CG Transitioning to Gray

WavyC · March 2015

Hi, guys, this is my first post! I'm 52 and I've been wanting to stop coloring my 2A-B wavy hair (currently dirty blonde/light brown). I follow the curly girl method—no sulfates, silicones, brushing, or terry cloth. I can't stand the idea of the demarcation line as the grey comes in. Any cg-friendly tips on how to ease that part? Also, during the transition, did your curls/waves change in any way? Get less curly, more curly, frizzy, thinner, etc.? Thanks!

jeepcurlygurl · March 2015

HI WavyC. Just go down the topics list here and you will find other transitioning threads for lots of tips.
My 3B hair has become more 3A since it has gone grey (but my hair is also longer so that could be part of that change) and some of the hairs stick straight out, but really it's nothing dramatic and haven't changed my routine.

MJsChillin · March 2015

Hey! Congrats on your decision to go natural with your color! I stopped coloring my hair in December and have about two inches of silver/salt & pepper at my roots with the rest of my hair in varying shades of dark auburn to brassy red at the ends (faded out color

). It's challenging, but I'm determined to see it through.

Tip: I've taken to wearing my hair in a high pony tail, which accentuates the silver around my face and doesn't draw attention to the dreaded "line." This is my first style choice because when down, the line of demarcation is visually unbearable for me.

Tip: Wear headbands to cover the line -- most of the ladies here have suggested this approach and it's the best advice I've received. Headbands really helped when my hair wasn't long enough to stay in the pony tail.

Otherwise, when headbands and pony tails aren't appropriate (business meetings for me), I found two products that help:

1--When the new growth was about an inch long, I used a brush on powder product called WOW. It blended well enough to take the line away. I think this product is intended for people who want to cover the grey in between coloring, so it's too laborious after your roots grow out longer than 1/2-1 inch.

2--I moved to another product when the roots got too long to brush on the powder concealer. "Rita Hazan Root Concealer for gray coverage-temporary color spray." This "spray paint" takes away the line enough to keep people from staring at your scalp instead of looking you in the eye

Full disclosure--I use it rarely because I don't like the matted feeling it leaves, and I have to shampoo each time I use it. I don't have to go to the office every day anymore, thank goodness, because this is the most challenging part of the process.

I hope this info helps! Hang in there! The results will be fabulous!

rbb · March 2015

the pony tail is a great idea. any way of pulling your hair off your face and letting the gray be around it with the color part in back works best i think.
i did use headbands for MONTHS -- first to cover the gray, then when it got longer, to just frame my face with gray and have the dyed part in back. braids, twists, clips can be used this way and i think looks good. well, good for transitioining.

WavyC · March 2015

Thanks, all! Your hair looks great. I actually haven't started yet. I have a few public speaking engagements in the next two months that I want to get out of the way first, because I'll be too self-conscious otherwise. I grew out my gray once before, and the transition was terrible. I've always been ambivalent about my hair, and I ultimately colored it again. But now that I found the curly girl method and have embraced my waves, I want to give it a try again and ditch the dye for good.

For headbands - are there any particular types you'd recommend? I'm finicky - hard or plastic headbands give me a headache, so I'd need the soft material kind.

rbb · March 2015

i used a mix of headbands, plastic and fabric. i agree about the plastic being annoying, but i liked the look of most of them. i bought fabric ones from drugstores, target..... thin and thick.

SpiralHam · March 2015

There are some interesting headbands on the market now that are fabric, but with a wire inside so that you can mold them to the shape you want them to be.

I haven't pulled the trigger on one yet, but really want to - I have this smallish head that "normal" headbands never seem to want to fit correctly. It might be a happy medium.

WavyC · March 2015

rbb wrote: »

i used a mix of headbands, plastic and fabric. i agree about the plastic being annoying, but i liked the look of most of them. i bought fabric ones from drugstores, target..... thin and thick.

Thanks, rbb. I'm going to start looking for some fabric ones. I'll feel better if I have something on hand when I get the ball rolling.

WavyC · March 2015

SpiralHam wrote: »

There are some interesting headbands on the market now that are fabric, but with a wire inside so that you can mold them to the shape you want them to be.

I haven't pulled the trigger on one yet, but really want to - I have this smallish head that "normal" headbands never seem to want to fit correctly. It might be a happy medium.

Thanks, SprialHam. That's exactly my problem, smallish head. I think the plastic ones just hit my head in the wrong places, and exert pressure, which leads to headaches.

CG Transitioning to Gray

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