That’s when my first thoughts of ditching the dye came about.
For the next week or so, I tossed the idea around. I asked my husband and daughter what they would think if I just let my hair grow. Both of them told me to do whatever made me happy.
I consulted with some hairdresser friends, asking questions and for advice. I searched the internet for how women before me had transitioned to their natural grey hair. While I found many examples, I was hard pressed to find any examples of women with dark black hair and snow-white roots.
Around this time, I decided to create an Instagram account to share my story. But, if I was looking for other examples of dark-haired women going through this process, there had to be more, right?
Wow. You look absolutely beautiful. I have to say that your natural state makes you look much younger too.
I am 50 and have been growing out my grey hair for about a year and I love it. During lockdown I have washed it twice a week and let it dry naturally, without heat. My hair finally looks healthy, bouncy and curly. I feel like me again and could not be happier. It’s worth a go and we all look and feel better for embracing our true selves. Thank you for your story. Keep being your beautiful self.
You have given me the inspiration I needed to just go for it. I am in exactly the same position you were in with regards to starting to go white in my teens and having spent my life since 18 years old to now at 42 dying it more and more often, now every two to three weeks to stop the white showing and I am finally prepared to go for it. I even cut my hair into a pixie cut thinking that would distract me from the roots but it has just made it worse in some ways as you can see all the roots at the back of my head that used to be covered. Your hair looks absolutely beautiful, as do you!
Hey Anna, Don’t lose hope. It’s just hair and will grow back. Have some patience and enjoy your pixie by styling in different ways using cute and lovely accessories. I had a pixie cut too as a transition cut. It’s almost three years now enjoying pixie and now finally at the age of 40 I decided to grow my hair long. It’s been around 7 months now without trim and I have already acquired a short bob length.
Thank you for your inspiring “going gray” story and the very cute pics.
You look so much younger with your beautiful gray hair! Your gray is lovely with all the shades of gray.
Funny how we think we look better with darker hair until we try something different! I’m just sorry I didn’t decide to go gray at your age, I am 60 something young now, still very young looking , but now I’m not afraid of “looking older” if I go gray! Wonderful seeing so many women at different ages going gray?
I know I am “so” ready now!. I’ve been reading so many articles, looking at pictures of women like yourself who went gray, all so beautiful! I’m so anxious that I even thought of going to California to have Jack Martin transition my hair!
So agin, thank you for your story. I’ve decided to go “cold turkey” and just let it grow out while cutting my hair as I go!
Stay Happy!
You and your gray hair are beautiful! I’m 69 – and sadly not “still very young looking“ like Maryann – but I’ve been doing this cold turkey since March 17th and I’m determined to stick with it! But OMGOSH its such a slow process!
Fantastic, inspiring story, your hair looks beautiful and so healthy looking. Lockdown gave me the push I needed to transition from dark brown to grey, the last time I dyed my hair was beg Feb 2020. I don’t have much patience but have resolved myself that it will probably be next summer before it fully transitions. Exciting times ahead ?
I transitioned from very dark brown hair to my natural gray over a one and a half year period.
I went to an Aveda salon where they gradually and safely brought my hair down a few steps every month or so. It really helped by not getting depressed during the process.
Once my hair grew all the way out, I experimented with cut and style.
Some things I have learned is hot irons will Yellow your hair. Use the best products you can find. Enjoy being gray. I love it.
I’m 29 at the moment and expecting my second child. During quarantine I decided that it was time to just let my grays grow out. Once they have grown half way I might go to the salon to match the lower part with my grays. I can’t wait.
Definitely you can! Go for it. Even blending can be done with a few inches of growth. Your hairstylist may guide you for the same.
You are so gorgeous and an inspiration. I just started to let my gray grow. Unlike you, my gray didn’t start as early: I am 45 years old and have probably a 30% gray head, but I want to leave it natural and hopefully in a few years it’ll be as beautiful as yours! Congrats on your amazing journey.
What an inspiration,I’m 58 and began the process of growing out my roots after 30 years of colouring.Unfortunately I lasted only 11 weeks and stupidly dyed my hair again.Now a few months later and I’m 3 weeks dye free and hoping this time to be successful.Thinking of a short cut to speed the transition,finding it an emotional situation but can’t wait to be free of the 2 weekly coverups.
I am also transitioning to grey My hair stylist is putting a temporary root touch up on my roots. I go every 8 weeks
And I use a spray to cover new growth I have shoulder length hair and have a trim each time I go in too
You’re hair looks lovely and I bet the condition is fantastic. I’m 56 and I last dyed my hair 7th July 2021 and usually had a mild reaction before to hair dye but this reaction I had was really bad. I had scabs and chemical burns on my scalp for about a month and vowed I would never dye my hair again. Most of the dyed hair has grown out and most of my hair is a light brown with silver highlights and I get compliments about it. I have to say that I don’t regret going natural at all and my hair feels very healthy now. For those that are hesitant about going back to natural hair, I promise you won’t regret it.