Own the grey, or dye away?

TheRoadDog

Started losing my hair when I was in my early 20's, then my beard started turning grey. I like it.

LorinaLynn

I started getting some greys in my early 20s, and I dye regularly.

If it was a streak like Stacy London or the author whose picture was posted... yeah, that looks cool. I'd feel like Sweeney Todd and rock it.

But instead, I get random pure white hairs mixed in with my nearly black natural color, and I don't like it. I color at home, alternating between a permanent color used mostly on the roots and those 28 shampoos semi-permanents.

rml_16

My gray blends well into my hair, so I think at this point I'm the only one who really notices it. But I don't know what I would do if it were more obvious. It really and truly comes down to what makes YOU feel good about yourself and comfortable in general.

DamnImASexyBitch

I love grey hair on men. My husband is nearly all grey and I find it so sexy. On women not so much until they reach a certain age/have a certain amount and type of grey. Personally I won't be letting my grey show ( I started in my late teens/early 20s ). Though in all fairness I am a stylist, so I need to be a walking advertisement for what I am promoting ( color services ). Depending on your hairtype, and the amount of grey you have a demi permanent box dye may not give you coverage. I see alot of women come in who use it, and it's more of a slightly blending. Not to mention the more frequently they use it ( especially since the boxes claim it only lasts 28 shampoos or so ) it builds up on the midshaft and ends keeping that dark, and the new outgrowth much lighter. In part this is because you are encouraged to apply demi all over your hair, vs just the outgrowth. If you're going to do it that frequently, you may as well just use a permanent color, and apply it to your outgrowth only.

DamnImASexyBitch

I started going grey at 26 and it wasn't the shock of grey or a few scattered silvers-but an ugly beige yellow streaky mess right at my part and on my face which literally drained the color from my skin.

If you did want to allow them to come out, you could use a shampoo that imparts purple/blue undertones to combat the yellow/beige grey and make it more silvery.

amymichelle1226

I've been getting grey hair since around 20, it started out just a couple strands, then at just my part, now it's all over. My hair is very dark brown so it's very noticable. I didn't start dying it until it started coming in thicker, before I could just put my hair to the side and you wouldn't even know. I'm 27 now and I dye it every 6-8 weeks (depending on how lazy I get with it). I really hate dying it that much (though darker dye is definitely easier on your hair than a lighter dye) but I'm not even 30 yet. I do plan on one day just letting it go but that won't be for a longggg time. I say keep dying it!

kit_katty

I started getting white hairs at 13, and have a ridiculous amount for my age (27) so I dye my hair, otherwise it can age me a good 10 years... sigh.

rileamoyer

I have let it go before and it looks ok, mostly grey in the front. But my DH colors it for me every 6 weeks or so with a rinse close to my natural color. I prefer it colored - I refuse to grow old without a fight.. His BTW is a beautiful silver all over - helps me look a bit like a tropy wife:happy:

Off10h8ed

Highlights... just to blend the grey into the rest! ;P

BAMFMeredith

I say whatever makes you feel best about yourself. My mom was 100% grey by the time she was 30, and colored her hair religiously until I was in high school (she was probably about 45ish when she stopped). Now she rocks the totally silver hair, but as you said OP, greying hair doesn't have the "distinguishing" effect on women like it does on men, in generally signifies that you're aging---and at 30, my mom for sure didn't want that look. Just some generally healthy, color treated hair tips: a gentle, no ammonia semi or demi permanent dye is going to be a lot easier on your hair than a permanent color or anything involving highlights, and remember to use a sulfate-free shampoo, hydrating conditioner, and try to wash your hair no more than once every other day.

I think if I begin to go grey earlier than later, I'll probably color my hair as well. I have a feeling I got my dad's hair, and he didn't start going grey until his 50s when he got sick, so fingers crossed

zeebruhgirl

I don't think I'll let myself go grey until I'm in my 50s to 60s. Love my (fake) rich chocolate brown :]

GibsonDarlin

I color mine, luckily my hair dresser is a childhood friend and after a few mixes, we got the color right to what it once was before children.

My husband who is 10 years old and grey, tells me Im silly. My son is only 12, too young for his mom to be grey.
I may dye my hair up to the end.

My Nanny is 83 and she is a fire RED, dyes and perms every month!!!

Aello11

own it!!!! started at 16, dyed my hair through my 30s... now my hair is grey/white and everyone loves the color

laarae

Waiting for it to go from blonde to grey to white-owning and earning every strand at 55

naner61

Own it!!! And just so you know it's called Arctic blonde...lol!!! I embraced the grey over a year and half ago and love how it blends in with my dirty blonde, and other people have commented on how much they like the color too! I am 51 years young and feel 20 so that is all that matters to me!!

kenazfehu

I own it! My mid-range golden blonde hair is going silvery blonde, and I think it's stunning. Best color ever!

wanda9501

I had always said I would never go grey. Than at 33 a few strands would crop up and I would pluck them, but every year I got more. I styled my hair to hide them until that didn't work anymore. To 42 I dyed it for the first time and I will never look back. My grandmother had and my mother has a full head of grey. It looks good on my mother and maybe in 20 years I will stop, but for now it will be dyed.

alvalaurie

I started greying in my late 20's & immediately started using temporary color. I will never stop as long as they keep making it! I love grey hair on men, but there's very few women who can pull if off with finesse! I think it's very much a personal choice though.

wswing

I started going grey at 21 and have always colored it...up until a year ago. I was tired of spending the money to damage my hair and colors never really look natural. I'm 45 and I have been growing out the grey and my hair has never been healthier! I love the way it feels and I love the color. I can't wait until it has grown out completely. If you do grow it out though you will have to have strong shoulders. For some reason people have very strong opinions about it...especially women. You will find that some people love it and others hate it. I definitely have days that I want to give in and color it but so far I haven't given in. Go for it!

Birdie

I started getting grey as a teenager. I dyed it until 40. Then i chopped it off and owned the grey :bigsmile:

alvalaurie

I love grey hair on men. My husband is nearly all grey and I find it so sexy. On women not so much until they reach a certain age/have a certain amount and type of grey. Personally I won't be letting my grey show ( I started in my late teens/early 20s ). Though in all fairness I am a stylist, so I need to be a walking advertisement for what I am promoting ( color services ). Depending on your hairtype, and the amount of grey you have a demi permanent box dye may not give you coverage. I see alot of women come in who use it, and it's more of a slightly blending. Not to mention the more frequently they use it ( especially since the boxes claim it only lasts 28 shampoos or so ) it builds up on the midshaft and ends keeping that dark, and the new outgrowth much lighter. In part this is because you are encouraged to apply demi all over your hair, vs just the outgrowth. If you're going to do it that frequently, you may as well just use a permanent color, and apply it to your outgrowth only.

Former stylist here - I have used semi's ever since I started coloring in my late 20's & only apply it to the new growth. Ocassionally I apply to the ends (skipping the middle) since they tend to fade from the sun. Overall this works great for me & most people are shocked when I let it go a little too long & they can see just how grey I am!

danasings

I just dyed my hair last weekend for the first time since well before I was pregnant with my oldest son four years ago. Not one person noticed. I guess it wasn't as gray-streaked as I thought. :ohwell:

fleur_de_lis19

I say own it! Its a part of getting older and wiser. Even more so on men. Those *kitten* get better with age......:grumble:

Cliffslosinit

Own it girl! *kitten* I do!!!!:smokin:

DontStopB_Leakin

I say own it! Its a part of getting older and wiser. Even more so on men. Those *kitten* get better with age......:grumble:

What she said...

Men can pull it off. They even get their own effin' label. It's crap.

slackerwoman

Do what makes you feel more comfortable!

2muchsauce

I say you should own it !! :drinker:

Does that sound hypocritical since I shaved off the salt and pepper??

AngryDiet

Males - own it.

Females - go a different colour entirely!


You know, unless you want to do something else. That's fine too.

ScumbagSteve

Hair dye is a sin. God gave you gray hair.

embercakez

own it! looks better on men imo.
I'm 23 and some of my hair is already turning white.
Not enough for me to want to dye it yet, but enough to where I can notice it.