What age would you let yourself "go gray"

[roliepolieoliefan]

I can't decide and I am starting to hate having to have my hair dyed. I am 47, soon to be 48, mother of an 11 year old and a 7 year old. My dh is 9 years younger than I. Started going grey at 16 and started dying my hair in my early 20's. I am afraid if I go grey now, I will look like my kids grandma.

Im 47 and my kids are younger too. (15 and 10)

Ive colored and highlighted my hair since I was 25 years old. I never have grey show through when my hair needs done so Im really not sure if I let it go if I would be grey headed or not.
My grandmother passed away at 78 and had very few grey hairs.

I will always color my hair , never never will I be grey.

 

[snoopy5386]

I am 38, and underneath the Clairol I am 90% gray. I've been dying my hair since age 25 because of gray.

I was mentioning another need to go to the salon to my 70yo dad, and he said, why don't you just let it go gray???

I'm not ready for that. I know that. But I do tire of going to the salon, and I am lousy at doing it myself. I don't think I'm vain, but I still care about my looks. Just sick of the hair coloring all.the.time.

What age would you/did you allow yourself to go gray? Does it matter if you were a blonde vs brunette? (I was brunette)

Since I was 16, I'm 36 now. My mom's side goes gray early and I fell right in line with them. After watching my mom dye her hair for my entire life and feeling it's straw like texture from all the dyeing I decided I never wanted to do that. I did dye it maybe 3 times? Last time was for my wedding 10 years ago, I hated how long it took for the dye to grow out. I'm about 40% gray. My little sister is 5 years younger and 95% gray, that makes me feel better, lol. I am a brunette and have a nice streak going in the front. I only wish it was a more silvery or white gray instead of a yellowish gray. My mom, aunt, grandma and sister all dye, so I'm the only gray one.

 

[MichelleVW]

I don't know what some people are doing wrong in the dyeing area...but I know people that dye their hair all the time and their hair doesn't feel like straw or isn't dry and gross. Feels and looks like normal hair.

 

[luvflorida]

I am going to be another brave soul and post a few pics. I've read through this entire thread and I'm a bit disheartened by all the "gray haters", for lack of a better term! I'm surprised at so many strong feelings against going gray, especially later in life. I do respect all opinions on this subject, however!

I started going gray around the age of 35 and I did not like it. I had my hair dyed (every five or six weeks for years) and I hated the time and expense that went into maintaining my hair and keeping it dyed close to my natural color, brunette. I wasn't ready to go gray, though.

I can tell you exactly when I decided to stop coloring my hair. The day my first grandchild was born! I was 53 and a brand, new, very proud, grandma. Right then and there, I decided I would no longer have my hair dyed. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made! No more spending hours at the hair salon, no more dyes, no more money going into coloring my hair.

I've kept my hair short for years, but when I decided to let it go gray, I had it cut even shorter than usual to ease the transition as the gray roots grew out. Luckily, I like my shade of gray, and even though my hair is fine, it is also quick thick. I keep it short, shampoo and condition it, and that's it. Sometimes I blow dry it, sometimes I don't. Very freeing!

So...here I am, gray hair and all! These pics were taken just last week. I'll be 59 in a few months. I don't think I look "grandmotherly", but if others think so, well, that's ok. I don't feel old and I certainly don't act old!

A bit windblown, but goes with my natural look! Ha! Ha!

 

[CaliBear]

You look very nice, luvflorida.

I don't think I will ever go grey, but I fel ya, OP, about tiring of the salon. I dye my own roots every month and go to the salon occasionally for highlights. It's still a pita to dye it, but at least it's less expensive and perhaps a bit faster.

 

[cjbcam]

I just turned 35 and am starting to see more and more grey. It's weird because when I was a kid I had blond hair and as I've gotten older its gotten darker and darker now it's almost black. So every little grey hair shows. Going tomorrow to dye it and I guess I will now until I can't handle it.

 

[georgina]

I have been going gray gradually all my life. Never colored my hair and never will. It became more noticeable through my 40's, I call them my highlights. My hair is medium brown and I have no problem looking my age. I've always been rather unconcerned with prevailing social norms though, I don't wear makeup either. I just don't think it is necessary to alter my natural appearance.

 

[luvflorida]

You look very nice, luvflorida.

Thank you. My eyes, nose and mouth are all in the right place. I'm good to go.

I don't know what it is, but I seem to have a face that looks familiar to people. I'm always getting the "you look just like my friend so-and-so". A few years ago, I saw a woman waving in my direction and I assumed she was waving to someone behind me. She kept coming towards me and waving and saying "hi!". I turned around expecting to see someone behind me, but nobody was there. She came right up to me, still saying "hi" and calling me "Ann" or something similar. I can't remember the exact name. Even when I insisted I wasn't "Ann", she didn't believe me! "You're not Ann?!?!?!?"

Anyway, back to the topic. I'm also hoping that by letting my hair go gray in my 50s, that by the time I'm in my 70s, everyone will be so used to seeing my gray hair, they'll think, "Oh, she hasn't aged much!" Ha! Ha!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I started going grey at 24. By my mid 30's it was pretty much a noticeable grey steak in front. So I started coloring my hair and haven't stopped. At my 25th class reunion I noticed that the few other ladies from my class who had also gone grey and didn't color looked at least 10+ years older than everyone else. So while I hate coloring it all the time, I refuse to look 10 years older! It's now pretty white in front and about a 50/50 grey mix in the back.

 

[MichelleVW]

I started going grey at 24. By my mid 30's it was pretty much a noticeable grey steak in front. So I started coloring my hair and haven't stopped. At my 25th class reunion I noticed that the few other ladies from my class who had also gone grey and didn't color looked at least 10+ years older than everyone else. So while I hate coloring it all the time, I refuse to look 10 years older! It's now pretty white in front and about a 50/50 grey mix in the back.

I agree that the grey hair makes people look at least 10 years older. I'm almost 47 and most people figure me mid 30's. I'm not ashamed of my age and will always tell people how old I am. But I'm not trying to look 10-20 years older than I am. My Grandma's never dyed their hair and always looked older than they were. My mom dyes her hair and no one would guess that she is 73.

 

[Sultana]

I am 38, and underneath the Clairol I am 90% gray. I've been dying my hair since age 25 because of gray.

I was mentioning another need to go to the salon to my 70yo dad, and he said, why don't you just let it go gray???

I'm not ready for that. I know that. But I do tire of going to the salon, and I am lousy at doing it myself. I don't think I'm vain, but I still care about my looks. Just sick of the hair coloring all.the.time.

What age would you/did you allow yourself to go gray? Does it matter if you were a blonde vs brunette? (I was brunette)

Never!

My hair is ash-brown with blonde highlights. I think it will evolve with time to greyish with blonde highlights.
I am not a vain person, but I can't imagine ever being totally grey. *shudder*

 

[snapppyd]

Never. I'm 57 and I've been dying my hair since my '30's. I don't ever want to go gray.


For those who don't like the time and expense of a salon - I've used Nice N'Easy for years. I get it on sale for around
$6 and it takes 1/2 hour once a month. easy peasy.

 

[disney1990]

Never. I'm 57 and I've been dying my hair since my '30's. I don't ever want to go gray.


For those who don't like the time and expense of a salon - I've used Nice N'Easy for years. I get it on sale for around
$6 and it takes 1/2 hour once a month. easy peasy.

I loved the two pictures of the ladies that have gone gray, but it's not for me. At age 33, somebody made a comment to me about my granddaughter. WHAT!!!! She is my daughter! I was not a happy camper. I agree that dying your hair does not have to be expensive. My DH does mine, right out of a box. I stock up when it goes on sale and look for coupons. I understand that some people can go gray and be comfortable, but I am 62 and easily look 10 years younger. I take our granddaughters to Disney now and people think I am Mom NOT Grandma.

 

[cglaura]

Love it! No way you are 59!

I am going to be another brave soul and post a few pics. I've read through this entire thread and I'm a bit disheartened by all the "gray haters", for lack of a better term! I'm surprised at so many strong feelings against going gray, especially later in life. I do respect all opinions on this subject, however!

I started going gray around the age of 35 and I did not like it. I had my hair dyed (every five or six weeks for years) and I hated the time and expense that went into maintaining my hair and keeping it dyed close to my natural color, brunette. I wasn't ready to go gray, though.

I can tell you exactly when I decided to stop coloring my hair. The day my first grandchild was born! I was 53 and a brand, new, very proud, grandma. Right then and there, I decided I would no longer have my hair dyed. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made! No more spending hours at the hair salon, no more dyes, no more money going into coloring my hair.

I've kept my hair short for years, but when I decided to let it go gray, I had it cut even shorter than usual to ease the transition as the gray roots grew out. Luckily, I like my shade of gray, and even though my hair is fine, it is also quick thick. I keep it short, shampoo and condition it, and that's it. Sometimes I blow dry it, sometimes I don't. Very freeing!

So...here I am, gray hair and all! These pics were taken just last week. I'll be 59 in a few months. I don't think I look "grandmotherly", but if others think so, well, that's ok. I don't feel old and I certainly don't act old!

(images)

 

[U2_rocks!]

I can't put an age on it, but I know I'm not ready yet. My kids are still relatively young, and my social circle is full of women my age who are keeping themselves really well and young looking. I would definitely stick out if I let my hair go gray.

Maybe when I'm a grandma - that's far enough from now!

 

[luvflorida]

For those who don't like the time and expense of a salon - I've used Nice N'Easy for years. I get it on sale for around
$6 and it takes 1/2 hour once a month. easy peasy.

I know time and expense are two of the reasons I mentioned for no longer dyeing my hair, but it's much more than that. I hated when my gray roots started showing and knowing I'd have to get them covered up. I was never comfortable coloring my own hair, so I relied on the hair salon to do it for me. I just find it freeing to not have to worry about getting my hair colored every five or six weeks.

My hair is now softer and keeps its' shape better than when I had it colored. Not sure if this makes sense, but I actually feel much more confident, and more "me", with my gray hair than when it was colored. I am the mother of three grown children and the grandmother of three young grandchildren. I know when I am out with my grandkids, it is obvious that I am their grandma, not their mom. And I'm okay with that! Actually, it's kind of the point!

I know not everyone agrees, but I see nothing wrong with going gray later in life. It really isn't bad at all! Of course, if you feel good coloring your hair, then go for it. If you feel like going gray, then go for that! For me now, it's more about getting the right cut than the color of my hair.

 

[snapppyd]

I know time and expense are two of the reasons I mentioned for no longer dyeing my hair, but it's much more than that. I hated when my gray roots started showing and knowing I'd have to get them covered up. I was never comfortable coloring my own hair, so I relied on the hair salon to do it for me. I just find it freeing to not have to worry about getting my hair colored every five or six weeks.

My hair is now softer and keeps its' shape better than when I had it colored. Not sure if this makes sense, but I actually feel much more confident, and more "me", with my gray hair than when it was colored. I am the mother of three grown children and the grandmother of three young grandchildren. I know when I am out with my grandkids, it is obvious that I am their grandma, not their mom. And I'm okay with that! Actually, it's kind of the point!

I know not everyone agrees, but I see nothing wrong with going gray later in life. It really isn't bad at all! Of course, if you feel good coloring your hair, then go for it. If you feel like going gray, then go for that! For me now, it's more about getting the right cut than the color of my hair.

I hope I didn't come across as snarky, not my intention at all. My mother never let herself go gray so it's just part of who I am.

 

[sk!mom]

I hope never. I'm 52 and only gray at the temples and one spot in the front. The rest is just still a stray gray here and there. I hate coloring but do it myself anyway since I look so much better. I tried salon coloring hoping that it would last longer but it didn't so it's back to home.

 

[luvflorida]

I hope I didn't come across as snarky, not my intention at all. My mother never let herself go gray so it's just part of who I am.

Not at all! It's all good! I understand what you are saying! I just could never get it right when I tried coloring my hair at home!

 

[HM]

I am the opposite. I'm trying to figure out when I should start coloring my hair. I am a 52 year old with blond hair that has quite a bit of gray in it (really only see it in florescent lighting). My hair is full of different color strands and I loathe going to a single color. I don't want to dye my hair, but I also don't want to look gray. So.....