Oh dear, I knew this would happen...

[Eliza22]

Advice please, if you've a moment.

I grew my hair from short, very blonde (see pic) to this.... It's dead straight and a dull mouse. I'm 52 and just feel like my hair's fading. Not grey yet just bland because I decided that if I was growing it, it'd be healthier without colour.

Now, I'm bored. And without loads of colour on my face, I look grey and washed out. So, my question is this.
1). Go for loads of highlights (but tint, not bleach)
2). Go for a full head permanent colour (which I've never, ever had and am worried about roots).
3). Ask for something colour wise, to "warm me up".

Don't want brassy, straw like locks though!
TIA :-)

D'ya know? The blonde really does lighten & brighten the features. ItsNotEasy when you say short! d'you mean the very short (back and sides?) or the first bob.

ShakeYouTail ...I used to love a fringe. That's a thought too. Thanks.

Wilbur, any chance of a pic of that auburn?

AppleandMelon thanks for the tip on full head colour. Like I say, have never done it but hairdresser tried to talk me i to it at one time. Don't want all-one-shade and another roots problem!

Another one gobsmacked you are 52, you look fabulous!
I much prefer the warmer colours in the pic where you are bending down, I'm not a fan of blonde highlights in general (sorry). But a sharp bob looks great on you, you definitely have the bone structure for it.

This one seems to be the general co census then! Thanks ladies!

The blonde bob - far right - much the best. Get your hairdresser to recreate that - or a modernised/ modified version of it.

In the long hair shot you look like a 50 ish woman with great bone structure but the length drags your face down a bit and the ashy colour is draining.

Cross post - you're obviously going for it ! Enjoy.

I hope I look like you at 52! I look older than you at 36!

I'd get your hairdresser to advise on exactly the best approach to colour. I have a mixture of golden blonde permanent colour and highlights, which are painted on ( balayage) which works for me and re growth is far less of a problem with hair which is already various shades of blonde.

I mean the one in your photo of 21:38.

Yes blonde bob for sure.
You look fab.
I full head colour and just get regrowth tint every 6 weeks.
It works for me because I have so much grey so it looks like it's highlighted.
Ignore your mother. She knows nowt!

To be fair, your mum's basic advice to go for a shorter cut and new, less ashy colour was right IMO and I think will make you look younger - but the way she put it and the other negative remarks certainly weren't !

You look great for 52. I love the short bob, or maybe I would go for something even shorter a la Claire Underwood as you have similar bone structure. Whatever, I would experiment with a fringe, it can add a whole new edge if you're bored and tired of your look.

Hair colour wise I know nothing about blonde colour but I'd go to a good colorist, say you're bored and ask for suggestions.

PS it's a shame if someone who looks like you lacks confidence because of your mum's comments. Ignore her.

I have to say that I liked your hair long...the colour was expensive looking iykwim?
Agree with what Spacestation said you have a fab Robin Wright look maybe this could be the answer?

I did a bit of a Robyn Wright 4 years ago. In terms of her House Of Cards look, which is amazing on her. I'm not a slender so might not feel right about going that short again, iykwim.

RonaldMcDonald I love the pic you posted. Wright's colouring looks lovely on that. It's not her House of Cards "do" as she has it pulled back I think, in this shot? Might take it with me tomorrow.

Only problem with the very short, sharp bob (which I loved but no one else in my family did) is.... I won't ever be able to tie it back and that'll drive me bananas when I'm well enough to run/cycle regularly again. Hopefully, soon.

And the confidence thing? Never, ever been confident. Am socially (horribly) introverted and was told from a young age that "Ann (sister) is the pretty one" and though I'd never be pretty, there was something about me which made me "attractive". Anyhoo, I got the brains! I love my sister to pieces but I definitely have the grey matter gene going and she'd agree!

I like your hair the natural colour. Much more distinctive and sophisticated.

I liked it longer, too.

I think you've just got used to the blonde bob, and it's a visual that everyone recognises.

Your own hair, longer, was more unusual is all.

But ultimately you need to either get used to the new you, or yes, return to the former model!

Was there anything you liked about having natural hair?

Yes the brains gene is the best! Also helps you earn the money to buy the clothes, hair and beauty care you want.

Minkah I like the fact that my own natural colour looks like a "me" I hadn't seen for most of my adult life. But there are days when it just looks so so drab and ageing. I won't be able to get it much longer I think. It's taken over a year from pixi crop to here!

I LOVE tying it up though

Hi Eliza22, just had to weigh in and say that you look really fabulous for 52. I love both hairstyles by the way useful

thanks for that! No bloody use, whatsoever!

For one I would never have put you at fifty two

For two, you look really great, not great for your age btw, just generally fabulous

The blonde bob really suits you :)

Eliza, yes. Have you looked at different ways of tying it up? Must be lots of tutorials on YouTube?

A friend went through this, and wore her hair tied up for a few years, until it became very bright grey, at which point it turned into a dazzling long bob.

I think you're brave to go for your own colour, after so long of altered colour.

Are you sure it's aging? Is possibly a blonde bob a faux distraction from an aging face, that many people fall for.

I wonder if you need to rethink what colours you wear, with your new hair colour, too. Maybe you feel drained in certain colours that used to be fine with blonde.

Anyhow, I'm not trying to talk you out of reverting to the blonde bob, I agree it's a pick me up. A high maintenance one, and widely relied upon. You look great whichever way you go, definitely.

My vote is for supporting you to make your new hair work for you, and free you from hairdressers and root growth stress!

I prefer your hair colour in the long picture - it does not look mousey at all to me, I thought the colour was lovely and thought you must have dyed it until I read your OP again!

www.soulhairdressing.com/news/hair-colour-news/blonde-hair-colour/

Idk if this will be the right image..it's a compromise ... Neither the standard blonde bob nor that which irks you currently, Eliza.

Sorry to disagree, I think present colour does look a bit draining, which you could probably do without when you've been unwell .

You are very beautiful and look very young. The bob looks better on you.