https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:15:21 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey/page/2#post-2397901 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:19:28 +0000 karen23 2397901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I forgot to say, what has really helped was having a good hairdresser!&nbsp; Especially one who can accept that my hair is a little bit wavy, and work with it instead of trying to fight it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey/page/2#post-2397883 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 05:33:37 +0000 Star (Lise) 2397883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very good advice&nbsp;<b>Sharan</b>.&nbsp; Colours really are key and different greys are more tricky at different stages. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey/page/2#post-2397878 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 03:53:35 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2397878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will share part of my experience, though I have no advice. When I was at what I think is the stage you are describing, my hair looked taupe to me. Not gray yet, but far from the dark brown it once was. I found I really disliked how I looked in medium to light heather grays. I liked wearing clear blue-grays, because they brought out my eyes (which are blue or gray or aqua). But heather grays just seemed to accentuate the graying of my hair and made me look and feel drab. Taupe was a much better light neutral for me. Now, several years later, my hair has gotten more gray, and I don't mind wearing heather grays. I'll still wear taupe, too.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey/page/2#post-2397876 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 03:05:19 +0000 Jenni NZ 2397876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess compliments can help, but at the same time it’s how we feel inside about it that affects us most. Which is why I was at pains to say that my feelings do vary and sometimes I feel sad about my hair and jealous of others. However, I agree with Cookie that the process of changing it by using dye is a daunting one if not doing it, and in your case Peri not good for your health. So hopefully knowing your feelings may fluctuate might help you to accept the change most of the time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey/page/2#post-2397873 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 01:05:45 +0000 Angie 2397873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Peri,</b> I hope you show us your new shorter 'do!&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397870 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 21:28:17 +0000 Cookie 2397870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aww, thank you, Suz. Yours gets compliments because it is adorable and suits you perfectly! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397869 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 20:43:50 +0000 Suz 2397869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cooke, you get compliments because your hair is fantastic! Bouncy, shiny, full of pizzazz.&nbsp;</p> <p>I get lots of compliments on mine, too, and that is largely because of the cut. Super important to keep the cut up to date with grey hair.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397867 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:00:31 +0000 Cookie 2397867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel I should be joining this thread but I don’t actually know what to say. Like Janet, I get a surprising number of compliments on it, but I often think that’s just because it stands out from the norm. Still, coloring it is a whole daunting road I am loath to start down. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397842 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 15:47:27 +0000 Bonnie 2397842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tried to stick with going natural during covid lockdown but finally gave up. My gray just makes my light brown look mousey. I get highlights or lowlights every few months and that works for me. I wonder if your hairdresser could try to keep the product away from your scalp. Using the right color doesn't necessarily need to go all the way to the roots imho. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397835 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 07:40:17 +0000 Janet 2397835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Peri, I just turned 60 a couple of months ago and as I’ve shared here, I let my hair color grow out during the first year of the pandemic. I’ve come to accept it if not love it. I miss my dark hair, but I’m ok with mine now. </p> <p>Oddly mine also appears less dark in the base color than it used to. Maybe my hair was getting lighter all those years under the dye? LOL But seriously, I get it. Coloring hair changes its texture and adds more thickness to the hair, and I suspect that hormonal changes in hair texture also contribute to an impression that the color has faded or changed. I don’t really know, but I encourage you to stay the course and find a cut you really love. A good cut helps me feel like I haven’t completely lost my edge. I’m still a little amazed at how many compliments I get on it — it’s even happening while I’m walking the Camino across Spain, where I am way overdue for a haircut and do absolutely nothing to style it each day (also, no makeup in weeks!). I think it takes some time for many of us to get used to the new undyed hair, and we expect to see the “old” us when we look in the mirror. </p> <p>Good luck! You’ve made a good change for your health! That’s the most important thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397834 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 04:44:52 +0000 Carla 2397834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m not going grey, I’m going white! &nbsp;Because I was a red-head, I’m transitioning through what looks like strawberry blonde.</p> <p>I started going white at 50, so did red foils for a couple of years, then a year or two of full head colour. &nbsp;Since I was swimming and red dye is fugitive, I ended up with faded blondish hair that was in bad shape. &nbsp;When I moved in 2014, I had to find a new stylist, and decided to just stop colouring it. &nbsp;I went short and the transition was fast. &nbsp;I’d say I have been 100% natural since 2016. &nbsp;</p> <p>#1 1980&nbsp;<br />#2 2018</p> <p>#3 2023</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397830 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 21:43:09 +0000 Kate 2397830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Peri, I was a blonde, with high and lowlights,&nbsp; but my wonderful hairdresser decamped during Covid. After a few false starts with other stylists, I just decided to grow out my natural color. Although I really missed the highlighted blonde the first two years, my new stylist gave me a great cut that I loved, so that made a lot of difference. I get a lot of positive comments from people on my hair, so I can certainly recommend the suggestions for a style refresh!</p> <p>Most of my hair is now a mix of gray and blonde, and I have really come to love it. What I definitely do NOT love are the stark white pieces at my temples. Without eyes in the back of my head, that's all I saw when I looked in the mirror! I certainly didn't want to go back to using permanent dye on those pieces so my stylist suggesting using temporary color—not an option for you, I realize. We recently changed the original silvery gray I had picked to a much darker platinum, which she suggested. It's gorgeous. I'm so happy. The color fades very gradually, and because I only wash my hair once a week, the color has proved to have excellent staying power. I wonder whether it's worth it to have your stylist look into fragrance-free temporary color for you?</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397829 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 20:40:33 +0000 RobinF 2397829@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I stopped coloring in 2019 after many years of keeping it a warm brown. I got really tired of the monthly process, even though I did it myself at home. It took a while to grow out and that was hard. I never did a big chop to help speed it up. </p> <p>I do get bored with it sometimes and often feel like it makes me look older but the thought of the grow out keeps me from seriously considering color again. My grandma had white hair as long as I remember and I’m definitely headed that direction. I’ve accepted it and like it most of the time. It’s part of my identity now. </p> <p>I did find that following gray hair blogs helped me as it was growing out. I wasn’t alone and it looked great on many people. I agree with the others who suggested experimenting with color and maybe also contrast. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397820 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 05:12:33 +0000 Bijou 2397820@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Peri my scalp is sensitive due to having psoriasis, but I have found that I don't have any problem with having foils, as the colour is not in contact with my skin. My hairdresser is very thorough in washing out the colour to make sure there is minimal contact with my scalp. I find with foils the grow-out is less of an issue. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397817 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 01:44:31 +0000 Peri 2397817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sal and Angie</b>, I did that! Around last December when I stopped coloring I started going shorter. First to shoulder level and now the longest pieces hit in the front right at my chin. <b>Angie</b>, it is very similar to your cut, especially the wavy version you've shown. I'm not as successful with the straight version. And you are both right. My trim was a few days ago and even though it had only grown about an inch, as soon as I got the trim I felt a bit better.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thank you all for the support on this "messy middle" phase, and for encouraging me in thinking that the end result might be better than the halfway point. And like <b>DonnaF&nbsp;</b>I do feel curious about that.</p> <p>This thing about changing clothing color has me puzzled! I never questioned what "my colors" were and never felt any need to get outside help on that. I thought I just knew. Now I'm less sure. And one thing I've noticed is that lighting matters so much. I can leave the house thinking I look just fine and glance in some other mirror in a different place and change my mind about that. This is going to be my new obsession, I can tell.&nbsp;</p> <p>Finally, <b>Joyce</b>...funny!&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397814 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:55:27 +0000 Indigoprint 2397814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I never colored my hair, so theres that. I was a mousey blonde.<br /> It took about 5 years and I am mostly gray. I like it. It is a lighter color than my pre gray hair.<br /> I think there is an attitude adjustment.<br /> I started collecting images on Pinterest of Fab gray hair and that was helpful to see images that I thought looked good and could have a positive influence on me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397810 Sat, 25 Oct 2025 23:43:34 +0000 Jaime 2397810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My story is similar to Judy's - I stopped dying after many years at around 46 and when I got sick of the grow out phase I got a short cut. It took a good few years to adjust to seeing myself in the mirror. On the other hand, my hair grows pretty quickly and I loved not worrying about roots all the time. It is no longer an issue for me, but it took some time to get there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397808 Sat, 25 Oct 2025 23:40:52 +0000 Angie 2397808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with<b> Sal's</b>&nbsp;great suggestion. A hairstyle - not colour - refresh can feel wonderful, <b>Peri</b> ;)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397803 Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:38:21 +0000 Sal 2397803@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not easy emotions to cope with. Would a change of hairstyle help for this time. I don’t know what your current style is but maybe a change here might refresh how you feel. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397802 Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:43:37 +0000 karen23 2397802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I started getting a little bit of white in my hair, which was a ginger color, when I was about 50.&nbsp; I wanted to cover that up, and dyed my hair a semi-permanent red (Sedona Sunset!) which was popular at the time, and kept it that way for a while.&nbsp; Then that color was discontinued, another color I tried looked sort of odd, then I tried a mix of two colors which I thought looked good but one got discontinued.&nbsp; I didn't feel like a blonde, and I didn't think brunette would work.&nbsp; Eventually I just said the heck with it, and let it grow out.&nbsp; It grew out in stripes, whiter in front.</div><div>The interesting thing is, I think the colors I can wear are a little different.&nbsp; I was going with a sort of Autumn palette but I can throw in some aubergine or peach pink or periwinkle and get away with it.</div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397790 Sat, 25 Oct 2025 07:42:25 +0000 Jenni NZ 2397790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Peri I can’t really share my journey from dye because I only dyed the greys out once. I was 46, like Judy, and it was already greying somewhat. Even then I was against “beauty work” thanks to The Beauty Myth (Naomi Wolf) which I had read at age 30, but I had bought a box of brown dye some time before as a sort of insurance for the bathroom cupboard in case I couldn’t stand the greying any more! So one day I tried it. It looked good I think, like my natural brown, but because all one colour, no natural variation, I decided I didn’t like that. And I have never dyed it again. (Now 64)<br /> I do get bored sometimes, and I do get sad sometimes when I feel it makes me look older and when others assume I am older than other women of my same age. And I can get jealous of some other women with dyed hair. Or even of those who are not yet naturally grey. Those feelings do pass and when I have thought about what I would have to do to change things I decide I am happy as I am. My best colours have not changed much (had them “done” earlier this year and came out Bright Spring, as suspected) but I can wear some slightly cooler colours as well now with the silvering hair. I think adjusting might take a while but it might help to know that. Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397773 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:49:44 +0000 Peri 2397773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh frustrating! I just typed a long reply and lost it. Now I'm out of time. But thank you all for the good suggestions, and most particularly for the encouragement that it gets better after the middle part. Curiosity is driving me too, but mostly the fact that I have no choice. </p> <p>Nope to highlights, same issues. Out of a medical data base of 2,651 products, only 4 remain after applying my codes. They are all henna....nope to that.&nbsp;</p> <p>Clothing colors...thanks for those ideas. I will definitely look into that. Maybe that is behind my sudden dislike of some items I used to enjoy.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thank you all!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397771 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:32:56 +0000 judy 2397771@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm 70 now and at 46 grew out my hair a few inches and then cut off all of the dyed hair into a short cut.&nbsp; Then grew it back long.&nbsp; I was just sick of dying it.&nbsp; And I never did again.&nbsp; I was greying in places, like the front, but still quite brownish at the back...and it's still that way, but more of the white now.&nbsp; Looking back, I was quite young to do it, but I mostly just wanted the freedom.&nbsp; And there were times it did get to me, and I doubted my decision.&nbsp; But not enough to change it.&nbsp; It helped when someone complimented me.&nbsp; Hanging up some pics of what I thought were cool looking women with grey hair for inspiration actually helped too ( Isabel Marant was one I recall).&nbsp; As the years went on there was a wave of more women going to their natural hair color.&nbsp; I didn't really change the colors that I wear...mostly neutral anyway.&nbsp; It can be an identity change for sure, but I say, if you can't find dyes that work for you...does henna? (tho it's very drying) embrace it if you can.&nbsp; I ended up loving having the texture of real undyed hair agin.&nbsp; &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397769 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:28:16 +0000 Irina 2397769@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I grew out my grey hair in 2012-2013. Probably, around 30-35% is white and the rest is mid brown. Yes, it does look mousy. I just embraced it. I wear a bit more makeup and once in a while tint my eyebrows. I don’t wear grey as much as when my hair was deeper brown color. And I avoid pastel colors but they were never great on me.&nbsp;<div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397766 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:56:25 +0000 Joyce 2397766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Peri, my grey journey is very similar to others. As I got tired of the growth maintenance of grey into dark brown I had my hair stripped and went a shade of platinum blond. From there it was high or low lights to keep things blended as needed. When I noticed that the tone of my hair wasn't doing my skin or clothes any favours, I wanted to stop colour. My stylist at the time said I would regret it but I was also not happy so stylist change and went grey.&nbsp;<br />Like Suz, there have been days of that sense of loss and recognition that this is it;, no more blond, brown or "fun". But, the wardrobe colours when chosen with care, look better and the haircut is super important.&nbsp;<br />As we have all recognized previously, it is our crown to wear, sometimes it is heavy but when we get it right, it shines! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397764 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:45:32 +0000 Lisa 2397764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like yourself I had to stop coloring my hair years ago because it was too irritating. I have the same issue with hair care products.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've been "growing out" my colored hair for years. During the regrowth phase I did lowlights at first then a couple of big chops to remove all the colored ends. At this point all the highlighted and dyed blonde color is long gone, but I'm stuck with a permanent growing out look because the grey hairs are so thin they blend in against my natural, darker hair.&nbsp;</p> <p>While I was growing out my hair I wore it up a lot to hide the two toned look. I still wear my hair tied back often, because I don't care for the two toned look I still have. I'm sure at some point there will be enough grey hair that it'll all look an even color again. But I don't know how long that will take and since I'm not going to go back to coloring my hair, it doesn't really matter anyway.</p> <p>Good luck with your hair journey! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397758 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:16:31 +0000 cat2 2397758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not sure if this is an option given your skincare concerns, but a tinting shampoo can help with undertones you don’t like. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397744 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:45:16 +0000 Suz 2397744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nodding along with others -- you have to go with your own skin tone and eye colour. And maybe experiment with colours you have not tried before.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397742 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:31:53 +0000 slim cat 2397742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My hair is mousy-grey mix ( not sure about % of grey - 35% - and it weirdly located on my head - lol ). I can't go without highlights for a long time - it just looks sad to me. Summer time I can manage more easy versus darker months of winter. I'm always pixie - the shorter haircut makes grey less noticeable on me.&nbsp;<br />The colors you wear are important - more lighter and cooler for me - to complement your skin/hair/eyes. It's all a process and takes time and patience . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-some-encouragement-on-the-greying-hair-journey#post-2397741 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:25:46 +0000 tam 2397741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Peri - I understand.&nbsp; I am 61yo and joined YLF when I was 49 for help with my frumpy factor.&nbsp; Going grey was due to dye allergies similar to what you are describing and the fact I just don't enjoy going to the salon.&nbsp; My one piece of advice - evalute colors and jewerly to make sure what you are wearing doesn't fight against your skin tone.&nbsp; Don't assume as I did that gray requires silver and cool tones.&nbsp; I think Suz always looks amazing....I tired to copy that with my gray hair and it was a bust.&nbsp; I have olive skin and brown eyes....that doesn't change with gray hair.&nbsp; I've taken back my yellow gold jewlery and the other warm/but brighter colors that make me happy.&nbsp; Best wishes on your journey!&nbsp; </p>