Curly Girl Method and Transitioning to Grey at the same time

[ShirleyTemplesMum]

I’m 47 with bra strap length dark hair and have been having my roots dyed and balayage lowlights put in, to disguise the grey hairs as they come in.

So I’ve read about the curly girl method on MN and when I went to look at the book, up popped the Silver Hair Handbook as well, by the same author.

I hate blow drying, my natural hair as it grows out is shiny & healthy and I don’t appear to have too much grey about 5% I reckon, mainly around the temples.

I would rather start transitioning now, before I have to either have to grow out a skunk stripe or chop it all off.

So what gentle semi permanent colour can I ask my hairdresser to use to match up my dark roots & reddish highlights, but also let the grey hairs show?

Also when starting curly girl, can you just start with sulphate / paraben / silicon free products & then transition to cowash etc?

I had my last hair cut with Vicky Queen of Curls and asked her advice about my greys which are mostly on my hairline and parting. She recommended putting through a colour similar to my natural colour, but just lightly through the grey areas to blend them in but not hide them completely with block colour. I like that idea as they only bother me as they are patchy rather than growing through all my hair.
I don't know if that makes sense?
As far as curly girl goes, you can start by going SLS and silicone free if you prefer to shampoo and condition. You can try just using the conditioner. You will get used to no lather, it does feel strange at first

Like you OP I've decided to transition back from dyed to my natural hair before I get really grey. I'm about 20% grey but quite white round the sides. My hair was mainly dark brown and after a few months growing out the grey my hairdresser put some lowlights in a colour close to my natural dark brown through it to break up the grow out. It has really helped blend it in. I'm not dying it ever again now. It's going to take at least another year to grow it all out, I've got a long bob. I can't wait, I think there is definitely an increasing trend for women to grow out the grey, I think even when it's very salt and pepper it's still lovely. My hairdresser doesn't agree!!

I have started the curly girl method and it is hiding my greys pretty well, as I have quite a few lowlights so the regrowth is currently well hidden.

@whisky, I was thinking about asking my hairdresser to touch up with a semi permanent colour instead of a permanent, so the greys can sort of peek through.

@washewihersen
I agree that there is definitely a trend for women in their 40s & older to embrace their grey.
I just don’t want to leave it so long that I either have to cut it all off. I am not a short hair or even bob type person. And the transitioning when there is lots of gray is not for the faint hearted!

Good idea, let us know how you get on! I need to book in with Vicky this month