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O/T While We're On The Subject of Current Fashion

B22S22's picture

The gray hair fad... I've been watching it. My DDalmost20 really wants gray hair. Not sure why (other than being in fashion), I chuckle because I pay really good $$ to cover that stuff up.

But... I'm thinking this would possibly be an opportune time for me to STOP getting my hair colored/highlighted and transition to what is obviously my new "true" color, which is silver gray. I've been this way for 10+ years at least, both myself and my brothers were all prematurely gray. Both my brothers have beautiful silver/white hair (one is 53, the other is 57), and my hairdresser tells me that I'm about 97% that way, with just a few darker hairs here and there. And my hair grows sooooo fast, 3 weeks after paying a ton of $$ to get my hair colored, I have 1/4" new WHITE growth at the roots.

I have a naturally olive complexion and tan well during the summer despite sunscreen, and have (had?) naturally dark brown hair. I now keep my hair at a medium brown with highlights. My hairdresser says the best way to do this is to start using a temporary hair color instead of permanent. Or if I'm super daring, she will go ahead and carefully turn me gray -- I have very thick, wavy, healthy hair, so no fear of going bald due to severe damage.

Oh, and none of that blue/violet stuff some of the teenagers are doing.

My only hesitance is.... what if it makes me look like an old hag? People already say I don't look like I'm 50 (which I am), and I certainly act much younger (still play hockey, run, etc). I have a 16 year old son and really don't want to be mistaken for his grandma!

Thoughts?

B22S22's picture

I've been looking at pinterest to get ideas... found one where they actually added silver highlights and changed the golden brown to more of an ash brown (cool color to match the silver). Each time the woman went back, they just did more silver vs ash brown.

I'm just worried because I've read where sometimes olive complected people don't do well with silver/white hair.... ugh.... but at this point I don't care. It's $160+ every 4 weeks, and I still go 2 of those weeks with visible white roots. Right now my hair is in a short reverse bob and I'd like to keep that, so I'm thinking the gradual highlighting is the best route to go.

I'll keep you posted, and you let me know how it's going with you!

B22S22's picture

With my olive skin, I have bright green eyes (naturally, not contact enhanced) which really seem to pop when I'm tan. the complexion I get from my dad's side of the family - native american back there somewhere. The origin of the green eyes I'm not so sure about... (pulls out Mendel's theory to figure it out)

I'm actually really looking forward to going to the salon this weekend! I sent the pictures to my stylist, and she's ready to get started!

Acratopotes's picture

I decided to stop coloring my hair, started when I was 12.... cause the roots are dark and the longer it gets the lighter it goes, I was for ever in trouble in school cause I high lighted my hair - sorry I did not sun burns it that yellowish golden color..

Now I'm all natural and I saw mmmm some grey hair... I give a flying fish about it, not going to color again, I'm 43 and I can go grey, I don't care lol..... oh my family does not go Silver fox grey... nope only a couple here and there

JadeMom's picture

I've never colored my hair and I really don't want to start when I start going grey. I think naturally going grey is nice. Though maybe I'll change my mind when it actually starts happening, haha.

When did you ladies start greying? My mother started later, in her mid to late forties. But my older sister started earlier, like late twenties. With that kind of range, I could start getting greys tomorrow or not until I'm fifty, haha. I guess it's impossible to predict.

ETA - I have super long hair so I definitely don't want to be spending a fortune to color my hair either :O

Acratopotes's picture

my Gran died at 85 - no grey - dark brown hair, mum is 66 no grey, dad went grey since 30 - he blames mum...
I'm 43 and going grey

JadeMom's picture

Wow, no greys at 85?! That's crazy! No greys at 66 is crazy too, I can't imagine.

My DH has been going grey since about 30. He jokingly says that it's because of SD8. Not sure how much of a joke it is - between her and BM2, it's a lot of unnecessary stress.

He also went bald early (when I say he's greying, it's in his beard, haha), at around 18 or 19. Right after SD18 was born and BM1 went (more) crazy... coincidence?!

ESMOD's picture

I get my hair colored/highlighted blonde. I was white blond as a kid, but year after year it got darker. My hair is naturally a pretty dark color now.. but I keep at it with the help of a good hairdresser to stay in the blond zone.

I usually can't tell if I have much grey.. but when my roots come in (as they are now since I am over due) I only spy a couple "suspect hairs". So, I think if i went natural it would be a mousy brown color. Adding red is a no go because my DH hates redheads. (must have been beaten as a child by one lol).

For your situation, you could always try a wig in a color that is natural to your gray.
That way, you could see how it looks. I think the trend with young kids is that it is a contrast to see a young person with grey hair. I have seen many older women who look smashing with the color too, though you wouldn't confuse them with a 20 year old.

Otherwise, go for it. I have toyed with going darker to save the money I spend on my hair. My hair is fine too, so the process isn't helping it. lol.

Rags's picture

Go for it. My mom has the most beautiful white hair. Only a bit in the back underneath is anything but snow white. Granted... she is pushing 73 but it is beautiful none the less.

If you don't like it.... you can go back to the color. That is the beauty of hair styles these days. The difference between a bad cut or color and an good one ....... is about 2wks.

My MIL was completely grey in her early 20s and fought it for years with do it yourself color options and spent a decade or more looking like a clown. She gave up on that and looks much much better these days with her white/grey hair.

My wife is probably 40-50% white but at 41 is still battling with the color bottle though she has a team of experts in her army for the battle over the grey hair. She consistently is mistaken for being in her late 20s so like you she is young for her age. It is particularly interesting when people figure out that she has a 25yo kid. They argue with her... she of course does not tell them her age and leaves them in shock.

I drop the occasional hint that she should give her current natural state a try for a while.

Nope... not happenin.... yet at least.

My hair has always been a light brown so the white filling in evenly is pretty much unnoticeable (except my completely white temple area) unless it is sparkling in the sun. I am 53 and regularly am told that I look significantly younger than my age. I am hoping that holds true as I progress in my aggressive weight loss and heath campaign.

My dad has dark hair that as it has gone grey is the perfect salt and pepper distribution. He is pushing 75 and also is regularly told he does not look old enough to have a 53yo son.

Take a look at Judy Dench, Helen Mirren, etc...

Take a look at these sites for some hair color and style examples for grey hair.

http://www.greymodelagency.com/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/557320522618224209/

B22S22's picture

My mom, 2 brothers, and I were all prematurely gray. I'd say that in my late 20's I was probably 25%. Like I said above, now it's almost 100%. At this very moment I have a silver/white streak going down my part and it's almost 1/2" wide.... and I just had my hair colored 4 weeks ago.

I found a beautiful picture of a woman who had her hair colored a medium ash brown with SILVER highlights because she didn't want to do the 'grow out naturally' thing. Each time she gets her hair done, she has more silver than brown put in. I think it's called "granite and chocolate". I just sent the pictures to my hairdresser to see what she can do.

here's the picture:
https://foursquare.com/v/hair-artists/53658708498ea672b0adda88

Aniki-Moderator's picture

Is there a place where you can see an 'AFTER' picture - what you'd look like with the gray hair? Someone I know recently embraced her gray - hers is almost a steel gray, but it's very flattering on her.

As for me, I won't be embracing gray. My blonde hair is turning WHITE. :O

B22S22's picture

All I'd have to do right now is look at my gray/white roots.... or look at my mom (we look a lot alike) and my brothers. I know eventually my hair will be white white white, as that's what my brothers have now. I figured I'd keep that color for when I'm in my 70's and just go with the gray now Wink

Aniki-Moderator's picture

My white hides itself well among the blonde. I do have a (what I consider noticeable) small patch in my bangs that can be seen depending on what direction my bangs decide to hang that day. Most people have no idea my hair is going white unless I point out the patch or the increasingly white strands on the sides. The blonde hides it fairly well.

Rags's picture

That was my mom during her progression to white from blonde. Her hair is just about completely snow white now. She will be 73 this year.

Cover1W's picture

One of my friends has gorgeous steel blue gray hair...she lightens it sometimes to a pretty silver gray and then she plays with blonde/brown/black highlights. It helps she has very fair skin and super bright blue eyes.

I'm just getting some gray in now (late 40s)...my dad didn't go really gray until his late 60s while my mom/sister have been gray for a while. I color a shade darker than normal because I have dishwater blonde hair (a really awful color) and the gray just dulls it down more. I like being a brunette!

thinkthrice's picture

UGH! I've been grey since my early twenties. I blame it on marriage. I've been colouring ever since. I prefer Naturtint because it doesn't dry out my pin straight hair as much. My dad has gone from very dark brown to silvery white; looks good on him. My mom, who HAD jet black hair, still colours her hair a medium brown. They are both in their eighties