Hair dye virgin going grey

[EnterFunnyNameHere]

Hiya,

I'm looking for advice, especially for others who have been in a similar place.

I'm 36 and have never dyed my (mid brown) hair. I'm starting to see a few greys, which are ok for now, but it's made me think about whether I'm actually happy to let it go grey naturally.

I guess I'm just wondering what made the decision for others, especially others who like me haven't got any experience in dye jobs!

I don't have a go to hair dresser. I typically get my hair cut once a year or so... so I'm not averse to asking a pro for help, but they would just be a random stranger! So I thought I'd try the strangers on here, who at least aren't trying to sell me something! TIA

The problem will be is how much time, money and maintenance are you prepared to use. Once you start dying your hair it is a vicious circle, and can be costly i.e. every 6-8 weeks when you start getting more greys. If you can live with what you have until you absolutely hate your hair I would. Then decide on maintenance budget or if to grow out. I dyed mine for 6 years and took the plunge to go grey 18 months ago. Best decision ever but so hard in transitional phase. Good luck!

I was the same as you. If you don't want to fully commit you can get a semi permanent dye to see if you like it. It gradually fades out so no need to worry about having to grow it out. You can get pretty much the same as your natural hair colour.

I am like @Bloodylovecheese, I dyed for quite a few years - but then found I hated it dyed due to the upkeep. The roots kept showing (not just the greys coming through but the "tidemark" of dyed vs non-dyed. The dyed was always a shade or two off my natural colour. I ended up at the hairdressers at least every 5-6 weeks for a root touch up. More frequently if I had an event to go to where I didn't want my roots showing. Horrible treadmill. Eventually I bit the bullet, cut it all short and grey out the grey. Love my hair and love the freedom from the dye.

Anyway -^ sorry for the waffle^ . If I had to do it all again I would never, ever get a full head/all over colour dye.

Get some highlights/lowlights, piece-y bits, balayage, etc because then you do not a) have to maintain as much and b) can grow it out easier.

I think it depends how the grey grows in. Mine was really patçhy and looked awful. Hairdresser has been dying it for years, every 8 weeks, gone blonder as more grey came in.

However, due to lockdown and didn't have a haircut or dye for months. Went for a cut, not brave enough to sit for hours yet, and my hair looks fabulous natural now. All three hairdressers said so and they are brutally honest.

Next cut will get rid of all the blonde and I don't think I will go back.

Some interesting thoughts. The reason 8ve never dyed it just for fun is the whole maintenance aspect, and I doubt I'll suddenly love that any time soon! I guess I wait and see how it grows in and how tolerable it is and go from there..