Jesus Mary and Joseph, it’s all gone wrong!

[Pepperandsalty]

So, I’ve dyed my hair since ever, it’s been all colours, and last year I stopped dying it altogether and let it go natural, which in my case is “salt and pepper”. The front is whiter than the back. I thought it looked distinguished and authentic...

Well today DS brought home a picture of himself doing an activity, and there is a kindly looking elderly lady, very academic looking, leaning over and helping him. I assumed School had got some retired lecturer type in to help with the project, which happened to be Ancient Rome. I thought she looked interesting and assumed she was a retired lecturer from our nearby university.

Then I realised her top was very similar to one I have. And then I realised it was in fact, me.

I am 47. I don’t necessarily expect to look like Elle McPherson, but I’m also not ready to look like HM The Queen.

I am going to dye my hair TOMORROW. How do I choose what colour? Something that my white roots won’t spoil in a matter of weeks.

Help help help!

This?

Styling clay? What’s that?!

Pat Butcher but ironic iyswim. And not blonde. And no dangly earrings. Hahaha.

Hogtini that’s v pretty.

Hair clay is matt, wax is oily. Blech. Ask hair dresser to show you the how-to.

Hogtini Those photos are gorgeous...but that hair is dyed grey, isn't it?

Hoggy that is gorgeous. Hmmmmmm. Undercut or twirls?

So, the cut will age me more than the colour?

I just did something a bit mental, such was the shock of that photo. I found some sally hamsen leg spray stuff and have sprayed it all over my head, to remind myself what darker hair looks like, and DH says it’s taken years off me. However it’s bright orange and a bit itchy. I hope it brushes out before the school run.

Post the pic so we can constructively criticise.

It's an unpopular opinion with many on here but grey hair is aging on anyone over 30, it may be styled and cut really well but it still adds years.

Pepper I am a large featured grey woman with wavy hair. I had an undercut.

It was just too butch for me, lots of women look great with It and everyone said how good it looked but I hated it, it just wasn't me.

So beware!

I now have long silver hair, which is much more me.

I don't think it adds years Lone, it depends entirely on what's beneath the hair.

Dammit, have just followed Grombre on Insta having decided I'm Going To Grow Mine Out then I see this thread!

Grow it out Tired, I love mine!!

Yes I think so, lovely though.

Honestly, I would actually leave you hair a focus on your skin-it doesn't matter what colour your hair is. It's your skin that ages you. If you have a smooth and dewy complexion you will look under twenty five even with grey hair. If you complexion isn't perfect you will easily look five to ten years older even with a full head of natural raven black hair (tryst me, I would know). Exercise first thing in the morning. Drink lots of water and a daily cup of green tea. Use hydrolaunic acid/retinol. Consider microneedling or enzyme peels if necessary.

That really annoys me Lone, what's wrong with looking your age?

Why shouldn't we?

I was at a leavers' assembly today and I looked around and there was only one other obviously grey-haired woman there and she looked radiant, beautiful and in no way old.

There were, on the other hand, many bad dye-jobs and over-processed hair.

OP, you could also experiment with the L'Oréal root cover up spray (it comes in a couple of different shades) to get an idea of what your hair would look like if you dyed the grey.

I have nice skin, am not wrinkly and have never sunbathed. And it’s been all colours, literally, but I stopped dying it and felt a lot better for not exposing myself to hydrogen peroxide. But I look shit.

I think maybe, women who go grey at a young age have longer to process it and don't necessarily conflate grey hair with age.

I had my first grey hair at 18, coloured it for about five years in my early 30s, then thought, sod-it, because it just became a ridiculous chore that was fucking my hair up.

I'm 44 Pepper, if you have good skin, I'm sure it doesn't look shit.

Do you wear make-up? How are your brows?

My brows are still very fulsome and dark and I think the contrast is good.

I've also adjusted my make-up a bit. Perversely I use a bit of bronzer or blusher now, which I never did before. It just seems to balance things out a bit.

And I don't wear foundation now, either a BB or tinted moisturiser works better.

I think it's about creating a slightly different canvas for your hair to play against.

ILikeyourHairyHands looking my age is fine but I don't want to look older.

I've never seen/met anyone whom it didn't age very badly but am open to been convinced if anyone cares to share real pics and not just ones of models

Thanks HairyHands!

Yes I wear full slap and get my brows done. That’s interesting about the bronzer, because I do look rather washed out and have naturally v fair skin. I think I need some.

Go blonde, as a pp said it'll help disguise grey regrowth. Find a celeb who has a look you like and get the hairdresser to adapt that.

Ok. Lone.

I obviously look about a hundred with my grey hair.