Went grey but hated it …what did you do ?

[Rosaluxemberg]

I’ve been fully grey for a couple of years. Currently cut into a chin length bob with a bluntish fringe. Quite a few colleagues have said they like it including DP. I like it close up but if I catch myself in a mirror I look washed out and just meh. I’ve always worn make-up but have tried to add a nice red lipstick but it’s just not me and I feel uncomfortable. Has anyone felt the same way and gone back to their original colour or done anything else ?
My hairdresser has said she can do something colour wise but not sure what, ? some kind of high or low lights maybe….

Similar. I am probably 40-50% grey my original colour is mid brown.
I spent years growing my hair out but a month ago I fancied a change

A couple of times I’ve used Bleach London toner in Instant Coffee. It gives a nice wash of colour , doesn’t last very long admittedly but it doesn’t look drastic or “oh she’s dyed her hair”.

I've never had a colour at the hairdressers ( and yes I’ve made mistakes along the way )😳

Ah thanks for that. Will take a look.

If you have a non you could make it a bit more modern and give it some depth by having the underneath dyed back.

Hard to describe what I mean but Blondie had the underneath of her hair dyed back and the top was left blonde!

No idea if this would look good or not with grey/silver on the top!

Not sure about that 😂 but thanks !

This is what I meant. Obviously this is a young model and the top part of her hair is dyed but iif yours is natural and a silver colour, the dark underneath would make it look a bit more modern. 🤷🏼‍♀️

www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/14214555065153269/

I have half blonde highlights. My natural colour was light brown to dark blonde, but about 70% grey now. My hairdresser suggested it and I was a bit dubious at first, but it works well. I quite like the mix of the blonde highlights with some grey and my natural colour. Better than it looked undyed, as I'm more a steel grey than silver/white and it didn't suit me.

I went grey. Had loads of compliments and inspired at least 3 other people to go grey! (They told me that)

Then panicked as husband said it aged me, and did a supposedly semi-permanent dye on it, that now won’t come out and has gone really brassy.

Now have grey roots and brassy hair which doesn’t suit me. Toners don’t seem to touch it. Can’t be arsed with upkeep of dying grey roots every 3 weeks. Very much regretting the colour.

Thinking about shaving it all off and buying a wig (joking but also a bit not joking).

This can work well. Two tones of blond woven among the grey. The re-growth line is not so harsh then.

Oh yes. My DS2 said it’s nice but you look your age 😳 not that there’s any problem with that..
A few years back after a cheap and cheerful set of highlights absolutely destroyed my hair (broke off basically) along with perimenopause I had a pixie cut and seriously considered a wig.

@SaintHonoria funnily enough my grey hair is that colour (and style) pretty much.

Might it be worth having your colours done?

I'm probably 40%/50% grey but it's ghastly. White at the front and gets darker further back. An awful dirty/steely patchy grey.

Naturally I was "wild rodent". I had highlights from about 16 to late 50s. Then highlights and low lights threaded through. Now I have it dyed light brown and have highlights and lowlights through it which help soften the root growth. Every seven weeks. £180. Worth every single penny.

About an inch and a half grew out during lockdown. It was awful.

I cant use any hair dyes so im gonna have to just love the grays.

I swapped from warm highlights to cold tones and it's been brilliant. Works better with my skin tone and I have embraced my natural colour more.
Mine is virtually white/grey at the front but mostly dark brunette at the back.
I think a hint of another colour can be really helpful.

I think when you go great you have to totally change your make up and jewellery and clothing.

If you don’t update it and look very modern, you just looked dowdy. Go and get your foundation and everything matched.

There seems to be more and more subtle blending techniques for grey hair.i see them on IG all the time.

I think it’s brave to go grey but I couldn’t do it as the couple of people I know that have look dreadful.

I won’t let mine grow out as I’m a warm toned person and cool grey just isn’t for me. I think it can look good if you suit silver jewellery etc but I’m a warm toned person with green eyes . I’m 53 and do t have lots of grey but a fair few at the front . I just continue with my half head of mixed warm blonde highlights. The underside of my hair is still brown .
I saw an old friend recently at a distance and my first thought was a 60+ woman and then as she got closer she was waving and I realised who it was. It just makes you look old at first glance. Not for me .

Sounds like me actually. The back is much darker than the front. When I dyed it it always turned that funny orangey colour no matter what shade.
@RosesAndHellebores Agreed, think highlights are the way.

I grew mine out and left it grey for a while but it remained dark brown around the back and I didn’t like the two tone badger effect. In addition the grey on top was thinning and you could see a glimpse of pink scalp through it. As you can imagine it was very unflattering.
my hairdresser suggested ashy blonde colour all over with a few darker lowlights. I’m so pleased with it, my hair is now one lovely colour and the thinning areas are not noticeable at all. Regrowth is not too noticeable, have roots redone 6 weekly.
I’m so pleased I took the decision to colour it again.

@greengreyblue yes. Hate to say it but true. Might be imagining it but much younger work colleagues treat me differently now.
Like I said upthread my hair was badly damaged by a cheap set of highlights one time only so I’m a bit dubious about having lighter highlights. Saying that I’m grey now so I guess it’s not the same.
@Lifelover16 I did consider ‘ashy’ blonde highlights, will have to ask.

I just didn't get on with my grey, I looked so much older, I went back to brown and have highlights.

I didn't really want to spend a fortune at the hairdressers on mine so I just use box dye.
Picked a colour a couple of tones lighter then my natural hair and the grey looks more like highlights.

I love my grey now, but it took a long while to get used to. I had to experiment with make up and jewellery and I wear stronger of both now, though my style hasn't changed that much. I do look my age but tbf I don't mind that - I am what I am. And when I look back on photos of me with dyed hair I think it looks really unnatural. It is really important to keep it styled and well moisturised though, grey hair needs more moisture and I think that grey hair that is dry and not well styled is what looks aging.

I grew all my colour out and went gray, and while I loved the colour, it didn't suit me, made look washed out, so had some highlights, put through, definitely suits my skin tone better, and blends into the gray so not as harsh looking.

Hair dye is bad for your scalp. Go grey and if you feel washed out try colourful hairbands. I am now definitely silver not grey. It just takes getting used to and also saves a fortune.

Highlights/ foils don’t touch your scalp.