topic Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please. in Beauty

Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

Witchy Woman — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 17:09:10 GMT

I keep toying with the idea, but cannot make the jump.

There is a famous stylist (forgot his name) who will do the transition all at once for $$$.

Even if I could afford it, I'm not sure my hair would survive.

Just curious if anyone has stopped coloring and how it's going.

Thanks!

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

arizona babe — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 17:26:12 GMT

@Witchy Woman well I don't know how old you are but I will tell you what I do being 73 and living in Phoenix where I am surrounded by elderly people in all their housing areas- I don't dye my whole head I do the frosting thing, I do it myself as it is easy but time consuming but cheaper- I get a lot of highlights that blend with my grey, so when the grey gets more it isn't so stark and I just refrost about every 6 months- I personally think a woman looks ten times older when they are all grey with no highlights or they are all white- good luck with your hair but look into doing it yourself as the salons charge way too much

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

On It — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 17:31:45 GMT

I grew out my colored hair during the lockdown. At my age it was too much maintenance. Life is easier with my natural gray hair. I miss my color and feel like I look older without it.

I let time take care of the root issue. I maintained my undercut style and ignored the growth. No one saw me, but I do have a Toni Brattin wig in case I needed to hide my hair. People walk around with purple, blue, blonde, and all kinds of growth showing so just don't worry about it.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

Krimpette — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 17:35:59 GMT

The pandemic took care of my hair coloring. I used to do my own. However, my feeling was......why am I wasting my time and money to color my hair? By the time I was out and about, I was pretty much gray, at least in the front. More salt and pepper in the back, as it remains.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

We rescue cats — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 17:36:34 GMT

My hair was jet black, my heritage is half Japanese, so when it started to gray we cut it short and highlighted it...as time went on there were more and more highlights. Now it is totally light gray, parts are white but it is all natural.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

Witchy Woman — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 17:45:08 GMT

@arizona babe

Your hair sounds lovely....and I am 72, so....

My hair is medium brown and that is my natural color. I would never attempt to do highlights, but might have it done at the salon.

It's just looking too dark these days, so I keep thinking that might be a good option at this point rather than going cold turkey.

However, I am fearful of the continued maintenance of THAT. And, having orange streaks

I've colored for years, so have no idea how much gray/white/silver I have. It's a big leap for sure.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

Perfectpear — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:00:34 GMT

I feel your pain. This will take a bit of courage. But then, remember all of our cancer surviviors who lost all their hair and managed to get through it.

You have two choices. Let it grow out naturally or remove the haircolor--gently! This is the hardest part. FInd someone you trust with loads of experience in lifting color. I was coloring my hair medium brown with highlights at the salon. It took a lot to remove the color. I was blondish for a bit. I cut it into a darling pixie and have never looked back--a bit like Jamie Lee Curtis. Grey is definitly in --even with younger girls. I get compliments on my hair several times per day. I've sent many gals to my hair dresser.

Just do it!!! You can alway re-color if you don't like it.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

kelsey17 — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:26:13 GMT

Because of a health issue i have had to grow most of my

chin length hair out ....there is some gray showing but know it is increasing............sorry but i believe the gray

makes one look older...........i have never seen anyone i thought looked better...(sorry)........my mother in law

used to take advice from her hairdresser who suggested making the shade lighter.....so she did a very pale blonde

and it worked!! Hid the gray but brought a softness to it.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

kaydee50 — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:31:21 GMT

I colored my hair using Revlon's Colorsilk for many years. About 5 years ago, I stopped. Haven't turned completely gray yet but I like the way I look, others have complimented me on it, and I'm happy not to be putting chemicals on my head. BTW, I'm 73.

I would never have spent the money--and time--going to a salon to color my hair.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

smoochy — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:33:32 GMT

I stopped coloring thirteen years ago. My hair was and continues to be in a very short layered pixie. I adhered to my usual schedule of an every four week haircut. So the awkward growth period was quite short and painless.
For those who feel the need to point out that grey haired women look older than their still-coloring peers, what's your point and so what? I don't care. I am old. Happy to be alive. Not subscribing to the myth that woman are required to look younger than their age.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

jackthebear — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:41:00 GMT

grow it out, if you hate it you can color again

post-pandemic you see lots of gray hair or growing out of color don't make it a big deal

i was toying with the idea before CV it did make it easier but I am happy I did it,

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

chrystaltree — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:42:28 GMT

Going gray has not worked out the way I thought it would 5 years ago when I stopped coloring my hair. I thought I'd gave gorgeous silvery hair by now. My natural color is dark, almost black. I assumed I'd let the gray grow and then cut it short and then the new growth would be gray. That hasn't happened because my hair grows in mixed gray and black. I guess it's called salt and pepper. My hair is thick and naturally curly. I like it and I get a lot of compliments. I use a brightening shampoo monthly to avoid yellowing in the gray hair. My mother was gray in her 40s. I colored her hair for her in the kitchen sink every month. She had near black hair too, I hated the mess! At 70, she decided she was old enough to be gray and she went to a colorist to have the color taken out. It didn't damage her hair but as her hair grew, it grew in thick, shiny and healthy. It had been thin when she dyed it. And she looked 10 years younger with gray hair. She liked playing around with different shades of gray. From pale silver to platinum. I'd color it for her every 6 weeks.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:50:35 GMT

@Witchy Woman wrote:
I keep toying with the idea, but cannot make the jump.

There is a famous stylist (forgot his name) who will do the transition all at once for $$$.

Even if I could afford it, I'm not sure my hair would survive.

Just curious if anyone has stopped coloring and how it's going.

Thanks!

@Witchy Woman

First, keep in mind that not all grays are created equal ... or are even attractive. Having gray hair may be cheaper and easier, but there's no guarantee that it will be attractive.

All we can guarantee is that it will be different.

Have you tried on some gray wigs to see what you look like with a whole head of gray? You may get a steel color, not silver, so it may be time to visualize it with wig try-ons.

Generally speaking, shorter hair and highlights are your friend. It takes time for a full grow out.

You don't say if you color your hair yourself, or have it done professionally, but you must be getting your hair cut somewhere .... what has your hairdresser suggested?

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

Witchy Woman — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:53:51 GMT

@smoochy

Yes, I'm "old" too....72 sure isn't 32!

I know I am not fooling anyone that my hair is still brown...but, I have wondered how I would look with whatever level of gray it might be.

Maybe I'll get a silver wig?

There ARE some woman I've seen (of course, they ARE young) that look fab with gray/silver hair.

Mostly, I feel woman should just do what makes them happy. I'll never be young again, and I know that. No reminders necessary

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

Witchy Woman — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 18:57:57 GMT

@Tinkrbl44

All you say is true. I'm almost 100% sure my gray is not going to be spectacular. I remember my mother's hair and she was never fully gray.

I like the idea of trying the silver wig, so may do that.

I have colored it myself for many years. Color Silk or L'Oreal. Without fail, the salons get it too dark and it costs too much to be annoyed with.

I would not attempt to lighten it myself, but may consider some lighter highlights.

Will talk to my stylist on my next visit.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

Cookie2025 — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 19:26:47 GMT

I went gray three years ago (?). I told the colorist/stylist to 'go in hard' with highlights. Over the years of going gray - my hair is in better shape than when I was coloring my roots, then reinstalling highlights.

I get a lot of compliments on my hair. It's long (waist length) and easy to deal with. I usually wear my hair in a bun in the summer due to the heat.

I would consult with a hairstylist who knows color if you are not sure about highlighting at home.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

Witchy Woman — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 19:38:16 GMT

@jackthebear

I wear my hair shoulder length, so growing it out will be a multi-year process.

If I get that far, I doubt I'll want to go back

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

Witchy Woman — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 19:41:44 GMT

@Cookie2025

Wow, I'm impressed you have such long hair.

Mine was very long in my youth, but I now wear it at my shoulders. I doubt I will EVER wear it short. Not a good look on me.

It is naturally curly, but I blow it out. Used to love the curls, but as I've aged, they are unruly and I feel they are not all that flattering. My husband likes that wild look, but I'm not so sure it works anymore. Maybe he needs glasses.

I'm thinking maybe highlights are the way to go.

It would give me some cover for not coloring so often.

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

Regal Bee — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 19:42:10 GMT

My sister went completely gray and she looks ten years older...I was shocked when I saw her.

Going gray is certainly a personal choice but it isn't for me. I was telling my hair stylist about my sister and she said if one goes gray they need to keep their haircut perfect at all times. That would require a lot of maintenance. I have personally never seen anyone I thought who looked good all gray. (strictly my opinion)

Re: Transitioning to Gray hair? Share your story, please.

smoochy — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 19:51:10 GMT

@Witchy Woman wrote:
@smoochy

Yes, I'm "old" too....72 sure isn't 32!

I know I am not fooling anyone that my hair is still brown...but, I have wondered how I would look with whatever level of gray it might be.

Maybe I'll get a silver wig?

There ARE some woman I've seen (of course, they ARE young) that look fab with gray/silver hair.

Mostly, I feel woman should just do what makes them happy. I'll never be young again, and I know that. No reminders necessary

Well said. And if you decide to embrace the grey, that's entirely your choice. I agree. We should do what makes us happy. My mom said she would go to her grave a platinum blonde and she did. That last little bit of defiance and feeling pretty, made her happy.