Let me preface this post by saying that I’ve never been much of a girly girl. I don’t have sisters, and I don’t have daughters. I’m low-maintenance; rarely wear much makeup; have never gone for a mani-pedi; spend much of my life in jeans and yoga pants… And, I’ve always dyed my hair at home.
But. I found my first gray hair at 16 and have been dying my hair regularly since my late 20s (generally some shade of dark red or auburn). After 20 years of this, I find myself both tired of the whole process and curious as to how gray I actually am at this point! So I’ve been letting the gray grow out for a couple of months now to see how it looks, on the assumption that if it’s too terrible, I can always dye it back, right?
My hair is now apparently pretty liberally peppered with gray, especially near the front by the temples. (If I were a man, I’d be super distinguished! lol.) It’s pretty hard to take pictures of your own hair (try it sometime), but you can see what I have going on here right now.
Anyone here take the plunge and let their hair go gray?
If you’ve ever let your hair go gray I’d love to hear about your experience, because I’m vacillating here between really liking how it’s growing out, and really thinking I should dye it again. My hair isn’t that long right now, but would still probably take about a year to completely grow out in a less than graceful process — then again, I do work from home, and we have a pretty laid back lifestyle.
I’m not in my 20s any more, and have earned every single one of these gray hairs. 🙂 Honestly? I don’t mind the gray as much as I thought I would, but also like the dark reddish brown color I’ve been using more than my natural (dark brown, where it’s not gray yet) hair color. Another consideration is that gray hair is more prone to frizz, which is already a problem; mine is always a bit calmer for a while after it’s freshly dyed.
MashupDad says he doesn’t mind either way, but he’s a smart man and this is probably the hair equivalent asking “do I look fat?”
Watch this!
Speaking of gray hair: Have you see this viral video from The Stay At Home Chef? Do watch, and read her post.
Ruth
Friday 8th of June 2018
I think one way to tell if you should let go is when your boxed hair color from the drug store stops holding on to your hair. I’m facing that now and being 64 and retired, I think I’m going to go to a colorist and help my hair along. I wear my hair short and have for years and love the cut. I’ve been coloring since I was in my late 20’s and I’m tired of it too. Good luck.
rachel
Friday 18th of August 2017
Hey all -- I meant to answer some of these before, but the crazy back-to-school week got away from me! Thanks so much for all the input, because I really am going back and forth about this -- a week later, though, and I'm still letting it go. We'll see!
@Trish -- Your hair is so elegant the gradual way you're doing it! Love it.
@Mandy -- I thought about trying the wash-out dye to do this more gracefully, but have never had much luck with that and my resistant grays -- they tend to go more orange than anything else, which, yikes. :)
@Mom -- You can do it! ;)
@Jane -- Thanks! We'll see, it's too early to tell the texture yet. But that's what I figure: I've had haircuts that look worse than this does growing out, lol.
Nora
Tuesday 15th of August 2017
At 61, I am no longer trying to look young anymore. I stopped coloring my gray a few years ago and never looked back.
Personally, I like the gray on you. As others have noted, dyed hair looks really fake if you don't get the color just right. And that's really sad once you are 50+, because it looks like you are trying too hard.
But, that's just me. Do whatever feels right for you.
Susan
Monday 14th of August 2017
Like you - I dyed it for 30 years, and by that time I was ready to get my freedom back. I have beautiful gray hair, and with a cute hairstyle, I'm loving life. Bring on the years!
Jane
Sunday 13th of August 2017
When I first saw the top of the picture, before scrolling down, I thought it was a picture of the new gray kitten! It was "Caturday" after all! LOL But seriously now, I am older and more gray than you are and have been down this road a million times.....well hundreds? I did hair for over 25 years and have colored my hair along with many, many customers and it is a nightmare to keep up with! Those color customers were my "bread & butter" too, so I kind of love gray hair and yet hate my own at the same time. I used to use only professional products until I stopped working and in the last 10 years for the first time in my life used store brands, which I am willing to experiment with now since it's just on me and I don't have to be as presentable day to day for "work". I know a few things about gray hair. It is resistant, course, and like a wire at times! I have done mine too dark and too light, too brassy and too flat/drab. I have long hair now and I am tempted to get it all cut off and start over since it's a chore to try to apply the color to now. My hair is thick as well. I would let yours grow out until you cannot stand it....since you have already gone this far! You still have plenty dark hair left and I think you may even like it natural. Color makes your hairs cuticle damaged and if you stop using the chemicals you may like the texture? Good luck with your hair, either way you decide, my professional opinion is "It's only hair and it will grow back!" Be happy with what God gave you, some people have more serious problems! :>)