thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 11, 2020 21:50:50 GMT -5
I've been coloring my hair for 15 years. I have wanted to wait until the kids were older before I embraced the gray. My husband is full silver. I'm using the current situation to grow out as much as I can to see how gray I would actually be. I think it would be a little darker than this picture, but I can't really tell. If I decided to go gray, I would go a professional and have them strip the color out, if they can, or match my roots as close as possible. I'm not growing it out naturally, I would look horrendous for like 3 years, and I'm not cutting my hair short. Too much maintenance for me. Opinions, thoughts, experiences?
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Jun 11, 2020 22:11:47 GMT -5
I thought about doing this last summer, in fact deliberately skipped an appointment in order to see how far I could go. it coincided with AZ's trip out here (not sure if you know that story) and I was a lot nervous about it. that all went fine, and then I needed to renew a passport a month later. holy hell, that pic in the required lighting. 😳 I am personally not ready for grey yet. mine is actually silver, it sparkles loudly, and it's growing in salt and pepper like my grandfather's did.
question - do you like the hair of others that have gone grey? why or why not?
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andi9899
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Post by andi9899 on Jun 11, 2020 22:31:15 GMT -5
I stopped dyeing my hair years ago. I say do it. I also like the look of long grey hair. It's kinda edgy. Plus, kids are paying a lot of money to get their hair dyed grey now. Get yours for free!
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 11, 2020 23:19:09 GMT -5
I thought about doing this last summer, in fact deliberately skipped an appointment in order to see how far I could go. it coincided with AZ's trip out here (not sure if you know that story) and I was a lot nervous about it. that all went fine, and then I needed to renew a passport a month later. holy hell, that pic in the required lighting. 😳 I am personally not ready for grey yet. mine is actually silver, it sparkles loudly, and it's growing in salt and pepper like my grandfather's did. question - do you like the hair of others that have gone grey? why or why not? I'm struggling to think of many grey people I know. I worked with a lady whose hair was pure white, but she had that old lady hair style from the 80's. It wasn't the color that bothered me. There use to be a lady up the street who was an old hippie, and looked it (like central casting old hippie) and her hair was natural, gray and long. But it was also kinda ratty. I don't know if it was the color, or just the lack of effort that turned me off. I have seen ladies that have that beautiful silver-grey hair that looks great, but they weren't anyone I knew with any other color. This post is totally stream of consciousness, I was really hoping I'd get somewhere, but I don't think I did.
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tractor
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Post by tractor on Jun 12, 2020 6:39:28 GMT -5
Gray is sexy, go for it 🙂
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Jun 12, 2020 7:08:12 GMT -5
I would love it if I had enough grey hair to make it look like my Moms beautiful silver white hair. Unfortunately I didn't get that gene I got my Dads....mine is the color of "yuck" and it's fine and thin.
I can't wear it short as it looks dumb, and I can't wear it long as it still looks dumb. I finally have let it just go normal, it looks terrible, but I'm tired of paying $100 every time it's colored and scissors are used to trim it.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Jun 12, 2020 9:00:20 GMT -5
I am also struggling with this.
the lack of hair appointments has given me a good look at what my hair will actually look like, and it is a very pretty silver.
One of my friends told me I should let it go gray, because people are paying good money to get their hair to be the shade mine would be naturally.
I have an appointment on Monday. I"m still not sure what to do.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Jun 12, 2020 9:15:31 GMT -5
I gave a SIL that is a few years younger than me. She was embracing her gray for a long time, but before her DD' s wedding last year she dyed her hair. She has kept it up now.
I have a professor from DD's college as a Facebook Friend. She went to school with DH and his friends, was part of his friend group. She has embraced her grey - but I think it adds about 10 years to her age. Imho, she should color it. Part of my Post got deleted - this is what it is supposed to say, About 30 years ago, Salt and Pepper hair was popular. My Mom "Won" a hair styling makeover. They did the salt and pepper in her hair. She came home and paid a fortune to have it "fixed" the salt and pepper color made her appear at least 10 years older than she was.
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Jun 12, 2020 11:32:11 GMT -5
I'd say if you already have a good start it doesn't hurt to grow it out a bit and see how you like it. You can always color it again if you don't like it.
I love the light silver grey and think it looks gorgeous at any length. The salt and pepper look does seem to age people a bit more, and can be a bit wild because some strands will be kinkier and coarser than others.
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Jun 12, 2020 12:17:39 GMT -5
Go gray! What’s the worst that can happen? Don’t like it color it. Don’t have suggestion concerning the old lady hair cut on someone else since don’t see the connection with your choice!
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Post by empress of self-improvement on Jun 12, 2020 12:41:54 GMT -5
Go grey. I am. Well, silver-gray. Just make sure to use a purple shampoo that will keep it from looking like someone peed on your head. Or that could just be my crappy hair.
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azucena
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Post by azucena on Jun 12, 2020 13:04:54 GMT -5
If mine looked like your sample pic, I'd go for it. My super short cut has been growing out since Feb, and I've been watching to see what the grey actually looks like to see if I could live with it. It's not a nice form of grey so unfortunately I don't think I can. Since I'm 41, I was also a bit surprised by how grey it is - I've been coloring it at home for about 10 yrs; found my first grey at 21, genetics def at work. Given the recent stress of my husband's surgery, I have no doubt that it's greyed even faster.
I don't remember my mom not being grey and she's only 20 yrs older than me. Hers is a good grey though and she totally pulls it off although I'll admit that it ages her somewhat.
Since I'm wfh, I've been pulling it back in a thin plastic headband and then the waves take over beyond that so you can't really see the grey as much - or at least that's what I'm telling myself.
Maybe I'll try again as I reach 50.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 12, 2020 14:11:36 GMT -5
I have never dyed my hair. I let it go grey as I aged. I have no regrets.
My mom died her hair black well in to her 70's. Who was she kidding?
I have an aunt that kept her hair black until she went to memory care in her mid-90s. Her hair was not dyed while she was there but her kids had it dyed for her funeral.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Jun 12, 2020 14:21:54 GMT -5
I'd go grey. I've had a couple of friends do it - they had it colored to a grey that matched their roots (or was flattering) and one got a very flattering shorter hair style (above the shoulders). I suspect they both will eventually stop coloring it grey.
If you don't like it in say a month or 6 weeks - you can go back to whatever color you want.
(I'm giving my hair another week before I decide to color again or not. I feel like the grey is coming in in weird groupings... some spot totally gray, some "salt and pepper" and then patches that don't have any gray at all. ::sigh:: I am a complicated person. nothing ever is normal.)
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irishpad
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Post by irishpad on Jun 12, 2020 14:52:41 GMT -5
My dad died last winter at age 86. He had just a few gray hairs on the edges. I got his genes.
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Post by empress of self-improvement on Jun 12, 2020 15:15:55 GMT -5
Whatever you do, don't do what my mother did. She was all grey then decided she needed to have her hair colored after one of her many hospital stays. I don't know what color her stylist used but I swear her hair was olive green. Bleah.
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Post by empress of self-improvement on Jun 12, 2020 15:17:31 GMT -5
My dad died last winter at age 86. He had just a few gray hairs on the edges. I got his genes. Shush Red. I got my dad's genes which means I'll have 2 dozen strands of white hair fluffed across my pink scalp being held in place with super-duper strength Aqua Net
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Jun 12, 2020 15:23:51 GMT -5
If I were 100% gray I would probably let it go. I made a comment to my beautician when in my late 30’s about my ex’s aunt having pretty gray hair. I said I won’t mind going gray if it was pretty as hers. He laughed and told me I would not have pretty gray hair. Boy was he right. He also told me I would probably never go totally gray. Mine is splotchy gray here and there. I’ve considered coloring each section a different color ala cyndi lauper!
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Post by empress of self-improvement on Jun 12, 2020 15:29:10 GMT -5
If I were 100% gray I would probably let it go. I made a comment to my beautician when in my late 30’s about my ex’s aunt having pretty gray hair. I said I won’t mind going gray if it was pretty as hers. He laughed and told me I would not have pretty gray hair. Boy was he right. He also told me I would probably never go totally gray. Mine is splotchy gray here and there. I’ve considered coloring each section a different color ala cyndi lauper! I'm debating getting my hair colored in a salon and keeping a giant wedge of the silver in the front, ala JoBeth Williams in Poltergeist, while the rest is burgundy.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Jun 12, 2020 15:54:20 GMT -5
If I were 100% gray I would probably let it go. I made a comment to my beautician when in my late 30’s about my ex’s aunt having pretty gray hair. I said I won’t mind going gray if it was pretty as hers. He laughed and told me I would not have pretty gray hair. Boy was he right. He also told me I would probably never go totally gray. Mine is splotchy gray here and there. I’ve considered coloring each section a different color ala cyndi lauper! I'm debating getting my hair colored in a salon and keeping a giant wedge of the silver in the front, ala JoBeth Williams in Poltergeist, while the rest is burgundy. a friend of mine rocks this look, it's how hers naturally grows in. as far as the short haircut someone else mentioned, another friend did that. her roots were probably 2-3" long, and she went full-on pixie 'do. it totally suits her, and she has said she's probably keeping it that way since it's so low maintenance.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 13, 2020 11:54:13 GMT -5
I gave a SIL that is a few years younger than me. She was embracing her gray for a long time, but before her DD' s wedding last year she dyed her hair. She has kept it up now. I have a professor from DD's college as a Facebook Friend. She went to school with DH and his friends, was part of his friend group. She has embraced her grey - but I think it adds about 10 years to her age. Imho, she should color it. Part of my Post got deleted - this is what it is supposed to say, About 30 years ago, Salt and Pepper hair was popular. My Mom "Won" a hair styling makeover. They did the salt and pepper in her hair. She came home and paid a fortune to have it "fixed" the salt and pepper color made her appear at least 10 years older than she was.I'm afraid I will be more salt and pepper than not. Also, my nephew is getting married and the family will be together (Cobid be damned, I guess). We will take a zillion pictures. I am afraid to take a risk and regret my look in those pictures.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 13, 2020 11:56:35 GMT -5
I'd say if you already have a good start it doesn't hurt to grow it out a bit and see how you like it. You can always color it again if you don't like it. I love the light silver grey and think it looks gorgeous at any length. The salt and pepper look does seem to age people a bit more, and can be a bit wild because some strands will be kinkier and coarser than others. I have less than an inch, and my hair is well longer than my shoulders. If I do this, I would have to color it grey. And if they suggest color removal, it will be expensive, and probably take hours and hours. Even more so then my regular color.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 13, 2020 14:05:48 GMT -5
My dad died last winter at age 86. He had just a few gray hairs on the edges. I got his genes. My Mom is still 85%+ dark at 80 years old. I always thought my hair was the same as hers, but I guess not exactly. I blame my mental illness - I have always lived (and still do) in a state of stress. Does increased cortisol cause grey hair?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2020 8:04:42 GMT -5
My dad died last winter at age 86. He had just a few gray hairs on the edges. I got his genes. My Mom is still 85%+ dark at 80 years old. I always thought my hair was the same as hers, but I guess not exactly. I blame my mental illness - I have always lived (and still do) in a state of stress. Does increased cortisol cause grey hair? If it did, all my hair would be gray. I have just a few strands of gray hair here and there. Since my hair is nowhere near straight, sometimes when I’m doing my hair and catch a glimpse of ta gray strand in the back, I tend to think I have something white in my hair. But no, it’s a lone gray strand. I don’t really care about the few gray strands on my head, but when one occasionally pops up in my eyebrows or eyelashes, THAT pisses me off. People say that if you pull a gray strand out, more will grow in. Totally not true. I pulled random gray strands out of my hair during most of my 30’s. I want to dye my hair again, but not because of the gray. I’ve been dying my hair since junior high school. Right now only the ends of my hair are light brown from the last time I got it dyed over 2 years ago. I’m actually more worried that my hair will thin on top, like my Grandmother, Mom and Aunt’s. I hope my father’s genes prevent that, he had a head full of hair with very little gray when he died. The lady in the OP has beautiful hair to me. Some women do have beautiful gray hair. I think the way they wear it, whether it’s long or short, has a lot to do with whether or not it looks good.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 14, 2020 9:58:42 GMT -5
I've decided I am not ready to be gray. I will go get it colored soon.
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seriousthistime
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Post by seriousthistime on Jun 14, 2020 10:51:25 GMT -5
I'm doing this, brought on by Covid. My roots are about 1.5 inches now, and the rest is colored (basically medium brown) with highlights and low lights. My last color was in mid-March. I'm going to go for something like this. therighthairstyles.com/shades-of-grey-silver-and-white-highlights/3/ I'll be doing chin length or so, with some layering.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Jun 19, 2020 20:15:18 GMT -5
I was a red head and dyed my hair for years then decided to just go grey a few years ago, actually my hair is white. I look very pale and sick with white and red hair mixed. My hair is totally white around my face and I expected to be totally white all over but that’s not happening as the crown and back of my head have a lot of red mixed in with the white.
A couple of weeks ago I tried using a box coloring kit but it turned out orange where the white is. I heard it’s called “hot roots”. I will try a light brownish red this weekend to cover the orange. I may have to get it professionally done if that doesn’t work.
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moon/Laura
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Post by moon/Laura on Jun 19, 2020 20:46:13 GMT -5
My grays are my mom's really pretty silver. The rest is dirty blonde/mousy (ugly) brown. Sometimes I highlight it, but I've only colored it once. I did an auburn shade and really liked it. Now, though, I'm using Overtone purple on it. Next is probably magenta, or a mix of the 2 for a custom shade.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jun 20, 2020 9:09:34 GMT -5
I was a red head and dyed my hair for years then decided to just go grey a few years ago, actually my hair is white. I look very pale and sick with white and red hair mixed. My hair is totally white around my face and I expected to be totally white all over but that’s not happening as the crown and back of my head have a lot of red mixed in with the white. A couple of weeks ago I tried using a box coloring kit but it turned out orange where the white is. I heard it’s called “hot roots”. I will try a light brownish red this weekend to cover the orange. I may have to get it professionally done if that doesn’t work. My stylist told me the more grey your hair goes the more difficult it is to get the pigment in dyes to properly take. A professional knows what and how to mix the chemicals to make sure you get the right color and a natural look. Made me think of a customer I had who I swore had to be dying her hair with black shoe polish. She also still plucked her eyebrows clean then drew them back on high on her forehead and very rectangular. She rocked the bright red lipstick too. She was a great person I want to be her when I'm old.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on Jun 20, 2020 9:25:28 GMT -5
My DD had hers dyed subtle red was her real color. But with this going on nothing, she is 49 has a lot of grey. Hers started getting gray a long time ago. So I dyed it a blonde and we got it cut, it looks so pretty, I told her the blonde may just be enough to make it look highlighted and its only $3 or $4 versus $80 to $100, hope she stays happy with it. I really like it as do others.
Mine has 2 or 3 inches grown out now, its kind of grey with dark hair, not my normal brunette, so not sure what is going on with that. I'm going to get it trimmed this week, as the very flattering golden brown doesn't compliment the other. going to let it grow till its all out and see what I think about it. In my case I think it makes me look washed out and sallow, but we will see. I don't like messing with it, touchups, dye jobs. A pain in the butt and expensive. But I will wait and see.
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