Color Vs Going Gray: What’s Your Approach?

Are you coloring your hair — or going grey? I discovered my first grey hairs at age 26 (thanks, bar examination!) however actually haven’t thought a lot about it till the previous few years. There’s no proper reply for the way to deal with it, so I believed we’d do a “this or that” model submit with enter from me, Elizabeth, and Kate.

How are you dealing with your grays? Do you could have any tips about coloring, DIYing, frizz, cuts, or extra? (Have the occasions of the previous yr or two modified your method and mindset?) Do inform…

A number of assets I do know of in the event you’re fascinated about going grey (for inspiration and help): Grombre (web site) and the hashtag #silversisters, which is able to take you to a wealth of Instagram accounts.

{associated: how to go gray intentionally}

Kat’s Method: Go Grey (For Now, at Least)

I bear in mind being barely judgy about my mother, who by no means wore make-up and by no means dyed her hair, however at this level in my life, I’m on the identical web page for hair, a minimum of: I’m simply not fascinated about having common colour appointments, and I really feel like DIYing it will be a recipe for catastrophe. I DO hold just a little Pinterest board of “white streaks” as a result of I completely LOVE that look and assume it’s edgy but additionally age-appropriate. (Queen Letizia, as at all times, is #objectives.) However sadly it looks like for most ladies, the white streak is pure (i.e., your pure hair is completely white) after which the hair round it’s dyed — so I believe it’s much more maintenance than simply dying your hair.

The most important factor that has bugged me about grey hairs prior to now has been how frizzy they’re, however in the mean time I really feel like my hair is doing OK on frizziness — I’ve been following the Curly Woman Methodology since November or so (together with heated hair masks; see our Espresso Break later at this time!) — and my hair and frizz appears to be reacting properly… up to now. I additionally stopped plucking my grey hairs a number of years in the past, I believe on recommendation from readers right here — in spite of everything, in the event you pluck the hair and it grows again, you find yourself with wispy child hairs that stick up and create frizz. (And so they’re nonetheless grey.)

A number of years in the past after I had a number of keratin remedies, I felt like they helped the frizzies — however as a result of the remainder of my hair was so clean I additionally felt like they stood out extra. I’m not doing keratin in the mean time, each as a result of I’m lazy and since I’m doing the CGM, however readers, in the event you’re getting keratin remedies, I’d love to listen to the way you assume it impacts your grays.

I’m nonetheless in all probability solely about 10-15% grey at this level, however as a result of the remainder of my hair is so darkish you discover it.

{associated: corporate women and gray hair (visitor submit)}

Elizabeth: Demi-Everlasting Colour

In some way, I’ve overwhelmed the genetic odds and made it to my late 30s with solely a handful of grey hairs. (Each of my siblings are very a lot within the “salt and pepper” stage of graying now.) I spent dozens of hours and 1000’s of {dollars} getting caramel highlights in my medium-brown hair after I was in my twenties, and I simply don’t see myself committing that period of time and power into my hair colour anytime quickly.

Now, when the grays are wanting notably noticeable, my hairstylist applies a single-process, demi-permanent colour. The demi-permanent colour is ideal as a result of it covers the grey however fades out after 4–6 weeks, so that you’re not left with dramatic roots. It really works for me for now, though I anticipate that when the grays turn into extra distinguished, I’ll begin taking extra drastic steps. All the ladies in my household have been coloring their hair for many years, so it’s simply by no means actually occurred to me to do something completely different! Maybe I’ll really feel in a different way when it turns into a extra substantial dedication.

Kate: Going Grey (For Now)

I’m in my early 40s however am fortunate sufficient to solely have a number of grays right here and there. I’ve left them alone … for now. As soon as I begin getting extra, they’ll be fairly apparent, as a result of my hair is a medium brown. I do not know what I’ll do about it, although — say “F*** it” or do one thing to cover the grey… My husband, who’s a yr older, began going grey fairly early and now has a pleasant “salt and pepper” factor happening — however to me it appears simply pretty much as good as when his hair was nonetheless all black. I’m not precisely to desperate to “age gracefully” generally, so we will see…

Readers, the place are you within the “colour vs. going grey” debate? What are your finest ideas, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing?