The first gray hairs were at my hs graduation. Colored it until I turned 30, then went a la natural. Each hairdresser has a different opinion, but mine says it's very soft and fine because it really isn't gray, but a mixture of what few brown strands are left and white. Gray would be more coarse. Sally's carried Shimmer Lights shampoo, put out by Clairol. I mix 50/50 with regular shampoo to use occasionally to keep it sparkling and not turn yellow. Full strength it would be blue hair like in granny's day.