I wasn't, although I believed I was at the time. I'm with ya Andrea! 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. 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 admit some days it's all I can do not to grab a bottle of dye! Im so relieved that I made this decision. I have been coloring my hair since I got my first gray hairs in my early thirties. going gray before and after pictures here. This woman changed my life. I filled my head with knowledge and my heart with self-love.And it changed my life!!! Come join us on The Gray Book where there are a ton of before and after pics and so much support. Something that will not leave it dull looking. Some ladies blend in highlights or dye their hair gray to ease the transition to going gray. I am changing up how I wear my hair trying to hide the transition. My hairdresser was very supportive of my decision, as was my husband. Its like being pregnant in your first trimester where you just feel fat but you dont look pregnant yet. I hope that I can be an inspiration for them to also stop coloring.. Who knows what damage we are doing to our bodies with all of the chemicals! How sad that instead of celebrating what time has done in our lives, instead of appreciating the beauty that can only be earned by time, we try to stay stuck in the past, in our youth. And its been 3 years and the best thing she ever did. Once I made up my mind that I was going to go gray, I just had to lean into perseverance after that. I am 64 years old and a Qigong teacher- hoping to show the world that we can age with health. I'm 34 now and have several grey streaks that resemble highlights in my otherwise brown hair. Hi I'm 48 and suddenly I just don't feel me, being brunette. But in pictures my hair just looks gray and it makes me look older. For me, deciding to go grey was the outward manifestation of deciding to be real. Well, no! You come out the other end more confident. Once I started, I found it very exciting to see my natural colors emerge. I dont want to look like I am letting myself go. jt is a very bold and couragous move to go gray.i too am tired of hiding my authentic self and recently shaved my head to start over fresh.i am excited for my new look!Solomon said that gray hair is glory and beauty and is found in the way of righteousness! It's going to take some time and just like growing out a . It's the communal push pack of the aging process. They all seem very supportive. My hair is very long and dyed dark brown and my roots are growing out gray with silver highlights. So, taking that and this blog as a cue that maybe now is the time. She was awesome and very helpful. We believe that by simply CHOOSING, we can make a positive impact on our health and the health of the planet. I had forgotten how dark my original hair color was. See, I was never really a girly girl, and primping, and time spent doing so, just annoyed me.I saw many young girls coloring their hair grey. Hey, gals - it has been TWENTY-ONE freaking months of growing out my grey hair cold turkey. i just turned 60 and am so tired of everything about it. I let all my hair (silver gray) come in and last summer folded under the same peer pressure . I like it! OWN it! Its was almost like I wanted to create and opportunity to commemorate the experience, really give is space, honor every part of it. Denise ONeill lives in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Like every time I walk last a mirror or look in my rear view mirror I am like, holy cow! Now I have to start again. Supportive Instagram groups, such as @grombre, @embrace.the.gray, @silverandfree, @silversistersinternational, @cottonhairedwomen, @artinaging, @flyageless and @thesilverwomen, just to name a few, are amazing accounts supporting silver sisters. In my twenties I would frost it to give it some style. Be prepared to take more selfies than you have ever done! If you are anything like me, you have a lot of questions about how to begin this gray hair journey. I loved it. I have very black dyed hair so the skunk thing is very obvious! I felt like I want to rebel against anything that inauthentic. You can try Balayage which is lightening your ends. Everyone should feel free to dye or not to dye their hair, use makeup or not, go with fashion or not! This will give you that shiny feeling but without the added color. Please ladies, understand how that looks!!! HOW TO GO GRAY FROM DYED HAIR. Cold turkey, she decided to find out. Was it hard? I have three adult children, recently reduced my working hours and met the man of my dreams two years ago. At this time there was no more highlighted color, just my natural hair. For full Affiliate and Copyright Details Please Read My Terms & Conditions Page. Growing my hair out gray has been one of the scariest and most rewarding experiences. I am determined to do this. Just an option! All my best to all of you women out there who are considering, or in, or complete with this process. Hi there! All-over toning (avoiding the new growth as much as possible), after the highlight processing was complete. This question is one many have and need an answer to that is a visual representation so they can see what start to finish looks like. 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? While removing the old dye made the skunk line not so visible, it did drag out the process. These past few years were simultaneously the most difficult, most scary, most rewarding, and most freeing of all. This site has given me the courage. Hair grows out to 1.5 cm per month, thus, after a few months, you will have a complete gray hairstyle and a new exciting look. These how-to steps will get you started as you go from your cover-it-up-color to the gray . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Here, hair color isn't just hair color: Dallas . Not white, but light. 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 have been coloring my hair for 37 years! I hope you didn't change your mind! Thanks dad. If you have the same ideas about feminine beauty and want to join our community of like-minded women, visit our community of silver sisters (www.silversistersinternational.com) and follow us on Instagram. 2. Did you have to cut your hair? The bold and sexy feathered hairstyle looks so natural and relaxed. I am so happy to have found all of you ladies that like me have made the decision to go grey! We added highlights, then low-lights, for 6 months or so as I was not open to cold turkey.. I have never loved my hair more. In 2019, Turkey produced 1.45 million tonnes of tea (which was 4% of the world's total tea production), which made it one of the largest tea markets in the world . I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, it! So, I am excited to get to know people who are in this same boat, and share confessions and give advise to me. I had people walking up to me, asking me if my hair was real. I have considered putting in highlights/lowlights if I want some pizzaz, but so far, I get a ton of positive comments. If you want to look like Pepe Le Peu, the skunk, go for it. Directed by Scott Derrickson from a screenplay by David Scarpa, it stars Keanu Reeves as Klaatu, an alien sent to try and change human behavior in an effort to save Earth from . Anyway, long story short, I took the plunge, and could not be happier with the results. The next fastest is a pixie cut. By Lindsy Van Gelder. There are SEVERAL ways you can grow our your colored hair to your natural gray hair. Also joined Gray and Proud! PROS & CONS TO TRANSITIONING TO GRAY HAIR AT THE SALON. I just want to be myself now. And yes I am not letting myself go. One day I caught myself fantasizing about going gray. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. How Tarla Went Silver the Easy Way Using Wigs! 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 . 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. Unfortunately, the drugstore selection here leaves much to be desired. WHICH I LIKE , STEEL SILVER IS ONE OF THEM. Anyone want to buy a few boxes of dye, cause Im never going back!! That is important to me,. At the end of the year I will have everything that was permanently colored cut off. I started coloring my hair in between jobs a few years back to look younger for interviews, and I regret that decision. It was difficult at first but I've got used to it now; I have shoulder length wavy hair that I always wear up I only have a few more cuts to complete my transition to a fabulous silver white with darker gray at the back just like my mother and grand mother. Right now my hair is dark brown with Carmel highlights, is quite long and has very loose waves and ringlets. The hardest part about going gray was actually deciding to go gray in the first place, committingto the process, and just starting. Does anyone else have any ideas for success in this area? If you had asked me a year ago, I would have instantly replied that it wasn't for me. I told my children and my boyfriend on my 53rd birthday. She was enjoying a bottle of wine, dinner, and a few laughs with her hubs. Passionate about clean beauty, organic eats and nontoxic lifestyle, Lisa writes to create awareness. Dye Strip Method. I've been going gray since I was 21. I made the decision to go gray in December 2012. We cut through the marketing B.S. Tips for Going Gray. It has been one year since I have not dyed my hair and there were times when I considered starting again and I am now at that point of no return. That was a mistake; it played weird with my new growth and left a stain even after washing it tons. There's no way to dye your whole head gray (the technology doesn't exist), and if you stop covering gray roots cold turkey . I plan to wear it in a pony tail or pulled up once it stRts to really show my silver/white. I live in a very small town in Montana, and now that a few years have passed, I see women my age that stopped dyeing their hair and it is wonderful to see! Octocurl Soft Heatless Hair Curlers Product Review, This is the ONE Downside to Going Gray from Dyed Hair. I would get compliments all the time on the gray!!!! Rock it! . "Going gray" is a big commitment no matter what and one needs to be in the right frame of mind before starting the process. You sound so like I did last year. I earn money as an Amazon Associate from qualifying purchases. Just a lot of silver coming fast now, about 75%. Rookies (and I used to be one!) It is so healthy, and actual looks so much prettier on me than my dyed hair ever did. 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. 1,503 posts. , My situation is very simalar to yours. Your hair & you are gorgeous. As I searched the internet some more, I found that natural grey looked even prettier than dyed grey. The connection I have found in social media is surreal sometimes! The reaction wasnt satisfying at all. What is the least painful way to go gray? Was I happier then? What did your friends say and HOW OLD ARE YOU!?. I dont know if anyone is still on this blog. If you have wavy or curly hair, rock it! It was like a metamorphosis. Cut it as you want. The reactions concerning my hair transition were very different, but outing myself was so empowering that I managed the negative comments just as confidently as I was already feeling. How long does it take to grow out your gray hair? 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!) Save. I had women coming up to me asking me who my stylist was because they wanted the same unique colour. It's a matter of confidence and comfort too. . Honestly, its a thing! What does go cold turkey expression mean? The only real problems with going cold turkey is the psychology of saying goodbye to hair dye and dealing with a bold demarcation line (where the coloured hair stops). 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. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer for the fastest hair dry. So, I get my hair cut every month regardless of which length Im keeping it. 3. The hair care content is also for educational use, I am not a hair care professional or dermatologist, please be careful with your hair and skin. The only way we could defy these pre-established standards is by putting more emphasis on culture and less on our outer appearance, realizing we are not united by our bodies but by our brains. Hope it goes well, I really want to stop the madness! I love love love my silver grey hair and am kicking myself for not undoing the shackles of colouring a long time ago! Right now I am at 7 weeks and for me the roots color is a cool shade while my blonde is brassy. 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. Wed love to know the name of the product your hairstylist uses! Hi Im 47 and 40% grey. Seems to be ok but then I coloured it again! Joni's grey hair transition started when she was in her 50s, and tired of dyeing. It starts with lightening your hair and adding a ton of highlights. I may have a few highlights put in when I go for my cut next week. But its always there if I need it. I am finding these stories so inspiring. This is transition to self acceptance. Guest contributor Denise ONeill shares her story on how to go gray. I think grey is beautiful I just needed the courage to do it. sounds great, maybe I can suggest my hairstylist to do the same. . I feel like my hair went gray really fast over the course of last year and it is making me feel old! There wasnt much thinking behind my decision; I had just had enough. Quitting addictive drugs such as heroin can be much harder cold turkey. Now, thats the key, am I right? I would say its a solid 9 months to 1 year of making due and then another year of just waiting it out. My hair is past shoulder length and I was a natural redhead so no matter how much dying I do, it immediately shows and truly doesnt ever look natural anymore. I got to experiment with different colors, until the age of 30, when I just chose to dye it what I thought was my natural color: dark brown. This means no touch-ups or anything, except for a haircut here and there. I began covering my gray hair at age 25, like so many have said it seemed impossible at that age to imagine myself gray. My husband is supportive as is one of my very close female friends. I wasnt afraid; I was excited! I have never even considered dying my hair until now. she colored for years, and ended up bald and wearing a wig- and then this devastating disease. Your hair seems to grow EXTREMELY fast. I would have to say that after fretting and thinking about letting my natural silver shine for over 20 years, I finally made the choice to be free at the age of 50. It defines me and how I have become after so many ups and downs and life. I asked each of these glorious women to offer up any Words of Wisdom on going gray; they all had their own unique and silvery advice. Translation: if you have mid length hair between jaw and shoulders it will take you 20-24 months to grow out your gray hair cold turkey. This is a private Facebook group designed to inspire, create community, share insights, spark conversation and provide solidarity. There is no way to do it except by letting the gray hair grow out. It's truly liberating! I have gotten nothing but positive comments, and to be honest it was quite liberating! Of course, this is not trueI really cared! i want to have the courage. I'm at 30 weeks now, and very happy with my cold turkey gray hair transition! They can then consciously use coping mechanisms to . Hi Joy, you may find that you hair grows in thicker and healthier after you stop coloring. My hairdresser treats my hair with something to make it shiny and smoother once a month and it really works. Sooo.tried it again and my stylist made the cocktail a little stronger and left it on longer.huge mistake! Going Gray is Kreamer's exploration of that experience, and a frank, warm and funny investigation of aging as a female obsession. My hair is healthy, stylish and I like it. If you have any hesitations or concerns speak to your doctor or hair care professional for their support before using any information you find on this site. He is encouraging me to do it. . I'm doing it because it grows in every 2 weeks, its exhausting and tedious. Not in the sense that it was a utopic scenario. 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 no longer worry about what others think, I have fun creating sassy looks, and I have more confidence than ever before. And check out a few of the support groups on Facebook. As always it is about so much more than the hair. Conscious consumerism and informed decisions will impact the marketplace, our health and THE WORLD! 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! I do feel sad sometimes, because I am used to seeing myself with dark brown hair. Im now 48 (49 in a couple months) and am so over all of it! At what age should you stop dyeing your hair and let it go gray? Going cold turkey is an inexpensive way to transition to natural gray hair as it does not require any salon visits or the use of any harsh chemicals. METHOD #3: THE DYE STRIP TECHNIQUE. Anyway, I am getting lots of compliments and people asking me how I got that colorthey are surprised when I tell them its all naturalmy own grey! More here! Ive been growing mine out for 6 months and its only just now covering the crown of my head. Finally realized I'm tired of worrying about roots and having to color every 4 weeks. I didn't though. On average, for mid length to long hair 'cold turkey' grow-out, it takes about 20 months. 5. Thank everyone so much for the encouragement; so glad I found this site. Overall I would say months 2-5 are probably the hardest because you walk around looking like you missed a hair appointment. Services: Full Highlight $145. Wow, it has been so inspiring to just sit and read all the encouraging posts on here. : Expert Advice & Inspiration from a Former Color Addict. In fact, the complexion gets darker and the skin gets tough. Anyone who has started going gray knows that this doesnt happen overnight; its a process that seems to take forever, and you have good and bad days. I didn't get a great reaction from my hair dresser, so have stopped going there, and currently looking for somewhere new. How about hats? Our first step was to create a convention, #SILVERCON, that will be happening in July of 2020 in L.A. ALTERNATIVES TO THE LONG GRAY COLD TURKEY GROWOUT. To the people thinking that social media is full of superficial, self-obsessed people, I want to prove them wrong! Joni's grey hair transition started when she was in her 50s, and tired of dyeing. What about all the stares? I just dont want to be looked at as a grandma way before my time. If your hair is already a few months into the transition. Cold turkey, shave, partial color, and strip color and add toner. I never dyed my whole head, just had lowlights but in, but I still ended up with a white part. Braids, ponys and buns are super cute too. My husband is very supportive of whatever I decide. . Thank you all. That only left one route open to me - going gray cold turkey with long hair. by Joli A. Campbell | 02.16.2019 | All About Gray Hair, ProAging, Transition to Gray Hair. Check out my first 18 months here. Rachel, research coordinator at UC San Diego. Do you want him to worry about what you think? Going "cold turkey" is definitely challenging, but I'm now convinced that it's the best path for most women to take. So one day I casually mentioned to my husband, Maybe Ill stop dying my hair., Ill never forget what he said because it was the final push I needed. Why would I not want to look my age? How did you do it? Im only 44 and dont want to be viewed as old or frail, which I definitely am not! To give myself the opportunity to officially say goodbye. Shave your head, no seriously. Your email address will not be published. Wow, it is hard to believe but it is now ONE year since I ditched the dye and embraced my grays. I started meditating, reprogramming my brain by giving myself daily affirmations, helping others in ways Id never thought of before, reading more and more and more! Went to one place, I won't say the name, but suffice to say, I'm still looking! Here are their stories. I am not sure I am making any sense. You kind of figure out who you are, and what is important to you in life. Long story short, I went to my stylist and I explained to her that I would like to stop dyeing my hair and Id like to grow my greys out. Head up darlings, or your crown slips. For me it is about finding my identity in something other than outer beauty. Thank you for reading my story. For me, deciding to go grey was the outward manifestation of deciding to be real. and this is my last unnatural thing that i've been hanging on to. A bit of color on your cheeks can add a rosy glow to your face. WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO GO GRAY FROM DYED HAIR? We are proud to belong to this community of amazing women who just accept themselves and each other, just as we are! My advice to anyone wanting to free herself from hair dye: make a commitment to yourself and stick to it. Rock it! I have absolutely no regrets. Nothing looks right and Im frankly tired of trying to please others. My hairdresser lightened me up as well. She has been doing my hair for many years now. Growing out your grey is a process. And that was it. Going Gray During Lockdown? During a period of depression, I colored it and had so many comments about how it took off ten years of my age. Around the age of 45 she asked me, now, *why* do you only want highlights/lowlights instead of color? Shocking, right? My hairdresser is on board and has lightened me up in an attempt to reduce my skunk stripe as it gradually gets wider!! So if you do speak to someone, please make sure that person has had experience with transitioning gray. I have decided not to use any dye at all while transitioning. I documented the cut I got at the 2 year mark in the video below. I have my next appointment in 2 days. They wanted a mom with long, dark hair. Its shiny & lovely after I color but that fades and then I need to color again. I think I just needed one last time. Aveda Blue Malva Color Conditioner. maybe your stylist could highlight more towards the ends and less closer to the roots to blend into the gray? The only upkeep required was toning her colored hair every 6-8 weeks to keep it appearing gray rather than yellow and, of course, regular haircuts. At this point, I was unstoppable; I was determined and excited about my new path! My thought is that this will allow the grey to grow in while still maintaining a professional image. I decided over a month ago that I would like to stop dying my hair. EVOLVhs SuperFinish Polishing Balm defrizzes, adds moisture, softness, shine, strength, prevents breakage, splitting and is a UV protectant that helps avoid hair yellowing. I haven't heard any comments yet. This would keep a color line from showing. For more information on going gray naturally, you can follow along here where Ive journaled about my experience along they way. Something about turning 50 that made a shift in my psyche. You do need to worry about what your husband thinks. We went on a cruise and between the salt in the ocean and sun bleaching out some of my dk. Then, I just kind of had a light-bulb momentI probably have that grey! I support yours, mine and all others in this huge decision and process. west ranch high school famous alumni, accident on hwy 31 kilgore, tx, who played ike clanton in tombstone,