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Original poster

For those of us going grey

730 replies

SilveryFoxyMe · 12/07/2015 14:09

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! Grin

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
119
ChopOrNot · 29/08/2015 23:14

Stick with it. Seriously, being dye free is amazing and I love my real colour (as well at it suiting much, much better than the blorange).

Cocolepew · 30/08/2015 15:26

Nooo don't dye it, stay strong Grin

suzannefollowmyvan · 30/08/2015 16:27

if you dye it Cain you're just back at square one.

In hindsight this process would be aesthetically more pleasing had I gone for highlights rather than bleaching when I wanted to be blonde.

Then again that would have been much more expensive.

Here's my parting, if I can put up with that you can too :o

For those of us going grey
SlipperyJack · 31/08/2015 21:41

What do you all think of the idea of using semi-permanent dyes to cover up the "growing out" phase? And then just let fade once the permanent dye has all been chopped off?

The main problem I can see is that even a semi will likely stain hair, so it won't be an easy transition anyway.

Itsalldramarama · 01/09/2015 09:20

Cain hang in there we can do it !!! I'm 3 month in and feeling blurrrrgh too but I'm not giving in now :)
Slippery the semis still have peroxide in so it won't fade back to grey just blorange again :( I keep looking at photos of fully transitioned hair for motivation !! Step away from the dyes ;)

Itsalldramarama · 01/09/2015 09:26

How long since you last coloured Suzanne? Good growth :) mine was end of May .. Looks better in black and white ;)

For those of us going grey
For those of us going grey
suzannefollowmyvan · 01/09/2015 09:39

I think it's two months now Itsall
Monochrome, always so flattering :o ?

and you're dead right about the semi's, all those myriad tempting shades of brown and dark blond
All fade to the same old tobacco coloured bleughh ?SadHmm

suzannefollowmyvan · 01/09/2015 09:41

I want to be grey
I want to be grey
I want to be grey
Grin

loraflora · 01/09/2015 11:17

Slippery, I used to cover my grey with a "wash out in 6 shampoos" semi with no peroxide. It didn't actually wash out on my porous hair. It just used to go orangey. It's not worth it.

Hang in there, anyone who's just a few months in. It's the hardest time and it will get better, honest!

franticpedantic · 01/09/2015 15:21

I have only 5% grey but am going cold turkey with the hair dye as I too have been tangoed (only 3 months so far though). I'm thinking if I stop dyeing it now there will never be a sudden 'oh you're grey really' moment.

I have poker straight and fine hair - hoping the grey ones will actually have more body - or is that wishful thinking?

SlipperyJack · 01/09/2015 20:38

Ooh don't misunderstand me - I don't actually have any dye to grow out as its such a long time since I dyed. I previously dyed to improve my natural mousy colour TBH, not to cover grey. I was just wondering whether there was an alternative to the painful bit!

doctorboo · 07/09/2015 11:24

Ok, so I'm 12 weeks since my last cut and 11 weeks since my last full job I did my roots, so 11 weeks of natural roots. I did slap some semi and 8 wash stuff on the length a couple/few weeks ago, but stayed away from the roots!

I reckon I'll have it cut soon to tidy it up as the dreaded post partum hair loss has started and I always end up with big bald patches.

For those of us going grey
For those of us going grey
doctorboo · 07/09/2015 11:27

full dye job when* I did my roots, that should say. And I put roots a few times didn't I Smile

CainInThePunting · 08/09/2015 22:15

I have not caved! I currently have around two inches of re growth and although I bought a box of 24 wash dark dye to blend in the ginger, I have yet to use it. Mainly because it will require some artistry to apply it and I'm creative but not sure I'm that creative...

So! My hair is four tone, and obviously so.
I have taken to clipping it at the very front, just the very top two inches of what would be a fringe clipped back. It makes me feel better...slightly.

Fuck this regrowth!!!

suzannefollowmyvan · 09/09/2015 22:36

stay strong Cain
stay strong!

doctorboo · 10/09/2015 15:51

I typed our a message which isn't showing up.

Keep going Cain two inches is great!

This is the side of my head, I showed a family member who also has grey hairs but I think she was relieved that she doesn't have as much as me, but I love mine!

For those of us going grey
suzannefollowmyvan · 10/09/2015 17:07

This is the side of my head

hehe, I thought it might be, I think it's your ear that gives it away :o

Itsalldramarama · 10/09/2015 18:05

Keep at it !:) we are at the point of no return now ! Just think how good it will look in another 3 month :)

doctorboo · 13/09/2015 09:25

Suzanne hehe! I do like to state the obvious. Grin I think I'm an expert at it Wink. I blame it on spending my days conversing with my kids.

IAmNotDarling · 13/09/2015 10:29

I want to go grey more quickly than i am. These are my roots. If my face was thinner is crop it!

For those of us going grey
Itsalldramarama · 15/09/2015 12:20

How are we all doing ? Here's my growth since end of May ! ( never wear it down as you can see why ! )

For those of us going grey
ChopOrNot · 15/09/2015 13:59

Here I am. I had the chop in Feb (and a couple more chops since then to get the final dyed ends off). Now growing it out. Also attached a photo of it in bright sunlight - which has faded out all the pepper and just left the salt! DH has said my hair colour looks like the full face pic and not the full grey!! Though tbh I quite like both - just the very grey one weirded me out as it is not what I see in the mirror iyswim.

Stick with it. I have zero, zero regrets. I love the new ashy, mallen streak look. Way better than blorange of old.

For those of us going grey
For those of us going grey
For those of us going grey
Itsalldramarama · 15/09/2015 14:23

Looking good chopornot :) I'm not going short as its too hard to manage ( did it once 20 year ago ) so I'm in for the long haul !! Hate the blorange ! But hopefully in a few month it will be all in a clip ! My sides are coming through really dark and the middle really silver!!

Itsalldramarama · 24/09/2015 12:39

Are we all still hanging in there ?

suzannecaravan · 24/09/2015 14:23

yes yes Itsall :)
the urge to dye has left me completely and I am committed to achieving the full on silver

I don't think cropped hair will suit me any more so I'm sticking to wearing it up until I've enough silver for a chin length bob

who else is still on course?