In my 20's I too began turning gray and colored my hair for a number of years! Between perms and the coloring I lived with fuzzy straw on my head and got very tired of that.
About 15 + years ago I quit coloring and perming and have really healthy, stiking looking salt & pepper (mostly salt!!)hair!! Everyone compliments me on it---strangers out on the street, in stores!! It is fun! I love it!!