Color or Go Natural? What’s Right for Your Hair After 60?
Have you ever found yourself staring in the mirror, wondering if it’s time to stop coloring your hair and let your natural color take over? You’re not alone. I reached that point five years ago after decades of frustration with my highlights turning brassy. I finally decided to stop coloring my hair cold turkey, and it’s been quite a journey!
Going gray is such a personal decision, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on lifestyle, upkeep, finances, and even health concerns. Some women love the freedom of embracing their natural color, while others feel their best keeping up with the dye. The beauty of it all? There’s no right or wrong choice—just what feels best for you. Let’s talk about both options, the pros and cons, and how to make the transition if you decide to go for it.
Why Do We Start Questioning Hair Color After 60?
As we age, our hair naturally changes both in color and texture. What once looked rich or vibrant might start to feel a little harsh against our skin. The shade we’ve been coloring our hair for years may suddenly feel like too much or require more upkeep than we’re willing to commit to. You may also enjoy How To Find Your Personal Contrast Level.
At the same time, our priorities shift. Some of us are busier than ever, while others are settling into a more relaxed pace. Sitting in a salon chair every few weeks might start to feel less like self-care and more like a chore. The real question is: Do I still enjoy this, or am I just doing it out of habit?
For many women, confidence grows with age, and the pressure to keep up with societal expectations starts to fade. Gray hair can be just as stylish, modern, and beautiful as any other shade—it’s all about how you wear it.
The Case for Coloring Your Hair
If you love your hair color and it makes you feel great, there’s absolutely no reason to stop. For many women, coloring their hair is about more than just covering grays—it helps them feel polished, youthful, and put-together. The right shade can also brighten your complexion and add warmth, especially as your skin tone shifts over time.
The good news? Hair color has come a long way. If the constant root touch-ups are starting to feel like a hassle, techniques like balayage, highlights, and root smudging can ease the grow-out process, creating a much more natural and flattering transition. Many women over 60 are embracing blended shades that require less upkeep but still deliver a polished, well-groomed look. It’s about finding a hair color strategy that supports your lifestyle and helps you feel confident every time you look in the mirror.
Of course, some women choose to keep coloring their hair, especially if they’re navigating thinning hair. In these cases, the right color can actually add dimension and the illusion of fullness, which can be incredibly empowering. Read about more Haircare Products I Use For My Thinning Hair
There’s no one “right” approach—just the one that makes you feel most like you.
Embracing Your Natural Hair Color After 60
More and more women are choosing to let their natural gray or silver hair shine—and they’re doing it in style. The idea that gray equals “old” is outdated. Instead, it’s about how you wear it. A sleek bob, soft waves, or even a bold pixie cut can make gray hair look sophisticated and modern.
One of the biggest perks of going natural is the low maintenance. No more frequent root touch-ups, no more worrying about fading color, and no more salon bills. Without chemical dyes, your hair can also become healthier, softer, and shinier over time.
That said, gray hair does require some special care. It can be more prone to dryness, frizz, and even yellowing from environmental factors. A good silver shampoo or purple toner can help keep your color bright and fresh, while hydrating hair masks can combat any coarseness.
Of course, the biggest challenge is the transition. If you’re not ready to chop off all your old color at once, the growing-out phase can feel awkward. But there are ways to make it easier.
Wondering how to dress after transitioning to natural gray hair? Check out Choosing Flattering Wardrobe Colors As You Go Gray
How to Transition to Your Natural Hair Color Without the Awkward Phase
If you’ve decided to embrace your natural color, you don’t have to suffer through a harsh grow-out phase. There are several ways to make the process feel smoother and more intentional.
First, consider working with a stylist to blend your gray with highlights or lowlights. This helps soften the line between dyed and natural hair, making the transition much less noticeable.
If you’re feeling bold, a fresh, shorter haircut can speed up the process. A stylish bob or pixie cut is a chic way to remove some of the old color and showcase your natural shade.
Purple shampoos and conditioners can be your best friend during this phase. They help neutralize any brassiness and keep your gray looking bright and healthy.
Another trick? Adjusting your makeup. Gray hair can sometimes make your skin look a little washed out, so adding a bit more color to your lips or cheeks can bring warmth back to your face. A soft pink or berry lipstick can make a big difference.
What’s the Best Hair Color for Women Over 60?
If you’re not ready to go fully natural but want a lower-maintenance look, there are plenty of beautiful shades that work well for women over 60. Soft, blended colors tend to be the most flattering. Warm honey blondes, rich caramels, and cool ash tones can add dimension and brightness without looking harsh.
Many women also opt for highlights or lowlights instead of a full-head dye job. This creates a softer, more natural look and reduces the need for frequent touch-ups.
The key is working with a stylist who understands how to enhance your natural color rather than fighting against it. A well-done color should complement your skin tone and bring out your best features.
My Personal Hair Journey
For me, going gray was a big decision. I started adding highlights to my hair when I was just 15, mainly because I felt my natural color was missing the brightness. As I got older, coloring my hair also helped with the texture—swelling the hair and giving it more body, which was great for my thinning hair.
But by 2021, I knew it was time for a change. I made the choice to go gray and embrace it fully. The process wasn’t easy, and it’s definitely not for every woman, but it’s been a powerful act of self-acceptance for me. Along the way, many of you reached out to share your own journeys, and your support kept me going.
As the gray has come in, the texture of my hair has changed too—it’s lost a lot of its shine. I’ve missed that brightness, but I’ve learned that this new stage is just as beautiful. It’s been a journey of learning, adjusting, and ultimately embracing this new chapter. I’ve earned every single one of those strands, and they’re a testament to the full life I’ve lived.
Are you embracing your natural hair color after 60, or are you sticking with the dye? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear about your own hair journey!
I’m divorced after 22 years of marriage; now 60, and feel I haven’t yet lived an “full life”. I don’t want to go gray; my mom died at 75 with colored brown hair. Single since 46, on SSDI & alimony (which would stop upon cohabitation or marriage & I earned every cent of his climbing the corporate ladder). Seeing grey hair I think would put desire to date me off, and I don’t want to be alone. That’s my take on the issue.
Thank you for sharing. You should do what makes you feel the most confident! Beautiful hair is an asset whether it’s colored or gray. A modern style and healthy sheen is more important than the color.
I just turned 67. I am half grey and half natural. I have decided to let nature work.
I let my hair go natural when I broke my shoulder on my dominant arm at the same time that Covid hit! My husband offered to help with coloring but I couldn’t imagine that working! I found I too lacked the brightness and luster that my blonde provided. The purple shampoo is my best friend! I, also, discovered ” fairy hair!” For those who don’t know what that is…it’s shiny tinsel that comes in a variety of colors which is woven on a strand of hair. I chose the color most like my hair. It adds brightness and a bit of youthfulness for me. It lasts till that particular strand of hair falls out which can be any where from a month to several. Try it you might like it, too.
I started going gray in high school and started coloring at 19. I thought about going natural in my 30s, but didn’t want people thinking my boys were my grandkids! I’ve gone from dark brown to blond over the past 10 years, so I don’t have to color as often. My natural is likely 90-95% white. It is beautiful on my 86 year old mom, but I’m just not ready. That said, I think if my hair dresser plans to retire, I will need a long range plan to go natural!
My hairdresser has retired and I haven’t had it cut since! I need to find someone pretty soon.
I’m in my 70s. I got fed up with colouring my hair in my 60s and have been various shades of pepper and salt and grey as I’ve aged, and now I’m almost all silver. I’ve had a lot of different styles too, as I find it easier to grow now I don’t need to worry about the colour.
It’s ok when you get used to it, and much easier (and cheaper) than all the root treatments.
My hair has thinned slightly over time, but I’m lucky that it’s still shiny, soft and silky, and although sometimes I think that maybe a colour would make me look younger, I don’t regret my decision at all.
If it’s for you, just go for it. You can always change your mind again!
Better be grey and /or white than having a skink line every 5-6 weeks. Looks horrible.
I have decided to go gray at 72. My hairdresser is doing that too, so that has been a support system. I think my hair is mostly a platinum, so I use toners and monthly trims and semi-permanent color to help it blend. I agree that the color in missing from my overall look, but I changed up my makeup, and got professional advice regarding color. I think that I will be glad that I did this. I can always change it back if I want. I did not want to be one of those old ladies with clearly dyed hair!
Platinum is such a gorgeous color!
I stopped coloring my hair during Covid when the salons were closed. My hair had become so dry and brittle from coloring and highlights that it really didn’t look healthy. It is so much healthier, thicker, and more manageable now. I don’t miss the time and expense of the salon visits every 5 weeks to keep the grey roots covered at all. Being retired, and free to travel for extended trips, I also don’t have to worry about being home to get to my colorist on schedule.
I went natural gray after loosing all of my hair during chemotherapy at age 60. I am now 62, cancer free, and I have my gray pixie cut highlighted every 6 months or so. I love the short cut, no roots and I can add brightness when I have an event to go to. You can’t see it growing out so I can stop highlighting whenever I want to.
So glad to hear you are cancer free! Congratulations Michele
I don’t know if I ever would have gone grey naturally but I had chemo and lost my hair. When it grew in I really saw how grey I was. No wonder I was I getting it colored every 3 weeks! I have kept it a silver pixie ever since. Sometimes it makes me feel older but I’m not going back!!
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It sounds great!
From a client’s perspective, one of the good things to come out of Covid with saloon shut downs was not being able to get highlights every weeks. Having been a red head, I was use to effortless color. Fast forward, I am enjoying the natural changes of color in my hair. Red is gone but there is still some “color” (dark?) but I really am enjoying natural streaks of grey around the front of my face. Many friends think i am getting those colored! I am giving all credit to my loving guardian angels! An aside, my sister has been going through chemo and although she would take hair of any color, she is happy to be alive!!
I’m so sorry to hear about your sister! That really puts our hair into perspective. Sending prayers her way, Anna.
I’d been coloring my hair blonde since age 22, and at age 75 decided to go to my natural color, which my stylist, a Paul Mitchell instructor, described as sparkly white. She removed all the color and added a temporary-ish light blonde rinse that faded over six-or-so months. No root line to be had. At each visit, she’d refresh the rinse until voila! I was truly sparkly white. I’ve had so many compliments — even from strangers — that I’ve never looked back. Her method was easy-peasy. Absolutely painless. Hope all is well now with Mr. AWSL. Sending regards to both of you.
Your hair sounds beautiful! Thanks Judy
Enjoy your column but get some much needed rest and hope your husband recovers swiftly!
Thank you
Hi Jennifer,
I’m 64 and went gray in 2023 with the help of my stylist and have loved it! I agree that it isn’t for everyone but it works for me. My favorite shampoo is VERB purple shampoo and DAKINE purple conditioner. I use this a few times a week to keep the yellow away.
Thanks for this informative and thought provoking post, Jennifer. I am sorry about your ER adventure and sure hope things are better. I recently had a hubby hospitalization which was scary and tiring, so I know what you mean about sleep deprivation. Here’s hoping both our guys are on the mend. I have not colored my hair for many years (I’m 68, probably stopped when I was 53). It is as you and others have said, different hair. You have mentioned a number of good products to lessen the yellowing and to add shine which have been very helpful. The once great curl and body my hair had is gone, but I find using a sculpting gel on wet hair and then using Velcro curlers gives some body (I use Catwalk curls rock amplifier). I don’t do this with every shampoo, but it is nice now and then. I am for everyone doing what makes them feel great. A good hair cut is necessary no matter what hair color you choose.
I’ve gone back yo my velcro rollers too, They really help. I hope your hubby is one the mend too! Thanks so much
My daughter was urging me on to go gray. She remembered my mother, her grandma had beautiful gray hair. So I decided right after Covid, to try it out. Since I colored and highlighted, my hairdresser stripped my hair with bleach, which was scary. But after a couple months my natural hair grew and it was beautiful. I receive a lot of compliments. I have never been happier, plus saves money
I colored my dark brown wavy hair from my late 20s to late 40s. Now my hair is mostly grey, thick, and curly. I make sure it is well-conditioned and use small amounts of a leave-in conditioner, a detangler, and a serum to maintain texture and softness. The color compliments my colorful glasses and now I look better in more of a cool Spring palette than an actual winter. Although in the summer I can get away with warmer colors. We are always evolving! I receive compliments on the natural color which I never did while coloring my hair.
My blonde hair turned white and I love it….receive nice comments from strangers.
I thought the salon cost would go down when I let my hair go natural but my stylist raised her price at the same time!🤣
I started my journey in November, I have to say I am loving the transformation. My hair is dyed dark brown and my growth is all silver. I can’t wait to see how it will look when it’s all grown out. Be brave, just do. It’s only hair and you’ll love turning into a butterfly
I went grey/white during Covid. My hairdresser helped with a light beige color for the transition, I didn’t want the skunk look. Anyway… love the almost all white color now, I get so many compliments, it makes me wonder why I waited so long.
Jennifer, your hair looks lovely!
Having a professional career in teaching, I touched up/ colored my hair until about age 60. Then one day I was looking at photos of women with very striking pixie cuts and white hair. Went to the hair salon and requested they take all the color out. (As a child I was a tow head, but it went jet black by the time I was 10). My students told me they loved the change.
So, I became a pale blond through the rest of my career until Covid hit in retirement. That was the impetus to let it go natural. Few people even noticed my grow out change to pure white. I love it and get compliments on it frequently. My favorite hair product is Silkening Gloss from Kendra.
First of all, I love your hair! Secondly, I don’t see gray hair as aging, just another hair colour. I have girlfriends who went gray at 18!
I’m 65, and until about 20 years ago, never did anything to my dark brown hair. I started to highlight for texture and to give my hair some life as the brown was looking dull. The only gray hair I have is a bit at my temples and at the top of my forehead/hairline. My highlights are quite cool to suit my colouring so sometimes they may look gray but I love it. I will keep this up as more gray comes in I think. That may change when I stop working, but I don’t see dyeing my hair darker.
Wishing your husband a speedy recovery!
Thanks! I’m so glad I went natural.
I loved your topic today. I chose to go natural in 2023. Was I ever surprised to find out that I only had a few strands of gray; my hair was a beautiful, shiny light brown! I had always been blond. The first thing I noticed was limpness a nd very shiny. I loved the shiny, but it was hard to manage. So I went to my hair stylist. She put in a few well placed blond streaks. Now I have at least some definition and dimension.
It was kind of depressing to have unmanageable, light brown hair. Now I feel more Ike myself with just a few sunny pieces.
It sounds like the perfect solution. Feeling our best is the ultimate goal!
I was doing color and highlights well into my 50’s when my hair stylist suggested that it was no longer a great look. I still had a lot of brown left at that point and wasn’t loving it, so I went all in and spent about 3 years dying it bright turquoise. That was actually a lot of fun, but when I got grayer, it grew out pretty unattractively, so I decided to embrace my natural gray and I really like it. It feel very natural for me and I think it matches my skin tone much better.
How fun!! I tried a blue streak many years ago but couldn’t get it to stay bright.
I’m so sorry your husband had a setback. I hope he’s on the road to a speedy recovery now!
After a friend was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, I decided it was time to stop putting chemicals on my head every month and go natural. I began turning gray when I was in middle school and highlighted or colored my dark hair regularly (my mother was not a fan of gray hair). So, at the age of 70, I just went cold turkey even though my husband wasn’t happy about it. My hair was fairly short, so I kept getting it trimmed on a regular basis. Many well-meaning people offered suggestions on hiding the gray as it grew out, so I finally just told my hairdresser to cut the rest of the brown off and, just like that, I was gray. I have received compliments on my natural hair color that I NEVER got when it was dark, so it was definitely the right choice for me. Yes, it’s a different texture now and I’ve let it grow, but it feels like ME. No regrets here!
That’s amazing! Thanks so much.
I will never stop coloring my hair. My hair is my best feature. I don’t do anything drastic, just some highlights. Without the color, my Nordic blonde would be more dishwater blonde. Like you point out, natural hair will most likely need some “help” to look its best. Luckily, anything goes these days.
Yes!
I’ve been blessed because I have no real choice. I’m allergic to everything (even the allergy doc says the same) and so I am very careful using only those cosmetic/body items that will not aggravate my sensitive skin. SO, hair coloring is out for me. I just turned 80 and am now seeing my hair actually turning gray. I’ve had white little sideburns for years (compliments of my second son who was my wild child!) but my overall color stayed medium brown until just a few months ago. I have American Indian blood on both sides of my family so graying comes later in life. And I actually like seeing the lighter strands mixed in with my brown; it gives some life and light to my hair … and a little more body than I’ve had in the past.
lol, I had a wild child too. I was dying my hair through it all so I have no idea of the impact it could have made. Thanks for sharing.
I did go grey but I have gone back to coloring it. My hair is thinning and breaking off though so I am exploring some remedies. I take minoxidil in pill form and have seen some success. I am hoping to get a little more in time. I am keeping it fairly short. I have curly to the point of frizzy hair think steel wool:( I am planning on going to a salon that specializes in curly hair to see if they have any suggestions.
Part of my reason to color again is that my husband has not gone grey in the least. I felt older next to him.
Stick with the minoxidil! It has really helped my hair a lot!
I am 60 and haven’t colored my hair since July 2020. It’s been a great choice for me and, I think, brings out my features more. I did have to change my colors to be a bit cooler in tone, which was fun and interesting. And all of your posts about personal colors really helped with the process. Thank you!
I’m so glad it’s been helpful
I’m letting it grey naturally, I think it’s much easier for a blonde to do so – not as much contrast, or least that was my experience. I do find my hair is not as soft, nor as shiny as before. I’ve tried several different shampoos and conditioners but none improve the texture. Any suggestions?
I agree it’s easier for blondes. I found my velcro rollers are helping a lot!
Your hair looks fabulous, Jennifer!
Thanks Susan, so does yours
I had really straight, fine natural ash blonde hair and had been blending the silver with blonde highlights. I lost all my hair in 2022 due to chemo. When it came back in Feb 23, there was lots of silver on the top but the rest was really dark and it was curly! With each haircut, the curls gradually disappeared. It’s now a shoulder length, straight bob with a mix of blonde and silver. My stylist says it looks like I’ve had it coloured that way. Though I wouldn’t recommend chemo as a way to go grey (😝), I’m happy with the grey/silver but even more grateful to just be alive.
Sorry to hear about your cancer, Shaza. Your hair sounds wonderful
I’ve been coloring since I was 28, so when Covid happened I was So ready to quit. And curious, what would it actually look like? How gray was I? Well I’m so glad that I let it go natural, it’s actually a lovely white near my face and shades of gray to dark in the back. I frequently get compliments with it in a pixie cut, so easy and I love it!!
Going gray or white is the only decision to make. As soon as I stopped coloring my hair my white/gray silver hair started growing in much thicker. Don’t let anyone tell you that coloring your hair does not cause hair loss! I hope that your husband is feeling better. Take care of yourself too.
Thanks Rory!
Nice piece, but one factor that is not mentioned is those of us who started with gray hairs in college-I’ve been coloring my hair regularly since I was in my 30’s, and now at 62, will continue to do so for awhile b/c my hair is WHITE! Big difference having lovely gray hair and stark white. While it looks great on some people, I think it would age me 20 yrs! Coloring gets in the way of travel, but I’m going to keep at it at least for 10 more years!!!!
It’s such a personal decison, and I’m glad you’ve decided what works best for you
I went “cold turkey” and quit coloring my hair in March 2020. My salon was closed, and I had an inch or so of gray growth by the time it reopened. I was 63 at the time and always knew I would go natural at some point. I wear my hair short, and since I wasn’t going anywhere during that time, I went for it! I have no regrets, and when I look back at pictures taken shortly before the pandemic, my dark hair color looks harsh. It’s a relief not to worry about gray roots showing when the wind blows, and my hair feels softer and less coarse than it did when I colored. My hair is primarily white with a few darker hairs blended in, especially in the back. I’m a “winter” and enjoy wearing my bright cool colors and silver jewelry! I receive more compliments on my hair now than I ever did when I was coloring it.
The most difficult part of going gray was mentally thinking of myself no longer as a brown haired woman. I loved the color of my hair. My hair color defined my image of myself. I often wondered why my mother in law continued to color her hair red. I now realized it was an important part of her identity even more than my brown hair. I did transition into a gray haired woman. My hair remains thick and heavy. I take care to keep it trimmed and shiny. In fact, I have a few strands of silver tinsel threaded throughout my hair. Not many, but just enough to make people wonder what the shine is in my hair. I do get many compliments on my hair. I installed a water filter on my shower head. It was easy to do. That has helped with frizz and dryness a great deal. I guess it does take awhile to figure out how to take care of your “new” hair and keep it looking its best.
I love silver tinsel!
I have been doing gray blending for several years. I still have quite a bit of brown hair. My hair stylist uses ash blond highlights and light brown lowlights to blend with the gray. I love it. Touchups about every three months.
Awesome
I started graying when I was 19 after my daughter was born. From the age of 25 to 59 I dyed my hair. My daughter was the same way, only she stopped the process when she was 38 and let her hair go. Her silver and white color was magnificent and gave me the courage to do it too. Mine came in the same bright silver as hers. We would get comments when we were together that people liked the “icy blond” we had going on, and where did we get it. (My daughter would point at me). I had shorter hair, but when I decided to let it go, I went with the pixie cut and love it. So liberating. I use SO Silver once a week, mostly for the way it makes my hair feel. If you’re on the fence, just do it. You can always change your mind to get back on the rails.
Exactly!
What a wonderful moment it was after my hair coloring grew out and I found my hair was white. At 11, I had brown, wavy hair. I straightened, auburned, etc., from 19 to 75. Now I have my 11-year-old hair but it is white. I had thought my hair was ish-gray as my mom’s had been, but the white was a big surprise. I would say I look better now than since my 20s. Compliments on my hair are frequent. Having curl is the big lucky break because it hides the thinning. And having a new fashion lease on life in one’s 70s-80s is exhilarating.
About 10 years ago when I was 63 my NY hairdresser suggested I stop highlighting my light brown hair because she could see the grey coming through and thought it was a good color. She was right, like she always was, so I went with it. For about 6 years I had a nice mix of brown, silver and still a bit of gold. Now, I am solidly grey that leans to a platinum, so says my CA hairdresser; sometimes I see white (like my dad and my grandmother had) and other times I see my old, 4 year old tow head blonde. I am not complaining because my hair does look better than most ladies my age and I do receive lots of compliments on it. Lately I have wanted a shine boost and I think I could probably get it with a new shampoo. Personally I prefer to see women age with a hair color adjustment because we all know that no one keeps that auburn or brunette color into your seventies. Skin tone changes and I think hair needs to reflect that. My skin is very yellow/olive and I pay attention to the colors near my face which have become more important since being so grey. You wear lavender so well but on me it’s deadly. Great topic, Jennifer!
Still thinking about going gray. But I wanted to ask you if you had issues purchasing the eyedrops. My first order arrived finally, but my second order which I was purchasing for a friend was cancelled after almost a month. I ordered well before tariffs were announced. I ordered from Apohealth. Not sure if I think the drops were better than others., but I wanted to give the drops a chance to work.
I have not had a problem and both orders arrived. I’d email them to check
Great post – and your hair looks great ! I still color because I think my coloring looks better with a little darker hair. Luckily, I have a short pixie cut and I do my own color after I get it cut in the salon. Nice and Easy #6 is the perfect shade…and I can do it while I take care of other grooming. Don’t know how long I will keep this up now that I have turned 70! But for now, I remain and brown eyed and brown haired girl!
My mom used Nice and Easy for as long as I can remember! I could never figure out how to do it so bravo!
Hope your husband is doing better! Very scary for you guys! Covid times made my grow out easy. I quit highlights and cut it into a pixie. Then lockdown happened so by the time I was able to get it trimmed it had all grown out thankfully. I also changed stylists and lucked into one who really knows how to cut short hair.
Thanks Jan
Brown hair, golden brown eyes and warm undertones here. As one of autumn coloring, I still color my hair. Gray is not a good color on me and my assumption is gray on my head would do the same ? I do highlight now in the golden/caramel-ish tones. My husband has coloring similar to yours and he, like you, looks fantastic in gray. The blue eyes and cool undertones are a natural fit. The “summer coloring” folks evolve into gray hair beautifully and it’s a very complimentary transition.
Just my opinion, of course….
Maybe one day I’ll join the ranks 🤷♀️..the money and time savings would be a bonus !!
Your hair will gray to match your coloring. It will be a warmer gray than mine and may lean towards pewter. Mother nature doesn’t goof in that department, so don’t go by the way fabric looks on you.
I am 73 and have said for years that “it will be cold day…..” when I let me hair show the 100% gray. I read your post anyway and I really liked it. Many good points. I might even consider it some day.
I transitioned to silver during covid and I had it cut relatively short. I love it and I get lots of compliments. I have a lot of hair and it’s pretty coarse. It’s so much more healthy and shiny in its natural state. I have had to adjust my makeup too.
My husband has been silver for years and he looks so much better than older men who dye their hair. Why is it considered attractive for men and not for women? Such a double standard!
It is a terrible double standard
Your hair color is lovely on you! Everyone should do what she wants to do, of course. But letting your hair color go natural seems to suit you. As for myself, I never colored my hair and just let it go to salt & pepper and then silvery white. So I transitioned naturally, and now I like what I see in the mirror. Plus the new silvery white hair gave me an opportunity to rethink and redo the colors in my closet! A win-win. Hope your husband continues to improve. So stressful to experience health problems.
I tried going gray several years ago by having my stylist dye the whole thing gray. I stuck with it for a while but I just felt so washed out that I went back to blonde which I had been all my life. I hate the expense of the color too but I haven’t been able to to bring myself back to grey. Maybe if I just let it grow out naturally it will look better. I already wear bright lipstick and full makeup most of the time. You’ve encouraged me to try again, so maybe I will!
Dyed gray is quite different than what mother nature gives you. Let us know how it goes
Hope your husband gets well quickly and your sleep gets back to normal.
Firstly what a great article for going gray!! My GG (going gray) journey started during the pandemic when my workplace shifted from in office to WFH. My salon was closed and I was already reducing the highlighting process of my darker strands. I took the opportunity to grow my short hair out and boldly stop coloring it as well. By the time I retired in 2022 it was longer and naturally lighter. I am lucky that my grays come in as a frost with two thicker areas at the temples. As an ex hairdresser in an earlier life 😳 I knew how to treat my changing hair texture and color. My hair is pretty healthy. The challenge I am seeing now is my fair skin not looking washed out w/o makeup. Enter tinted moisturizer sunscreen for the win. And I’ve always been a lipstick girl so there’s that! Thanks for all of you articles. I believe you’re the first 60+ stylist I have been following to actually make me feel like I’m being seen!
Thanks for being here Diane. We are all stronger together.
I love your hair! You look youthful and current.
Thanks Barbara
Will be praying for your husband’s full recovery❣️
Thank you
I’m a redhead & always loved my hair. But at 50 or so, it started to turn dull – not really red or gray! I colored it for several years, but when Covid hit I let it go natural. Now I just use highlights & I’m happy with that. I find I do have to wear blush & lipstick to brighten my face though. BTW, I think your hair is lovely!
Thanks! I need lipstick too, but I’ve always loved wearing it so that’s not a problem for me
I am a 70 year old brunette, I have hardly any gray, but what I have just dulls my brown. My solution is to highlight. My stylist does a good job of adding enough “gray-like” strands that brightens up my hair.
Your hair color looks beautiful on you, and it almost looks like it has taupe-ish highlights. During the pandemic, I stayed away from my hair salon for 14 months until I was fully vaccinated. I did not color or cut my hair, and I only trimmed my bangs. My hair did not go completely gray, and the strands that still had color were brassy. I thought about coloring it completely gray, but both my hairdresser and I thought that was too draining for my complexion, so I went back to the medium to dark brown. The other lesson I learned is that long hair only looks good on me as long as I tie it back, so I went back to my shoulder length bob. Despite the fact that my husband supported of either look, he was relieved by my decision! Maybe I’ll try again in another 5-10 years.
Sounds like you made the perfect choice for you
I chose to go gray in my mid forties….I had dabbled with coloring my hair in the past but was happy to go “natural”, no more dyes, no roots “showing”, no frequent and expensive hair appointments….it was a kind of freedom.
I started embracing my white hair at 65 during Covid & kept it! I get a lot of compliments.
Team gray here. I stopped coloring in my late 40s (10+years ago) due to the upkeep. It turned brassy and roots showed in two weeks. I’m a fair skinned dark brunette and I think that’s a color combo that’s hard to get right without looking harsh. I happen to think my (and others’) salt and pepper is striking and beautiful! I agree it’s a harder call for other hair colors. I’ve had to adjust the colors I wear a bit (darker side of my palette) but man they pop with the silver and a bright lip!
I bet they do! I’ve always loved salt and pepper hair
I thought for over a year about the decision to stop highlighting, low lighting, and fighting my gray hair… and decided that at 73, did I want to spend the $$$ and time in the chair every 4 weeks to achieve this look? My answer was NO!!!
I have just started my natural hair color journey… thank you for the tips for shampoo and conditioning as I transition, and the tips for thinning hair, too! Also how to navigate colors and makeup to wear in this process…far so good!
Good luck, Sarah. I bet your hair will be stunning
I was a natural blonde but as I grew older my hair was more ashy.I started going blonder in my thirties and continued into my early seventies.
So a few years ago I let it go natural and have had many compliments on my hair color more than when I was coloring my hair.
I call it grey-beige and I am very happy with the color and low maintenance!
It sounds lovely
My older brother and I have similar coloring and when he went gray I saw how good it looked.
So I went short it grew out first salt and pepper but now it’s white. I still have thick, wavy hair and get compliments all the time which I never did when I dyed it.
I have been gray for over 5 years and I love it. The color is more flattering than the brown (although it was my natural color). I used to be very tan and now stay out of the sun and the white in my hair makes me look less pale. Lipstick is a must.
I’ve got about 3” of natural hair color now at 70. It is salt and pepper and nice highlights in front. Darker in the back. I tried to go grey at 60 but didn’t have enough. My hair then looked liked wet cardboard. I am a fall, with low contrast and loved my more golden highlights that I used to get but I’m on a number of meds that made me decide to stop coloring. I also use Bosley and it does help hair grow in at my hairline etc. So my big challenge now is getting those blond highlights out, without cutting my hair down to 3”. Also, this natural ashy color is making me reevaluate makeup and clothing choices but fall colors still seem to be working. Will check again when hair fully grown out. I love reading your tips about this and look forward to hearing what others say. Also, my corn silk straight hair has become very wavy, but not enough to wear it that way. Lots of changes here and I’m trying to embrace them all, with tips from you and your readers.
So glad you’re here with us Mudra! My readers are the very best
During the pandemic, I gave up on coloring my hair. Cold turkey. When everything had grown out, I was left with brown hair with streaks of gray, and one large gray stripe framing my face. My stylist loved it so much that she took a photo of it. She says she shows it to customers who are worried about going gray. She even had a younger client who wanted something more dramatic, so she showed her my picture and actually colored her hair with a gray/platinum stripe! Gray is the new blonde.
Lol, gray is the new cool!
Oh Jennifer i hope your husband is better. Very worrisome. About grey, I had not much choice. Continuous rounds of chemo rendered me bald snd scrawny (twice). I opted for no more color as I was then 69, and tired of maintaining strawberry blonde, although it was beautiful and the color was perfect for me. My hair eventually grew in a gorgeous silver salt and pepper with white highlights. People ask me all the time if it is salon color. When it got past the corkscrew stage, I got a pixie. Then I grew it out almost to mid neck length and got my short bob back at last, after four years. Skin tone changes too, I must wear lipstick now. I know I look older but I am! No one real looks 40, 50, or even 60 forever. Stay in as good a physical shape as you can and try new things. Never quit and never stop learning!
So sorry to hear about your chemo. And twice! I agree, we should never stop learning and growing. Thanks for sharing
I’m a brunette so gray hair would be a huge change for me. I’m still sticking with the dye, but I have found that I’ve lightened the color over the years. My hair, dyed to its natural color, is just too stark. Honestly, I don’t foresee a time that I would voluntarily go gray. I just feel younger and more put together with my colored hair. That being said, many of my friends went gray during Covid, and it think it looks great on them (and on you too, Jennifer!) As you said, it’s a personal choice and every one of us has to decided what’s best for us.
Hi Jennifer,
I decided to “go gray” when I retired at 65. My hairdresser had me grow out my roots for 6 weeks, then “colored” my dyed hair to match my roots, both light and dark. That made the growing out period much easier. I entered the salon a redhead, and left with gray. A couple of years later my hair is all natural gray. What’s fun is I get tons of compliments! People want to know where I get my color done. I love my gray hair. I keep it styled in a layered bob. It’s easy and fast to style, and way less upkeep. And it looks great.
What a smart way to transition
I hope all is going better for you and your husband…….must have been scary. I think you should just find something easy to post or discuss and maybe reader feed back topic and ideas. Don’t try to over due or keep up, a break is ok now and then.
Here is a topic to discuss…..I hate clothes closet cleaning and procrastinate maybe I need some suggestions to motivate me.
Thanks Robin. He is doing much better already so I am greatl relieved
I am 67 and never dyed my hair. I only permed many many years ago when that was the thing. I have many shades now of blond and grey and its crazy but people now think I am doing things to it no but I also have always had thick hair.
This is a hard one. I often think about letting my hair go natural, but I would look like Pepe Le Pew, my crown is white, but the rest of my hair is still darkish brown. I have tried to go lighter, but it goes too brassy and I look washed out. The trick is not having my hair too dark which is harsh against my complexion. When I see movie stars who were brunette, now a honey or caramel brownish blonde, I am envious, but should imagine they spend a great deal of time and money in a hairdressing salon
I bet they spend a fortune on it too
Hoping a complete recovery for your husband and rest for you.
Thank you Jane