Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

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?

chickkygran Thu 26-Oct-23 11:57:03

That’s just her opinion DollyD, which I’m sure you respect, but it’s not yours. You keep having your hair coloured whatever age. Shame you were made to feel uncomfortable but we all have to do what suits us best

valsdomain Thu 26-Oct-23 11:59:45

They will have to carry me away kicking and screaming to stop me colouring my hair. Have done it since I was 16 and don’t aim to stop just because of age or because someone else tells you to. I’m 74 now!

Jess20 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:01:45

My friend of almost 80 has no grey, all natural brown - you don't have to be grey to be natural looking after 70

Beautyandthebeast Thu 26-Oct-23 12:02:33

I'm 70 and I get my colour done every six week. Medium brown with a few highlights. I also get my eyebrows microbladed twice a year and I can't see me ever giving it up, well untill I can't physically travel. So do what's best for you.

Lulu16 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:03:44

My hair has become darker and darker as I have become older! It is grey at the sides, but I have highlights as it just softens it a bit and looks less harsh and flat.

HappyAmI Thu 26-Oct-23 12:04:16

My mum is nearly 102 and she still has her roots done. Her hair colour is an integral part of who she is.

Following her example I also have my hair coloured, a bright,blummy, blackberry, reddish shade. When the sun or light shines on it it almost looks alight.

I get total strangers telling me how much they love the colour of my hair.

I'm now almost 64 and I shall never grow grey. I tried during Covid and I looked so drab and old.

NannaChirley Thu 26-Oct-23 12:04:31

I am 69, 5 years ago I decided to go grey, paid a fortune every month for lowlights, highlights, whatever to get rid of my brunette long locks so I could age disgracefully and save money long term no longer needing continual hair appointments. Eventually I was steel grey…. It was a lovely colour but AGED me 20 years… everyone said my personality, changed with my hair colour … so 7 months later, out came the home hair dye and I am a brunette again and I look 20 years younger than my 3 younger grey haired sisters … Grey suits some people but it’s how you feel about your hair is all that matters

montymops Thu 26-Oct-23 12:05:14

Carry on doing what you feel happy doing🤗 I’m 80 and used to have dark brown hair. The skin on my face is still ok - I have never worn make up - largely due to laziness- apart from a bit of lipstick now and again. As my skin still looks good I colour my hair to a light brown - what I wouldn’t want to look like would be Dot Cotton - very dark hair and a wrinkled face covered in make up. I am also a little bit fat so maybe the wrinkles get filled out😂😂 Just do what suits you and don’t bother what others say. All the best

Jessie14 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:08:36

hazel93

Why would her opinion matter one jot ? Do whatever is good for you ! Sounds to me she is simply parroting what so called friends have supposedly said ! Peer pressure not a good look after a certain age .

No matter who, I believe grey hair ages you & drains your complexion, just my personal opinion

pigsmayfly. Thu 26-Oct-23 12:10:02

I had my hair dyed until Covid when it started to grow out and I let it. I really like the colour it has become and I wouldn’t go back. It makes me happy. But that’s the point. Age has nothing to do with this. Wear your hair as you like it. If anyone questions it, tell them the truth- I like it this way. Don’t let anyone mess up your sunshine! Other people being negative are feeling insecure and that’s a shame. But you are ok being you!

Grandma2002 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:17:38

I am fortunate that my natural "grey" hair is a rather nice white colour all over which my hairdresser says some of her clients would give their "eye-teeth" for. I have saved quite a lot of money over the past couple of years not having a tint. I think if I had a long hair style it would not look so good. I did try but am reverting to very short hair again, it's much easier to keep too especially now that the aging process has made my hair quite wavy. I would definitely go with what suits you, ask a "bestie" what they think or save money and go with your natural flow.

Loobyloo12 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:20:10

I am with you DollyD. Keep the colour. I am going to keep on highlighting mine.

4allweknow Thu 26-Oct-23 12:22:24

Do what you like and makes you feel good. I did colour or highlight my hair up until 3 years ago when I decided to let it go natural. I love it, and my hairdresser said at one visit I must have saved a fortune not having any colouring.

Operalover Thu 26-Oct-23 12:25:07

I always say i will never be old enough to have gray hair , I’m 71

Philippa111 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:26:37

I decided to revert to my natural colour a few years ago. Dying it was such a hassle and it began to look a bit brassy and 'tired'. Best decision I made. In fact I think grey hair and a good cut actually can look younger! I occasionally give it a very light pink rinse which I get nice comments about.

lizzypopbottle Thu 26-Oct-23 12:26:58

I'm 71, my hair is coloured. It's a lightish brown, dark blonde sort of colour. I'm not ready to go the horrible pepper and salt grey that I know is under there. Some people go a beautiful, uniform grey or a stunning white. I'm not that lucky. DollyD It's your business if you enjoy having your hair coloured, no one else's. Perhaps your friend has made her announcement to pre-empt any comments or questions (not necessarily from you) when it starts to show. Let's give her the benefit of the doubt. She might change her mind when she sees what emerges!

Forestflame Thu 26-Oct-23 12:27:36

My. Mum dyed her hair a light blonde until she died at 80. I grew my colour out during COVID, back to its natural grey. I have had several compliments on it.

knspol Thu 26-Oct-23 12:36:48

I decided to let my hair go grey around 6/7 yrs ago (now 73) but still have highlights every 3 mths or so as it's a lot darker underneath and has a couple of sections that seem to go a sort of blonde colour. As soon as possible I'll stop the highlights but only because I don't think the process is helping my thinning hair.
Each to their own, do whatever makes you happier!

rosieod1 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:38:54

I'm 69 and my hair is pink and turquoise at the minute. Got a lovely compliment on the bus the other day from a lady similar age to me. She said I brightened up a very grey, dreary day with my colourful hair and clothes. We then admired each other's DM boots. Mine with red roses embroidered up the side and hers with pastel coloured flowers. I don't give a monkey's what anyone thinks. My hair to do as I like with

Nannan2 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:42:59

I colour mine at 60 and will continue to do so!

JudyBloom Thu 26-Oct-23 12:44:21

I say each to their own, whatever floats your boat.

Nannapat1 Thu 26-Oct-23 12:46:40

Nothing wrong with coloured hair at 70! I have (mainly) dark brown hair and have the grey roots coloured dark brown with the odd sprinkle of subtle highlights every 5 weeks. I'm 71.
If some want to let their hair grow out to its natural grey then fine and so is colouring it.
I feel the same about hair length: some suit short, some mid length, some long. I don't think that age comes into it.

Daisydaisydaisy Thu 26-Oct-23 12:58:22

I think You should do what makes YOU feel happy …Lots of women carry on colouring their hair…Im in My late 50s and colour mine and intend on doing so unless I change My mind .Don’t be “bullied”into it 💚🧡💜

Lupatria Thu 26-Oct-23 13:05:53

i'm 76 and have had coloured hair for years.
in the sun it looks dark pink so it's more red than brown and i love it.
my hair is just below my shoulders and i have no intention of either cutting my hair or stopping colouring it.
my hairdresser is wonderful and is a whiz with cutting and coliuring - it costs a small fortune every four weeks but my hair (and my acrylic nails - gold with glitter) are my treats for myself.
i see no reason to change either my hair nor my nails just because i'm in my seventies.
op, you do just what you want - if coliured hair makes you happy then continue to have your hair coloured!

Iwtwab12bow Thu 26-Oct-23 13:08:52

I have been various shades of blond since I was 18. I go to the hairdressers every 6/8 weeks. I like the way I look,so does my husband, it suits me and my colouring. I did ask a hairdresser once to darken my hair and put grey highlights in....ugh ! Joanna Lumley doesn't care,nor does Twiggy, why should anyone else for that matter? I'm the same age as J L. !