A growing number of women are choosing to stop colouring their hair and instead transition to their natural grey or silver, with specialist salons reporting increased interest in services designed to make the process more manageable.
Jules Peacocke, director of Sydney-based silver specialist salon Lily Jackson, said many women find it difficult to stop dyeing their hair because of social expectations around ageing and appearance. She said the resistance was linked to “a little thing called the patriarchy”.
Although official figures are not kept, industry estimates suggest about three-quarters or more of Australian women dye their hair, mainly to cover grey. Concerns about looking older are a key reason, in a culture where women’s attractiveness is often associated with youth. Men with grey hair, by comparison, generally face less pressure to spend several hours in a salon every four to six weeks for a colour “touch up”, which can cost $250 or more.
Peacocke, 55, stopped dyeing her own hair 15 years ago and has spent the past 20 years advocating for “grey transitioning”. She describes the practice as an act of rebellion against conventional expectations and part of a growing “movement”. Her salon works with clients to wear their natural hair “in a way that’s not only beautiful but fashionable [with] a strong aesthetic”.
For women concerned about the visible line of regrowth, often called the “skunk line”, Peacocke recommends booking a consultation with a specialist once roots have grown to about two to three centimetres. That allows a stylist to assess the extent and pattern of the grey growth because, she said, “It’s different for everyone.”
In most cases, the transition involves blending or softening the regrowth band into the coloured hair as it grows out. Peacocke said the process typically takes 12 to 15 months and requires four or five salon visits. Clients can either let their natural hair come through or enhance silver streaks for a more striking result.
A faster option is also available, in which dyed hair is bleached and then coloured to a grey tone. However, Peacocke said she is cautious about that method because it can damage the hair and is not suitable for brunettes. At Lily Jackson, the treatment takes two to three days and costs about $2500 a day.
She also said hairstyle plays an important role once clients complete the transition. “you’ll need an incredible haircut. It’s the difference between looking older than you are and younger,” Peacocke said.
Women attempting the change at home can use temporary store-bought products that wash out, though Peacocke said they need to be applied regularly until the grey reaches the desired length. Another option is to stop colouring and use retouch sprays or powders to cover regrowth.
