I had been coloring my hair for nearly 20 years...I really had no idea what my natural color was. I was always afraid the grey would look like my mothers...a really ugly yellow gray. After talking to a hairdresser, I learned that hers was that color because she had been a heavy smoker all her adult life. Nicotine was the bad guy there!! I have never smoked so decided to take the plunge and go natural. To my surprise and delight, it has turned out to be a shiny silver. I do use one of those purple shampoos from Sally's. The only drawback is that it so fine and fly away. I may have to go back to getting perms again...ugh...since it straight as a stick.