Ladies, there's a brave new world out there in the coloring business (and in perms)! Many more products, less things to be sensitive to, and the new perms (enzyme ones) don't stink to high Heaven like they did in the past.
I don't know about the rest of the world but here, in the professional business world, if you look old, you don't progress up that ladder or get the more interesting assignments. Unfortunate but true. That's another reason I color my hair. Fortunately, I found a nice salon where, for $50, I can get a good cut and the semi-permanent hair dye. As long as I can afford it, I'll enjoy the luxury!