamomginger · 27/08/2014 09:34

The 2-tone thing won't be helping. Assuming you can get rid of this OK, would silver, platinum and ash highlights help to add some interest and life?

AWombWithoutARoof · 27/08/2014 10:22

Judi Dench is my style icon for when I'm older. I love her hair colour and cut.

OP, if you have five inches of roots, how much do you have of the other colour, and what is it? If you cut is longer on one side, do you only have one side where the non-grey colour is visible?

hellsbellsmelons · 27/08/2014 10:51

I did it - had it cut short and grew out the grey.
Hated it.
But it meant I could go blonde and now the grey doesn't show anywhere near as much when growing out.
Grey roots and dark hair takes a lot more touching up and re-dying (IMHO)

Original poster
butterfliesinmytummy · 27/08/2014 16:25

I've put a photo on my profile. Not really a pixie cut but wasn't sure how to describe it. The ends used to be my natural dark brown but have been lightened and coloured "silver" to make them cooler and less brassy. On reflection I haven't got 5 inches of root, more like 4 and I don't have a definite line where the two colours meet so it's really not too bad. I'm OK with the two toned thing, I'm just surprised at how ageing grey hair is. I don't think I could pull off blonde, I've got fairly olivey skin and dark brows... plus I'd still have dark roots at the back.

And I love Judy Dench but she's 79 ... she could be my grandmother. I would hope to look like her at 79 but she's got nearly 40 years on me. There are no female style icons around 40 with grey hair as far as I'm aware.

The brown hair dye is sitting in the kitchen looking at me....

OP posts:
cardamomginger · 27/08/2014 16:34

Wow!! I think it is a lovely cut on you and, although I can see what you mean about the dregs of the colour, I really think it is worth persevering with. Platinum/silver/ash highlights would look fab!!

You look gorgeous, BTW Smile.

PoppyAmex · 27/08/2014 16:35

I like the hair, but I think it clashes too much with your completion.

I also have olive skin and dark hair, have started going grey in my early twenties and would dearly love to stop dyeing it, but sadly it just won't work with my colouring.

GobblersKnob · 27/08/2014 16:42

Can't see your pic (mobile), I am 39 and have reverted to natural which has a fair bit of grey. Mine is pixied but super, super short, maybe an inch on the really long bits ;) I look years younger than when it was longer and dyed. But it doesn't work for everyone it is a really personal thing. Also if you don't like it then your not going to feel confident with it.

AWombWithoutARoof · 27/08/2014 17:31

Oh yes, Dame Judi is for when we're older! Grin

That's a lovely cut, I'm growing mine towards something like that. You have great features and your look is very strong and stylish, quite edgy actually, which is why I think you could make the grey work.

In the top photo the dyed parts look a bit pink, is that the light? I'd say the grey part suits your skin better than the pale brown. I'm not a hairdresser, but how about some cool toned highlights to blend the two colours together a bit? What does your hairdresser suggest? I'd trust their taste from the cut.

Seaoftroubles · 27/08/2014 17:51

Another one who thinks you look very striking with your silver hair and dark eyes-a lovely contrast! You are gorgeous,you can definitely carry it off.

ShinySilver · 27/08/2014 18:08

I think you would look great with it all grey - the dyed bits are making the overall impression not so good. And you don't look old - you look great! I firmly believe that you can still look young with grey hair as long as you make an effort with your clothes and make up etc
(I am a real advocate for grey hair though - mine's been grey since I was 30!)

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