Going grey gracefully

[HiccupHaddockHorrendous]

I have decided that I have had enough of dyeing my hair to cover the grey and it's time to embrace the grey.

However, the tiny bit of vanity in me is slightly anxious about the inbetween stage.

My hair is dark brown but has had a hint of purple/dark red colour put through it every couple of months for the last 6 years.

It's about a 6 weeks since it was last coloured and there's nearly an inch of grey roots running all down my parting. i'm due to book an appointment in the next week or so but not sure if I should ask for some grey highlights to try and blend with my roots or just go cold turkey.

Also, i have fairly big events coming up in May and July and want to try to look as fabulous as possible (will take a lot of effort and money!!! )...can this be done with 3/5 months of grey roots?!

Also meant to say, I have spent the afternoon googling and most of what I found was mid-life-crisis-type stories and I don't feel I am quite at that stage (35years), just fed of of dyeing it.

The majority of the photos I found were either older ladies or young, hipster types who don't have a single natural grey hair. I don't think I fall into either category

I'm exactly the same, I broke the news to my hairdresser on Tuesday, he wasn't keen! I have short hair, Claire Underwood style, so he cut it very short to get rid of the two tone issue. Honestly, I'm a bit freaked out both by the suddenly obvious grey and by the boy short cut. But, I've had loads of compliments in the last couple of days. And I figure, if I hate it in 6months, I'll get a bottle of something in boots!

My hairdresser was really pushing some light or even blonde highlights to break it up...would that suit you?

Ooh, interesting that your hairdresser wasn't keen. I've had the same one for 6 years and i'm not sure what she'll say.

Yes, I'd consider highlights but only in the short-term, I think (too tight to make it an indefinite commitment ).

Glad your getting lots of positive feedback

Cynical me says he's moved by the cold hard cash, but I also think it's uncommon enough at our age (I'm 35 too) that he's a bit surprised by it. Sure, give it a go, it's not a lifetime commitment

Ah, yes, good points!

I will give it a go and you're right, I can always change my mind later on.

I never had an all over hair colour but I did use mixed highlights a few times some years ago. I did it specifically so that I could avoid the two tone look and so could avoid feeling any pressure to cover roots. I've been all grey for years. I'm late 40s now but my first grey hair appeared at age 16.

My first few came in my teens, too. I used to have two perfect streaks, just underneath, framing my face (on the rare occasion that I'd have it down and straightened!!).

How long did you highlight it for?

I'm 6 months into going natural here. Mine is mostly at the parting and a few patches underneath. I let it go cold turkey for 5 months then had some very very fine highlights on the top to break up the line where the old colour is growing out (mine's short bob length).

I don't love it, and am often tempted to colour it again, however it is far easier to let it go now while I don't have enough grey for a skunk stripe than it will be when I'm much greyer, and the undyed new growth feels so soft and healthy..totally different and much nicer than my coloured hair.

On other days I love it and think I will rock the natural look :)

I'm going to stick it out because at the end, if I really can't stand it, I can always colour it again, but I made the decision because I was never totally happy with the colour whatever I had, and I used to look across all the coloured hair at staff meetings and think, 'they don't look younger, just dyed!'

Medusa - actually, you have just made me realise that I'm not totally happy with my dyed hair colour. I originally asked my hairdresser to add the dark purple tint because I was so bored with my normal dark brown. However, after a couple of weeks' regrowth, it fades to a reddy colour.

I'm feeling a little less anxious about it now, thank you everyone.

Going to google some pictures of grey hairstyles to show my hairdresser next week

If you use FB, then join 'Going Gorgeously Grey' there... lots of us going through the process, all at different stages and some great inspiration and support! :)

Ooh, thanks. I'll go and have a look.