Anyone using lockdown as an excuse to grow out their grey?

[SelfIsolatingBeforeItWasCool]

I have shoulder length dyed dark brown hair which is naturally 100% silver underneath - I know this because every couple of years I start to grow it out, then chicken out after a couple of months. Last time was just before Christmas - I caved in partially because I wanted to look decent over Christmas but also because I had a few events this spring which I didn't want to look skunky for. Of course now I'm kicking myself because everything's been cancelled anyway!

I also seem to have suddenly become allergic to absolutely everything I put on my face. I think it might be the SPF in my moisturiser/foundation because plain Nivea doesn't hurt, everything else leaves my face burning and red for days after. I'm concerned that as it's come on so suddenly, hair dye might also cause a reaction and I know how serious they can be.

I haven't dyed for 2 months and honestly, I'm not sure I'll bother again. One reason I usually cave in is that there's always something coming up I want to look nice for - wedding, party, etc - not an issue for months, so no temptation. Only fly in the ointment is DH who really doesn't like the idea of me being grey. I'm 47 and he's 36 so I can sort of understand it on one hand, on the other I think he's being silly - after all, he's going grey and I have absolutely no desire to see him dye it, which he has no desire to do anyway!

Anyone else considering doing this?

Brighton - I had a similar problem, the fading dyed bits looked very brassy against the cool toned grey hair. Using blue (or purple) shampoo helped - I still use it once a week.

And having researched this issue, there is no easy way of ditching the dye - the quickest (and cheapest) way is cold turkey.

The hardest phase is the first few months - I used root spray. Some may also use head scarves/headbands.

@Mamia15 would you mind telling us what the alternatives are to cold turkey please?
Obviously for when lockdown ends.

I'm fine with cold turkey for now, but worried I'll crumble and reach for the dye - I stocked up just before lockdown. If I go short, it's going to look horrendous, so I'm hoping to keep some length and style.

Which blue shampoos do people like?

Also, any advice 're scarves and headbands that don't make one look like one is about to feed the birds in Home Alone 2 or Mary Poppins?

Remus I use Aveda Blue Malva shampoo two or three times a month. I like it a lot but I haven't tried any others so can't give a comparison.

Thanks, NoSugar. I generally like Aveda shampoo, so might get a sample bottle to give it a go.

I've been having blond highlights along my hairline to soften the grey for a while and have been toying with asking my hairdresser to stop covering up the non-blond bits with brown dye. After this I might carry on with the blond but not bother with the brown. My hairline is quite silvery now and I rather like it.

Tresemme do a purple one, I've just started using it, it's very good for everyday, really brightens my hair up.
The Charles Worthington Ultra Violet is excellent.

Terrible photo sorry, but I used this during grow out. But my hair was very short, so no roots I just had patchy hair until it grow out a bit.

Badger - alternatives are:

Buzz cut pixie - not an option for me

Go blond by bleaching then gradually grow out using clever highlights - this is very long term and expensive and could wreck your hair in the process

Thanks @Mamia15. Lockdown is the idea opportunity for cold turkey. I've been experimenting with my hair in a low bun... It's just about long enough and seems to work quite well. It reveals a lot of the grey but I reckon if I do that while looking otherwise 'done' it won't be too bad.

OP I am too. I was wondering if anyone could advise- I have shoulder length/longish dyed brown hair. By the time I go back to work I might have a good few inches of grey. But as the ends are dark, and although I'll have a cut I don't want to go short, would you recommend some sort of dyed grey highlights to sort of 'link' the top and the bottom?

Annie - I've been wondering that too.

I haven't used Blue Malva but I use Shampure as my Holy Grail. I've used the other colours in years gone by (Madder Root , Clove , Black Malva)

When I looked they only do the 1 litre bottles , about £40 depending on offers .
I've ordered some Bleach London Silver .....but the matching conditioner was only on Click&Collect

My hairdresser explained grey is not a colour but a tone so she put in extra highlights which blurred the roots if you like. I have a photo somewhere of the finished look. I too did not want short hair.

Annoying re the Aveda sizes - can't understand why they wouldn't have a smaller bottle for people tot ry before deciding if they wanted to spend not insubstantial sum on one of the huge ones.

Annie - I came across this article as part of my research:

www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/a46081/transitioning-from-color-to-gray-hair/

And this:

katiegoesplatinum.com/how-to-go-gray/

I am going blue, my daughter purple. During school they are allowed only 'natural' hair colour. This is my way of practicing being brave, stepping out of my comfort zone.

@Mercedes519 your hair is gorgeous! 😍

I've been thinking of doing this during lockdown. I've been dying it forever, old colour was nearly black but greys came though slowly from when I was 18 and more quickly after having babies. I use the lightest blond now as it's so grey underneath.
I'm trying to figure out what to do with it for work. At the moment I do a messy bun, it's curly and does it's own thing. I'm going to practice with headbands to see how long I can go without dye.

Thanks @Mamia15 that's a really useful link!

Sorry both links @Mamia15 I only saw the second one just now.

How funny. Just came back to this for any interesting ideas and read a whole stream of outraged posters claiming to be grey free and somewhat offended at my suggestion people may not be truthful until heir dories about their 'sparkles'.

Never been happier to have turned the stupid @ function off.

Just goes to show how weird and touchy a subject ageing is for some women.

In their forties although 'heir dories' sounds more interesting