Is it time to grow out your grey?
Is this it? Are you finally ready to grow out your grey??
Ok, let’s talk.
Hi! I’m Lane - owner and stylist at Copper Lane Hair Studio in Red Deer, Alberta.
First of all, yay! I am seriously so happy and excited for you, as a pre-mature “greyer” myself I totally get the commitment thing. Seeing those sparklers just mere days after getting a colour is so annoying, and having that obvious re-growth line every 4-6 weeks gets old real fast... If Covid has taught us anything this year, it’s that covering those greys is essential, and when we were forced into a 3 month pause on life, our hair did not get the memo! And because of that, I have seen more clients decide to grow out their grey than ever before and I am loving the results! We have to look for the silver linings that Covid has offered us ....(see what I did there?! silver 😉) and I have to say I'm here for it.
Here are 6 things you need to know before taking the plunge..
1. You’ve Got Options
Let me break it down.
You know when you’re sharing directions on how to get somewhere, and there are numerous routes to take? The same applies to getting to the end result with your grey!
Here are a few of my suggestions:
Quit cold turkey: Fairly self explanatory, depending on the length of your hair you could be looking at anywhere from 6 months to a 3+ year commitment.
Lighten your base formula: This is a starting point for those that have medium brown or darker hair. In order to soften the re-growth line and get you ready to transition, we lighten the base (still covering the greys) typically for 3 -6 months before we start the full process. This prepares your hair for an easier shift when the time comes.
Add Highlights: Once we have a lighter base colour (or if starting with a lighter base colour) we then add highlights to break up that old colour. This is a crucial part in the process as the highlights are what give you that white look, and we have to get you light enough for the hair to receive whatever tone we are wanting. I'm telling you it is an exact science 🧪
2. Patience is a Virtue
Good things can take time.
Regardless of the option you choose, it's not going to happen overnight (unless you spend thousands of dollars and spend about 8-16 hours in my chair in 1 day!) Growing out your grey is a commitment of time and patience. In my opinion, the full grow out process for someone with dark brown medium-length hair would take 18-20 months, and lighter/shorter hair 9-18 months. There are exceptions to the rule, but generally speaking these are realistic numbers to work with.
3. There Is No Magic One-Size-Fits-All Formula
Your hair is as unique as you are.
This is a big one, as I have clients asking all the time," can't you just colour my hair grey?". The short answer is No.. The long answer, without trying to bore, is that there are so many contributing factors to making grey hair grey. Underlying pigment, your natural grey pattern, condition, texture, porosity, and the list goes on. Like I mentioned before, it is an exact science, and like a finger print or your own DNA, every head of hair is different, and requires a customized formulation.
4. You Get What You Pay For
Make the investment.
There is no denying that if you chose any option other than cold turkey, there is a financial commitment. Often, we are using multiple colour formulas, double toners, mixing up additional product to maintain the most even lightening possible, treatments added into your lightener to preserve the condition of your hair during the process. You’re also paying for our time and expertise to get you to your desired end result. I have to add that time is a big one! There is no way to speed up the process without seriously damaging the condition of your hair; slow and steady wins the race in the lighting game, every time.
5. Products Matter
Listen to your stylist.
Home care is crucial in maintaining your new beautiful grey hair at home! You have just invested time and money into getting this amazing colour done and the wrong product can undo so much of what we have worked so hard to achieve! An absolute must, no compromise in the grey world, is a good purple shampoo. Some are geared towards blondes, but this includes you too. This is going to help keep your hair crisp and bright, and help to combat brassiness or yellowing, caused by environmental elements and heat styling. That brings me to a second must: heat protector. This lil’ guy is important in keeping the integrity of your hair in tip-top shape, as well as keeping your colour/tone protected. There are obviously other product recommendations but these two, in my opinion, are a must.
6. This Isn’t Goodbye
…maintenance is key.
Congratulations!! You are now a full blown natural grey-haired beauty, and it is gorgeous! However, sun, heat, minerals, free radicals, pollution, and product build up still occur, and although you’ve never noticed these elements on your hair before, you are now working with a completely clean slate. Think about a freshly painted white wall being exposed to everything I’ve just listed, what do you think happens to that wall over time? It will likely need a fresh coat of paint every once in a while. A toner is often recommended at least once a year to brighten, and neutralize your colour, add shine, and restore it back to that beautiful grey you paid for. Alternatively, you may find yourself feeling a bit washed out, or lacking depth with your new colour, and guess what? That is totally ok! A few simple lowlights will always do the trick. Again, grey hair is a custom formula that may need a bit of tweaking until we get it just right for you.
So there you have it! Follow these 6 simple rules, and in no time you will be saying, “I’m so happy I grew my grey out when I did”.
I hope that I have helped give you some understanding about the process, and have answered a few questions you may have had along the way. If you have any further questions, want to book in for a consultation, or jump in with both feet in this growing-out process, let me know! I have opened up a few specific spots in my schedule to accommodate for new guests wanting to start the transition for 2021. Please call the salon to ask any questions or to schedule an appointment!
