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Women Are Ditching the Dye Embracing the Gray

Returning to their roots feels honest and powerful

(Left to right) Jamie Lee Curtis, Andie MacDowell and Jane Fonda Leon Bennett/Getty Images; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images; Todd Owyoung/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Andie MacDowell set tongues wagging recently when she strutted down the L’Oréal Paris runway rocking a one-shouldered sequin and marabou-trimmed gown with a thigh-high slit. And it wasn’t just the sexy flash of leg that captured the public’s imagination: It was the riot of silver curls that tumbled from the 64-year-old’s head like anti-ageist freedom fighters. MacDowell isn’t alone in embracing her roots. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker was spotted shooting And Just Like That ... with a little more of her natural gray peeking through her famous mane. (“I can’t spend time getting base color every two weeks. Can’t do it. Nope. Too much,” she told Allure magazine.) The Wall Street Journal dubbed the stereotype-defying trend for women to go gray at work the new “power move.” Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

A color correction

For many women, the offered an opportunity for a reset. While some took matters into their own hands during lockdown, attempting to themselves, many did what MacDowell did — let nature take its course — and never looked back. (MacDowell was inspired to let her roots grow in during quarantine when her daughters said the silvery regrowth looked “badass.”) In addition to saving countless hours and thousands of dollars, eschewing biweekly appointments in your colorist’s chair can simplify your daily routine. “When I was coloring my hair, I used to get blowouts all the time because my hair was so dry and damaged from all the color,” says Cindy Weber Cleary, a New Jersey–based fashion consultant (and former fashion director of InStyle). “Now I can just let my hair air-dry. It’s so much healthier that I don’t even need to use hot tools. The texture is softer and silkier than it’s been for years.” Thinking about kissing your colorist goodbye? We asked the experts for some tips on how to minimize the uncomfortable grow-out phase. (Left to right) Color Wow Root Cover Up; Kiss Quick Cover Gray Hair Touch Up Amazon; Walmart

1 Allow at least two months of regrowth

There is no getting around the fact that regrowth — which, depending on your level of gray, can look like somebody spray-painted your hairline — is an awkward but necessary step. Hair grows about half an inch per month, so it will take a while for this transition to be complete. To make regrowth less obvious during this phase, spray or dab on a tonal root touch-up product. “I love Color Wow [Root Cover Up; $35, amazon.com] and use it myself,” says NYC colorist Sharon Dorram. “It blends in perfectly and completely covers the gray.” Another option: Kiss Quick Cover Gray Hair Touch Up ($16, walmart.com). Entertainment Access curated AARP entertainment articles, essays, videos, films and more See more Entertainment offers >

3 Consider herringbone highlights

By adding a few warm and cool tones during the grow-out phase, you can camouflage that strong gray demarcation line, says Dorram. This is a great, low-maintenance compromise for people who might not be willing to go fully gray, but don’t want to spend half their lives in a salon chair. “Instead of going every three to four weeks, you can then stretch it to every four to five months,” says Dorram. (Left to right) Jamie Lee Curtis and Jane Fonda Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images (2)

4 Get frequent haircuts

Of course, the fastest way out of this awkward phase is to get a once you have a solid three to four months of regrowth. For inspiration, look no further than . If that feels too extreme, consider a slightly longer style like the one worn by Jane Fonda. Whatever length you settle on, get your ends trimmed every five to six weeks to keep hair looking fresh, Dorram advises. (Left to right) L’Oréal Paris EverPure Shampoo; Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Shampoo; Aveda Shampure Nurturing Shampoo Walmart; Target; Aveda

5 Baby your gray

Gray hair can be fragile and dry, so once it has fully grown out, lay off the hot styling tools and switch to a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo like L’Oréal Paris EverPure Shampoo ($8, walmart.com), Aveda Shampure Nurturing Shampoo ($19, amazon.com) or Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Shampoo ($9, target.com). Allowing hair to air-dry will help keep it soft and silky. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Amy Synnott is an award-winning writer and former Executive Editor of Elle. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, The New York Post and Women's Health, among other publications. MORE FROM AARP AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Restaurants offers > See more Travel Planning offers > See more Entertainment offers > See more Groceries offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS