Stop Dyeing Hair and Transition to Natural Gray to Save Money?
Can Transitioning to Natural Gray Hair Help Finances?
Money for travel is hidden in all sorts of strange places. It turns out, there's even travel loot sitting on top of your head!
Did you know that our recent Puerto Rico trip was funded by my decision to stop dyeing my hair? Calculate it like this: Hair coloring can cost between $80 and $200 per salon visit, and needs to be done at least eight times a year. Therefore, by cutting dyeing out of your life, you suddenly gain hundreds of free dollars a year! What would YOU do with an extra $1,000 a year?
Why Transition to Natural Gray Hair?
I come from a family of early gray-ers: fine folks who were silver foxes by college (as shown from this photo of my little brother). When I began to notice white lines peeking amid my brown tresses, I resisted coloration for a few years before succumbing to dyeing pressure.
For a while, coloring my hair made me happy. I felt fancy sitting in the salon chair, and sleek upon emerging with newly darkened locks. As the years of dyeing continued, however, I began to see the ugly facts.
First, it takes HOURS to get your hair dyed. I would go into the salon at 3pm and emerge at 6pm. Think of what else one could do during that time instead! Then there are the chemicals. Hair dye smells! You sit there with the goop on your head, inhaling and exhaling chemical compounds that dizzy the mind. It doesn't feel especially healthy.
Finally, there was the money. After a bad episode with home-dyeing kits, and two nasty encounters with a low budget salons, I had started to shell out big bucks on a high-end salon. The color work was impeccable (see my wedding photos for proof), but my budget was burning!
Saving Money and Time by a Salon Choice Switch
Given these three elements, when I got pregnant in February of 2013, I used the pregnancy as my excuse to stop dyeing my hair. Sure, having the chemicals near the fetus freaked me out, but mostly I was just sick of the whole coloration process.
That money and time were needed elsewhere! Happily, although my hair was ridiculously two-toned for the next year and a half (see the photo above!), I was able to use the excuse that I was pregnant, then that I was a harried new mother, to justify why I wasn't "taking care of myself" to the full extent of society's expectations.
It's now been 21 months since I stopped dyeing, and, thanks to a drastic and kind of awkward new haircut, I now only have a tiny tip left of the orange-brown that remains from my coloring craze. The rest of my hair has become what it truly is: 20% silver.
Effects of Having Gray Hair
Now, while I'm glad of my decision to stop coloring my hair, and especially thankful for the extra time and money the choice has produced, having naturally graying hair brings up some funny things.
First, my hair now acts and looks really different. It's unrulier, and the silver streaks show my frizzies more, making my head look more unkempt than it did before. See this funny photo for proof:
Seeming Older from Gray Hair
Second, I now "read" as older to the casual observer. I'm catcalled less, because catcalling and silver hair don't seem to mix, which is nice. However, sometimes I also feel a little less youthful and zingy, simply because I see myself at times the way I think others might see me due to the salt-and-pepper hair.
I mean, I wouldn't say my current mane looks amazing, but the silver is worth it for me because I can focus more on living my life! And when I'm really living, I forget what my hair looks like. At some angles, I even think the white streaks look cool-ly unique!
Should I Start Dyeing My Hair Again?
This makes me wonder, however: Will there come a point when it WILL be worth the time, money, and smell for me to dye my hair again? When my hair is 90% silver but my heart is still that of a young pup, will I begin to yearn to have the outside match what's inside again? And will my passionate refusal to wear makeup change over time for the same reasons?
In a way, it's neat that humans have these magic tricks (hair paint and face paint) to seem more youthful than nature intends, but on the other hand, I hate the idea that what people are meeting is a mask.
I get this image of them becoming used to me with dyed hair and makeup, then one day seeing the "real me" and shrieking. I'd rather just put the face (and head) forward that I actually have! And if I can save time and money in the process, even better.
Color Your Hair to Match YOUR Heart
I share this story not to command all folks to stop dyeing their hair, but rather to point out that we have more money for travel than we think. Each of us makes choices on how we spend our moolah, and a key in finding bonus moolah is identifying something in your life that you're spending money on which is not actually bringing you happiness or real value.
If dyeing your hair brings you happiness, please continue! (Whether that dye is brown or gives you bright purple and orange hair.) But if it's just a pain and you're doing it because you think you "should," why not try to allocate that money towards something more adventurous for a year to see what happens?
What Are YOUR Thoughts on Coloring Your Hair?
So now I'm aching to hear your thoughts and experiences. What choices have YOU made about beauty treatments versus putting money towards travel? What's your take on hair dyeing? Do tell!
2019 Update: I've started coloring my hair again! I want my outside to match my inner zest, and get annoyed when people "read" me as older than I feel. We'll see when I transition to gray again. My budget definitely looks forward to it.
2021 Update: I've stopped dyeing my hair again and am loving the silver streaks -- and all the money and time I'm saving!
Want more about hair? Check out our dramatic experience with head lice treatments -- plus tips on how to learn from the mistakes I made!
The author, Lillie Marshall, is a 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 4.2 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!
This has never occurred to me! Stumbled. :)
Thanks so much, Beth!
This post brings up a variety of great points! First off, I love your hair! When I see gray on a woman, I always think of Rogue from the X-men (she's my favorite cartoon heroine)! This makes me think of my own hair dying ways. I tend to do it once a year and I'll do something totally freaky with it like dye it black with blue high lights (I've contemplated purple ombre). I think this just comes from a place of wanting to stand out in my own way or maybe just from feeling stuck in a rut. But you are definitely right, hair dying is expensive and the money would be much better spent on fun experiences like traveling! My family is actually experimenting with "minimalism" right now. We are decluttering out "stuff" and not bringing in more of it. Now we ask ourselves, "do we really NEED this?" We want to spend more money on having experiences with our kids than just wasting money on an item that gives us a fleeting sense of euphoria when we first get it and then will sit on some shelf only to be used once in a while. Great food for thought with this post!
Somewhere down the line can you do a post on how to save on accommodations? We use homeaway.com a lot because we find renting a cottage or cabin is really budget friendly. But sometimes I dream of staying in a luxurious setting like Hotel Viking (yes, I just read your post ;)) but I'm not sure how to make it work. Thanks!
I love the Rougue connection! I never thought of that before, and I love her!
Regarding how to save on accommodations, here are some options:
1. The low season (when many luxury hotels have discounts) - https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2014/06/16/low-season-travel/
2. Online specials or bulk packages (ex: a Groupon that bundles airfare and a resort for cheaper than the airfare alone)
3. Being in a country where the dollar gets you more. Ex: https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2009/10/05/the-30-a-day-budget-secret/
4. Exploring the luxury side of home share services like AirBnB, FlipKey, VRBO, Homeaway, Windmu, etc. Ex: https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2014/08/22/beach-rental-tips/
Sometimes, though, I just think it's worth it to do what it takes to earn a little extra money (ex: Tutoring, re-budgeting) and then spend the big bucks on amazing experiences instead of focusing entirely on getting rock-bottom prices.
Good luck!
Like you, I greyed very young. I started dying my hair in my 30s, when a male told me I looked "distinguished." I continued dying it until last year (I am now a grandmother), when I grew unfond of the salon I was going to and had trouble finding another one. During that upheaval, I looked with worry at the growout and noticed that my hair was almost completely white! As it grew out more and more, I decided I liked the platinum color and fortunately even liked the way it looked as it was growing out. It has been more than a year now and I have become a platinum blonde and I'm not disliking it. It is very freeing not to have to go to the salon every 5 weeks, 4 if I want to look really good. And I don't think it has aged my appearance. In fact, I wear my hair a bit like that horse with braided mane, in order to tame it a bit because it is very fluffy and gets in my eyes. Go grey! Of course, I realize not everyone likes their color of grey. I believe every woman should do what feels right for her, but sometimes it takes a bit of serendipity disguised as a problem to set you free. All this without even mentioning all the money I save. :)
Thanks so much for writing this! Love it!
I don't dye my hair as I'm allergic to hair dye. It's a real bone of contention. I really enjoyed your blog post as I to also have curly hair and I think of the silvers as nature's highlights. Thank you for writing this post.
I love that! "Nature's highlights!" Silver is a precious metal, after all...
An excellent choice!
Great post, Ms. Marshall, and very inspiring. Sometimes I am at a tug of war with myself and my appearance. Ranging from my hair, eyebrows and makeup. I don't always wear makeup but being groomed definitely boosts my confidence and makes me feel pretty. Thanks for writing this!
Stace
Thanks for reading! Another tug-of-war that you and I might share is curly versus straightened hair. I got my hair cut yesterday and the stylist straightened it, and though I got quite a few compliments for it, I will never take the time and effort to make it a regular thing!
You're welcome. I love reading your blog articles when I have the chance.
Also, we definitely share the curly vs straightened hair dilemma. I love my natural curls and love it when it is straight. However, caring for both is equally expensive. Bleh!
The silver does look good on you Lillie! I have some at my crown and honestly, I can't stand it so I too dye it. I do it from the box, however. Funny I should read this today. Have an appointment with my stylist tomorrow! :O
Hah!
A really, really interesting post. I've long since despaired at the number of things we all feel we have to do to fit in that, from a logical point of view, are completely ridiculous (shaving, high heels, ties, plucking anything...) Yet the pressure is strong and ever present. Bravo to you for making a sensible choice about your priorities in life (and besides, the silver looks good ;-) )
It's great to see you embrace your natural roots! :) Switching from hair dye to having incredible adventures abroad and feeling more comfortable with yourself sound amazing!
This is really interesting and something to think about. But I've had two older aunts who have always advised that "a woman should never let her hair go gray." :) On the other hand, you look fab with a few silver strands! The key point is, as others have said, it's all a matter of priorities.
What a great idea. There are so many things we can cut out of our lives to make room for the important ones. And travel for me is also one.
What an amazing post! It's so cool how you can trade in the things you think you need in order to do the things that truly enrich your life :-)
I have grey hair in with my red hair - and glad I've not colored it! Who needs the chemicals (or, as you pointed out, to spend the $!)
I would do everything to save and have more budget in traveling.. as for me, I stopped spending money on overpriced coffee and instead make my own coffee. I'm able to save $5 a day.. plus I was able to learn a few techniques in brewing. I think aside from traveling, I know where the extra money would go. ;)
Well, this is certainly an aspect of travel budget planning that I've never thought about before! Anyway, how about the best of both worlds? OTC hair dye that you do at home is only 7 or 8 dollars, which is ten times less (at least) than the salon jobbies. Plus, then you aren't stuck there for an hour reading atrocious magazines.
A few years ago, I met a woman in her late 30s or early 40s who had absolutely stunning hair: Black with a generous sprinkling of steel-wool grey.If she'd dyed her hair, she still would have been attractive, but she would have been hiding her most distinctive feature.
As for me, I'm going to fund my next trip with the money that I save by not shaving my head. (Fortunately, nature has helped me in that respect.)
I love this! :D
This post was oddly emotional for me. I have rich, dark brown hair and had never dyed it until about two years ago. I absolutely loved my hair color and it was the favourite thing about my appearance. When the grey started coming (literally just when I turned 30), it was in the form of a crazy white streak by my temple. Not one of those cool, Stacey London streaks. Just a massive patch of white hair. Combined with my pale complexion, I suddenly felt incredibly washed out and not at all like myself. I was my dark hair and my dark hair was me. So when a Groupon came around I decided to bite the bullet and get it done and I was happy - so, so, so happy. And I had it done a few weeks before a big trip and I felt so much more confident, so much more in my element.
And then, like you, I have dealt with horrible cheap salons, unfortunate home attempts, and now very much realize that you generally get what you pay for in life and that includes haircare. So pricey salon visits it is. I try to stretch it out to once every 8 weeks but it probably averages to 6-7 weeks. Yep, there's that $1000 a year.
I'm conflicted between my desire for more travel and my general frugal leanings with continuing with one of the few "me" things I do. I too hate the actual process of hair dyeing but I don't go shopping, don't buy make up, even have given up on cute shoes. If I give this up too, will I just be a haggard old mare hanging out at the hostel or will it be liberating?
This is such a true comment. Thank you for sharing your experience! What you say really resonates with me. Solidarity!
First: I LOVE THIS POST. Love, love love. You are beautiful, and so is your hair.
Second: I have hair issues. I recently started paying to have it 'done' because I need it to look nice for my job (which brings me money to travel.) It is insanely expensive and I wish I didn't have to do it--and I don't HAVE TO do it. But it does make me feel more confident. So I appreciate your 'do what makes you happy' message.
But I have given up having my nails done. I mean come on--who cares? And, like you, I used to enjoy the process. It was down time. But it was expensive and time consuming and silly. To me. Others may still need/want it, but I do not.
Did I mention that I love this post?
Thanks so much, Tracy! You bring up such a good point: There are many lines of work where it's part of your job to "look nice." This brings up interesting gender issues because it's often more expensive and time consuming for a woman to "look nice" in the manicured sense of the word than for a man. Speaking of manicures, they are the WORST. I don't know why people see them as relaxing, but to each their own!
So true! My main issue? Mascara. I HATE mascara. Hate it. I hate putting it on, I hate not being able to touch my face, and I hate washing it off. Why are men not subjected to this? Also, it is another cost. I wish I could not wear it. In fact, I define 'vacation' as 'not having to wear mascara'. Seriously.