I think I just have to go grey

[Anonymous]

I’m 48 with a lot of grey and I think I’ve had it with trying to cover it. I got a terrible all-over color with horrible brassy highlights a year ago that was much too dark. My hair grows fast so the roots were evident immediately. After a few times seeing that stylist with my hair just getting darker and highlights worse, I found a really good colorist who was able to fix it somewhat with balyage, lowlights and highlights. But it costs SO much, and moreover, the highlights just ruin the texture of my already frizzy hair so I look like a crazy witch in the heat.

I think I’m just gonna go grey. I don’t see any other solution!

[Anonymous]

I went grey at 39 and it was the best thing ever. I get approached by women in public admiring my bravery and I'm like you do it too! I still color it when I feel like it, but I no longer feel crazy self-conscious appearing in public with white hair. The liberation alone is worth it.

[Anonymous]

Own the grey!

I started greying in my 30s. I tried to cover it up for a while, but I love it now. I agree with the pp: it’s liberating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Own the grey!

I started greying in my 30s. I tried to cover it up for a while, but I love it now. I agree with the pp: it’s liberating.

OP here. Unfortunately the grey isn’t going to look good on me and it’s going to age me a lot. But I feel like covering it up badly only looks worse. I’m not going to be the silver fox type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own the grey!

I started greying in my 30s. I tried to cover it up for a while, but I love it now. I agree with the pp: it’s liberating.

OP here. Unfortunately the grey isn’t going to look good on me and it’s going to age me a lot. But I feel like covering it up badly only looks worse. I’m not going to be the silver fox type.

This is me. Only certain coloring looks good with gray--either dark skin or very white skin with light eyes. Balayage worked great for me for a while, but it was so expensive and I got lighter and lighter. So I started doing it myself. It's kind of a pain, but turns out good if I take my time and a fraction of the cost.

I am too young to look so much older (and bad) in gray hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own the grey!

I started greying in my 30s. I tried to cover it up for a while, but I love it now. I agree with the pp: it’s liberating.

OP here. Unfortunately the grey isn’t going to look good on me and it’s going to age me a lot. But I feel like covering it up badly only looks worse. I’m not going to be the silver fox type.

I think you don’t realize how good you will look! Heathy, natural hair will always always look better than over processed hair. And you’re right. There just isn’t a good way to keep gray hair brown without it being extremely expensive, time consuming, and then still it will likely get over processed and brassy anyhow.

The grow out is hard, the brown will just continue to fade and get more brassy. But know it is temporary! Your hair will be gorgeous when all the old dye is gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own the grey!

I started greying in my 30s. I tried to cover it up for a while, but I love it now. I agree with the pp: it’s liberating.

OP here. Unfortunately the grey isn’t going to look good on me and it’s going to age me a lot. But I feel like covering it up badly only looks worse. I’m not going to be the silver fox type.

I think you don’t realize how good you will look! Heathy, natural hair will always always look better than over processed hair. And you’re right. There just isn’t a good way to keep gray hair brown without it being extremely expensive, time consuming, and then still it will likely get over processed and brassy anyhow.

The grow out is hard, the brown will just continue to fade and get more brassy. But know it is temporary! Your hair will be gorgeous when all the old dye is gone.

thanks I think what pushed me over the edge is the brassiness. It’s soooo ugly! And I swim so it’s not like I can meticulously protect the color.

[Anonymous]

I'm the first PP who said it was liberating. I don't look especially good with grey hair. But as someone else said, my hair is healthy and natural and that has a beauty all it's own. But the greatest win is the liberation of it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own the grey!

I started greying in my 30s. I tried to cover it up for a while, but I love it now. I agree with the pp: it’s liberating.

OP here. Unfortunately the grey isn’t going to look good on me and it’s going to age me a lot. But I feel like covering it up badly only looks worse. I’m not going to be the silver fox type.

I think you don’t realize how good you will look! Heathy, natural hair will always always look better than over processed hair. And you’re right. There just isn’t a good way to keep gray hair brown without it being extremely expensive, time consuming, and then still it will likely get over processed and brassy anyhow.

The grow out is hard, the brown will just continue to fade and get more brassy. But know it is temporary! Your hair will be gorgeous when all the old dye is gone.

thanks I think what pushed me over the edge is the brassiness. It’s soooo ugly! And I swim so it’s not like I can meticulously protect the color.

You can wear a swim cap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own the grey!

I started greying in my 30s. I tried to cover it up for a while, but I love it now. I agree with the pp: it’s liberating.

OP here. Unfortunately the grey isn’t going to look good on me and it’s going to age me a lot. But I feel like covering it up badly only looks worse. I’m not going to be the silver fox type.

I think you don’t realize how good you will look! Heathy, natural hair will always always look better than over processed hair. And you’re right. There just isn’t a good way to keep gray hair brown without it being extremely expensive, time consuming, and then still it will likely get over processed and brassy anyhow.

The grow out is hard, the brown will just continue to fade and get more brassy. But know it is temporary! Your hair will be gorgeous when all the old dye is gone.

thanks I think what pushed me over the edge is the brassiness. It’s soooo ugly! And I swim so it’s not like I can meticulously protect the color.

DP. Avoid any color that calls itself "chestnut" and that will cut down on the brassiness a lot. Choose colors with "ash" in the name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own the grey!

I started greying in my 30s. I tried to cover it up for a while, but I love it now. I agree with the pp: it’s liberating.

OP here. Unfortunately the grey isn’t going to look good on me and it’s going to age me a lot. But I feel like covering it up badly only looks worse. I’m not going to be the silver fox type.

NP I stopped coloring my grey at about your age, and it probably doesn't "look good on me" and I'm sure I look my age or even older because I also have sun damaged skin. But I reached a point where it was no longer something I wanted to spend time and money doing. I have occasionally missed my highlighted hair, but overall I am completely happy with my decision. I look old. I am old(er)!

You'll know if it's time for you. There are tons of women posting about their transition and beyond on social media. Find a few of those to follow as inspiration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own the grey!

I started greying in my 30s. I tried to cover it up for a while, but I love it now. I agree with the pp: it’s liberating.

OP here. Unfortunately the grey isn’t going to look good on me and it’s going to age me a lot. But I feel like covering it up badly only looks worse. I’m not going to be the silver fox type.

That's exactly it - bad coloring, or even wrong tone color can age you just as much. I went grey, I think I'm about 40%. More around face. It was an adjustment. I had to re-learn what colors of clothes and make up would work for my new coloring. Found that black looks good on me now. Forget pastels. But you might be different. Be openminded and experiment, it can be fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Own the grey!

I started greying in my 30s. I tried to cover it up for a while, but I love it now. I agree with the pp: it’s liberating.

OP here. Unfortunately the grey isn’t going to look good on me and it’s going to age me a lot. But I feel like covering it up badly only looks worse. I’m not going to be the silver fox type.

I think you don’t realize how good you will look! Heathy, natural hair will always always look better than over processed hair. And you’re right. There just isn’t a good way to keep gray hair brown without it being extremely expensive, time consuming, and then still it will likely get over processed and brassy anyhow.

The grow out is hard, the brown will just continue to fade and get more brassy. But know it is temporary! Your hair will be gorgeous when all the old dye is gone.

thanks I think what pushed me over the edge is the brassiness. It’s soooo ugly! And I swim so it’s not like I can meticulously protect the color.

You can wear a swim cap.

Meh. I’m not going to put on a swim cap when I jump into the pool with my kid in the summer. That’s one thing that made me start to think about giving up. Being so precious about my hair is just not aligned with who I am.

[Anonymous]

Have you thought about henna?
I am a 55 yr old white lady with light brown hair and blue eyes.
Two years ago I tried henna to cover some grey at the temples. I was just not ready for the grey yet.
The result was a lush reddish color with improved rich texture.
I bought the "100% pure" henna powder from amazon for $20 and it lasted a year! I do a henna night every 6ish weeks to cover growth.
Its not even that messy and it cleans up just fine. You have to wear gloves or your hands will be stained orange for a few days.
I looked on YouTube for some how-to advice and I have never looked back.
I get complements on my "amazing healthy hair" everyday!
Its a non expensive, non time consuming, natural option. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 48 with a lot of grey and I think I’ve had it with trying to cover it. I got a terrible all-over color with horrible brassy highlights a year ago that was much too dark. My hair grows fast so the roots were evident immediately. After a few times seeing that stylist with my hair just getting darker and highlights worse, I found a really good colorist who was able to fix it somewhat with balyage, lowlights and highlights. But it costs SO much, and moreover, the highlights just ruin the texture of my already frizzy hair so I look like a crazy witch in the heat.

I think I’m just gonna go grey. I don’t see any other solution!

OK.