For those of us going grey

[SilveryFoxyMe]

Forgive the name change, but I reckon this post makes me fairly recognisable.

Anyway, last year I posted my dilemma as to whether to continue dyeing my hair or let nature take over and see what was really lurking under there

I bit the bullet after yet another hair dye ending up brassier than I had hoped and not lasting at all, and decided to grow it out.

Eight months on (I do have short hair) it's all gone, and I am almost completely silver, with a few smattering of darker.

At just 47 I appreciate this is not the societal norm, and in some people's eyes has aged me. One friend pretty much commiserated with me and my hairdresser is horrified.

But in the past month I have been for two job interviews, been offered both jobs, and been invited out in a date (long story, I am happily married and he mistakenly thought I was single).

Several people have told me it looks fab, a neighbour came up to me to say I had inspired her to go for it.

My face still looks fairly youthful, I think, but at first glance people might think I am much older. Yet I still got the job offers and the date! More attention that I have had in years!

So if you are swithering, I would heartily recommend it.

actually I think it is increasingly popular to go silver, I frequently see women in their 40's, 50's with beautiful silver grey or silver hair.
It absolutely can and does look lovely as can any colour if it's in good condition and styled in a way that suits and flatters you

I've just turned 30 and would be almost entirely grey if I didn't dye it.

I'm not ready to be grey yet

I'm in the process of doing this. I'm not sure I can be bothered with years of hair dye. We'll see.

35 here and totally grey. Have been for 18 months.

I look pretty amazing if I say so myself and wish I'd done it years ago .

Good haircuts are essential and good makeup to avoid looking washed out or kinda invisible. I've always had a strong and quirky sense of personal style so having cool bright silver and dark platinum hair suits that.

I am biting the bullet too.
Plan is to stop dyeing come Autumn so I can hide under hats whilst it grows out.

It will age me (40) but no dye will take anymore and I can't justify spending ££££s with a decent colourist.

Glad it's worked out for you OP

Oh and being free from the shackles of 4 weekly 2 box dye jobs and 2 weekly root touch ups is incredible.

I agree about make-up and general grooming being helpful.

I'm starting to consider this. I've spent 2 years growing out a pixie cut to shoulder length hair, but I'm now starting to be allergic to the dye as I'm having to get my hairline and parting touched up so often. I love the way my hair looks long, but I miss the convenience of short hair. It would be so cool to have short hair and not bother with the dye either.

Does it look better though if you have darker skin? I'm pasty Irish and am afraid I would look like a corpse!

Paula I'm Irish and pale too. My cool toned hair suits my complexion much more now than it did when I was a chocolate-y brunette.

I'm going grey. I've never dyed my hair and tbh, I don't want to start now. I had my first grey hair at 23 and now at 40, it's quite noticeable. Some friends are horrified as they feel all grey should be covered but others are supportive.

Will it age me (us)? I'm not sure. I've seen other women who are totally grey and they look fantastic! Perhaps it's knowing how to change the colours you wear that make a difference?

My hair is long, reaches to my lower back. I'd love a change, to go shorter and embrace the grey more but I'm unsure what style would suit me so for now.. I'll stick with long greying hair but put it up in a bun!

I think it depends on what shade of grey you are.

My Mum used to get tons of positive comments because hers was a really bright silver colour - almost platinum really.

In fact she was asked a couple of times what colour she was using

also it doesnt have to be a bite the bullet/cold turkey affair (I mean no criticism of those who prefer it that way)
It is possible to smooth the transition, have highlights, maybe dye your hair a lighter shade of the natural colour so you dont have such a stark divide.

It only ages you because we tend to associate grey hair with people over 70 or 80, as more people in their 30's and 40's let the white hair come through this will cease to be the case

I'm with you, OP! I have been letting my grey grow through for 8 months now and am very happy with it. My hair is in much better condition now I've stopped colouring it. Grey hair is nothing to be ashamed of.

I started going grey when I was 18, so for me, it's not a big deal. I haven't dyed my hair in ages and have become greyer as the years have went on and not bothered one jot. I can't see the point of wasting money on hair dye.

Well hello NN Twin! You can probably tell from my name which way I've gone!

I'm 36, have been dyeing my brown hair since my early 20s, and about 2 months ago just decided to stop it and see.... I started a thread about it here To go grey or not

At first I was worried about the growing grey stripe looking stark and awful. Now it's about 3 inches wide, and there's no hiding it. My old colour has faded a lot, to a horrible light brassy brown colour, but at least it's lighter in tone so there's less contrast. I'm now 'out there' as a grey haired lady.

I think grooming is key. I have a straight, short bob. When I don't blow dry it, the grey looks awful and unkempt. When I style it properly, it's less messy and somehow blends in. Sometimes I clip the front bit back to give myself a grey quiff at the front, to sort of highlight it rather than hide it.

I've had mixed responses ranging from 'It looks fab' to 'DYE IT NOW!'. DH loves it. My 6 yo DN gave me a concerned look and told me I shouldn't go grey until I was old and wrinkly.

I'm a bit 'alternative' in my style, and so far, I'm loving it. There's no going back now!

I'm getting busy with the purple shampoo and condition, which makes my light brown & grey look all platinummy and blonde-ish. Better than mouse and grey.

Does the purple shampoo really work then? I wonder if it would take the brassy coppery tinge off my fading dye job..?

Purple shampoo is essential.

The best ones I've found in order of prefernece are

1. Lush Daddy-O

1. Schwarzkopf Bonacure

1. Bleach London Silver shampoo

I leave mine on for 10 mins before rinsing and it leaves a faint lilac tint to my hair which I love.

I would love to have an elegant head of silvery hair. Problem is mine doesn't grow like that. Mine is dark brown with lots and lots of grey hairs intermingled. That isnt such a good look. I've even wondered about going for a blonde dye, thinking that the grey wouldn't stand out as much.
The 'complete ' silvery grey look is, lovely, the 'left to look as my hair does' on it's own, does not.

The Lush one contains lemon, seaweed and Violet leaf to counteract brassiness. Plus coconut oil to soften hair.

It's quite strongly scented but I adore the smell of Violet so that's fine by me.

The Touch of Silver shampoo is much more scent free.

I recommend Indola Colour Mousse in Silver for all Silver foxes!

I love grey hair so much I bleach, tone and colour mine to be grey and I'm 28! Although I'm currently not doing any of that as I'm pregnant, and what's growing through is fairly salt and pepper. I think it looks fab if it comes though evenly, and others who say the tone/shade of it is important are bang on. Lee Stafford purple shampoo is less intense and stripping than Bleach London, but both are fab

I love my purple shampoo!

When I get back home later I may be brave and post a before and after photo