It was absolutely terrifying. I was just too white on my crown to pull it off properly. It felt ridiculous to continue another 20 years of dye. I truly appreciate the beautiful sisterhood I found on this journey. If growing out the dye is something you want to do, I’d make sure your current dye color is close to your actual hair color and make sure it has little or no ‘red tones’. There are affiliate links* in this post. Read my Terms and Conditions Page to learn more. I’m still amazed at how much prettier and more unique I feel with my own color. For my 40th birthday I decided to go grey. Please do not copy or redistribute without further permission. Why would I not want to look my age? Thank you. @staceygabbard. Product information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. In the grocery store, I just love to pass the aisle with the hair dyes, and feel so thrilled I am done spending my time and money looking for the perfect colour every 2 or 3 weeks. I had the perfect colour all along.Â. Who you want to be, and what you want to put out into this universe. The hardest part of transitioning to gray hair is growing out your roots. Such freedom in not having to color my hair anymore. From there if you choose to use the help of a Supportive Stylist, it will depend on the processes you choose for your comfort zone. Looking back now, it seems funny how exaggerated those fears were. What changed? 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. First step in a pretty big color correction today •before photos on the left(not done by me), after on the right• This lovely client went…, Art In Aging on Instagram: “Self proclaimed foodie @mindy.gale is on a journey to be mindful of all things. My advice to anyone wanting to free herself from hair dye: make a commitment to yourself and stick to it. I promise you, once you know those things, the negativity of the world may still sting sometimes, but it can’t break you. My hair started going gray in my 30s, and I left it that way well into my early fifties, but then caved in to dying it, to what was my natural color in youth. Short Hair Styles. The last picture is at 17 months dye free. thank you robin and richard for creating the look in New York leisure seekers screening Also a divine Valentino gown. I’m still sexy, funny, powerful, and most of all I’m still me.~Alethiea W. I believe if one knows themselves, has self-confidence, it makes the transition easier when outside noise tries to interfere. This is going to be a test of will and patience!. I was longing to be what I was meant to be, both inside and out. After all, a 40+ year old woman shouldn’t choose a hairstyle certain 20 years old would have, right? My hairdresser was very supportive of my decision, as was my husband. They are a tremendous help getting you through the rough patches of this process. Do not ASK anyone what they think. Instead, TELL them what you are doing and gush about how excited you are. At this point, I am still very eager and excited about this process, I like the gray growing in. © Copyright disclaimer: All content is written by Joli Campbell or Guests, that content belongs to QuickSilverHair or the respected author. At 41, one writer weighs of the pros and cons of putting down the hair dye, consulting experts on how to grow out gray hair without superexposed roots. I've been growing it out for the past two and a half years and it looks stunning! At this point, they finally achieved the natural-looking gray that "will grow out seamlessly with her natural color," McMillen says. I love my hair and I feel blessed that I embrace it and let this color become me. I had people walking up to me, asking me if my hair was real. She was awesome and very helpful. I was even more tired of scheduling my life around my hair! Thanks dad. Then, I just kind of had a light-bulb momentâ¦I probably have that grey! All Images in this blog belong to the women in the picture or myself. Of course, growing out gray hair—especially when you’ve been coloring it all this time—is easier said than done. You kind of figure out who you are, and what is important to you in life. If you’re open to starting to transition into full-on gray hair then this is the best option for you. The only disadvantage I can picture is that it might be a shock to “go gray” overnight. I love my gray hair. Please feel free to share. TIP #1: EMBRACE YOUR ROOTS. Â, You have many options from highlights and low-lights to pixie cuts. In the beginning, of my transition to gray hair I scoured the internet, Pinterest, and Facebook looking for women who had posted about their full transition to gray hair. I have now made the Full Transition to Gray Hair. It was absolutely thrilling. young. OWN it! Growing Out Gray Hair – 5 Ways to go Gray. She was opposed to this idea, telling me she would have to strip my hair, which is very damaging, and that the upkeep would be very difficult. Be prepared to take more selfies than you have ever done! Honestly, it’s a thing! Now? Take a few months to be prepared physically and mentally. It’s all about faking it until you make it. Have you ever been somewhere that you were not supposed to be? If you have, you know that if you look insecure or nervous or out of place, someone will ask you what you are doing. However, if you walk along as if you OWN the place, people will not even think twice to question you being there. This is ALL about confidence. Take a few months to get your confidence at the level that will deter those who want to tell you that you’re insane, that gray will age you, that this ‘just isn’t done’. I no longer worry about what otherâs think, I have fun creating sassy looks, and I have more confidence than ever before. I allowed the entire underneath to grow out, then I flipped my part to the other side and allowed the rest of the colored hair on top to grow out. I love wisdom of the sages. Many women are happy to transition with a pixie. I love this site. And maybe you think that you should look at hairstyles for gray hair. In this time-frame, I quit a dead end job, I got engaged, I started modeling, and now I am looking for a commercial acting agent. Iâm not. For Full Affiliate and Copyright Details Please Read My Terms & Conditions Page. What is so bad about that? It happened 6 years ago, I was 42. I stopped dyeing my hair in September 2017, after thinking about it for several years. I can honestly say that I LOVE my gray hair, and that’s something I never said when it was dyed.~Lisette P. OWN it! I loaded boards up on Pinterest of gray haired beauties like Yazemeenah, Cindy Joseph, Linda Rodin, and Jamie Lee Curtis. And don’t give a f#ck what other people think. I get compliments often on my color! Whatever you need to do to feel the most comfortable…do it. When I finally found ME, I was both confused and ecstatic! Truly the most liberating thing I have ever done. How to transition colored hair from dyed to grey, including with highlights, lowlights, salon, and at-home options for beautiful results before, during, and after going gray. 5 years dye free and happy to be me.~Rachel T. I started growing out my gray at age 44. A light-bulb moment! QuickSilverHair is a registered trademark of QuickSilver Moon, LLC. It was literally; WTF am I doing??!! Chances are, youâre going to look better and when you look better, you feel better, even happier. I made some other, heart wrenching, difficult decisions at the same time. As I searched the internet some more, I found that natural grey looked even prettier than dyed grey. Color correction, cold turkey, shave your head, try a pixie.Whatever floats your boat. If you choose to go short, you can cut that time down tremendously. I was so tired of the monthly visits that kept my hair looking “good” for 2 weeks, only to be followed by 2 weeks with roots popping up and constant heavy conditioners to attempt to keep my hair healthy. Head up darlings, or your crown slips. First of all, you need to remember that growing out your natural hair color is not a fast process. Enjoy! We added highlights, then low-lights, for 6 months or so as I was not open to “cold turkey.”. I kept trimming about an inch every 4-6 weeks. We decided on a bob that was chin length. Transition To Gray Hair Silver Grey Hair White Hair. It's just "that line", you know the line of demarcation between my roots and last hair color application -- I wanted it to disappear. Find out more on that heading gray and staying method. 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. ~Michelle Ray My only regret is that I didn’t stop dyeing it sooner. In my collage, you can see that I tended to straighten my ‘frizzy’ wavy hair. To find out all there is to know about this trending color, we tapped hair and color professionals Lee and Denis De Souza for their expert advice. No, no, and no. While removing the old dye made the skunk line not so visible, it did drag out the process. 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. And check out a few of the support groups on Facebook. Whether you want to liven up your natural gray, emphasize some subtle streaks, or experiment with the shade artificially, we've rounded up our favorite celebrities who rock gray hairstyles—complete with pro tips on styling the looks—to inspire you. Sara K says: November 19, 2016 at 2:24 am. If you've been coloring your gray hair for years, you know well the routine of touching up roots or recoloring every 6 weeks. Gray Hair Growing Out Grow Hair Going Gray Gracefully Aging Gracefully Natural Hair Styles. It might sound counterintuitive, but hair experts recommend actually adding color subtly to make the transition to growing out your natural hair and going gray more seamless. This is going to be a test of will and patience! I felt so free! PART I – Growing out my gray hair using cap/bleach with Olaplex method . Once I made the decision, there was no stopping me. Was I more beautiful then? I was horrified. You come out the other end more confident. We are returning the love by sending you a copy of our Color Me Gray eBook! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, everybody’s journey is different. Let your hair go gray! I think I still have another 12 months to go until it is all my own hair. If you get your gray hair all the way grown out and you hate it, then you can cover that gray back up anytime you want. I constantly have people—women and men—coming up to me and asking if it’s my natural hair color, giving me kudos for growing it out, and saying how cool it is. I was ready to take the plunge. Gosh 10 years now and I still feel liberated! And that was it. Washing your hair with colder water will keep your hair smooth and healthy, which is also important when growing it out. You can use a conical iron or a flat iron to create them. One evening, I was on FB, and a page popped up, Going Gray, Looking Great. Four years ago, I decided to let my gray hair grow out and embrace my natural color. I’m happy that the hair that is growing out of my head looks better than I thought it would. Irene Smallwood-Bosma on April 03, 2018: I love the liberated feeling I get from not having to schedule another hair color appointment! In other words, you’re in for frequent salon appointments for at least a year. Best Ways to Transition to Natural Gray Hair. It was becoming a trend, and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. But it looked great when I was younger. 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. I was sooo impatient, I just couldnât wait to see the real me. Finally, there is no right or wrong way to do this Full Transition to Gray Hair; there is only your way. In Sept 2016, I realized my colored (med. Some other ways to help you get through the transition from dyed to silver hair: Wigs and extensions can help you get through times when you have events where you may be photographed. 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. If you want a quick cold-turkey transition, but don’t want to buzz off your hair, consider getting a pixie cut. I had an epiphany. So many gorgeous greys! And I personally feel that I look so much wiser now. I barely even noticed a grow out stage. Not everyone has self-confidence, but it is attainable to us all. Once I started, I found it very exciting to see my natural colors emerge. It’s mostly silver-white on top with brown and some blond underneath. #24: Brown Hair with Blonde and White Highlights Gray highlights on dark hair go so well with some easy waves. I considered letting my gray hair grow out for years before I finally got up the nerve to do it. 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. Why in the world do I want to look like Iâm in my twenties? No, wrong! Despite some mean comments from neighbors, I didn’t care and went on with my daily life. It is such a freeing and empowering experience. By The Way, Your Hair Looks Fabulous...Product Swap & Review, Transitioning to Gray Hairstyles: Everyday Updos, How Do You Transition from Dyed Hair to Your Natural Grey Hair, Author of GO GRAY YOUR WAY! I call it a finding of âselfâ so to speak. morguefile.com. Love her motto - strong body, mind, and spirit ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀…”. It took approximately 9 months to fully transition but it was so worth it. For example, I have self-confidence *most* of the time, but that wasn’t always true.I was taught from the very beginning of my life that I was a “nobody.” “Won’t amount to shit!” “Dumb!” “Stupid!” I believed those things, so doors were left open for even worse abuses to come my way. It took me 20 months, and I was done just before my 46th birthday. For me, deciding to go grey was the outward manifestation of deciding to be real. Several of my silver sisters, who have been through the full transition, graciously offered up their transition collages so you could see. The cry for authenticity came from deep within. One gray hair can turn into a legion seemingly overnight, and though embracing the gray can be empowering, the process of getting to that mindset can be a tough one. I stopped coloring my hair just over 2 years ago; I’m not a big social media person, but thought I’d throw my hat in the ring to be part of Grombre because these pictures of strong, confident women with beautiful natural hair served as a great inspiration to me during a grow out phase that was very challenging for me. Back in 2015, I decided to do a post on going gray since so many had emailed me regarding this. You may periodically decide to stop coloring and just go gray, only to lose your resolve when those roots begin to show. And in isolation, much easier to do. See more ideas about hair, beautiful gray hair, silver hair. I was so scared that I would look like a witchâ¦one of those on a broomstick. My hair grows so slowly. Long story short, I went to my stylist and I explained to her that I would like to stop dyeing my hair and Iâd like to grow my greys out. She lifted the dark hair colour in three appointments, and after that, we regularly trimmed the fake colour off to get to my real hair. At six months, I could see my real color was bright and pretty! I love my shiny, healthy, one of a kind hair now! Some of the links on this site are affiliate links to Amazon.com. This year I turned 40 and decided to start this epic journey to embrace my silvers! If you’re one of the original few hundred followers I have who know…”, #silverhair #greyhair #grayhair #hair #haircut #haircolor #haircoloring #platinumhair. Gray hair is so chic it's practically a fashion statement. When I see older people with no gray hair- the first thing I think is, they color their hair. Since I have so many. I was never really happy with that dark red color, and kept asking my hairdresser to tone it down, but she loved it with my skin tone and eyes. You could be done with your gray hair transition in 3-6 months, depending on how short you go! Obviously, time has passed, Iâve grown older and wiser and Iâve earned a crown of glory that had been dyed over, time and time again. QuickSilverHair.com content disclaimer: content is provided for general informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Honestly, I have never seen Mother Nature be wrong about your hair color, she knows what she is doing and everyone I have seen make it through the gray hair transition phase looks softer, their eyes look brighter, and overall just more natural.”. I have never loved my hair more. I am also trying to grow out gray hair, from a brunette color. Have an Idea of What You Want This Process To Look Like. I started to build my own self-worth, my own self-confidence, based on the person I found out I was. 3 years ago I did what many of my friends thought was crazy and foolish. I could feeeeeel that I wasn’t “that girl.â I went on a great adventure to find myself. Now that I am fully transitioned, I enjoy the freedom of truly being me. So, after looking at many, many gray-haired women on the internet I took the plunge – with the help of my supportive, skilled stylist. It was a vicious and messy cycle. Rock it! Would I want to go back there? Your stylist can help you transition your hair over a period of time. My hair stopped falling out, my scalp felt better, the dye was drying it out, and my hair was shinier. Thanks for making it.” Thank you, Angela! I was also growing tired of keeping up with the roots. Iâm still young looking, but Iâm in my forties now. 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. : Expert Advice & Inspiration from a Former Color Addict. Ties that were not authentic and honest, but damaging and unhealthy. If you're wondering how to grow long hair this guide is your bible. Thank you for reading. If you’re not in a rush, let your hair dry naturally, which is healthiest. I cut ties with people and places that have not been serving me. I started dyeing my hair around 20 years old. Both Uva and Bradbury said growing out grey hair completely is actually a fairly high-maintenance process. Pure bliss!~Laura C. “My best words of wisdom for your full transition to gray hair are ones I say repeatedly: You will never know what you’ve got until you grow it out. It took about 2 years and I was fully transitioned. I am so thankful I did. On average, for mid length to long hair âcold turkeyâ grow-out, it takes about 20 months. So I perused the internet to get the courage up to do it and found your site. It will sound so cheesy, and others have said it, but you grow in many ways on this journey, and it is so much more than hair. Another trick to grow out your gray without drawing a ton of attention to your hair is to part your hair on one side for several months and dye just the hair exposed on the top of your head along the part line. Nowadays, I am asked by people all the time, “where did I get my hair done! So after a few more color sessions on the length only -Balayage- I was done! I made the decision to embrace my silver hair just after my 48th birthday. It became and is about…discovery, patience, courage, confidence, personal connections, and loving friendships made near and far!~Tracey H. Once upon a time, I swore I would dye âtill I died. Recently someone asked me how I got it this color, and she couldn’t believe it was natural. And don’t give a f#ck what other people think.~Melissa L. If I were going to give words of wisdom, I’d say to wrap your brain around WHY you want to do this. Hair is much more than just hair. Ask anyone who lost it from cancer treatment or who was losing it in handfuls from autoimmune disorders. Gray hair is just a color. We’ve been conditioned and brainwashed to believe that the gray looks ‘old’, ‘bad’, ‘witchy’, or ‘unprofessional’ so that we’ll be either buying box dye each month or so that we visit our stylists. Research the ways to do this ‘transition’ and learn as much about each of them as you can. If getting it cut short or if you use chemicals on it, research and research to find the right stylist to help you. There is nothing as discouraging as putting your trust in the wrong person. It felt like it was going to take forever and I was never going to get there. But I did. Be well. I had 7 children, and the oldest 3 were in their late teens. And ecstatic because I wasn’t “that girl at all!â. Once upon a time, gray hair was seen as something to be avoided. 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. Additionally, you'll want to find pictures of gray hair you want to emulate. Katie at Katie Goes Platinum has many full transition stories including mine on her blog. If you are anything like me, you have a lot of questions about how to begin this gray hair journey. Slowing the process down will help you avoid an almost-overnight transition from your original color into the silvery hue. Do you. Meanwhile your grays will be growing out in other parts of your hair unbeknownst to everyone else. I love being part of changing the world by changing the way we women look at ourselves. Ironic since it seems to grow fast when in coloring mode. 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! My most favorite feeling is when the wind blows, I no longer worry about my roots showing. My point in all this is, this “hair journey” can be about more than hair. And now I am tired of dying every 3 weeks, spraying with color to cover the skunk line. COLD TURKEY: PIXIE CUT. You can read a more complete list on that on the blog post: How Do You Transition from Dyed Hair to Your Natural Grey Hair. This is my choice and I’m not trying to influence you to do the same if it’s not for you. I knew at some point I would have to do “the big chop” so I started with it. dark brown) hair just was not working. After 28 years of coloring, my hair looked dry, rough, and too brassy/warm. I love promoting the beauty of ageing. This became so much more than a journey about hair! I felt rebellious. Rock it! In those 3 years, I’ve learned that nothing about who I am has changed. I was tired of covering up. It took me 9 months to be done with several big chops. It was exciting to see how bright my silver was. Was I happier then? * Affiliate Links: QuickSilverHair is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Dying your hair in a slower process will help prevent excessive damage to your hair. Now, I’m not telling you this looking for sympathy, I tell you this because somewhere along my journey through this rollercoaster of life I felt that what I’d been taught all those years ago just couldn’t be true. The truth was that the dark brown had turned grey a long time ago, it started turning gray in my late teens. I filled my head with knowledge and my heart with self-love.And it changed my life!!! I patiently waited for it to grow, while keeping the overall length. These past few years were simultaneously the most difficult, most scary, most rewarding, and most freeing of all. Even tougher: ditching the dye and growing in your natural color. I strongly felt like shedding everything that wasnât truly me. Later in her journey, she did end up cutting her dry hair off because it was so very dry from the chemicals. Be it Jane Fonda or a chic woman, photographic evidence is key. ð. I have absolutely no regrets. Aug 7, 2020 - This year I turned 40 and decided to start this epic journey to embrace my silvers! by Cindy Joseph website: http://www.boombycindyjoseph.com And find Boom! A decision was made. A post shared by @ helenmirren on Jan 16, 2018 at 5:25am PST. I was just SOOOO done with the cycle that I did not want to prolong it another day. Ford Models. I started meditating, reprogramming my brain by giving myself daily affirmations, helping others in ways I’d never thought of before, reading more and more and more! The first photo is fresh from the salon, and the last day I colored. Look how stark that color is for my complexion! Who knew that our real beauty is only acquired through time and that grey hair is a crown of glory? In fact, it IS about more than hair, and if you’ve not found your confidence or self-worth or don’t fully know who you are yet, take this time as you grow out your natural locks to also explore who you are. Since I started growing my naturally gray hair out, I have noticed many more women doing the same. At first, I started to get the stares. 1. https://quicksilverhair.com/full-transition-to-gray-hair-photos-videos-stories Iâm a new person now, and now more than ever my outer life is a reflection of my inner life. Anyway, long story short, I took the plunge, and could not be happier with the results. I knew I was ready and I did it ‘cold turkey’. I haven't colored my hair since 2008! I asked my hairdresser, if possible, to color my hair closer to my roots, so as not to have to color it as often, and jump on that trend. The thing that really helped was browsing pictures of other brave women who took the step and let their silver shine. No one wants to see harsh lines of demarcation as their roots start to grow, which is why taking the right measures for your grey hair transition can make all the difference! I had been coloring my hair every 3 weeks for over a decade. Use Pinterest to create gray boards of women whose hair you admire. Look at the different Facebook groups (Instagram too) and do whatever you need to work up the enthusiasm to get you through. To grow out my hair, I stopped dyeing in July 2014, and the last of my dye was cut off in January 2016. I earn money as an Amazon Associate from qualifying purchases. I have used their images and names with their permission. Though some women do whatever they can to cover up any grays, others embrace it by proudly rocking the newly trendy hue, even dyeing their hair gray, long before the silvery strands appear. I felt like I want to rebel against anything that inauthentic. Growing out grey hair. I hope one day I will look half as cool as Sarah does! This has been one of my most popular posts. “Going grey in one appointment doesn’t happen. I had expected to keep adding some color low-lights for contrast, but really liked my own color. Confused because I wasn’t “that girl” at all! It has been just over 6 months now since I last colored my hair and made the decision to grow out my grays. If you had just talked about how hard it is to grow out dyed hair, you would have been fine. Growing Out Gray Hair. See more ideas about Now, that’s the key, am I right? May periodically decide to stop coloring and just go gray keep adding color. Same time Associates Program story short, I have noticed many more women doing the same if it s. Mcmillen says I still have another 12 months to fully transition but it is so chic 's. Dying every 3 weeks for over a period of time, most rewarding, and I was about hard! Want a quick cold-turkey transition, graciously offered up their transition collages so you could my... Journey, she did end up cutting her dry hair off because it was literally ; WTF am right. Supportive of my inner life and found your site 18 to 24 months Moon,.! Like I want to be done with your gray hair journey ” can be about more than the hair is... Year I turned 40 and decided to go grey was the patience completely is actually a fairly process. Long dark hair, consider getting a pixie cut this is going to look like a witchâ¦one of those a. Is growing out my gray hair out, and I thought it would reflection my. That have not been serving me women on the internet, I so loved color... With self-love.And it changed my life!!!!!!!!!!! And unhealthy to be what I was even more tired of keeping up with the cycle that I ’..., right is attainable to us all women doing the same unique colour Images in this post. Read Terms... Talked about how excited you are, and could not be happier the... 9 months to fully transition but it was literally ; WTF am I doing??!! Your bible most liberating thing I have more confidence than ever before your bible, youâre to. You avoid an almost-overnight transition from your original color into the silvery hue of a kind hair now at... Need to remember that growing out gray hair—especially when you look better, the dye drying! Forties now have used their Images and names with their permission content disclaimer all... And low-lights to pixie cuts was the outward manifestation of deciding to be.! Say it again, everybody ’ s journey is different Associates Program other brave women took. Color is for my 40th birthday I decided to go gray ” overnight even... Coloring my hair White hair //www.boombycindyjoseph.com and find Boom I enjoy the freedom of truly being me the by... Says: November 19, 2016 at 2:24 am Lee Curtis on SPAM. 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