Beauty

[hyacinth003]

I know there have been a lot of spirited discussions about letting your hair go gray.

For myself, I am against it. I do think it ages you, and it would wash me out badly.

But, I've made a recent observation about hair color as you age. It's not mine, others have identified it long ago.

That is - you cannot keep your hair TOO DARK as you cover gray. Maybe if your skin tone is dark that it is possible to still look good.

But, for those pale faces such as myself, it looks BAD. Have noticed "regular" women like myself being interviewed on television. They are of an older age (no doubt varies) with very dark hair. It just looked sort of silly.

I never tampered with my natural color until I had to cover gray. So, for me, I don't want a color that is other than what would be "natural" to me.

My natural color is dark brunette with a lot of red mixed in. But I can now see (by observing others) I will have to be on the lookout when I need to lighten the brunette shade. I am very fair and will have to consider the contrast.

Hyacinth

[Mom2Dogs]

I had this discussion with my stylist the last time I had my hair colored. Next time I get my hair colored we are going lighter, I'll be interested in seeing how it turns out, I have an appointment this week.

[terrier3]

I just had this discussion on Friday when I had my hair colored. I had spent 2 weeks in FLA and my hair had lightened a lot. I told my colorist I wanted it to be the same shade, just cover the gray.

She said that because the front of my head is more than 50% gray, lighter colors don't cover gray as well.

I told her that since I'm 60, I don't care if a little gray shows...it's more natural than going too dark (just like you said!).

My hair is cut like Jennifer Lawrence, so I really don't have an issue with a part or pulling my hair back (and showing gray roots).

I agree with you!

[Tinkrbl44]

As a general rule, you look better going a shade or two lighter as you age and are covering gray. .... OR .....

If you're determined to keep your original color, have some highlights around your face, to brighten you up. The reason going lighter is better is that many women lose color in their complexions and look a little "paste-y".

[sidsmom]

This is how I view hair-coloring...it's all about the $$$ & what you're willing to do to get it.

30% do not color, which is no cost.

30% do-it-yourself, which is very inexpensive.

39% is salon colored...expensive & still looks cr.appy!!!

1% is salon colored, beautifully done, for zillions of $$$.

But those ladies...ladies that none of us know...sold their soul to the devil for beautifully colored hair, so... =

[hyacinth003]

I have never attempted at-home color and don't intend to! I don't trust myself.

The highlights are a good idea, for around the face. I get some reddish (copper) ones, since my natural color and coloring support it.

I just had one disaster where they made my red a cherry red, and I nearly fainted. It was a pretty color, just not at all natural. They had to re-color it!

You just can't be too dark as you age.

Hyacinth

[Cyndog]

Lighter hair for some reason makes me look so much older. I'm gonna be one of those women who have jet black hair until the end, ha, ha, I'll be "eccentric ".

[pinkcrystal]

I have mixed feelings about coloring. For me, I have been letting the gray go because I'm too poor and too lazy to color it or have someone else do it. For those who do, if it makes them happy I'm all for it! The only thing that bothers me is when people have such perceptable gray roots! I can't think of much that looks worse than that in terms of aging. I agree that lighter is better as there is less contrast to the color when the roots show, but not everyone wants to do that. I guess what I'm saying and doing badly saying it is, if you want to color do it but you really have to keep on top of it to keep the roots from showing.

[hyacinth003]

On 5/4/2014 cyndog said: Lighter hair for some reason makes me look so much older. I'm gonna be one of those women who have jet black hair until the end, ha, ha, I'll be "eccentric ".

Noticed Bobbi Ray Carter on HSN last night. That black hair looked really freaky on her.

Hyacinth

[Carmie]

You're right. As we get older, if we had very dark colored hair in our youth, it does not look so great on almost everyone to keep the same color via the bottle.

It is suggested ( I am a licensed hairdresser who used to specialize in color) that everyone should go 2 shades lighter if they have dark hair. Of course, if you can wear a nice blonde or red shade or a two step color with highlights,that look is great too.

I have always had very dark brown/black hair. My skin is very fair and I have ice blue eyes. Lighter colors of brown and red look awful on me. I think bottle brown/black is too harsh for me at my age, so I chose to go natural....silver gray.

Everyone should find a look that fits them and makes them feel and look pretty. One size or color does not fit all.