Through my 50's I would toy with going gray but since I worked I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I am not completely gray at yet at 60. My hair is kept short so sometimes I'll color it myself if I am feeling particularly blah which is probably twice a year. The color is light enough that it gives the illusion of streaks of light and dark so it looks natural (according to the sweet lady who cuts my hair). I don't mind the gray but I hate that it is coarse and unruly and the color helps the texture. Have you ever noticed the women who say, "you should let you hair go gray, it would look good" are the ones who color their hair religiously every 6 weeks