How I transformed my dark brunette hair to my natural gray
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18 months of gray growth
I was successful blending the gray into my dark brown hair
I started growing out my gray in April 2019. I’ve learned so much about the process.
I’d been coloring my hair at home since my 20s. I lightened it, made my naturally auburn hair a copper penny red, crayon red, magenta and dark brown. In the last few years I started to notice my color wasn’t covering my gray very well. I started using a high gray coverage light brown color that left my hair very dark and one tone. My gray roots were showing noticeably in 7-10 days and my coloring process was taking about an hour. I was having to stop and color my hair during vacations and before important events. I met a woman with beautiful salt and pepper gray hair one day. She told me she had grown it out 10 years before when she was 50 after visiting Taos, New Mexico and seeing all the beautiful, long haired, gray women there. I started to notice so many #silversisters on Instagram with beautiful gray hair.
As I could see it, I had three options to growing out my gray
Have all of my colored hair cut off to a super short hair cut
Go ‘cold turkey’ - this works well for blondes but the skunk stripe look is tough for brunettes
Get highlights to blend it in while I was transitioning
I decided to have my hair highlighted and toned three times over 6 months. This took my dark hair down to a sort of mushroom, ashy blonde and then an ash platinum blonde that blended well into my newly grown out gray hair. I suggest you find the highest rated colorist in you area and meet for a consultation. Some stylist are against going gray and you will need a supportive ally in this process. I chose Meagan at Blonde Faith Salon in Austin, TX based on the reviews and instagram photos of her work.
My First Full Highlight Appointment
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The first time I had it highlighted all over and toned an mushroom, ash blonde. I was happily surprised by the amount of dark color my colorist was able to remove. The color lighten even more over time. Taking so much dark hair color out of my hair left it a bit damaged. I loved the results I got from using Nexxus Keraphix masque right after my highlights but was warned it could cause damage if used too often or with high heat styling. I started air drying my hair 80% dry before blow drying on the lowest setting and using an adjustable curling iron and straightening iron on 300 to 320 degrees. I also used Moroccan Oil Restorative Hair Mask and Moroccan Oil Heat Protect and Prevent Spray to limit the damage to my hair.
My Second Highlight Appointment - Month 3
My second salon visit was to lighten my hair more and blend in my gray growth. I had a “halo highlights” or basically what you see when your hair is in a pony tail without the touching middle layer and again I had all of my hair toned to get rid of any brassiness. I had a bit of length cut off my hair to get rid of the oldest colored hair and the damaged ends from all of the lightening, The first two photos above are at the salon and the second two are a few weeks later after it began to lighten more.
I began maintaining my light blonde hair, with Christophe Robin Baby blonde conditioner using it mostly on the highlighted old growth and avoiding my natural gray new growth. It keeps my hair the perfect shade of platinum blonde and takes the brassiness out of my dark strands. (See the post purple conditioner results 3rd and 4th photo above) I have also used Overtone Vibrant Silver on my blonde highlighted ends to make them less brassy and match my gray roots. It’s gentle and works well but is a bit more messy than the Christophe Robin conditioner. I prefer these conditioners instead of purple conditioners because the purple shampoos I tried left my scalp itchy and made my gray roots too purple.
Update: My new favorite shampoo is the French brand Klorane anti yellowing shampoo for the fact it’s not purple but it makes my hair look white and shiny.
My Third and Final Particle Highlight Appointment - Month 7
My third salon visit was 7 months after I started growing out my gray. It was to add a few more highlights on only the top layer of my hair to soften the line between my gray growth and highlighted ends. I had a toner washed through my hair to tone down the brassy color in the old growth of my hair. After 7 months of growth it was obvious where I had dark patches of hair so my stylist avoided any highlights in those areas. I also had a haircut to remove more dark ends and a bit of damaged hair.
My Transition During Months 8 - 12
I have not had any more highlights or hair cuts since the 7 month point. I have toned my hair at home once just to try and tone down the brassy ends of my hair at the 9 month mark. I used a 10 volume developer and Wella Blonder Permanent Liquid Toner for about 10 minutes to give a more ashy tone to the old growth on my hair. Please note: If you are not experienced in mixing dye for your own hair I would go to a professional or at the least do a strand test on a small hidden area of hair. This can damage your hair permanently if done incorrectly.
My twin started at the same time but had different results
My twin transitioned her hair lightening faster than I did. While she achieved her final results quicker than I did, she also had more damage to her hair. She highlighted all of her hair at home at the same time I had my first professional highlight. She had all over professional highlights soon after her at home highlights. She did not have to go through all of the stages of gray growth showing but the damage to her hair was significant. She was forced to cut much of her hair length. She suggests going to a professional if you are wanting have heavy highlights or a drastic color change. She would also advise you to take the process a bit slower than she did.
We both learned that this process takes a lot of patience, a lot of conditioning treatments and you have to be willing to lose some of the length off your hair. My twin loves to use coconut oil as a hair mask. I tried it and it works great! it has worked wonders on our hair without feeling greasy when you wash your hair. I would suggest you grow your gray roots out as long as you can stand it before you begin this process. It lets you see where your gray is and lets you do the least amount of highlights. The longer you can go without highlighting the healthier your hair will be.
Looking back at my year going gray
I would definitely do this again. I no longer have to worry about touching up my roots before special events or stopping on vacation to color my hair. I was spending more than an hour a week stuck coloring my roots. I will be able to skip my Summer highlights appointment this year! I’m pleased to see I have a mix of dark and light hair. I have more gray on the top and in the front of my hair with darker hair underneath. I’ve gotten many reactions to my decision, some were pretty bad. I got lots of comments about how it would make be look old. Who was I trying to fool with my dark, one tone hair? I plan to enjoy my natural hair color. The only down side is that I have realized I need to style my hair every time I wash it. I used to let my hair be naturally wavy and just trow it up in a pony tail. Natural hair doesn’t have the coating of color to smooth the cuticle. If I leave my hair to dry naturally I have to condition it heavily and add a hair oil like Moroccan oil to the ends. I alway use heat protector and turn my straitening or curling iron to 300-320 degrees. My hair is growing back in spots where it was thinning. I feel like it’s healthier and thicker now.
How long does it take?
I get this question a lot. I’ve been growing my hair out for a year and the gray is just below my ears. At 18 months my gray hair was shoulder length. I have light blonde ends with white highlights so the old growth blends well with my gray.
Check out the 18 women on Instagram who inspired and encouraged my transformation
Please leave me a comment below if you have any questions or to share your experience, Lisa
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