Is it time?

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I NEED all of you ladies to help me out here (o.k. guys I'll listen to you too). #54 is coming up this June. I haven't colored my hair in 7 months, thought it might be time to go natural - like who am I kidding right?  Plus now I have Rooney's groomer to pay for so giving up a hairdresser seemed o.k.  But right now I look like I'm homeless - it is only about 1/3 grown out. What do I do - color it, cut it all off really short or just gut it out knowing that I'll be a foxy white down the road. Help.

 

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

Okay my vote is for a shaped hair cut, maybe some longers layers, but not many..and not short hair...not yet...

 

also keep it blonde, but add some low lights....

 

 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I have often thought of letting mine go "al la naturale" too, more for the convenience factor of not having to do touch-ups on my grey every 2 weeks.  It's a Real pain as my natural color is dark brown and the white roots really show quickly and i've kept it as close to that color for over 30 years of covering grey.   I am also a retired hair stylist and colorist, so I can still use professional products and keep it looking rather natural and as i can do it myself it's not all that costly.

Having said all that, here is my opinion, because you asked. Unless your white hair is just that, a pretty white, and not a drab grey or a salt and pepper grey, I would continue to at least do some blond highlights to give your hair some softer color.

As for length, have you ever had your hair very short and how did you like it? I know for me that short hair is an absolute no-no, regardless of age as my lifestyle and hair type just don't allow for it. I have to pull it back due to my activities. So what are your reasons for going all grey? Do you feel your age should dictate your appearance or are you tired of the whole coloring process? Personally, I think you have a very young looking face and the grey will age you more than your years actually are.  I know it would wash me completely out and I'd look sickly for lack of color. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Jane, your hair looks super, but if you're tired of the every 5 week colorings, maybe you are ready to try letting it grow out to its natural color.  I was right there 10 years ago and decided it was time for me to go "au natural!"  I cut it short so it would grow out more quickly and not show the grow-out line so much.  It took awhile, but I loved not having to have a color done on it all the time!  I guess it's a "freedom" of sorts to not always be checking my part for new growth.   But there are also lots of us who hate their "grey" hair and feel it makes them look older.  Take a deep breath and do whatever feels right!  Smile and you'll look super whatever your hair color!

[Michelle Haimson]

I've been showing gray since the age of 32 - I'm 39 now and color it every 4 weeks.  I was thinking of letting it go natural when I reach 50.  My hairdresser said I should let it go now given the tone of my gray ("very sophistocated" he said) and my skin color.  Thanks, but 39 is still too young to go aux naturelle.  When I reach 50 we shall see - I have a young face.

[Shelby and Kev]

Pics please...Foxy is as Foxy does...54 is still young and thats coming from a 34yr old....

[Jena ~ Dublin]

I think you need to do what you feel comfortable with.  Do you want to color your hair again?  When you colored your hair in the past, did you like the way it looked?  If you were to grow it out, would you like the color of gray?  Would you like to cut your hair short?  Florida summers can be killer and the humidity, short hair might be nice for a bit, IF that is what YOU want. You need to like it, feel confident with it & live with it.  Length is one thing, it will grow, color is another.  Let us know what your decision is!

[Adina P]

I vote for Color AND trim/style =)  I think some women look gorgeous with white/gray hair.  I know I won't be one of those women so I envy those who can pull it off.  I think it totally depends on hair type and style.  Mine will be thin and somewhere between straight and curly so not a good type for salt & pepper--it will just look unruly instead of sleek and stylish.

 

At any rate, do whatever you think would look good on you =)

[Camilla and Darwin]

I say no color, and only get a trim, not short. Any way you choose I know you will look gorgeous!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Temporary rinse???  I get weaves so that the contrast is not as great in the root area, however at Christmas time, my hair dresser decided to over-blond the amount she wove in and I hate it.  I had her color over it with a temporary color but it gradually faded away and now I have the over-blond with the growing-out part and I have thin straight hair.  I hate it!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Thin and straight - that is me!  I can't have layers cut in my hair - or bangs either - I just don't have enough hair to do it.  I can use the baby ponytail holders I have so little.  My younger sister got my mom's hair - super thick and coarse, I sadly got my dad's thin and balding - darn it.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jane, we must be related!  My hair is baby fine.  I have bangs though because if I didn't it would just all fall in my face.  No layers and always messed up - that is my hair.

[Frannie & Callie]

That's my hair! So thin that I'm pretty sure I'll be totally bald by the time I'm 65! Unfortunately, my face is currently too chubby to pull off bangs!