Brush Stroke

How to Deal with an Unsupportive Stylist When You Are Going Gray on Purpose

katie goes platinum

Brush Stroke
Brush Stroke
Brush Stroke

MY IDEAL HAIRSTYLIST EXPERIENCE I moved to California as a newlywed in 1993 and started seeing my husband’s hairdresser, Andy, shortly thereafter.

Brush Stroke

Sitting in his chair was a treat. While he dyed and cut my hair, he’d tell me about his romantic shenanigans, and I’d fill him on crazy things that happened in my friend circle or at work.

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Years went by, and our chats stopped being about clubs and romance and started being about our children, dogs, spouses, and other topics of mutual interest. We never got tired of talking to each other.

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He always gave me whatever haircut or color I desired. Sometimes, if I had no ideas, I’d let him do whatever he wanted (within reason), and I was always happy with the results. Over the years, I occasionally mentioned a desire to go gray when I got older, but neither of us pursued the topic. Getting older always seemed so far away! To my dismay, a few years ago Andy retired and moved away.

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I found a new hairdresser who was known for being a great colorist. She wasn’t as easy to talk to as Andy, and her prices were much higher, but she came highly recommended and she was a super-talented colorist.

MY NEXT STYLIST: A GREAT COLORIST BUT ANTI-GRAY

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Occasionally, to save money, I’d do a box dye at home and return to the chair the next month feeling somewhat like a recalcitrant child. In my late 40s, after decades of dyeing my hair, I broached the idea of ditching the dye and going gray.

WHAT SHADE OF EYEBROW LOOKS BEST ON YOU?

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A close friend had gone gray in stages – she let a long strip of hair on either side of her face go undyed, and it looked very striking against her dark hair. When she was ready, she let the rest go undyed as well and it made the whole transition easier for her.

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