Understanding & Embracing Grey Hair

We have been flying the flag for grey, for silver, white, salt and pepper, dye free hair since 2013. Without a doubt, a grey revolution is happening. While there is still a way to go, there’s a movement, a shift in attitude in recent years towards grey hair.

More and more, we see aspirational women in the media proudly rocking their natural hair (as they should!) Helen Mirren, Andie Macdowell, Jamie Lee Curtis…the list goes on. We have seen the growth of hashtag trends: #grombre, #silverlining, #greyhairdontcare, #silversisters, etc., and communities popping up all over the world celebrating the freedom, the liberation and the chic choice to stop dyeing and embrace your grey hair. We love it.

We love being part of the change! 

At White Hot, we celebrate choice. Whether that is to ditch the dye or not, we urge our community to be themselves, show up in whatever way makes them feel best and happiest. Going dye-free can feel a daunting choice, of course, but leaning into your natural self and embracing the grey revolution can leave you feeling more you that ever.

Why Does Hair Turn Grey?

Let’s start simply. Why does our hair change colour?

Well, as we age, our hair follicles produce less pigment. This is different for everyone. Some people’s hair goes grey sooner than others; it isn’t completely down to age. It is pretty much all genetic. Statistically, men tend to have more grey hair than women, but the general consensus is that by 50, most people’s hair is at least 50% grey. So, it’s everywhere!

Should You Go Grey?

If you have always dyed your hair, the thought of stopping, ditching your dye appointments and embracing your natural colour can feel scary. We get it. So much of how we feel about ourselves depends on what we see in the mirror, and particularly  as women, we're often fed an ‘anti-ageing’ narrative filled with opinions, stereotypes, judgement and pressure, making us feel trapped in the cycle of dyeing. 

A simple piece of advice we always start with when people are wondering whether to ditch the dye, is to ‘change what’s in your head, before you change what’s on your head’.

If you’re constantly feeding yourself negative thoughts on going grey and how ‘ageing’ it is, how you’re letting yourself go and crumbling into old age, it won’t be a positive, empowering experience.

If, instead, you decide to tell yourself a different story, that grey hair is a stylish, liberating, chic colour choice, with the potential to express your individuality, grow your confidence and celebrate who you are, your experience will be far more positive. Easier said than done, but a great place to start. 

We haven’t heard of anyone who fully committed to ditching the dye and going grey regretted it. Instead, they've found it has helped them explore their personal style and accept themselves as they are. 

Grey Hair as a Style Statement

Some of the key ways to love your grey hair are to experiment with fashion, styles and colours that enhance your hair. We’ve found that vibrant blues, greens, pinks and yellows all look fabulous against silver hair and a dusting of bronzer or a pink lipstick can help us feel put together, glamorous and make our hair feel even better.

Customer Hairstyles from Instagram

The best places to get inspiration are Instagram and Pinterest. Here are a few of our favourite cuts from customers recently....

 

Grey Hair Myths – Busted!

These are the biggest myths we hear all the time:

Grey hair is ‘ageing’. Firstly, what does that even mean? We don’t see getting older as a negative and that to age is to look worse. So we reject that idea instantly!

Secondly, we actually find that embracing your natural hair colour can cause you to look and feel more youthful and vibrant. Your natural hair colour actually suits you best, often inspiring you to try out new makeup colours and clothing that enhance your skin tone and hair colour. 

Grey hair needs purple shampoo with every wash. It doesn’t! Less is more when it comes to purple shampoo. We suggest using a creamy white formula (Glorious Shampoo and Luminous Conditioner) as your regular cleanse, to nourish and boost shine, then swap in a soft violet shampoo (Brilliant Shampoo) every few washes to combat brassiness.

The darker the purple shampoo, the brighter your hair will be. Totally not the case! In fact, our purple shampoo is a soft violet formula, gently brightening. Many people that over-use purple shampoos that are dark and inky find that their hair feels more dull and darker. 

Grey hair is always unruly and totally unmanageable. This is most definitely not true. Yes, grey hair can feel more coarse and dry (not always, but sometimes), but with a great hydration routine and the right products for grey hair, your hair will feel in better condition than when you were dyeing it. 

Grey hair is a boring, dull, draining colour choice. Quite the opposite! One of the many reasons we love grey hair is that no one’s hair is the same. One head of grey hair can have many different colours running through it, meaning each and every person’s hair is unique and beautiful. Shining silvers, darker salt and pepper sections and sparkling white strands, it’s actually far more interesting than a blanket dye colour!

Community and Confidence: You’re Not Alone

A major thing we have noticed since launching White Hot over a decade ago is that there are huge waves of support and amazing communities celebrating grey hair or dye free hair. There is always someone who can help you along your journey, offering advice, tips and lifting you up along the way.

Follow hashtags on Instagram, like #greyhairdontcare, #ditchthedye, or #grombre, and get inspired. Join a community, such as ours on Facebook or Instagram, or follow blogs such as ‘That’s Not My Age’ for wonderful style tips. 

We receive positive messages every day from customers who've ditched the dye, and if you don’t believe us, just take it from them: 

"I am 72 and stopped colouring my hair over 10 years ago. I have never regretted it, it's so much easier to look after." - Ann

"I absolutely love my natural colour now! Wish I’d been brave enough to let it come through sooner. So many people ask me what colour I have it dyed - they can’t believe it isn’t." - Sarah

"Started going grey in my late teens and coloured it till I was 42, I’m 45 now and love my salt and pepper, it’s in the best condition it’s ever been!" Alison

Conclusion – Embrace Your Grey Journey

So, think you’re ready to take the plunge?

The empowering jump into liberation and freedom?

It’s great here, we think you’d love it. But the best part? Nothing is permanent. If you decide it isn’t for you, you can always go back… but we haven’t heard anyone wanting to.

So now you'll need our Guide to Transitioning to Grey Hair!