Women seem to be ditching hair dye to embrace their natural grey. It’s a trend that Ottawa salon owner Bruno Racine has seen an increase in over the past year. “The wait to see their stylist, due to COVID-19, encouraged so many women to grow out their silver mane. There was a curiosity about how it would look, along with a desire to save money and time.”
To make the full transition to silver, Bruno says that a client should already have over 75% natural grey and recommends either a colour process for longer hair or a fresh chop.
He suggests a rich shampoo and conditioner, plus a weekly hair mask to manage the naturally wiry and more unruly hair. An anti-yellow shampoo and conditioner will ensure grey hair stays bright and clear of unwanted hues.
Meet some of the Ottawa women who decided to embrace their shades of grey, long before the pandemic.
MANDY GOSEWICH
Owner STUNNING! Fashion + Accessories
@stunningottawa
5 YEARS DYE FREE
What sparked your grey hair journey?
My best friend started to go grey and not only did I admire the freedom but I started to do the math—the time plus the cost of my monthly salon visits.
What helped you through the transition?
I went surfer blond to help with the transition and The Kinki Curls product from Nana’s Beauty Boutique really helped to make my curls more defined as I grew out my grey (available at nanasfnb.com).
What do you love most about going grey?
I feel that I am more of my authentic self than ever before.
JULIA ROBILLARD
VP Marketing Robillard Hearing Centres
8 YEARS DYE FREE
What sparked your grey hair journey?
My scalp was inflamed and irritated all the time and my hair started aggressively thinning. I really struggled when I spoke to someone and their eyes constantly wandered to my “greying” part line.
What helped you through the transition?
I changed my hairstyle to a short-angled bob and got fit for a brunette wig with the same short bob style allowing me to feel confident and comfortable to see clients and do commercials.
What do you love most about going grey?
My scalp feels healthy, I save time at the salon, I feel really happy and confident about being natural yet most importantly, it makes me feel close and connected to my mum, nicknamed the “silver fox.”
LYNN SHABINSKY
Lifestyle blogger & yoga teacher
@whitehairwisdom
13 YEARS DYE FREE
What sparked your grey hair journey?
After 25 years of colouring my hair I had had enough, I was ready to embrace my true colours. I felt if it was good enough for the majority of men, it was good enough for me.
What helped you through the transition?
I used a chemical free colour for the first two months and then I just went cold turkey.
What do you love about going grey?
I have truly never looked back, in making the choice to go silver, I found my authentic self.
ALISON HUGHES
Stylist & Owner of Boutique Fete
@alistylinhughes
7 YEARS DYE FREE
What sparked your grey hair journey?
Post Chemotherapy I was just so happy to have hair, I said I would take whatever grew back in, just as it was.
What helped you through the transition?
After completing my cancer treatment I decided to use as few chemicals as possible in my ‘beauty routine’ and as the grey grew in, I got super positive responses which encouraged me to keep letting it grow in.
What do you love about going grey?
Not having to worry about my roots every three weeks and hopefully inspiring other women to consider letting their grey locks shine!
DR. KAREN J. DOVER MD
CEO & President of Dr. Karen J. Dover MD, Laser and Cosmetic Medicine
13 YEARS DYE FREE
What sparked your grey hair journey?
Once my vivid silver roots were growing in faster than the dye stain could fade from the skin at my hairline, I knew it was time!
What helped you through the transition?
My commitment to the natural process, knowing that my own hair was healthier, happier, and more me; the sheen and the hue of my white/silver complemented my skin tone beautifully.
What do you love about going grey?
While the white colour has shifted to a heightened brilliance, some areas have actually darkened, so I now enjoy gorgeous natural contrasts, which I just can’t get from a bottle.
KIM MCDIARMID
Founder at Runway Unlimited
Professional Model: Montreal, Toronto, Paris
@kimmcdiarmidofficial
10 YEARS DYE FREE
What sparked your grey hair journey?
Sitting in the hairdresser’s chair one day getting my colour done, I had a revelation that I needed to be more honest with myself. My dark hair no longer reflected the woman I was, my experience or confidence.
What helped you through the transition?
My hairdresser put two platinum streaks in the front to help transition and then spent most of my time in a ponytail for approximately 18 months.
What do you love about going grey?
The most powerful part of being silver is that I get to decide what beauty and relevance means to me and not what society dictates. The fact that I can inspire others to do the same is both gratifying and humbling.
