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Coloured hair at 70

(182 Posts)
DollyD Tue 24-Oct-23 15:40:00

This has been preying on my mind since I spoke to a friend recently who has decided to grow out her blonde highlights and go grey.
It was just how she said it that I thought was a bit insensitive, as I am older and have a subtle caramel colour with a few highlights.
She said she’d made her mind up to grow her colour out as she’d been thinking that blonde hair at 70 was…..
she screwed her face up with a look of disgust. She then stated that two of our friends were doing the same.
I told her that I thought her hair colour suited her but she was adamant.
I don’t feel the same way, I love my visits to the hairdresser, I alway feel a boost after I’ve revived my cut and colour.
To me, it’s just making the most of myself, the same as putting a little makeup on and wearing stylish clothes.
It’s part of who I am.
What do others think about coloured hair at 70?

Granma10 Thu 26-Oct-23 16:13:51

I am 70 and I have my hair dyed a subtle rose gold/pink. My hair was dark brown, and I loved being a brunette. I don’t like being grey but having it dark isn’t an option because the grey shows so quickly. I get loads of compliments. You need to do what makes you happy and don’t be put of by others.

Cambsnan Thu 26-Oct-23 16:04:02

It is your hair and your choice. The only time I would feel like making a comment (and only if asked) would be a friend of 70 plus home colouring their hair black. Not a good look. Sounds like your hair compliments your skin and I am sure you look great.

Opelessgran15 Thu 26-Oct-23 16:03:30

I'm 70, had my hair coloured, cut n styled yesterday and have every intention of carrying on until my hairdresser tells me otherwise. We always have a mini discussion before he starts on the colour and has lightened it gradually over the years to compliment changing skin tones, but it's still a mid golden /dark brown and shiny with the odd highlight.
My sister tells me she wouldn't wear jeans and leggings as tight as mine either but I tell her it's not her its me wearing them and my choice, same as our hair. Grey hair looks great on a lot of people too, but it's not for me- yet!

mousemac Thu 26-Oct-23 15:59:23

I love my streaky silver hair. It suits me far better than the auburn brown I suffered most of my life.
Wish it was a bit thicker, though...

GANNET Thu 26-Oct-23 15:59:03

I am a natural red head who used to have blonde highlights for years. I haven’t had any for several years. Ironically my friends think I go to the hairdresser as they admire the natural colour so much. Having been teased when at school as a ginger nut etc I now realise it was a gift now I am in my 60s.

Chinesecrested Thu 26-Oct-23 15:48:28

I'm 71 with hair dyed brown and I've no intention of letting it go grey.

aonk Thu 26-Oct-23 15:47:49

In response to a previous poster personally I don’t like the look of short or white/ grey hair on older people!

queenofsaanich69 Thu 26-Oct-23 15:42:36

I’m 77 have my hairdresser colour my hair & have highlights,I will do that till I die,I also paint my nails once a week,it makes me feel nice & tidy.I have friends who go either way——— your foot in the mouth friend is entitled to her own opinion,but sometimes it makes people look older,I think it depends if they have a nice cut,be sad if we were all the same.

suelld Thu 26-Oct-23 15:37:20

I am 77 and have been slowly going grey white around the edges only - my hair was Hazelnut coloured and mixed anyway - so all I do is the occasional spray of John Frieda’s Go blonder on the edges and as my hair is naturally multi-coloured it blends in nicely. My hair is bust length and straight, I am often thought to be a lot younger. I will continue to do this until more of my hair starts greying - then I will see what happens. I think you should do what suits YOU. A friend dyes her hair an unattractive copper colour and I think she would be better with another colour. If done correctly a dye or highlights can look wonderful. It all depends on having it done expertly. Little worse than an ‘obvious’ dye job on white hair.

Thisismyname1953 Thu 26-Oct-23 15:31:25

I’m seventy and grew my hair colour out during covid . It’s practically white now and I like it . I absolutely hate going to the hairdresser, I can’t stand my hair being touched or fiddled with . It’s very fine so now my daughter just trims the bottom now and again to keep its shape . Farewell hairdresser.

Cp43 Thu 26-Oct-23 15:16:17

Could be she can no longer afford the maintenance.
Im 71 and fortunately im still naturally fair haired with twice yearly highlights. I dont have grey. If go grey hope itd be white like my mum.
your friend might be envious of you.
I think you have a a duty to keep yourself happy.

albertina Thu 26-Oct-23 14:51:21

I agree with you. At 72 I dye my hair the same colour as my eyebrows. I can't afford to have it done at the hairdressers so I use a box colour and do it myself.
Like you, I find it boosts my spirits and self esteem. I also love make up. My Granddaughter has made me a make up plan that I follow carefully. That too bucks my spirits and makes me feel younger and happier.

Quizzer Thu 26-Oct-23 14:46:25

I started to go grey Ah 27! I am very pale skinned as I was a gingery blond. I have coloured it ever since.
I let it grow out over lockdown and I looked like a white mouse.
Back to the bottle - just a gentle silver/beige - but so much better than white.

priestbridge Thu 26-Oct-23 14:45:48

I am 72 and let my hair colour grow out during lockdown. I was back at the hairdresser as soon as I could and back to highlights. What a relief that was !!

El73 Thu 26-Oct-23 14:40:35

My mum is in her 70s and still colours hers. I've recently turned 50 and I think I'll probably let mine go in the next 10 years or so. It's your hair, do what makes you happy.

Nicolenet Thu 26-Oct-23 14:30:59

Does it matter? No. Who cares? No-one. Plenty of oldies with all kind of style and colours.

HeavenLeigh Thu 26-Oct-23 14:25:05

I do what I Dam well like I hate this oh you shouldn’t dye your hair after a certain age! Oh why do you want to go grey! Well for me personally I chose to stop dying my hair year ago and I have grey silver white colours coming through I find it really interesting all the colours, all natural , mine wastnt a case of now I’m 60odd I’m stopping mine was a case of I’m fed up of dying it, pure and simply that, I have my hair in a bob and I’m really happy with it, if you want to dye your hair until you are 103 not my buisness nor do I care, each to their own

Coppernob Thu 26-Oct-23 14:20:34

I was a natural redhead (hence my username) and never dyed my hair. Over the years it has becomes lighter and lighter and is now what my hairdresser calls champagne. She always raves about the colour and says she could never get the same colour with hair dye.

BazingaGranny Thu 26-Oct-23 14:02:50

Some people at 70 look and act as though they are 10-15 years younger and the opposite also applies. Just do what you want to do and don’t be upset by your friend and her views on hair colour!

I’ve got highlights and wouldn’t be without them. I’ve also just bought some new jeans.
Would you friend approve of them either? Doubt it!

High lit hair is hideously expensive but I like having it, so will save money in other ways. And my husband, who still has a full head of darkish hair, likes it too. Win win!

Maggie12 Thu 26-Oct-23 13:52:46

I think you should do what you want to with your hair, I did grow my colour out during Covid lockdown and found my hair was white rather than grey. I’ve gone back to regular sessions at the hairdressers and feel a lot better. It’s up to you.

Chaitriona Thu 26-Oct-23 13:45:20

It's a personal preference. Your friend was a bit thoughtless given you have dyed hair. Perhaps she was trying to reassure herself that she was doing the right thing. I have had white hair for a long time and have been very very happy with this stage of its natural colour but I dyed it blonde when I was young because it became mousy when I grew up. I have always had thick hair but in recent years it has become thin and broken because of health problems. I would be so overjoyed to have my hair back. Enjoy your hair whether you choose to dye or not.

Trisher123 Thu 26-Oct-23 13:41:27

I'm 74 and have gone grey, but it's only because I can't be bothered to keep colouring it. Lazy woman. smile I would rather have colour on it, but am a dreadful procrastinater so will make do as it is. I like to see women of my age with colour in their hair; think it looks nice.

pen50 Thu 26-Oct-23 13:40:49

I'm 67 and in the process of growing out my hair. It's not too awful, I had some layers cut to soften the join, and had been lightening up for a while beforehand. I quite like the colour (it's about 50% grey) though I might change my mind as I get older. I certainly don't miss the actual process of getting colour done, two-three hours in the hairdresser's is not my idea of a great way to pass the time.

Which reminds me, I do need a trim!

Buttonjugs Thu 26-Oct-23 13:32:35

Bleached blonde until I die! Started when the grey started creeping in and love it. Years ago my mother had alopecia and her friend suggested she should start wearing grey wigs!! I admire people who feel comfortable with going grey but it’s not for me. Tell your friend that everyone is different.

Lin663 Thu 26-Oct-23 13:31:46

Do whatever makes you feel good. I am 60 and have stopped dyeing and am allowing myself to go grey gracefully….my mother, in her mid-80s, has always coloured her hair and has an appointment to have it done again next Tuesday….there is no right or wrong thing to do.