11 Amazing BEFORE and AFTER Gray Hair Transformations

When I started my silver journey, I searched Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. And I was amazed to find the sisterhood of amazing women who support and cheer up each other.

And yet, even after finding thousands of brave women embracing their grey, I was still hesitant. They all look awesome! Their grey hair is amazing, but what about me? Can I pull it off? What if it makes me look older? What if I will look as if I let myself go? What if I look less attractive? What if everybody takes me for my son’s grandmother?

The truth is, most of us asked ourselves these questions. It is OK to feel insecure when you set on a new journey.

Here you will find 11 amazing women share their stories and inspiration with us.

 @bycaroleingrey

- What was your biggest fear before setting on a silver journey?

In 2017, I started having more and more allergies to hair coloring products. I couldn't bear the itching anymore! So I stopped to dye my hair on February 1, 2018, after discovering several silver sisters that had taken the plunge.

My biggest fear was enduring the transition period and how others would look at me. I was afraid of appearing neglected. However, I was not afraid that it would make me look old. My well-being and my health were a priority.

- What advice would you give to women who are on the fence about ditching the dye?

For women who are doubting whether to ditch dye, I advise them to listen to themselves and not to take into account the negative opinions of others. It's hard to resist social pressure but not coloring your hair anymore is real liberation, saving time and money.

As a result, I gained more self-confidence and it allowed me to assert myself with my natural hair.

Today I only have positive feedback and I am proud of my hair! 

@silvermama68 

- What was your biggest fear before setting on a silver journey?

When I decided to let my silvers shine, my biggest worry was looking like my daughter’s grandmother. Living in a military community, most of the moms were at least 10 years younger than me.

During the transition, I used hair color sprays and hats. I was asked numerous times if I was the grandma rather than the mother.

I kept on. Tired of hours at the salon, big $$, and my hair was dry and frizzy. It was my motivation. 

- What advice would you give to women who are on the fence about ditching the dye?

I cannot express how amazing my hair is now. Healthy and shiny and my curls bounce. My silver strands give me confidence. Instead of shying away from compliments, I smile and say, “thank you!” It is absolutely worth it. 

@silver.hair.and.long.lashes

- What was your biggest fear before setting on a silver journey?

Honestly, I think my biggest fear was that people would gawk at me and pass judgment. 

My journey actually started back in 2009 and has been a yo-yo like an experience since then. I’d let my silvers shine, dye it again on a whim, then grow the silvers out again then, you guessed it, dyed again. 

It wasn’t really until my peers began to comment on my silvering hair that it really sunk in. I have something special. My silvers are a part of who I am. They are unique. I imagine folks did look at me funny and judge me while I transitioned to a full head of silver. 

But the beautiful thing is now I just do not care what they think/thought. I love my hair and would grow it out a million more times if I had to!

- What advice would you give to women who are on the fence about ditching the dye?

Find your community of support! For me, this is an amazing group of silver sisters on Instagram. The constant encouragement and cheer you get from your sisters will be a huge help. Take a look at their journeys and what they did to make it through the grow out. However, please do not compare your silvers/greys/whites to someone else’s. Embrace your own unique strands. 

A good quote to start by is: “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” 

@mirandaparker

- What was your biggest fear before setting on a silver journey?

Biggest fear - being judged. Yes, it did happen. But through the course of the journey, you learn to embrace yourself and your decision and gain so much confidence along the way. The judgment rolls off your back eventually!

- What advice would you give to women who are on the fence about ditching the dye?

Advice - Do it. Stay strong. It’s worth it! There is so much freedom in embracing your silver strands. Not being tied to and scheduling your life around hair appointments.

I found that I really loved the color that came in even more than my dark hair. In the beginning, you will receive criticism, in the end, you’ll receive compliments. Way more than before!

@silverbeauty.michelle 

- What was your biggest fear before setting on a silver journey?

I've been in the fashion industry for my entire working career, first as a Clothing Designer and now as a Personal Wardrobe Stylist. Years ago, both were mostly about beauty and image. When I embarked on this journey, my biggest fear was that clients my age or older would think I was "letting myself go,” and my younger clients would not find me "relevant or relatable." 

Not true at all. I was an inspiration to both. Many of my clients followed suit and embraced their grey. My younger clients told me they wanted to be me when they got older. Today, it's the same because silver has become socially accepted, and even fashionable. 

- What advice would you give to women who are on the fence about ditching the dye?

Give it a try. People still stop me on the street either complimenting my hair or asking me who my colorist is because they want to emulate it. "It's all-natural," I say. You never know what pure beauty is going to show up, so you might as well go for it. And there is such a sisterhood of support that I didn’t have 6 years ago when I went silver. The bottom line is, if you don’t like it, you can always go back to coloring. 

@ericahjohnston 

- What was your biggest fear before setting on a silver journey?

My biggest fear was that my husband wouldn’t like silver on me. When you only see the “skunk stripe” (I dislike that description but it paints a vivid picture in the mind) every two weeks, it doesn’t give you a true idea of what you will look like with your natural hair grown out. My hubby loves my silver hair now, so thankfully my fear didn’t come true!

I have a ton of YouTube videos that I created to help women embrace their natural grey/silver/white locks. Surrounding yourself with likeminded ladies (silver sisters) really helps make the transition easier. 

- What advice would you give to women who are on the fence about ditching the dye?

Instagram is a great way to meet others. But, in reality, if you are on the fence about ditching the dye you might not be ready yet. And that’s okay! I really think there comes a time when you think to yourself, “That’s it! I’m sick of dyeing my hair!” and begin to dream about ways to stop. 

For me, having to dye my hair every two weeks was just tiring. I went grey when I was 16 years old and dyed my hair for over 22 years. It took me three years to finally feel like “myself” so I guess that’s my biggest piece of advice: Give yourself time to get used to the new “you”! 

@liz_kamarul 

- What was your biggest fear before setting on a silver journey?

I had no hesitations about letting my hair grow out, completely sick of having a white stripe down my roots every two weeks, and keep up with the color. Best decision I ever made.

- What advice would you give to women who are on the fence about ditching the dye?

Because my hair was naturally a very dark brown shade I decided to dye all of my hair light blonde so the transition was really seamless. I was 40% gray at the time. That would be my advice for anyone with dark hair. If you're already blonde you've got it easy. 

 @arianasilvergirl

- What was your biggest fear before setting on a silver journey?

I used to have several fears. But the main one was looking older. 

Surprisingly, this was not the case. I had been dyeing my hair for many years now and the reddish-brown shade I was getting was no longer appealing to me. I didn't feel like myself. 

So I decided to stop dying my hair. The beginning was a bit difficult as the contrast of colors in my hair was strong. However, the grey hair lit up my face in a way I hadn't imagined. So it was a happy surprise when the grey took over and the brown shade was gone. I found myself happy with my age and no longer wondering if I look old or not. I must say that I get more compliments about my hair today than ever before.

- What advice would you give to women who are on the fence about ditching the dye?

Becoming a silver sister takes time and patience. But, I believe the essential ingredient is a lot of self-love. Inevitably, you will sometimes get disapproving looks or disparaging remarks. You have to trust yourself! Rely on people who support you and love you unconditionally and above all regardless of your hair color.

Sharing with the silver sisters on Instagram has helped me a lot and is still helping me. Feel free to contact me or to get in touch with other gray-haired sisters who have embarked on this adventure. 

There is a lot to gain: the time spent dyeing your hair, the money, better hair quality by not putting chemicals on your head and you are also doing the right thing for the planet! 

Dare to be yourself, naturally! I wish you a very happy silver journey! 

@theresegoesgrey

- What was your biggest fear before setting on a silver journey?

My biggest fear of going gray was looking older than I actually was & how would this look with my coloring? I was a vibrant redhead & everything I wore was warm-toned, clothing, makeup, even my accessories.

I was also concerned about the color that I would end up having. Would it be dark gray, semi-gray, brown & gray, or white? I like to say going gray is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get! But I was very surprised by how well my color came in and how nicely it worked with my ruddy skin tone. I'm actually told I look brighter & younger with my gray hair by everyone! 

- What advice would you give to women who are on the fence about ditching the dye?

My advice to others thinking of going gray, just do it! Try it out, see what you get, give yourself enough growth & length to actually know what your color pattern is.

I even used an app to see what I'd look like with gray hair and that was super helpful as well. My hair is shinier, fuller and so healthy now.

I am so, so happy I took the plunge and went gray! 

When I decided to ditch the dye and go gray I didn’t really have a fear about it, I did wonder if I would like it or what people would say or think but I wouldn’t have called it fear. I went into it knowing I was determined to grow it all out and then decide for myself if I wanted to stay gray.

Did it come true? No, none of my worries or concerns came true and in fact, I was astounded by how much others and myself preferred my gray hair over my dyed hair.

- What advice would you give to women who are on the fence about ditching the dye?

The advice I always start with is that you have to decide what you want. If you strip away society’s, friend’s, and family’s expectations and decide this is something you want for you then 100% you need to go for it.

It’s not an easy or fast process and you will most likely hate what your hair looks like for months but the end result is beyond worth it all. The freedom from chasing your roots is marvelous. 

 

@drsusannguyen