QuiltingGrannie

Started turning gray the moment I got married (the first time) - age 19! Been coloring my hair ever since and will be 54 in June. I keep thinking of letting it go gray but when it starts to show everyone says I look old and washed out. So... my color is Dark Auburn - according to Nice and Easy.
I have had two nightmares with hair perms that were done by professional hair dressers but since I've always done my own hair, since 1975, all has gone well.
I have had LONG hair, short hair and been blonde, black, brown and now Drk Auburn.
In July of 2009 I had hair long enough to sit on, made arrangements and on a live TV local show, I had it cut SHORT and donated 24 inches or so to "Locks of Love". I've been cutting my own hair since 1975, but could not cut it that time, had to have someone else do it. I've been doing it on my own now again. Love the short hair. Need to update photos of self though as it's changed since that July cut.

QuiltingGrannie

Staying colored, but from long to short - just thought I'd share.

Mountainquilter

I had been coloring my hair for since I was 38, but decided last Sept to let it go natural. I never colored my own and it was getting expensive.

So all natural is my moto for now. What you see is what you get. I'm fine with it and so is DH.

vivoaks

I'm 54, and started getting gray hairs when I was 7! I decided long ago that I was NOT going to color my hair.
Reasons:
1) Cost - I don't want to keep paying for hair color.
2) Chemicals in the color - my mom is highly allergic to them, and I'm a clone of my mother, so I don't want to take the chance.
3) Lazy! I can't be bothered spending time coloring my hair. I have WAY more important things to do with my life.
There are probably more reasons, but that's enough, right there.

BellaBoo

Unless a top notch color specialists colors your hair with many shades of color to insure it looks natural, dyed hair looks dyed. Most dyed hair is all one color, not a natural look at all.

nannya54

I am not graying.... My hair is highlighting naturally.

I never did color my hair as it was a true brunette and you just have a hard time putting color on it that doesn't look like it's colored. I am a believer that the older you are, the lighter the hair should be so it softens those wrinkles. Personal choice - absolutely.

lacikat

I like your hair! My friend and I vowed to dye until our 70's, she quit earlier and I got tired of the root thing so let mine grow out when I retired at 64, what a pain getting it grown out. I have always had ultra short hair so I didn't have to bother with it but am now trying to grow it out like yours. Don't want to mess with perms anymore either. Hopefully I'll get some length soon. I would like pure white but guess that's not to be. Looks grey frosted!

QBeth

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!

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

$50 for a cut and dye?? That sounds like a good thing to post on the "Prices" thread. It's interesting to see what such things cost around the country/world.

bj

Started graying in high school. Have been completely gray/white since 35. I don't color. I don't want the skunk look. My hair grows very quickly and I'm not sure I could ever keep up with it. I get lots of compliments on the color. I even cut it myself because it never screams cut me when beauty shops are open. I'm letting it grow out some right now. I've worn it short and spikey for about 10 years. Now I'm trying to let it get long enough to French braid. My husband says I'd look 10 years younger if I'd color it. I tell him I'd still be 60, so what's the point! You're as young as you feel...and most days I feel 60! My grandson wants his mom to die hers the color of mine and he's the critic I care about.