Grey Hair

[Coffecake99]

My hair is quite grey which I currently highlight. I'm tempted to let it grow out and see what my natural colour is. I'm interested to see what others hair is like if you have been brave and stopped dying your hair. Do you think it ages you ?? Thanks in advance

I have brown hair and am embracing the grey. I condition it a lot and have given up straightening it - this has been more of a problem for me than going grey, as my hair is in a growing out wavy bob at the moment and can easily look unkempt.

I am surprised that my hair looks much shinier, more multi-tonal, and in better condition than when I was using a box dye (although I stopped using box dyes before the grey came in).

I like it, my DP likes it, and I’ve had unexpected compliments from older family members/friends, whether they have grey hair or dye their hair. Interestingly, I’ve had no comments on my hair at all from the ones my age who are dying their hair. They always compliment each other’s hair though

I’m 47, have brunette dyed hair and I hate it. I really want to go natural but my mates and husband like it. My friends say 40’s is too young to give up and go grey, that it’ll wash me out.

Regarding frizzy hair - grey hair is coarser and more frizzy you young ‘uns enjoy your luscious, glossy locks, nobody told me this happens, so I’m telling you.

Nearly 40 and dumped hair dye 3 years ago. I have a lot of grey hair at the front, natural brown at the back. I got my first grey hair aged 12 and have spent thousands trying to look my age.

My hair is very long but I plan to cut it all off soon as, I have found, grey long hair ISN'T flattering. It needs a style. I am thinking stacked bob or pixie.

I'm 47 and currently about 5 months into no dyeing! Pure white at the front and streaks of white through the rest. I'm actually going to have my hair cut into an inverted bob this afternoon to hopefully get rid of a lot of the coloured ends. Most people in work are horrified that I'm doing this but doing roots every 10 days was far to much effort. I have pretty good skin so I'm hoping I won;t look too old!

If your hair is already grey underneath the dye it is already coarse and frizzy, though. Tbf dark dye does contain conditioner, so if you grow out the dye you need to adjust your hair products. I'm a year in to growing out, 46 and generally get lots of compliments. My hair is thicker, healthier and softer where it is undyed than the ends.

I have always had thick dark Asian hair so quite excited by the thought of a different colour!
Underneath is great condition salt and pepper shiny hair. I still dye the front near my face as it looks so aging. Is it possible to get silver or grey highlights - so it looks looks professional and styled. Would that ruin my hair?

I stopped dyeing about 4 years ago. My roots needed doing every 2 weeks, and I couldn’t be arsed with the effort or mess. It was too dark with build up and just a bit shit. And I couldn’t afford a professional to do it. I’m 40. I probably look it. If I don’t straighten it now, which means it’s fluffy but in good condition. The overall effect is a bit of a mess, but looks good when I (can be arsed to) make an effort. I’d say it’s 60/40 white / brown, but 100% White at the sides / temples.

I love the white hair that surrounds my face, it really brightens up my complexion and is far more flattering than the dark brown dyed colour. I don't look as tired now either. In my youth my hair was a really dark ashy brown and now its white/grey with a touch of steel at the back. I love it.

Its also softer and in much better condition.

I'm part way through this process and buckling. I dyed my hair too dark, tried to strip it but it won't budge (Brown but came out patchy black).

Went to the hairdresser to gradually tone to a paler colour but I just can't cope with the light roots and brunette midlengths. It's a terrible look and makes me feel so scruffy and unprofessional at work.

I'm thinking about bleaching it all, tinting it grey and then cutting it into a short inverted bob. I don't think I can cope with doing it gradually over 12-18 months.

Anyone bleached then dyed grey either at home or salon?

Here's my entirely natural hair. I was a dark brunette before and had to dye my hair every 3 weeks with root touch ups every 10 days or so and it wore me down so much. Am 37 and have been grey for 4 years now. I really love it and get so many compliments on it but would offer the following advice if you're thinking of ditching the dye:

• A good cut. Anything too wild or unkempt looks extra straggly on grey hair.

• A really good deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week depending on the coarseness/frizziness of your hair. I apply mine in the shower, leave it on, wrap hair in towel and watch telly for an hour or two before rinsing it off. This one is my favourite.

• Don't overuse purple shampoo/conditioners as most of them are very drying and using regularly will add to the frizz. I prefer to use a purple or blue toner once a month or so to counteract any yellowness.

• Makeup. Sorry to fail as a feminist but having pale skin and grey hair means that without makeup I look like a particularly ashy potato. Well applied, light makeup and good lippy makes the world of difference to how good I look and feel. I especially love wearing just concealer, brow gel, mascara and a bold lipstick. I wear a lot of black clothing and the two work really well together along with my hair.

Ultimately it just boils down to personal choice. Go grey if that's what you want to do, ignore friends/partners/anyone else who tells you you're too young and you'll look old. Conversely stick to dyeing if that's what makes you happy. Especially if you can afford regular colour done at a salon. I think there's a huge difference between properly dyed hair and box dyes done at home as we get older.

Jesus your hair looks lovely. Nice rings too.

I think straggly hair looks bad whether grey or poorly dyed. My hair was very dark but is now very silver and was not really holding the dye well any more. Very dark started to look harsh, going mid-brown went orangey and blonde went yellowy, so I'm now natural silver (just the very ends are still pale blonde). My skin is reasonably good so I think that perhaps counteracts it, also the silver lights up my face .

It's obviously a completely personal decision. I would say the first bit is hardest as it just looks as if you need your roots doing whereas after a while it just looks intentional. Lots of great support online if and when you do decide.

41 and haven't dyed for several years. I'm a honey blonde with darker red tones underneath. Most of my grey is around my face and one the crown and has now got to the stage where it looks like highlights.

RE the frizz (I have wavy/curly hair) I've also ditched shampoo with SLS's, mineral oils and silicone and my hair is significantly less frizzy, even the grey. Deep conditioning and a good leave in conditioner are your friend but it took a few months of transition before my hair improved.

I gave up dyeing my hair dark brown and didn't even know what would be underneath. This is what was underneath. It's taken years off me, and my hair is in much better condition.

This is it again, this time brushed properly and not under a sou-wester!

I tend to have shoulder length hair and it was naturally a dark blonde/light brown colour. I always coloured it a darker brown/auburn colour which matched my eyebrows!

I quit dying it because I was sick of colouring it do often and I was curious to know what my actual colour was. I didn't have a severe cut to get most of it off, but 15 months later the dye has nearly all gone.

The result is a mixture of white/silver around the front apart from one iron grey streak on my forehead. The rest is generally a darkish grey, certainly darker than my natural colour which I was surprised at. But the front is lighter and I still get a shock when I look in the mirror because it looks like my mother is staring back at me!

I've had mixed responses. My MIL thinks I'm mad and says that I ought to dye it again! My husband and children think it's nice. But I've had the "ooh you're brave" comments too, which is weird!

Sorry, my paragraphs don't work on the app!!

Tigh that’s fab!!
Mine is white on the temples and white/ s&p on the parting, I get to about week 4 and cave in and back to the dye I go, I think now the winter is here I might just stick a hat on and go for it.
I’m 47, I’ve been going grey since 19 and I’m so tired of the 3 week root touch up! I’ve recently gone from long to short so it wouldn’t be too long a process.

ThursdaysName - the freedom from the dreaded roots and the retouching every 2-3 weeks is immense!

Jesus and Tigh you are my new hair crushes! Mine is salt & pepper grey, currently still having it coloured every now and then but with camouflage rather than total colour. My hairdresser puts highlights in my naturalish colour (reddy brunette) to minimise the grey but you can still see it as the cover is only partial. So it looks natural and the regrowth is not so obvious. Not quite really for 100% yet but getting there.

Gorgeous hair tigh. #hairgoals I am a year in and have lost quite a bit of length but am now growing it back.

I would second what belligerent says about non sls shampoos etc. basically curly girl method for ensuring soft, healthy hair. Mine had lots of new growth after stopping the colour and feels very soft.

@JesusTap
Thanks for all your info, you've been incredibly helpful .

I noticed you said that the Purple shampoo's & Conditioners are drying - I too have noticed this (it irritates my scalp also).

You said that you use a purple toner.. Please can you advise what brand/shop - info please?

I cannot seem to find these toners that people talk about - I get confused as mostly they seem to be a brunette or blonde or red .

Thanks,
Delilah

No problem at all .

Cheapy purple toner

cheapy blue toner

Wella Perfecton in /6 Violet - This one I use barely diluted so I get a proper Mrs Slocombe-esque pastel pink/purple rinse that washes out after a couple of washes. You can use it diluted as per the instructions to just get the toned effect with no obvious colour.

Oh and buy cheap latex gloves (pound shop or superdrug) before using any of them or your hands will get tinged!

Thank you very much Jesus. Is purple better than blue? Or is one better for one hair colour than the other?
BTW your hair looks fab.

I've been going grey for over 20 years (aged 18), but in the last few years it's coming through super fast. The roots don't 'retain' permanent hair colour anymore - it's literally all gone within 2-3 wks and I have tried many different brands.

So, I haven't coloured my hair since May - it is a combination of grey, silver, white, left over faded patchy light brown dye. Much has gone brassy and looks awful.

I am praying for a miracle

I think a full head of grey looks fab....the salt and pepper bit is not so good. I'm 48 and probably only got 30% grey and I hate it but if I left it I'd hate it more. Blond highlights for me....every month or so.....blooming expensive!