Oh I hear you. I've been growing out for about a year. I really couldn't be bothered with keeping up with grey roots anymore in my super curly, thick and coarse mop.
I've just had an amazing curly cut and had an undercut put it (not for the first time, but the first time owning the grey). The cut is amazing but now the very short bits (side and back), combined with white/grey is unbearable.
I agree with a previous poster. Short needs me to "spangle" myself a bit to look good, and the same with grey. The two combined has been rather a shock. On me at least. Yes, if I styled it more, put on red lippy, sharp clothes every day, and stood in a great light... I think it could look edgy and cool. But, on waking up in the morning, sans slap, with super cropped white hair in places, it's actually made me feel rubbish at 51. I'm surprised at myself.
Anyway, upshot is - and as I am really determined to stop putting either awful box dyes or having to go to the salon every few weeks - I've used some wash in shampoo and feel great. The grey has gone. Remember the wella shaders and toners. I bought something similar to that this week. Washed it in, last a few washes. Has blended the grey out completely. Now I admit the "dark blonde" does look rather, erm, orange on the white bits at the moment, but it's a work in progress. I'll use darker ones in future. But even despite it looking pretty crap, I already feel loads better. Not for me. Thought it would be. Was determined to own it proudly.
Bugger that lark for another decade.