What does everyone think of grey hair?

[SilverDoublet]

Over the last 2 years I grew out my hair, it's quite grey but I just couldn't handle the regrowth reappearing every 3 weeks and didn't have time or money to deal with it. My hair was quite dark so I had been dying it dark brown. But now it's pure white in places, salt and pepper on top and still dark underneath. I asked a hair dresser if I should go blonde to hide regrowth but she said Im too dark. And I can't stand the regrowth with brunette. What do people think of grey? Or what does everyone else with hair like this do? I'm 45, don't like looking so old...

I think it’s incredibly aging. I have a number of c50-55 yr old friends who are letting it grow out. They don’t look so fantastic

I've been naturally grey for 15 years now. Used to dye it but grey was coming back day's later so its now its natural shade!!

personally I presume someone is at least 60plus if they’re grey.

I know I’m probably wrong but it’s just an automatic assumption for me. I’m early sixties and don’t plan to go grey for years yet even though it costs a fortune to have it professionally coloured frequently.

I'm a similar aged brunette OP. I found my first grey at 23! I've never grown the grey out, but I'd likely be at least 50% grey. It can certainly look great on some people, but can also be incredibly draining and aging on others.

I've used L'oreal casting creme for years. Its a semi, so doesn't leave a harsh growing out line. I do it monthly, but it only takes 30mins in the privacy of home. I'm naturally dark brown, but use light brown because it comes out dark, so I'd recommend using several shades lighter than you'd expect.

Several colleagues have suddenly changed from brunette to blonde 'to hide the grey'. It doesn't hide it at all! The regrowth might not be as noticeable for a week or so but its still grey regrowth. 1 woman in particular it really doesn't suit. Her skin tone seems to clash with the sudden blonde. I'm not a hair dresser but I suspect a different hair colour closer to her natural one, would suit her much more IMO. I must admit that I've been tempted to try the going lighter option, but its the cost and hours sitting in a salon monthly that puts me off.

It depends entirely on the person.

I don’t suit mine, it’s very white/grey and coarse. I found this out in lockdown. So I spend a lot of time and money making it blonde. Otherwise it’s a frizzy mess.

My friends who have embraced it, to me they look ancient. Recently one was asked ‘what will Mum be wearing’ when we were shopping.
She’s only three years old than me.

I don’t think it’s flattering on anyone under 75.

Mine's a bit grey at the front and part. I occasionally add a blonde semi to warm they greys up and make them look like highlights. More occasionally, some blonde balayage on the end. On me, it's nicer than box colour which was looking very harsh against my 50+ complexion.

Dark brown box colours, even the ones which claim to be ash toned, give off this weird orange halo when sunshine hits the hairs that are grey underneath - I hadn't noticed it in the mirror but it's really obvious in photos. I think that, combined with the obvious regrowth every couple of weeks, is more ageing than natural grey TBH.

I’m late forties and like you dark brunette. I manage to stretch my roots being done to 6 weeks sometimes and just use the root retouch up spray. I don’t like being grey, it makes me feel old. I’ve seen ladies wear their grey hair and look wonderful but I don’t think it would suit me.

You need a better hairdresser. There are more options than go blonde or go grey.

As another poster said, it depends on the person, some people suit it really well, others don’t just like with any hair colour. I once dyed my hair black and I looked awful, but my cousin looked fantastic with it.

Could you try a silver blond colour that would blend in better? I know a year or so ago it was trendy to have grey/silver hair, unsure if that’s still the case

Thank god. Finally a group of women on MN who say that grey hair is aging! I'm so used to the 'you even brush your hair?! What a waste of time' comments here

I can't stand my grey hair and will use a root touch up spray in between dyeing. I think it really ages a person to have grey or white hair

I’m allergic to hair dye and have had to go grey. It makes me look old. I have also had it cut shorter as I don’t like long grey hair. It’s a terrible look at the moment - do not know what to do with it.

I am over 60 and I am naturally very light brown. My grey hairs have been disguised by my natural colour and a hair colour…cannot imagine just going grey,will save that until I am 70 at the earliest!

A couple of my friends have embraced the grey, as they say and they all look much older than they did before.
One who has moved quite far away and who is a lot younger than me recently sent a holiday pic, I was shocked and sad at how old the grey made her look.
Another friend I was meeting at the station and I just couldn’t pick her out, until she was right in front of me, sadly looking 10 years older and yet apparently loving this grey hair.
So, no way would I go grey, after seeing first hand how aging it is.

Badly dyed dried out hair and stripes of grey root growth usually looks far worse than naturally grey hair!

I love grey hair, but I love seeing women age as they are. I'm 42 and have dyed my hair for twenty odd years, now have the badger stripe and wishing I never started!
I think grey hair often looks softer and more flattering to older skin tone and texture, there definitely comes a tipping point where dye just doesn't sit naturally anymore and grey will flatter.

Also, I wouldn't give a toss what others think, be comfortable in your own skin be that hair dye or au natural!

I tried going grey. I’m a dark brunette naturally and the root touch ups were driving me crazy. Grey however just looked awful on me. Very ageing and made me look so washed out. I was very white and it just didn’t suit me at all.
I’ve seen some stunning women on IG with grey hair. Think it just depends on how it comes in tbh. Now I’m a lighter brunette with blonde highlights. Yes it’s still a pain having to do roots but I use the cover up spray which helps.

I agree.

Plus my family and friends are all well aware of how old I am so whether I look a few years younger or older doesn't really change anything. I certainly don't give a shit what strangers think.

Most people go grey in their 40s

Not many people can pull it off unless they are much older.

Really? I would say The vast majority of men i know who are over 45 are grey and no-one mistakes them for a pensioner. Or is it only women you apply this assumption to?

I am turning 50 today and hate grey hair on me. Am also dark brunette like OP and have been dying it at home since my 20s. Do want to stop as its such a faff, but not doing it is worse imho. Might rethink when I'm 55, but not yet!