How do I get back to gray?

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

Thanks to you both! I don't think I did get an answer on page one, as she misunderstood what my situation was, but thank you both for your answer, it helps alot!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled discussion ,

 

[minkydog]

I personally chose to just stop using artificial color, cold turkey, and let my natural hair grow out. I didn't want to fool with the lowlights or temp color, as doing so can significantly prolong the growing out process (can take a year or more). I wasn't comfortable with getting a very short haircut--I had long, dark brown hair, and was not ready to change both the color and length too dramatically. So I waited until I had about five or six months of fresh growth coming in, then went in and had the last remnants of artificially colored hair chopped off. At that point, my gray was long enough to try a hairstyle very similar to the one that Meryl Streep wore in "The Devil Wears Prada". Less than two months later, I have already grown my hair out to an attractive, slightly layered, shoulder length style.

I won't tell you that growing out my hair, and having to deal with the two-toned color for a few months, was fun or easy. There were times when I got a few odd looks--but I also got more than a few positive compliments as well. And I am so glad now that I did it. My hair feels better than it has in years! It is so much healthier, softer, less frizzy & easy to style.

I always said I'd never color my hair, but I gave in about 5 years ago. I'm 51 and it's a pain in the butt to have to keep it up. And it never really looks as natural as I'd like. My real color is a nice medium brown with a silvery-gray on top, front, and sides--I'm about 50% gray now. So I started growing it out about 2 months ago. It hasn't looked completely awful but I'm glad it's about ready to cut. My hair is fine and the gray is fine, too, so it's nice and soft. It's actually kinda pretty

 

[pezheadmeg]

I've been a color junkie since I was 18 and the one that was known to change hair colors on a whim throughout college. It doesn't help that my grandmother and her sister both went grey in their 20's and were known for doing the same. I of course had to get their genes. I couldn't get the genes of the other side, where my 85 year old grandmother is still salt and pepper with more pepper.

I went away from the dye, and am using hte John Frieda brilliant brunnete with glazing it every 3 to 4 days. It's keeping the brown strong and hiding hte gray to an extent. Granted I'm not along the top yet, just starting to go at the temples.

 

[FoodLover]

For plenty of ideas, and to see photos of beautiful women who went back to embracing their natural gray, visit: http://goinggraylookinggreat.com/index.php/great_grays/index

Thank you for this link. It's a really inspiring site. Maybe it will help me stay with the project of transitioning to grey next time.

Mary

 

[mom2grace]

Yes, i do have the brown color in my hair now, and the roots are starting to show. I want to know if I can just go back in and have only the roots redone, or if I have to my whole head done again? I already have permanent color. Or should i have semi permanent done all over now? My stylist gives me nooo advice, she just says "whatever you think" Thank you!!

You only need to do the roots. I live in Indy, you can pm me if you live close, I have a great colorist!

 

[needabreaknow]

Just giving a " I'll second that! " to Paula 70's comment. I have been doing hair for 15 years and when my clients decide to do that we unfortunately tell them to bite the bullet A lot of my clients get the new growth ( roots ) lowlighted so it;s not so drastic, and then end up liking that better becasue its not as high maintenance. Instead of every 5-6 weeks, it's every 3 months or so.