Another grey roots one - any hairdressers out there?

[DelphiniumBlue]

I've got lockdown grey roots, last dyed Feb this year, so now a good few inches. I don't want to continue dyeing it - has been mid-brown for the last several years, was naturally that colour and I was dyeing it to cover greys, but for the last 5 or so years, I've been having to do it more and more frequently. The front of my hair and temples are silvery white, the rest is darker, and the ends are brown.
I'm back to work next week, but this transitional stage looks dreadful.
I've looked at loads of articles re transitioning grey, Jack Martin etc, but I've spoken to 3 different local hairdressers who seem to think my options are to cut it off or not.
One reluctantly said she could strip the colour from the ends and then dye it grey, but that was only when pushed, and I want to see a hairdresser who is encouraging about what they can do. I felt like I was being put off.
This must be an issue for loads of people post-lockdown.
Have any of you taken any steps eg highlights to transition to grey, or are there any hairdressers who can help? Or can anyone recommend hairdressers who are competent at this sort of thing, in North London?-

I went the very fine ash blonde highlights with Olaplex route. It has been the answer to my prayers in terms of blending silver roots and it’s a blessed relief to no longer be perpetually chasing that badger stripe

Trouble is, I like the look so much that I’ve continued and I now have a half head of high and lowlights every three months or so. It blends it all beautifully and the regrowth looks like part of the plan.

I haven't dyed since February either and it's looking very shabby. I haven't investigated any fixes from hairdressers as I don't feel comfortable going yet. I've seen some lovely dye jobs on Pinterest where they get grey lowlights and highlights done which blend in with their roots. It seems odd that hairdressers can't just order in those colours and do some highlights for you.
I'm in Scotland so can't help you with any suggestions for hairdressers to try.

Chocauvin’s post sounds like the best route for you in my eyes (16 years experience)

You could Strip it and dye grey but there’s not a guarantee it will match your natural grey & so grow out/fading could still be an issue.

I've had highlights around my grey temple and it kind of tricks the eye into thinking the whole lot is blonder.

I started embracing my 'inner badger ' 18 months ago. I had a couple of colours of highlights put in and toned ashy and then just let it grow. Every couple of months I have it cut and toned and have about 6 inches to go before I'm back to 'natural' hair.
Of course once I get there I have no idea if it will be patchy etc

its indeed strange OP as you say, because hairdressers whilst discouraging you are happy to turn much younger women artificially grey.. in the name of 'on trend' hair 🙄

I had this issue OP, but before lockdown. I found I was spending a small fortune at the hairdressers on highlights and toning and I just couldn’t be bloody bothered any more.
I ended up just getting my hair cut into a graduated bob when my roots reached about 3 inches or so, my dad is all grown out now and this is how my hair looks now.

My due is all grown out. Not my dad.

Sweet Jesus. DYE.

I grew out my grey (was v white at front and is steely at back) from long dark brown hair. Saw a method I wish I'd seen at the time where you carry on dyeing the parting only and then once maybe 6 inches of grey grow it starts showing through and looks more like highlights as the top part is still original colour. I also had the front up in a small quiffy style with back wound into a low bun and that helped with the transition. In hindsight I wish I'd dyed it one last time to black as the contrast would have looked amazing! My brown dye went blorangey and faded after a few months. The FB group Grey and Proud has some great ideas and transition posts for inspiration. Your hairdressers sound pretty unhelpful!

@ChocAuVin can I ask if you have natural dark hair? I’m in same position as the OP and wondering of light ash blond is the way to go.

Also what shade are your lowlights?

Thanks!

i started growing out my colour/going grey about 18 months or so ago
I had been dying my hair dark blonde, hairdresser put a toner on it the first couple of cuts so didn't get a colour, just to kinda blend in the natural colour with the old dyed bits
so far it's been relatively painless, and most of my colour grown out now

and this is the results- no dye since March 19

Lots of ideas, I just need a hairdresser who will actually do it!
Can someone explain what is Olaplex? Is it a product? Do all hairdressers have it/ do it?
Those of you who have completed the transition and have put up photos all look elegant and polished, maybe a graduated Bob is the way to go.

@Allthenumbers - Here you go

loving these grey ladies... its looks fantastic 💕

@ChocAuVin thanks! Looks great! I just need to find a good hairdresser now!

ChocAuVin that looks great! But what is Olaplex?

@DelphiniumBlue it’s [[https://olaplex.com/]] — It basically helps to preserve the integrity of the sulfide bonds within the hair during the bleaching and / or dyeing process - meaning that your hair’s condition isn’t utterly wrecked by chemical processing

Loads of hairdressers now offer it; it is added to the bleach and then other steps come afterwards.

Gah, link fail :-(

Thank you ChocAuVin, I've found a hairdresser who sounded a bit more enthusiastic and am going to have ash highlights in a few days time.

Please let us know how you get on!