To dye or not to dye?!

[Tiredmum21]

I'm 42 - work in PR/media so surrounded by a team that is a lot younger and guess i am conscious about my age (that's a whole other thread )

The last two years my grey hairs have exploded - lots at the temples and if i slightly change my parting lots are visible.

Do I bite the bullet and start to dye it? I'm of Indian heritage so my hair is jet black and really hard to lighten - I had to bleach it last time i had highlights. I'm not really keen on having to add one more thing to do every six weeks (not to mentioned the additional £) - I'm a mum to a four year old and work full time so like to keen things simple!

I actually love it when women rock their grey hair - it's just this awkward in between phase I don't know about..

Currently growing my dye out. It’s now ear level, I tie it up a lot.
I discovered quite a few grey hairs during lockdown so bought a dye. Never again.

it was a complete faff putting it on, my hair stank for weeks despite daily washing, I could even smell it on my pillow at night. I decided then I would never dye it again.

there seems to be a huge trend for natural hair at the minute. There are videos of women all over TikTok growing their dye out. I’d rather suffer the in between phase than the faff of hair dye!

My hair is very dark brown btw.

Could you get a really funky hair cut which would help you over this stage ? Wear your hair differently to disguise for as long as possible ?
Watching TV I often notice Indian ladies really rocking the grey look and think it will be worth it once you get through this stage.
I’m sure there will be some more knowledgeable people along in a minute, good luck.

Have a google of US colourist Jack Martin who gets past the tricky transitional stage by colouring to match an individual's own grey pattern. Once done, the transition is made, and maintenance is very much reduced. You'd need to find a UK colourist who would put in the time to do this properly with loads and loads of fine lights. Your hair would need to be in a good enough condition to be able to withstand being bleached to near white (they would need to use Olaplex).

Unless you dress like a rock chick I think grey is really aging. And I don't think you should try and lighten it either. Go with your natural black. Just get a good quality dye from the shop and do it yourself.
I started going grey at 17 and I'm 60 now have been dying it all those years. A few friends have gone natural and they all look washed out and frumpy (except the one who dresses like that rock chick).

I have long, thick, dark brown hair with greys at the temples, where I part it and all over really. I use casting colours, 2 packs cost £12 when on sale at boots, asda, tesco etc. I only use 1 pack at a time though. They are semi permanent- so worse case, if you don't like it- the colour will wash out eventually anyways. I find they do come out much darker than the pack- so although I'm dark brown, I normally buy light brown.

If you did want to grow your greys out, then using a semi would be the way to go, so you don't have a massive grey band of hair with dark tips. Grey hair also needs maintenance and IMO- can be very aging and draining on the face. You are only 42.

Yes, I use Castings too. I would look for one of the ashier shades, and if in doubt get a shade or two lighter as pp says they go on dark anyway. Beware as well that even though they are semi permanent they do stain permanently, which eventually fades to that warm reddy brown colour (this is why I would avoid any colour with warmth, to minimise this effect, unless you want it).
I quite like the effect if has on my greys as they go a lighter golden colour and twinkle in the sun.