I knew I was ready and I did it cold turkey. i've been coloring my hair since my early 20's. I am 62 and like so many women, feel our outward appearance is a measure of our beauty, vitality and relevance. thanks because i truly am ready and i know my husband hates it but i need to stop worrying about what people think and do what i want for once. Color correction, cold turkey, shave your head, try a pixie.Whatever floats your boat. Octocurl Soft Heatless Hair Curlers Product Review, This is the ONE Downside to Going Gray from Dyed Hair. More here! Finally realized I'm tired of worrying about roots and having to color every 4 weeks. Not all stylists/colorists are created equal either, my semi permanent was applied at the salon who had assured me it would wash out.. Not so, unfortunately. Sharon, all the best to you too. I hope you didn't change your mind! We went with a variety of light shades of brunette with warm blond/red highlight/lowlight tones over the years. My husband told me a few months ago he was so happy my hair was getting longer as he really despised my pixie cut. Unfortunately, at 52 - after at least 25 years of coloring my hair blonde from brown - I've developed a sudden but severe allergy to hair dye, even the more "natural" ones, so I don't have much choice, and cold turkey it's going to be! Haircut $80. The most popular theory was repeated by the San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen in 1978: "It derives from the hideous combination of goosepimples [sic] and what William Burroughs calls 'the cold burn' that addicts suffer as they kick the habit." In Cop Speak: The Lingo of Law Enforcement and Crime, Tom . thats how i ended up putting auburn dye in my hair last year no more!!!! On rocking it: When I was in middle and high school, I was insecure about the rate at which my hair was turning gray. I got so fed up having to do my roots now every 2 weeks. yes, our hair like our skin is aging with us. Hope it goes well, I really want to stop the madness! PROS & CONS TO TRANSITIONING TO GRAY HAIR AT THE SALON. I have been tempted to hit color, but I keep reminding my self, that anything worth having usually takes time and patients. Katie at Katie Goes Platinum has many full transition stories including mine on her blog. Keep reading for more of my going gray story or jump to my going gray before and after pictures here! Product information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. I was really emotional at this stage which you can see documented in this video. I'm seriously thinking of taking the plunge, too! Was it hard? Why I'm Going Gray. I have always been obsessed with my gray hair since I started growing them in at 19-years-oldand not in a good way. If you have wavy or curly hair, rock it! I was horrified. It's truly liberating! Unlike the quick transformation away from gray (during a one-hour hair appointment, say), the transition back to gray is a months-long process and you'll need a plan. When a person goes cold turkey, the body and brain are deprived of the effects of alcohol and require time and support to adjust to life without the substance. This past 2-3 months has been a very good exercise in patience and humility. Curious to hear more about going gray, I spoke with four women of different ages. To book your free gray consultation with Joey today call him . It helps to read about the experiences other women are going through and makes me feel connected and accepted as I am among my peers. I started with my first grey streak when I was 20 years old. The only real problems with going cold turkey is the psychology of saying goodbye to hair dye and dealing with a bold demarcation line (where the coloured hair stops). These cookies do not store any personal information. It's a city that takes hair seriously, and one that gave birth to Toni & Guy. These how-to steps will get you started as you go from your cover-it-up-color to the gray . Hey Humor Consumers, In Episode 4 we talk about gray hair and the journey of letting it show. I loved it. We kept it pixie short for about 6 months. This is a private Facebook group designed to inspire, create community, share insights, spark conversation and provide solidarity. Thanks again. The only upkeep required was toning her colored hair every 6-8 weeks to keep it appearing gray rather than yellow and, of course, regular haircuts. I was DONE! Hi Sarah! It's a matter of confidence and comfort too. So, I do not think it will be a good idea to apply semi or demi permanent color with the expectation that it will just fade out to your gray hair. Have been dyeing it blonde for years. People from all over the globe supporting, empowering, encouraging, motivating and inspiring each other in so many ways became a movement! You can always dye it if you dont like it, LOL. Cold turkey is when you simply do nothing and grow out your colored hair to it's natural gray. But its always there if I need it. Their tutorials and advice are priceless! I think grey is beautiful I just needed the courage to do it. How long does it take to fully grow out gray hair naturally? Always fun. Chances are, youre going to look better and when you look better, you feel better, even happier. And, this might sound funny, but my eyebrows didnt match my dyed hair color! He looked me right in the eye and said, You should totally do it.. It became and is aboutdiscovery, patience, courage, confidence, personal connections, and loving friendships made near and far!~Tracey H. Once upon a time, I swore I would dye till I died. I cut ties with people . The color is silver, grey, and an inch of brown dyed hair. 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. It is great Life ! A business with endless ideas of how we can support other women on this journey of truly living our authentic selves. As I said, I planned to retire when I turned 52 meaning a cut in pay, so, in August, I asked my stylist, what approach we needed to take to allow the grey to take over. Coping mechanisms. I am so upset as I was just getting my hair into a nice bob length, all one colour, and now I have to start all over growing out my grey.arghhh. I stopped dyeing my hair because I think it just didnt look good anymore. At the end of the year I will have everything that was permanently colored cut off. I filled my head with knowledge and my heart with self-love.And it changed my life!!! I dont know why I did that. I will look like their grandmother. The dark and silver are coming in full blown now. Unfortunately, the drugstore selection here leaves much to be desired. What is the best way to go gray from dark brunette hair? I started colouring for real by the time I was in my mid-twenties. I decide to be free brought more colorful clothes and travel to the world. Nothing looks right and Im frankly tired of trying to please others. Here, hair color isn't just hair color: Dallas . All these point to it being time to stop coloring it but I am terrified. The last picture is at 17 months dye free. Definition of go cold turkey in the Idioms Dictionary. What if Im made fun of? I love my shiny, healthy, one of a kind hair now! . Hi Roxanne My husband is also behind me in my decision. Watch. Our first step was to create a convention, #SILVERCON, that will be happening in July of 2020 in L.A. SITE CREDIT. We will see. My name is Lisa. AVEDA Blue Malva Shampoo for Gray Hair, and neutralizes brassiness in 33.8 fl oz/1 litre. IF I DO ANYTHING ELSE I WILL STICK WITH T HE WASH OUT GREY COLORS BY ROUX. Lets make some change. Four weeks later, I got an even shorter pixie cut! Going grey? Do you want to try color? So, I said, sure, why not? I wear my hair pixie short to chin length bobs and most often, layered. Its a process like everything else. I documented the cut I got at the 2 year mark in the video below. Over the last 10 years or so, my stylist has highlighted it every 3rd visit to help mask the gray roots when they come in. Please do not copy or redistribute anything from this site without further permission. Makes me laugh. Going Gray is Kreamer's exploration of that experience, and a frank, warm and funny investigation of aging as a female obsession. Dallas isn't a city where you want to go out looking not great. I dont know if anyone is still on this blog. I've never colored before, but lately have been tempted as people do comment on the grey. Its a change into accepting my age, accepting my natural look. They are a tremendous help getting you through the rough patches of this process. It gives me hope that I might find a way to live with it! Thanks for your comment, Alison! I'm happy with my silver streaks and want to set a good example to my little girl about beauty and self acceptance. It made me jealous how good his hair looks and there's no monthly upkeep. 5 years dye free and happy to be me.~Rachel T. I started growing out my gray at age 44. My goal now is to find the right shampoo/conditioner products to keep the grey from being dry/coarse and to look as soft and silvery as it can. A kinder term for this is "grombre" now a major hashtag on Instagram, where women trade tips and help mentor others through the process. Anyway, long story short, I took the plunge, and could not be happier with the results. I was just SOOOO done with the cycle that I did not want to prolong it another day. Lisa is the founder of The New Knew. They wanted a mom with long, dark hair. I started with blond. I like the cold turkey way and hope to keep it up. My problem is that Im SO impatient for the old colored hair to grow out. I'm going to try someone who works out of their own home, as I think I might prefer that than going to a salon again. I refused to do the skunk stripe and cannot help but cringe when I see it on other heads. My going gray journey. I had been considering going grey and so, this was the perfect time to attempt it as I could save a lot by not having my hair colored. Theres not a lot of rules when it comes to growing out your dyed hair to gray but these are 5 things NOT to do for sure. Who knew that our real beauty is only acquired through time and that grey hair is a crown of glory? Guest contributor Denise ONeill shares her story on how to go gray. Also a good check up, especially a thyroid test would be a good idea.Mari, After much soul searching Ive decided to go gray! Approximately one year and three months into the grey hair transition, the overall effect is, er, patchy. Shocking, right? He is encouraging me to do it. I decided right after that although the color is pretty I hate the way the unnatural feels in my hair. It took approximately 9 months to fully transition but it was so worth it. What did your friends say and HOW OLD ARE YOU!?. Thanks all for the push in the right direction. Ironic since it seems to grow fast when in coloring mode. For me, deciding to go grey was the outward manifestation of deciding to be real. The root hair around my face is snow white but the rest of my hair is white, gray and brown at the roots and the rest of it is the auburnish color plus blonde highlights and dark low lights, so its a mix of many colors right now. Cut it as you want. Supportive Instagram groups, such as @grombre, @embrace.the.gray, @silverandfree, @silversistersinternational, @cottonhairedwomen, @artinaging, @flyageless and @thesilverwomen, just to name a few, are amazing accounts supporting silver sisters. Now I can say that going gray and loving it is a reality. I shamelessly ignored it for quite a long time, until April 2016 my first and only grow-out attempt! Going Gray After Coloring Your Hair: Lizs Story, How to Grow Out Gray Hair with Confidence: Saras Story, Where Can I Find Stylish Readers? And my very best to you and your mother. Cheeks - When going gray, blush is your best friend. Like so many of you, I am so happy to have found this blog! I just decided to go cold turkey, and let the ugly warm brown tones grow out without tampering with the color. Six ways to grow out gray hair that is colored, Gray Hair Inspo: Braid Styles for Gray Hair, Growing Out Gray Hair: 10 Ways to Go Gray, Going Gray: (at 40!) Was I more beautiful then? . I cant wait for my hair to go even grayer/whiter and hope to enjoy the continuing journey. I do feel sad sometimes, because I am used to seeing myself with dark brown hair. Around the age of 45 she asked me, now, *why* do you only want highlights/lowlights instead of color? Its a little healthier. This is a movement. SITE CREDIT. will often in their eagerness to please over promise and under deliver. Yes, it did add another color, but, we kept it short until most of the color and highlights were cut out. I was tired of covering up. I changed hair stylists when I was 38, and we switched from pull through cap frosting to foil highlights and low lights. I never questioned what I was putting on my scalp, 3-4 times a month, or even considered quitting despite it causing severe hair loss and itching. The only thing that bothers me is i will have to cut my long curly hair. I am 53 and loving my stage of life. Being myself, accepting myself and not caring about other peoples opinions that was the true self I was about to embrace completely, I went to my hair salon and asked them to lighten my hair. More ideas here! It washes out after a few washes if you are too heavy handed but takes away all the yellow at a fraction of the costs of going top the salon.. thanks for creating this blog! All subscribers are eligible for the annual giveaway on Dec. 1st. My hair is colored dark brown so it REALLY looks funny with 1/2 or more of gray! The first photo is fresh from the salon, and the last day I colored.Look how stark that color is for my complexion! I'm glad to have found this blog. There are moments at work when I feel a bit insecure about it, but no one seems to be staring, so I guess i'm ok. QuickSilverHair is a Registered Trademark of QuickSilver Moon, LLC. It starts with lightening your hair and adding a ton of highlights. Yes, there is a revolution going on! That covers my roots nicely, although now I have more courage to go to the store and even to church with my gray showing and without my scarf. Here are six reasons for going cold turkey with long . It's fun to cut about 1/2 inch per month and watch the grey take over. Anyone want to buy a few boxes of dye, cause Im never going back!! During the growing out phase, my hair was such a mess, a mixture of the old dyed color, my new natural dark brown, and the gray . By The Way, Your Hair Looks FabulousProduct 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 bought hair clips, metal hair like barrets, colored bobby puins grey bobby pins. One thing you can consider is getting a clear gloss dye applied. Have a weird yellow bit on top even though my hair was brown . I am 64 years old and a Qigong teacher- hoping to show the world that we can age with health. OWN it! . Just an option! Over the last several years I have transitioned to almost exclusively organic, changed almost all of my hair products to natural. . It's great. I also purchased some of those Buff brand stretchy headbands. Question Two: What is the fastest way to get completely gray hair? My hair stylist and I came up with a plan to grow my gray out gradually. I totally disagree with transitioning to grey by just stopping the color. she colored for years, and ended up bald and wearing a wig- and then this devastating disease. My stylist tried a shampoo cocktail to lift the build up of yellow. For anyone planning on growing out gray hair or for anyone wondering how long it will take, I would say to plan on a solid 2 years for the grays to grow past your chin. I am thrilled to have found this website! Of course you can wear cute hats, scarves and headbands. I told my children and my boyfriend on my 53rd birthday. It defines me and how I have become after so many ups and downs and life. i just turned 60 and am so tired of everything about it. I'm scared I'll look ugly. Once I made the decision, there was no stopping me. I want to do it gradually. Just let your natural gray hair come in as it will. Im not. I couldnt help myself. Help! who said a thing about giving up??? She was awesome and very helpful. I really wish I could just have waited a little longer. Thank you @bree. In fact, a 1920 newspaper cartoon uses the expression "cold turkey" thusly: "Now tell me on the squarecan I get by with this for the weddingdon't string metell me cold turkey." It helped but did not lift it all. Hi Maxine! Yes, it is expensive for at least 2-3 visits, but after that, you are done. To begin with, it was a trend that was spurred on by the pandemic. No regrets, except that I wish I had star. You come out the other end more confident. I still have a 10, 12, 14 and 16 year old. My hairdresser is on board and has lightened me up in an attempt to reduce my skunk stripe as it gradually gets wider!! Your email address will not be published. For me, deciding to go grey was the outward manifestation of deciding to be real. She has been doing my hair for many years now. We cover everything from clean beauty to sustainablefashion to natural wine, organic mattresses and more. If there were ever a time to try going gray . BUT I am scared and am going through all the "ageistic" thinking that society has thrown onto me. Denise ONeill lives in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. I am quite apprehensive about the grey coming through, and looking a wreck, but your experiences are really helping. go cold turkey phrase. Im an all or nothing gal, so for me, I am now natural, it will grow and I am loving it! How did your hairdresser color it to avoid the line of demarcation? My most favorite feeling is when the wind blows, I no longer worry about my roots showing. My hairdresser treats my hair with something to make it shiny and smoother once a month and it really works. The amazing women in my life tell me every day how stunning and sophisticated I look. At this point, I was unstoppable; I was determined and excited about my new path! My advice to anyone wanting to free herself from hair dye: make a commitment to yourself and stick to it. I was focused, had a goal in mind, and every day I was closer to it. Of course, this is not trueI really cared! I just chose to go gray cold turkey, no color corrections, no interfering in my natural grow-out process even if this surely wasnt the most stylish solution. A bit of color on your cheeks can add a rosy glow to your face. Heres my story about when I transitioned to gray hair and kept busy on social media platforms created for bold women like me. I am determined to do this. I am 55 years old and in the process of transitioning to natural. I realized as I read through the articles and comments that feeling the need to color and cover was from my desire to fit in and please everyone else. Covering my grays was fun at the beginning. I plan to retire in the next year and cutting expenses will be important so I think I am going to transition to natural hair color. I hate the blonde and am debating colouring it back to dark brown and starting over in March. The goal of #SILVERCON is to create a space for people who have either already transitioned to silver, or are just thinking about ditching the dye. One day I caught myself fantasizing about going gray. I earn money as an Amazon Associate from qualifying purchases. YOU CAN DO IT LADIES, , DO NOT LET ANYONE FORCE YOU BACK TO DYE. I made the decision to go gray in December 2012. my mother's struggle with this illness is my impetus. Always no B.S. Cold turkey is when you simply do nothing and grow out your colored hair to its natural gray. And I'm not saying it's my way or the highway. I am truly enjoying the process and have decided to cut off the dyed hair, thus embracing who I am. I have been going through the process of thinking about stopping colouring for about a year and then suddenly I had a shift and felt strongly that I wanted to be a more authentic me. At what age should you stop dyeing your hair and let it go gray? They all seem very supportive. I have used their images and names with their permission. I began covering my gray hair at age 25, like so many have said it seemed impossible at that age to imagine myself gray. All my best to all of you women out there who are considering, or in, or complete with this process. I now have about 5 inches of natural growth (my hair is long), and shes begun weaving in charcoal to blend my previously highlighted hair with my natural growth. But when her hairdresser freaked out over the decision, she realized she was heading into territory that for many is a no-go zone. 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