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?

@Noeuf
just used the milkshake silver shampoo/conditioner and my hair looks and feels great! Thanks for the recommendation

You're welcome cardoon my hairdresser recommended it and I bought it with that eye roll thing of 'yet another salon product' but actually it's brilliant.

I haven't had mine dyed since the end of January. The first inch of growth seemed to appear quickly but it's slow to see the changes now.

When I get back to a hairdresser I don't know if it'll be best to just have a tidy up (I have a bob) or have it cut shorter to remove more of the dyed hair.

I'm hoping mine will end up a bit like this

I'm really looking forward to getting rid of my dyed hair. I last had it done mid-February, but now won't be going back to work until September. I am so looking forward to getting it chopped and being white (yes, white).

I have been spending around £150 every six weeks, so it will be amazing to go to Supercuts for just £20.

@Mooserp god that looks great- I'd like my hair to look like that too. I have dark brown hair (now dyed dark brown), and haven't dyed since Feb I think. I have a lot of coarse grey on the top of my head. Not sure about it at all! But more than anything I just don't know if grey will suit my complexion- I have quite a pink tone, more so as I get older- and I'm not sure I will like the combo 😬

I’m doing this. I’ve been toying with it for years but lockdown has given me a great excuse. Trying to keep up with the roots on my mid brown hair was so annoying, and I never really liked the colour of the dye. Would always end up with an orange tone to it. @AnnieDoolally I’m quite pink toned too, and I think white/grey will look much better than orange-y brown on me.

I'm doing this as well, but still get the fear sometimes that I'll just look older. Last hairdye was early Feb so been over three months now. I agree the first inch was really fast and now seems to have slowed down. I'm 41 and still not sure how much grey vs brown there is but maybe 50/50.

I'm not convinced anyone does look older with grey just the connotation

Or you look your age with dyed hair itms

Yes, I'm pink toned as well and I'm slightly worried I'll fade away. But, it's such a good opportunity to find out.

It’s been 3 months since my last dye now and these are the latest results! I can’t visualise how grey I am? I thought I was at least 50/50 but now it’s growing through I don’t think I’m nearly as grey as I assumed and it was an illusion because of the contrast to the dark dye! What do you all think? I wonder what it will look like?

I'm now at about 2 and a half inches of grey. Not sure if I'm in it for the long haul or not, but enjoying watching it, and the texture of my hair is starting to feel better. I'm a terrible mixture of colours though - red at the bottom, then browny red, and then black and white at the top.

I've looped 3/4 inches off the bottom. Will probably get it cut into a chin length bob when I can.

I'm still not sure what colour shampoo I should be trying - blue or purple?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

I’m also red at the bottom then browny orange then dark and grey! I got a purple shampoo to try and tone down the orange in the red but I can’t see a difference so far.

Thanks, MrsEmc. Which one did you get?

I'm 40 and I stopped dying my hair last August, had it highlighted to hide the demarcation line. The lockdown came at a great time, as I am at a 3 inch silver grow out in my long hair. By the time I can visit my hairdresser again, I should be able to cut off most of the dyed hair.

My natural dark/silver hair is soooo much nicer than my coloured hair! Sleeker, smoother and so shiny.

@Mrsemcgregor I have a hotch potch of colours in my hair- some ash blonde, golden blonde then brown/red/golden brown. I used a purple shampoo and it’s made the blonde bits more ashy but not really touched the darker/redder colours.

I find that L’Oréal excellence 8.1 is much better for toning redder areas than purple shampoo. It’s ash blonde but quite dark when it goes on. You could mix up a bit and do a strand test on your ends?

Your roots look great BTW- I am much more grey but can’t quite commit to growing out yet so am using 8.1 on my roots. It’s a really good colour with no red tones.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I got a L’Oréal Elvive on from Superdrug, be warned it makes a hot mess of your shower!

Cottipus thanks! I will look for the 8.1, I do want to get the red out ASAP. Can’t wait for a good cut!!

Yikes re mess - I hadn't thought of that!

I made a headband to hide the roots😊

I’ve invested in a spray touch up just to hide roots on zoom (but am quite excited about bursting out into the world with a mixture of grey roots and brown/ red locks in a few months!)

I my 40s I started having silver streaks put in to even out the grey, I then noticed in the summers my hair went lighter. Now fully silver and my hair goes white in the sun.

Mooserp - that's pretty much my hair, on a good day. Sadly not my face though

I'm 46. I had a very short crop two years ago to get rid of all the old colour, and have never looked back. I love my silver-white hair!

Tbh, for those who worry about looking older, I think the solid box-dye look is much more ageing, particularly the reddish or very dark brown/black colours. No judgement btw; I used to dye my hair chocolate brown! But I'm not convinced it kept me looking young.

I now have a hairdresser's appointment on 16th July. It's for a cut only, so I will see how it goes. I have been debating growing out the grey for a while, I had my roots done the week before lockdown so have only got couple of inches of regrowth. I think I will go for keeping the Bob for now and maybe have a short cut in August or September

I've been growing mine out since the start of this year. I seem to have dirty blond hair which is much darker than I remember.

I have some very white streaks by each ear and white highlights coming through at the front. I really like the white but not so keen on the dirty blonde so I'm hoping more white appears quickly!