Going Silver/Grey

Eva,

I have decided to stop being a slave to my hair, and embrace my natural hue after 30 years of coloring. My colorist says I am at least 90% silver at the top of my head, and less so elsewhere, but more than 60%. Natural color was a mousy brown, and current color we are using is a 7.5 blond. How best to transition? I l just let my hair grow out for 6 weeks (usually colored every 3 weeks), and yesterday had 3 inches cut off to a VERY short bob. Colorist wanted to do all over highlights, but I only let her do a few at the part-line, and then asked her to touch up roots with a demi-perm color. My plan is to keep cutting every 3 weeks, and use demi or semi permanent while the ends grow out, then let demi or semi- fade to my natural color. Will this work? The stylist who cuts says he thinks I can be totally grown out in 3 or 4 cuts, as my hair grows fast.

Not sure I trust my colorist, as she is against the 'grey plan'. I live in downtown Chicago, any suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by EVA SCRIVO on June 17, 2012 at 2:28pm

I think you have a good plan with your cutter to let your hair grow out and keep cutting off the old color. I definitely do NOT recommend using a demi- or semi-permanent color on the virgin hair! It sounds good in theory, but even though these are not permanent colors, they stain gray hair and never really wash out completely but only fade to a yellow. Just bite the bullet and let your natural color grow in.

There are two chapters in by book, in particular, that would be very helpful for you in understanding how to transition to grey and then keep it looking chic: Chapter 2 is all about hair color and has a section devoted to the natural grey hair look, and Chapter 8 - Ageless Makeovers - shows some great grey hair cuts. One of my clients (Joy) who is featured in that chapter, went through a very similar transition to yours. She also tried the demi-permanent route and her hair turned yellow. After she started coming to me, we just had to cut it off and let the new hair grow out. There's also a lot of information in the book on how to keep grey hair looking beautiful with glazing, regular brushing, and the right products made for mature hair.