I haven’t done an official update since I originally posted about growing out my coloured hair to my natural grey – or whatever was hidden under all that colour.
It’s been 14 months since I last coloured my hair.
Here’s a picture of what it looked like last July or August, about 7 or 8 months into the growing-out journey. We had family pictures done. In a few of the shots you could really see my hair growing out. At first I felt kind of disappointed with how noticeable it was, but at the same time I also really loved how the silver was growing in.
(Our family photos were done by Mela Photography who also did Jonas’ newborn photos back in the day.)
Now here’s a lousy selfie I took just now to show what my hair looks like today, 14 months after I last coloured my hair. There are parts of my hair that have more silver than leftover old colour. The dark brown has faded quite a lot in the last 14 months so I feel like the silver and my natural light brown/dark blonde hair colour is blending a lot nicer than it was originally.
(PS I actually did my hair and makeup today because I was running errands. Bonus!)
I’ve gotten quite a lot of compliments on how my hair looks with the natural silver coming in. I’ve had some women tell me that I’ve inspired them to do the same. That’s pretty cool. I also had someone tell me I was ‘so brave’. Yeah, hearing that comment was a bit weird to me.
Here’s the thing about letting my naturally curly hair grow out. Those silver hairs are wiry! And my hair is already so curly and coarse to begin with. You can see in that selfie just how wild those silver hairs can get. They have a mind of their own. Even so, I don’t regret growing out my hair in the least. I didn’t end up chopping off a bunch of hair to make the awkward stage better. I just embraced it and owned it. It’s only a year’s time in my entire life to have less than perfect hair. I handled it alright, I think.
I’m also really glad I didn’t try to lighten my hair all over with the ‘granny grey’ trend to help ‘blend’ it all in. My natural silver hair isn’t coming in all over, but kind of like highlights. I can’t even imagine how weird it would have looked to let my natural grow in after lightening all over. Also, my hair would have been fried.
Has anyone else embraced going au naturel? Loving it? Hating it? Some of you commented and shared your experiences on my last post about grey hair. Would love to hear more of your stores!
I’ve just weeks into the transition to gray. I’m reading as much as I can to succeed in this process.
I have gone gray before, maybe 6 years ago. It mad me look older and wasn’t a pretty gray. But I must try again.
Now I’m 65 years old and I know it will make me look older, but I really need to embrace my age for what it is.
I enjoyed reading your post! Keep up the good work!!
Hi Barb, Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! I was really nervous about how the grey would make me look older too. I am sure it does in some ways – especially on the days where I just throw it up in a messy bun and leave the house – but I think, and hope, it doesn’t come off as ‘haggard’. I’m sure you’ll look graceful as you grow out your grey this time around too.
Megan, you are so sweet! Thanks!
Yes! Totally natural for about five years now. Whew! It feels so much better.
It really is like having that weight lifted off your shoulders, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing your comment!
Hi Megan,
I’m considering letting my natural highlights grow out now that we are in lockdown and no one will see or judge. The stress of seeing the tiny line appear only 3 weeks after getting it done has been far more stressful than the past two months of letting it grow….ha ha! Wish me luck!
Right there with you!
Glad you decided to go for it!! It’s been a few weeks, how has the transition to silver been going?
I know a few friends are taking the plunge to grow out their grey too but I’m not sure if they’ll colour it again once things open back up.
I was ahead of the curve for lockdown hair!
I had very long, dark curly hair (mid way down my back) and chopped it all right off to a pixie cut. Man, it was such a drastic change. It’s been hard to stick with it, but I was tired of dyeing my hair every 3 weeks or so.
It’s been 10 months now and it looks ok. Some days I hate it and wish I’d never chopped it all off – but I have persevered. I won’t cave it to dye it again or it would make the cut pointless.
I estimate it will take 1.5-2 years to grow back to the length I like and I am hoping it will just look cool and grey, and not simply old granny grey! (I’m 58 and been dyeing my hair since my 20’s).
I’d post pics but I can’t see how.
My hair is half way down my back. Bra strap area. I have decided to grow out my gray hair. I am 47. Should I cut the hair to my shoulders or just leave it? Idk.