And, this was the basis to deciding to bring the virtual silver community into the real world and create a convention: Silvercon! In a nutshell; I have elbow length hair that has been colored and hennad since the 80s. My Transition to Gray Hair - dimplesonmywhat I looked different from my peers and didn . Conscious consumerism and informed decisions will impact the marketplace, our health and THE WORLD! So I gave it a go. As far as men are concerned if they care so much about the color of my hair , then I wouldnt want to waste my time with them . The first photo is fresh from the salon, and the last day I colored.Look how stark that color is for my complexion! Save. Try low-lighting or highlighting your hair to blend in your new growth with your existing hair color. I love all of these women ! WOW!!! Before you decide to just go cold turkey, there are a couple of options that can make the grow out way less painful. My problem is that Im SO impatient for the old colored hair to grow out. PS the relief of not doing my hair every two/three weeks is worth the 60 I spend on a t section blow dry and cut every 8 weeks do the maths x. Hello. My eyebrows are are still dark which is such a stark contrast to the silver hair. SITE CREDIT. blond, he told me my hair looked awesome and that my roots were a beautiful color. i did the same, i brought back all my dye and said I am EMBRACING my grey..sorry if you dont like but I am ready.plain and simple.. Im still sexy, funny, powerful, and most of all Im still me.~Alethiea W. I believe if one knows themselves, has self-confidence, it makes the transition easier when outside noise tries to interfere. How To Survive Going Gray: The First Year: Tips, Tricks & Hacks Thanks for your comments. Then, I just kind of had a light-bulb momentI probably have that grey! I strongly felt like shedding everything that wasnt truly me. i am a photographer and just returned from a job where the client had cut all her hair off because she got sick of coloring. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new hair and wold never go back to colour. Bring it on ! Domestic production. I think the important thing here is to create a social conscience rooted in respect for other humans, to eliminate labels and break beauty taboos. Everyone should feel free to dye or not to dye their hair, use makeup or not, go with fashion or not! dark brown) hair just was not working.After 28 years of coloring, my hair looked dry, rough, and too brassy/warm. At 51 (in two days), I decided to go on this journey and I am blogging my process. What is the most expensive way to go gray? Be well. She has been doing my hair for many years now. I dont know why I did that. I get compliments often on my color! A business with endless ideas of how we can support other women on this journey of truly living our authentic selves. . I experienced the kind of support thats often rare to find even face to face. Why and How to Go Gray with Long Hair - Katie Goes Platinum I have seen several women in grocery stores and other various places who are letting their grey grow out and sometimes I stop and talk to them for support. going gray before and after pictures here. Overall I would say months 2-5 are probably the hardest because you walk around looking like you missed a hair appointment. My advice to anyone wanting to free herself from hair dye: make a commitment to yourself and stick to it. All submissions for consideration: info@grombre.com (include your IG) How did you do it? Our first step was to create a convention, #SILVERCON, that will be happening in July of 2020 in L.A. Transition to Grey Hair | 1 Year Dye Free - Going Cold Turkey 8 Books to Read. get a regular trim every six to eight weeks to keep your hair healthy and growing. 6. Vaczi said to stop using shampoo that is for color . I have to admit, I loved it! By Lindsy Van Gelder. I have a very good stylist, and we worked with a combination of color one month, skip 2 months, highlights/lowlights the 3rd month, skip 2 months and start over. After getting hi & low lights to make the transition less painful I've found the lipstick type color touch up sticks are definitely helping. It was the best choice I've made and the transition will be difficult in the beginning but I swear I go on Pinterest and look up pictures of women with gray hair as inspiration when I feel the need to turn back , This is my third time going gray, and I believe that this will be the last time. Id developed an allergic reaction to dye after dyeing it every 2.5 to 3 weeks for countless years. A different cut helps to eliminate a bulk of the hair you're trying to match or catch up to it also introduces the element of new. Yes, it did add another color, but, we kept it short until most of the color and highlights were cut out. combating the effects of aging hair. Hey Humor Consumers, In Episode 4 we talk about gray hair and the journey of letting it show. I felt so freefree of the shackles of colorfree to be the real me. Unlike the quick transformation away from gray (during a one-hour hair appointment, say), the transition back to gray is a months-long process and you'll need a plan. Well, some people said this would make me look old, others said that I was really brave! We live in a world of instant, yet our hair doesn't instantly grow without extensions or a wig. I hope you didn't change your mind! I have long hair, so underneath my old dyed hair is about three quarters a way down and the grey is coming through naturally, The colours she is using on top blend in beautifully (using a mixture of high and lowlights and she will use different shades each time). 5. As I said, I planned to retire when I turned 52 meaning a cut in pay, so, in August, I asked my stylist, what approach we needed to take to allow the grey to take over. But for my personality and my temperament, the cold turkey grow out was the only option I considered. I still feel that maintaining good health, grooming and diet are now as important as ever. I have to admit, I was confident and determined enough not to need any support or motivation to stay strong. SACHAJUAN Silver Shampoo, 8.4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) Add to Cart . Go shorter. Going Gray Cold Turkey From Brunette Hair: 5 Things I Regret I'll be 50 in September and so tired of dying my hair and disguising my gray that each day is more difficult to hide. I just want to be myself now. I am active and happy and I am not the color of my hair !! I call this my final cut because its where I cut off all the remaining dyed bits of my hair marking the first time in over 20 years that my hair was 100% its natural color. I will confess tho, that I have used the power for the back and top of my hair to break up the line I am however leaving the front, full coverage. I still have a 10, 12, 14 and 16 year old. Documenting the first 18 months with photos, products I used and more! There are affiliate links* in this post. Read my Terms and Conditions Page to learn more. How long does it take to grow out your gray hair? I get compliments daily about my hair now (not what I was looking for) and that makes me feel that I made the right decision. I felt comfortable, then; finally, I wasnt being conditioned by anything other than my free will. For more information on going gray naturally, you can follow along here where Ive journaled about my experience along they way. I am reading this and it speaks as if it was I speaking. My hair is actually black and white, salt/pepper grey. Unfortunately, the drugstore selection here leaves much to be desired. The idea that different countries have different standards of beauty is a widely accepted one. These past few years were simultaneously the most difficult, most scary, most rewarding, and most freeing of all. Why I'm Going Gray. I had it all grown off and wore it silver for five years, and then in 2008 I allowed negative people to tell me I was too young to have silver hair. It felt ridiculous to continue another 20 years of dye. It is such a freeing and empowering experience. I cut ties with people . Firstly, I decided to get my hair cut short - it had been in a bob style. I would rather cut it a little shorter and continue through with the transition or get tired of the skunk look and dye it again. So, I do not think it will be a good idea to apply semi or demi permanent color with the expectation that it will just fade out to your gray hair. I got so fed up having to do my roots now every 2 weeks. Have a weird yellow bit on top even though my hair was brown . I want to cut back on the relaxing bit I have course hair and I do like the straight look. I personally find the cold turkey gray hair transition fun, but I know not every woman feels that way, so here are 10 ways to help you get through it! But its always there if I need it. AVEDA Blue Malva Shampoo for Gray Hair, and neutralizes brassiness in 33.8 fl oz/1 litre. It washes out after a few washes if you are too heavy handed but takes away all the yellow at a fraction of the costs of going top the salon.. thanks for creating this blog! Theres not a lot of rules when it comes to growing out your dyed hair to gray but these are 5 things NOT to do for sure. I stuck with growing out the color and every time I had a new cut, I could see the grey/white strands of hair shining through more and more (especially around my face like a light). We want all of these people to feel supported, educated, and empowered. Dye Strip Method. I used to be a dark brunette. Go lighter. It's a matter of confidence and comfort too. Just a lot of silver coming fast now, about 75%. But, after years of covering up, you can't just go cold turkey on the color. My hair is very long, and I am out one month of not coloring brown. This is just how I feel. The color is silver, grey, and an inch of brown dyed hair. I am 61, healthy and health conscious and want to stop dyeing. I was DONE! I have a short pixie hair cut already so I know growing it out will go quickly. Color correction, cold turkey, shave your head, try a pixie.Whatever floats your boat. Hi Diana, for me, it helped because we kept my hair short. There wasnt much thinking behind my decision; I had just had enough. I found myself looking at grey photos of women on the internet, I so loved the color. Going grey with (grohm) (bray) A radical celebration of the natural phenomenon of grey hair. Required fields are marked *. It is very common to feel torn. In my twenties I would frost it to give it some style. So no matter what your age or childs age , dont let that define your hair. In many parts of the world, hair salons were closed for long . We cant tell you how many women tell us that they become male magnets after they go gray or silver. Please ladies, understand how that looks!!! . Wow, it is hard to believe but it is now ONE year since I ditched the dye and embraced my grays. For my 40th birthday I decided to go grey. Share. The bold and sexy feathered hairstyle looks so natural and relaxed. thanks because i truly am ready and i know my husband hates it but i need to stop worrying about what people think and do what i want for once. Could a normal, every day woman feel beautiful going gray? My mother and both my sisters color there hair and when I told them of my plan they were not at all supportive. She went grey cold turkey with long hair and looks fabulous! if you decide to go gray do not let others bring you down i did that for a few years but no more!!! Im 57 and about 6 weeks in. I'm 45 and at the point of need "touch ups" every couple of weeks. Going to my regular coloring appoint today though and going to see about lowlights? That only left one route open to me - going gray cold turkey with long hair. Thanks. I was ready to take the plunge. For anyone planning on growing out gray hair or for anyone wondering how long it will take, I would say to plan on a solid 2 years for the grays to grow past your chin. When I finally found ME, I was both confused and ecstatic! I stopped the colouring about 4 months ago and while I do like the silver/grey at 90% , I am still not used to seeing myself yet. I havent mentioned it to anyone else. There is no way to do it except by letting the gray hair grow out. I'm going to cut it off, cold turkey, let it grow in and see. Finally, there is no right or wrong way to do this Full Transition to Gray Hair; there is only your way. Black Hair. As we age, our complexions get lighter, and I found that continuing to dye my hair brown made me look olderit emphasized the aging lines in my skin. And I was a die-hard. Silver Sisters as a Progressive Community of Gray-Haired Women I thought it would be a good solution for me too but now have come to find out that my hair has been stained and so the 10 months I thought I had under my belt is now starting anew. This has been a true transformation both inside and out. Groups like The Gray Book helped so much providing support and inspiration. There h. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. L. Laura Patterson. All subscribers are eligible for the annual giveaway on Dec. 1st. I think I needed it to really solidify that I made the right decision. thank you for the words of support, Joy. To book your free gray consultation with Joey today call him . Looking at myself in my bathroom mirror and looking at myself in pictures is a very different thing. I'm getting a super short cut. They can then consciously use coping mechanisms to . Im so relieved that I made this decision. I'm happy with my silver streaks and want to set a good example to my little girl about beauty and self acceptance. These . Do you want to try color? So, I said, sure, why not? I wear my hair pixie short to chin length bobs and most often, layered. I will be 55 the end of the month. She is married with a daughter and a son and works as a part-time administrative assistant. In many places, it still is, for men at least. I love wisdom of the sages. I was a slave to the salon. Your email address will not be published. Toner $50. Lots of women have thought I have my hair professionally colored grey due to the sal and pepper back. Going, Going, GRAY! I'm in the process of going from brunette to gray. I am now mostly silver- and I have never felt so free. So the following month I made a hair appointment anddyed my hair. I'm going to try someone who works out of their own home, as I think I might prefer that than going to a salon again. My hairdresser treats my hair with something to make it shiny and smoother once a month and it really works. But once my grays grew in long enough to where I could almost tuck them behind my ears (around 6 months) it starts to look intentional rather than questionable and at that point it all started to get a bit easier. My very expensive and expert colorist advises that it is nearly impossible to remove all of the semi-permanent color from my hair and it cannot be returned to gray just by removing it. I felt liberated from the tyranny of the beauty ideals I had been obeying for so long! What exactly is everyone doing at the skunk stage? ! NO!! I have never even considered dying my hair until now. Going Gray ~ Getting Down to the Root of it All My hair is almost to my waist but my ends are drying out. How did your hairdresser color it to avoid the line of demarcation? Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer for the fastest hair dry. BUT I am scared and am going through all the "ageistic" thinking that society has thrown onto me. Coping mechanisms. I think I may look better al natural. Will I look attractive as I grow old and with gray hair? During the growing out phase, my hair was such a mess, a mixture of the old dyed color, my new natural dark brown, and the gray . My husband loves the blonde, and we all want the husband to be happy right? While going gray may seem like a purely aesthetic decision, women who have made the . There are lots of ways to transition to gray from cold turkey by letting your hair grow out naturally like I did, to cutting your hair very . Make sure you feel strong enough to deter the most negative comments.Im hardheaded, so when I make up my mind to do something, its going to happen. Obviously, time has passed, Ive grown older and wiser and Ive earned a crown of glory that had been dyed over, time and time again. Do you want him to worry about what you think? He is a silver fox and very supportive. Hi I'm 48 and suddenly I just don't feel me, being brunette. Even with this super short, edgy haircut it will take 2 more haircuts before all the dyed hair is gone but, thanks to my skillful stylist, it looks pretty decent now. I'm going to go grey/silver again this is my second time letting it grow in. This is worth the mention only if you are familiar with traditional beauty standards in Spanish society. Karen and I first decided to start this endeavor as an Instagram page. Always real. My hair is very fine and thinning so when the silver comes through under the reddish brown, it makes me look like I am balding (yuk). Its mostly silver-white on top with brown and some blond underneath. Rock it! My transition to gray hasnt only shown me the plan nature had with me and my silver strands., but it also has shown me what I am capable of doing. I like it! Call it a midlife crisis but in the last few months I have bleach my hair, gone red, back to brown, bleached again, then back to red, and cut my butt legnth hair off into a chin length bob. 3. My hair was actually curlier than I knew, but years of dye had damaged my hair.Once I stopped dyeing my hair, it became healthy and curly. I'm 37 and have been growing it out since Jan. 1st 2014 and have received nothing but compliments from both men and women. I am 35 and resent using chemicals so frequently on my hair. For example, I have self-confidence *most* of the time, but that wasnt always true.I was taught from the very beginning of my life that I was a nobody. Wont amount to shit! Dumb! Stupid! I believed those things, so doors were left open for even worse abuses to come my way. I didnt start coloring my hair until I was 45 and at that point I was probably 1/4 to 1/3 gray. Mix a little in with your conditioner and experiment on strength. I was like, I can go dark and it won't suit me as much, or I can trick people into thinking the gray hair is blonde, and that's what I did.". Ironic since it seems to grow fast when in coloring mode. My name is Lisa. Six ways to grow out gray hair that is colored, Gray Hair Inspo: Braid Styles for Gray Hair, Growing Out Gray Hair: 10 Ways to Go Gray, Going Gray: (at 40!) I'm Going Grey And Ready To Rock It ~ Just Our View From Here My hair will actually have more white than gray, I hope anyway. Agree with all about transitioning painful. Rookies (and I used to be one!) Hi Im 47 and 40% grey. Again, my hair grows fast, We cut at least an eighth to a quarter of an inch off every month, and, more sometimes depending on what length/style I want. Will switching from permanent to semi-permanent dye make my transition to gray easier? 32. Always no B.S. I have never worn make up and now I feel like I might want to because the grey just makes me feel washed out and bland. And, my hair was healthy looking. People stare, ask, comment and admire my decision to go natural. Since I no longer work outside the home, I do not feel the same pressure to look as young as when I was working. : Expert Advice & Inspiration from a Former Color Addict. In fact, the complexion gets darker and the skin gets tough. I have been colouring my hair for the last 20 years and most recently have had to colour every 2-3 weeks. I hate the blonde and am debating colouring it back to dark brown and starting over in March. There are many ways to go gray including getting a cute pixie, blending grays with lowlights and/or highlights, shaving your head, getting extensionsor going cold turkey. My business partner, Karen Rich, and I are the Co-Founders of Silver Sisters International, which is an affinity group that brings together women who have the desire to ditch the dye and set their silver strands free. Thank you for reading. Then one day, I saw this beautiful woman in a restaurant in Hingham, MA. I go every 5 weeks, but the last two weeks before my appointment isnt very attractive because I see the gray roots. Going grey gracefully (or ever!) I can honestly say that I LOVE my gray hair, and thats something I never said when it was dyed.~Lisette P. OWN it! I bought hair clips, metal hair like barrets, colored bobby puins grey bobby pins. It felt like it was going to take forever and I was never going to get there.But I did. Wonderful! I'm 56 (almost 57) and would be totally gray if I stopped coloring every 4 weeks. Tips for Going Gray. How To Survive Going Gray: The First Year: Tips, Tricks & Hacks, The Dye Strip Technique for Going Gray in Secret, The Surprising Truth about Transitioning to Gray Hair, Its Time to Bust These Tired Myths About Gray Hair, Color Lounge Answers All Your Salon Transition Questions, How to Piss Off a Gray-Haired Woman in 5 Seconds or Less, 7 Unexpected Benefits of Going Gray From Dyed Hair, 10 Mistakes NEVER to Make If You Want to Successfully Transition to Gray Hair. Aveda Blue Malva Color Conditioner. I am truly enjoying the process and have decided to cut off the dyed hair, thus embracing who I am. My fiance has wanted me to go gray He LOVES gray hair! And, this might sound funny, but my eyebrows didnt match my dyed hair color! So reading all these nice stories amke me stronger to, at leat, give it a try. I knew I could save a lot of money by not doing color anymore, but, I didnt want a line she suggested we color my hair one more time, but go dark to match my natural brunette color, cut it pixie short and then wait one month and frost it (long enough to allow the roots to show so she could match and also so it was not over processed). Focus on health. You can try Balayage which is lightening your ends. I've been going gray since I was 21. I intend to keep going like this till all the old dye is out which probably another year or so and then I will have grey tones put in, my hair cut shorter (although not sure about that one) and then leave it alone and grow old gracefully. So after a few more color sessions on the length only -Balayage- I was done! Not only that but I work in an office how awful it would be to walk in every day and see someone with partially grown out gray hair, right? Normalizing the Conversation, Tips for Building the Perfect Charcuterie Board, The Going Gray Makeover: Gray Hair and Makeup Tips, Zero-Waste Makeup: 5 Eco-Friendly Products for A Sustainable Beauty | Revolution Gray, Finding Love in Your 50s | Revolution Gray, Low-Key Ways To Ease Back Into Exercising As You Age | Revolution Gray, Fitness After 50: 10 Must-Have Items To Kick-Start Your Fitness Routine in 2023. My hair is healthy, stylish and I like it. I guess this will be a journey and ill probably have to come and read your wonderful posts often for encouragement!! I love the white that frames my face as my hair grows between clouring appointments. I filled my head with knowledge and my heart with self-love.And it changed my life!!! 243K followers. who said a thing about giving up??? I went 'cold turkey, ' and it took me about a year, with a lot of patience, to grow out the dyed colored hair. I dont know if anyone is still on this blog. We will see. I no longer worry about what others think, I have fun creating sassy looks, and I have more confidence than ever before. I explain my feelings about my gray hair transition so far, and tell you . It is so healthy, and actual looks so much prettier on me than my dyed hair ever did. Here are six reasons for going cold turkey with long . To Tanya, dont worry how youll look and especially dont worry about what others think. Know that there may be some rough spots but in the end, youll love your natural color and the bonus is healthy hair.~Janice C. I stopped coloring April 2017 at 57 yrs. I started with my first grey streak when I was 20 years old.