Should I embrace white hair at 47?

[Silverparting]

I found my first grey at 19. Have naturally dark brown hair, eyes and very pale skin. Dark brown eyebrows.

I've been dyeing my hair for 30 years. For a long time I've gone to the hairdresser for a number 6 permanent dark brown base, coupled with a blonde tsection every five weeks, cost £80. It looks great for a week, goes brassy and the greys come after two weeks.

In lockdown I've been dyeing my hair with Majirel a 7.3 in a bid to go lighter. I have to do my roots every two weeks! Even then there's a white spot at the back and I don't love the colour.

I'd say my hair is white and I am toying with the idea of growing it out, but then adding blonde highlights once it is all white, if I don't like it.

I have just started Curly Girl and was amazed to see some great results after a week. It's made me enjoy my hair again.

I'm so fed up of dyeing my hair every two weeks and not loving it.

Has anybody gone white, not just grey, in their 40s? I think if I was slate grey it might be easier.

Attached is a pic of my blorange and root growth after less than two weeks. This was pre curly girl so ignore the frizz. Have NC as still embarrassed about hair.

I’ve grown it out over the last year. Even my mother, who is still dyeing hers in her late 70s, saw it (by zoom) and said ‘actually, it looks really nice’

I’ve been going grey since 17, am 49. Thought I would be almost white but apart from a big streak at the front it’s pretty much dark grey.

Occasionally for fun I colour it with a washout funky colour, no need for bleach beforehand!

Thanks Coco she looks great - even in a zombie apocalypse.

I'd love a white front Catherine and darker grey all over!

I started dying mine at 20 because my mother suggested "brightening it up" and my boyfriend casually referred to my "mousey" hair within the same week

I dyed it for nearly 20 years, but stopped at 39 when I also started doing the curly girl method. I have since stopped CG (couldn't be doing with the styling every day!) but almost finished growing the blonde out of my just-past-shoulder length hair.

I was expecting to be totally salt and pepper grey as my roots always looked grey. I actually have a lot of brown and blonde hair too, so it has ended up quite a nice dark sandy colour.

I say grow it out! You can always dye it again if YOU want to. You won't look "old". You'll look like you! I am often perplexed by 70+ year old women walking round with dark dark hair - that really is ageing!

I just read the whole thread

Since your roots are so white, you could probably have the salon strip the colour and tone it to white. Then you won't have to live with the brown/orange tide mark marching down your head like I needed to! Totally grey/white roots are easier to grow out than salt and pepper as the salon can't dye the bottom sections to match a varied top section.

@sandybeaches74 I think your hair looks fab!

Can I jump on this thread and ask advice for my hair? I'm 34, hair is as in pictures. I had been dying at home, mid brown colour, but I stopped in December. This is what it now looks like. It's very white/grey underneath, but less noticeable on top. If I wear it up you can see how obvious it is! I have a fringe which is now starting to look ridiculous, as you can see!

I have a hair dresser appointment for end of may. I don't know weather to chop it all to shoulder length, or a short Bob, and just let the colour grow in, or whether to try and lighten it all so the grey blends in better. The problem is that my natural hair colour is very dark brown, and it looks kind of 'steel' colour where the grey is. I'm happy to spend the time/money on going lighter if it will work, but I really don't want to end up with orange hair! Has anyone else successfully gone lighter from my natural base? There's about 2-3 inches of growth in the pics which should give an idea of my natural colour.

One moment I'm fine with going grey, but the next I think I'm only 34 and am I really ready for it!! Thanks all

I can't really give advice seeing how I shaved mine off but in the groups I'm in I think the people who don't lighten look better. There seems to be a time when it just looks like you need your roots done then it becomes obvious that you aren't dyeing.
I always think it looks pretty cool, like reverse ombre

Piffle, best to ask your hairdresser, I think?

You are currently caught between grey and brown, like lots of people, you’re probably best to choose one or the other...

@HappyAsASandboy

I just read the whole thread

Since your roots are so white, you could probably have the salon strip the colour and tone it to white. Then you won't have to live with the brown/orange tide mark marching down your head like I needed to! Totally grey/white roots are easier to grow out than salt and pepper as the salon can't dye the bottom sections to match a varied top section.

This is tempting. I pulled back some hair today (so excuse the mess) and it looks snowy white.

Does stripping out the dye cause less damage than highlights?

Oh my goodness @Silverparting that is such a beautiful colour! Arctic silver. It looks the kind of colour people pay ££££££ to have.

Thanks Juliet. Sod, it you've inspired me to post a picture.

Excuse the hair as I have just pinned it back. Looks a bit yellowy as there are highlights buried in the pallette somewhere.
I am pale with dark eyebrows and eyes. Worried the contrast might be too much.

I'm much paler (think dead) and have black eyebrows. I was worried I'd look like Alastair Darling!
The light hair actually makes my skin look brighter, I do wear make up most days though.
I like the contrast with my eyebrows, I think if they were too light I'd look like Bod.

was worried I'd look like Alastair Darling!

Definitely not, and a big no to Bod too, even though I have always been a fan of Bod.

As you can see from my photos, I have a fair amount of makeup on, so this should not be a problem for me!

This was my partner with grey roots and her hair colour now with no dye.

Blue her hair is a great colour and really healthy condition.

Yes, it is. She's really pleased with it and so glad to be away from the constant dying cycle.
She gets a lot of comments about it!

itsallhere I'm a big fan of Sainsbury's, seriously good pieces I've had over the years that last as long as far more expensive brands and they change so often I rarely see anyone with the same bits on as me. Also swear by their underwear.

haven't had a chance to read it yet but the pictures are nice!

I gave up dying my hair a couple of year ago - like you it was thin and fine from years of dying and bleaching. It's now in great condition and is thicker despite being menopausal.

yes I do look my age but it's cut in a long blunt Bob style, I wear up to date clothes and good lipsticks etc so I still feel good.

The money and time I've saved is brilliant - and like others, it rankles that men don't get the same pressures and hassles.

And to those who have talked their relatives or friends into dying their hair. Shame on you. We do not need this extra pressure.

Thanks to those who brought up Mary Portas, she looks great, different but perhaps more authentic, softer and warmer. I like how she isn't afraid to show the tide mark.

@Cocolapew

haven't had a chance to read it yet but the pictures are nice!

Agree the picture are fantastic

freeandfierce. Can you telll me if there is a colour reducer that I can buy to use at home to get rid of the permanent dye.

i am growing out my colour and have about 3" of roots showing so wondered if this would be a way of getting rid of the old dye which is a light brown with a bit of a ginger look to it now.

Thank you.

@pifflepaffle13

Can I jump on this thread and ask advice for my hair? I'm 34, hair is as in pictures. I had been dying at home, mid brown colour, but I stopped in December. This is what it now looks like. It's very white/grey underneath, but less noticeable on top. If I wear it up you can see how obvious it is! I have a fringe which is now starting to look ridiculous, as you can see!

I have a hair dresser appointment for end of may. I don't know weather to chop it all to shoulder length, or a short Bob, and just let the colour grow in, or whether to try and lighten it all so the grey blends in better. The problem is that my natural hair colour is very dark brown, and it looks kind of 'steel' colour where the grey is. I'm happy to spend the time/money on going lighter if it will work, but I really don't want to end up with orange hair! Has anyone else successfully gone lighter from my natural base? There's about 2-3 inches of growth in the pics which should give an idea of my natural colour.

One moment I'm fine with going grey, but the next I think I'm only 34 and am I really ready for it!! Thanks all

I actually did the opposite, I dyed it black just before growing it out.

I found the worst contrast was between the colder steel gray and the warmer brown, the difference between paler roots and darker endswas less clashing.