Going grey, how to do it with style!

I’m seriously considering going grey too. The thing that has put me off is my really pale skin colour. I suppose if it wasn’t successful it’s quite easy to colour it again.

I would go to a very good hairdressers and take advice. It may be that you need to have it coloured the grey tone that you like for a little while, and wait for all of your hair to ‘catch up’. This would take less time if it was short...and maybe look better with a shorter and sharper cut for the time being. I don’t speak from experience though! My hair is shoulder length and I colour it myself, quite a few shades lighter than it was when I was young. This tones in with the stage my hair is at...and when it grows through really grey, I think I’ll do what I’m suggesting here. I agree with you- beautiful grey hair can look gorgeous!

My neighbour's daughter (in her 30s) has her hair dyed the exact same blonde/silver/grey that I have naturally! I need blusher these days, though - to avoid the 'living dead' look!

I have dark streaks (my original colour) put into my grey hair, and I am trying to persuade my hairdresser to gradually reduce them so I will eventually be the natural colour (and my hairdresser's bills won't cost so much).

If you have pale skin, you have to then do something to prevent an overall insipid look. Or even anaemic. So, like Maw, you could go for glasses with strongly defined frames, or even brightly coloured ones, like Prue Leith.

Strong pinks, turquoises or emerald blouses and/or scarves.

Hats in bright colours, if you dare.

Striking lipstick colours.

If you have darker or tanned skin, then that's no problem with grey hair - can look great even without makeup.

A good haircut is the best start, though. Ask your hairdresser for ideas.

Those photos are lovely Maw! You have pretty hair and a bonnie face.

I took a photo for my passport recently and on receipt I was asked "are you sure you want to use this photo?" I wanted to answer "no, please give me a better one"

I have said it before and will again, it all depends on how your hair grows grey. My family has a gene for not going grey. I, like a number of my cousins, have got well into our 60s before our hair starts greying. I am in my mid-70s now and still predominantly my original colour.

Unfortunately when we do go grey, we develop a ring of grey or white hair round the edge, while the crown of the hair stays dark and quite frankly, it is not a good look, like a brunette angel whose halo has been rammed round their ears.

I am resigned to colouring my hair for the rest of my life. Now, I colour my hair to match the predominant brown colour and later when I am mainly grey, I will be bleaching the brunette hair on the crown of my head to match the grey/white.

One of my uncle's died at the age of 85, the recent photo of him on the funeral service sheet, showed him mainly white haired with a dark brown patch of hair on the top of his head. Even on a man, it was not a good look.

maw what a lovely photo. You look so nice.?

You look lovely maw. On the other hand, I'd look terrible!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202001/medium-760194-32cae54b-c28d-44bc-8639-976801a17bf9.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202001/medium-166598-3e9f17fe-1028-4d53-b793-0c9ee83cb1db.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202001/medium-226918-e7f9f2f9-d776-40c5-8e47-79dff7101013.jpeg

Three stages-starting with a good cut, highlights and lowlights, bleach out remaining colour, ash highlights and let nature take its course.

I used to fear going grey but when my DC began to whiten, I realised I would have accept it gracefully. I like to think my hair is in reasonable condition because I have never dyed or bleached it. I do have it cut by a good hairdresser.

We are a long time grey though, so I have nothing against others brightening themselves - if they can afford to.

I once wore a purple wig to a fancy dress party and I was chatted up! so perhaps grey hair is ageing. Certainly our young French student thought a woman we know who has dyed blonde hair was a lot younger than me. The cheek of it!!

I have never coloured my hair and I am now fairly grey. I used to have lovely auburn hair.

I think a smart hair cut or style is helpful, but as for colour? Well, let nature take its course! Far better than a young colour on a less than young face!!

I'm doing it with style, my style, by just letting it get on with it and no interference from me. Seems to be working fine. As for fading... well, yes, one is. Shrug.

<Waves to grandad1943> ?

Grandad

OP your hair sounds like mine. If I didnt have highlights, I'd look as though I was wearing a very grey mouse.

I am considering having grey highlights instead of light ones to transition slowly but without the "grey roots".

The best way to go grey with style is to just let it go grey.

It is all just part of the ageing process which should be taken in the stride of anyone and not stressed of fretted in regard to.

Just age gracefully, for in that ageing there are many benefits to be found if allowed to come to the fore.

I use a blue shampoo about once a week-it takes away any yellow tones and makes white and great hair look shiny and sort of crisp. There are lots out there, I tend to use Bleach London ( I get it in Boots.) I’ve heard good things about White Hot and Glorious too. Aveda blue malva smells lovely, but is expensive- you can sometimes get it on offer. I found I had to change the colour of my makeup too- a good makeup counter in a big store will be able to advise. The bonus for me is that I seem to be able to wear a wider range of colours in my clothes!