Lockdown hair stories: Are you rushing back to the salon or embracing a new look?
Anne Hartnett pre-pandemic. Photography: Liz McAulay
After months of DIY cuts, root re-growth and dodgy at-home dyeing, when hairdressers reopened last month there was a huge sense of relief and unadulterated joy. I loved seeing all the before and after photos shared online – people emerging from hibernation and, after a much-needed tidy up, feeling like themselves again. In spite of all restrictions, there was an impression of life slowly returning to normal. ‘I savoured every second when my hairdresser washed my hair and gave me a scalp massage,’ a friend told me, after her appointment, ‘My hair is once again swinging around my shoulders, and I feel lighter and brighter than I have for months.’
Even in the face of a pandemic, the power of a good haircut shouldn’t be underestimated or seen as a shallow concern. Having a signature hairstyle is part of our identity and how we choose to present ourselves to the world. And given that many people have had to regularly appear in work-related video meetings and Zoom chats, the importance of hair as a defining feature has been keenly felt. For many having a good haircut boosts confidence, particularly after six feral months in and out of lockdown. Another friend, understandably, felt quite emotional when she realised her post-lockdown haircut was the first physical contact she’d had since before Christmas.
Beyond this, a trip to the salon helps to support small businesses and workers, often within the local community – not to mention, the beauty industry with its female-dominated workforce as a whole, unfairly overlooked throughout the pandemic. (In the UK, hair and beauty salons generate more than £7.5 billion in revenue for the economy, according to the National Hair and Beauty Federation).
Here three women over-50 tell their lockdown hair stories:
Anne Hartnett now; waiting for her post-lockdown-haircut…
Fashion stylist Anne Hartnett, pictured above, is counting down the days to her appointment at the Aveda salon on the 17th May, ‘My last haircut and colour (half a head of highlights) was early September. The hairdresser recommended not going too blonde, just in case there was another lockdown and it looked awful growing out. Great foresight – but it still looked awful!’ Anne laughs. During lockdown, unable to have her regular bi-monthly haircut and with the colour grown out, she says her barnet has regressed to a not particularly stylish ‘school girl mode’. After hearing lots of horror stories, Anne decided to go with the flow and leave it to the professionals. ‘I have found it very depressing seeing dull mousey hair and dirty grey streaks,’ she continues, ‘I wore a beanie when I went out so that no one could see the flat, darker roots. When the weather warmed up and I decided to ditch it, my friend looked visibly aghast when she saw me. I can’t wait to have the split ends cut off and my lighter, brighter colour back!’
Founder of White Hot Hair Jayne Mayled – before lockdown (left) and now (right)
For many the chance to have several inches chopped off couldn’t come sooner but for some the extra length acquired during the pandemic is here to stay. Jayne Mayled, founder of White Hot Hair (listen to the TNMA podcast with Jayne HERE) is holding on to her longer locks. ‘I feel like Rapunzel!’ she exclaims, ‘That might sound ridiculous but I’ve had short hair all my life. I’m 63 now and I’d got into a routine of having it cut every four weeks, I just assumed that it would never grow very much.’ Surprised by the overall difference her new looser look makes to her appearance, she’s enjoying the transformation, ‘ Like everyone else, I just let my hair grow,’ says Jayne, ‘It’s been quite a revelation to experience longer hair and it has changed my whole silhouette. When I did get back to my hairdresser recently she encouraged me to keep growing it. A lot of my White Hot Hair customers have been going through the same thing, and it’s challenging their perceptions that once you’re past ‘a certain age’ you shouldn’t let your hair grow. This new look feels freer, more relaxed and undone, which I like – plus, I can finally wear it up which is infinitely useful!’
Jayne Mayled’s longer locks
Many women have found lockdown has a silver lining, providing the opportunity and space they needed to grow in the grey. Search #embracethegrey and #growingoutgrey on Instagram to see swathes of women showing off their gorgeous platinum, grey, or silver hair, with comment boxes full of supportive encouragement. Actor Andie MacDowell ditched the dye during quarantine and shows off her new salt-and-pepper look in the latest Coach advertisement. While retail expert, author and broadcaster Mary Portas has swapped her signature, sharp red bob, for a softer blonde ‘do’. She explained her new look to Saturday Live, ‘ I had to do an interview for the BBC, and I just looked at my head – grown out, grey hair had come through – and I just thought, “No, this is me now.” And I think it is that journey of softness; I think it is that journey of me feeling connected deeply to where I am now in my life.’
Initially worried that grey hair would make her look older, during lockdown Alyson’s friend, textiles teacher Lynne Morrow let her silver strands shine through. Eventually realising this was a chance to experiment and be more creative, she welcomed the new look together with the newfound self-assurance grey hair can bring, ‘It’s the best gift I could’ve given myself in my sixtieth year! ‘I’m surprised how much of my dark hair I still have – and how much I enjoy the blend of different colours. Lockdown has given me the confidence to grow my hair long again, which I haven’t done since my teenage years.’
textiles teacher Lynne Morrow is growing in the grey
One product I discovered during lockdown and really rate is the new Aveda Botanical Repair range. The condition of my hair is fantastic but still, I couldn’t wait to lose the extra three inches and return to my usual style. How about you? Did you rush back to the hairdresser’s salon or are sticking with a new, lockdown look?
*Please note affiliate links may gain a small commission
Discussion (42 Comments)
Liz says:
Hi Sara, Several years about I let my previously very dark hair go grey and I love it! I had never dyed the temples, and only had a few foils dyed on top of my head, so it wasn’t hard for me to embrace. But one way I’ve heard about is to start with ash blonde highlights, and let these grow back grey, then, blend the rest in. A really good hairdresser should be able to help. Good luck!
My friend Lynne (pictured) has always had very dark hair and now we can go to the hairdressers again, she’s had a few dark streaks put in to break the grey up. I think it looks fantastic!
Lynne says:
Thank you so much Aly! Yes I found this much easier than adding another colour not to mention cheaper. My hairdresser added around five thin foils to the top layer just to break up the line. I must add that the condition of my hair has improved immensely
Nettie Kingswood says:
I found a really lovely private Facebook group called Grey and Proud. The ladies from all around the world are full of support, inspiration and tips. Good luck in becoming the ‘real’ you.
Valleycat1 says:
Three more ideas in addition to the lowlights/highlights: 1) a hair stylist can strip the old color and then tint closer to your natural color,
with variations so you don’t get the obvious line as it grows out (don’t try this at home); 2) keep a hat or cap or scarf handy for times you don’t want to see the awkwardness; and 3) once your natural color has gotten long enough, get all the processed hair cut off (you might even decide you adore super short hair); again, a good hair stylist can do a short cut that will gre out nicely.Claire says:
I had a few highlights put in, then a few less the next time I went. Then when lockdown arrived I just grew the remaining highlights out. A year later I have my silver streaks.
bev says:
My dark brown hair had been dyed an even darker brown since I was 14 also. I started to grey at my temples in my 50s and continued to colour it – and the bathroom tiles, towels and bathroom ecoutrements! Stopped colouring it around 60 (I am now 63) and it is now a lovely dark brown with multiple sprinkles of sparkly grey (around 30 percent) which softens my face. I let it grow longer too and probably for the first time in my life I actually like my hair. So – I would say, bite the bullet and just stop colouring and see what happens. Have fun!
Anna says:
My friend has :lowlights” that is, streaks of your DAREK colour. That way the grey grows in but not too badger-like!
I think I recognise the hair clip as one I bought from from Tort. https://tortware.com/collections/hair-claws/products/toto-clip-in-faux-cow
I couldn’t wait to get back to the salon. I have always had very short hair and the regrowth looked terrible – 5 months is a long time for short hair, it’s missed 5 trips to the salon. I felt weighed down by it, very middle aged, didn’t recognise myself and dressed like I felt. The relief of getting it chopped was palpable. I felt taller and straighter, I looked like me again, my face shape altered, my posture realigned and its made me feel more confident. I’m channelling a bit of Deborah Chambers, I’m inspired by your blog in my clothing choices and I’m so looking forward to going back out to see friends again.
Thank you xCynthia says:
I’ve been getting my hair cut all along — I live in one of those places in the US that never fully shut down, and I like my hair stylist and did not want her to lose business. So it was one of my only compromises on nonessential contact, to keep getting haircuts. She and her work partner have kept everything very safe (masks, only one customer in at a time, etc) during the pandemic. At the beginning, I finally got a pixie cut after wondering for years what it would look like. And I stopped coloring, and will not go back to coloring. The short cut made the transition much easier. Now I’m growing it back out. My hair is a mix of dark grey in back and silver in front and it looks better on me than the medium brown I was dyeing it.
I let my hair grow in grey… or actually white… during the multiple lock-downs we’ve had in eastern Canada. At first I thought I would run screaming to my hairdresser the moment I could. Actually I thought that for a few months. I have short hair and five months is a long time and a lot of regrowth. But gradually I began to like my silver roots. And now that I am all white I love it. I’ve been experimenting with lowlights in the front and style it an entirely different way than before lockdown. It’s freeing to not have to worry about roots. I don’t think white hair makes me look older… just different. Like Mary Portas said, I feel as if I am more connected to the person I am now.
I have had a very short pixie cut for years and years, but had longed for a classy French bob. However, I never had any patience to grow it. Just before the first lockdown I visited my hairdresser and again mentioned my dream of having a bob. So she just gave a short trim and said she would work with me. Anyway, 14 months later I am almost there…. Next appointment with the hairdresser is 25th May and once the long untidy layers are taken care of I am looking forward to my new bob emerging.
Chris Khan says:
I went grey in the first lockdown, having been dying my hair from a box or when I could afford it by my hairdresser. We knew lockdown was coming so she put very light hi lights through which allowed a more natural grow through. It was great not to have that demarcation line. My last appointment with this wonderful lady was in October before we got caught in lockdowns again. Having been used to regular 5 weekly visits I was feeling really uncomfortable with my heavy shapeless mop. My daughter did her best just after Christmas (same bubble due to childcare) but the best day was the Saturday after lockdown eased.! I felt light as air afterwards. Next appointment soon. I don’t think I can be accused of being vain but it makes so much difference to me.
avicennia says:
I do not understand why Anne Hartnett’s friend gasped. Anne’s post-COVID hair is lovely. I might venture to say it’s lovelier and softer than her bright blond.
I wear my hair short and just before the pandemic had decided to go super short. I have been known to trim up my own hair over the years and this style was easy to maintain with clippers, to a degree. My new stylist is a solo shop amd we have both had vaccinations. Even a super short style (not a buzz cut) is better when done by someone who can easily see the entire head!
I started coloring my hair in my early 30s when the hereditary grey began to appear, I’m now 58. My last salon visit was in February 2020. By April I had a visible badger stripe, so I took my husband’s clippers and gave myself a crew cut- something I had always wanted to do! I wasn’t seeing anyone anyway and wore hats on the weekly trip to the grocery store. I loved the freedom of a super short haircut. By May of this year my hair was full on white and at my shoulders. Two weeks after my second jab I saw my hairstylist (who loves the white) and got a super short haircut with longer bangs. I feel and look 5 years younger without all that hair length that seemed to drag down my features!
Anna Brennand says:
I have grown out my dark brown / red hair since last March, starting in the first lockdown( a peaked cap was necessary during the “badger stage”) . Once back at the hairdressers my dark hair was toned down to blonde . It has nearly all grown out now to grey , I am amazed at the colour , ( I think I am very lucky as it has grown out quite white) and I get many compliments. It was the best thing I ever did !
Alyson, I saw a picture of you with your grey and that was quite an inspirationLucille says:
With regular hair cuts I found my hair getting shorter and shorter. The prolonged hiatus gave me a chance to see if I liked having longer hair and I do. It has been grey and white for years so no agonising over hair colour regrowth but I just need some interesting clips now to keep it off my face when gardening. The link above looks interesting.
I’m 67 and had been colouring my hair since I was in my mid-thirties. About 3 years ago my hairdresser suggested I stop colouring it and let the grey come through as she thought it would suit my skin tone better. It was the best decision I made, I feel liberated, “me” and have saved loads of money that I can spend on the lovely clothes Alyson features on her blog! I call it my Silver Fox look! It is not evenly silver but I feel much more natural and with a regular cut to keep it looking well groomed, I’m happy! A really interesting article, thank you!
Angela Blair says:
I have to say Jayne Mayled’s hair is gorgeous, the length and condition is fantastic. I went naturally grey about a year before lockdown, never looked back.
Kristen Thomson says:
Five months before Covid, I had my hair colored in prep for an extended family event. First thing out of my cousin’s mouth was “Oh, I just had my hair done, too!” Was it that obvious?
My next cut was pretty short but no color added then shutdown hit. I had a white spot on the top right front, and I started to like it. I decided to be done with coloring. My hair is curly, so that helped. And I like the softer look.
Lorraine Massey (formerly DevaChan, now Curly World LLC) has a book out about embracing your gray and a quick tutorial on cutting your curls yourself on Instagram. She has fantastic long, curly gray hair!
Suze says:
I love Jayne’s beautiful hair color and her new styling. Together it frames her face beautifully.
Sara – I briefly and reluctantly colored my hair while it was turning gray. My hair is very dark and the gray looked sad. Then I embraced purple shampoo and the skunk look. My stylist (love her!) soften the growth like Liz said with blond highlights. Worked very well.Mrs Tonia says:
Much to agree with here. Following the example of Alyson I grew out my roots about three years ago. No intermediate colour stages. Just a nasty striped look from the brown dyed lower lengths to the grey dark brown roots. It was essential to keep trimming the bottom so I always had a sharp looking deliberate haircut, classic bob. Although I was a bit self conscious about the colour, what I wasn’t anticipating was vast improvement in the texture, straightness and manageability of my new greyer hair. A huge boon. I use Living Proof PHD range of shampoo and conditioner. Which is an expensive but excellent product. My hair isn’t white rather a salt and peppery type of grey. I’m so glad I took the plunge. Now I get compliments on my good hair, even from hairdressers which wasn’t the case before.
With regards lockdown hair I booked a cut in early November and had to put up with the length until a trim a few weeks ago which I had to book online weeks before that. My original hairdresser closed permanently last July after the first lockdown. Along with several other salons nearby. I’ve settled on an established more expensive place now. I shall go less often to balance the cost. Longer locked down hair has persuaded me to settle for a shoulder length blunt cut bob. With enough length to tie back for exercise. I also use fake tortoise clips, sourced from Claire’s Accessories to keep it out of my face. So glad that hairdressers are open once more. Services to be treasured it’s now abundantly clear.Lucy says:
I too have taken the plunge in lockdown. I have long hair, which grows quickly. I had a colour in February before the first lockdown. And then didn’t get back to the hairdresser until July. I gad a good cut and she put through some highlights to help blend. I wasn’t sure, but I was certain there would be further lockdowns, so it seemed like the time. Once my fringe was fully grey/white I felt happier. I agree on the condition, so much softer. I still have a way to go, but my colour wasn’t too dark anyway, so that helped. It is the definitely the best thing to have come out of lockdown for me, and surprisingly painless.
Thank you for this excellent article. I completely agree with the comments that it’s been wonderful to have a haircut again. I’ve been to the same hairdresser for about 15 years so for me it was also a chance to catch up with a friend. I’ve grown out my dark colour to my natural grey during the lockdowns and I’ve noticed a big improvement in the condition of my hair, too. I’ve opted for a shorter, sharper bob than I used to have and my hairdresser said the new colour and cut made me look younger than I did before!
KarenP says:
I asked my husband to cut my hair at the end of January as I couldn’t stand it anymore ! Yes, we are still married. He did quite a good job on my short, but thick hair. However, he did find it very stressful and we were both pleased when I could get back to the hairdresser the first week they reopened. I like my hair short as I do lots of exercise and we travel (when allowed) in our motorhome which has a not very powerful shower. I was inspired by this site to let my hair go grey a few years ago. I stopped colouring but it still isn’t very grey (I’m 57), I was a bit disappointed initially as I was anticipating a sophisticated grey style ! I find it fascinating how some people are much greyer than others at the same age.
I cut Mr TNMA’s hair a few times over lockdown. Tentatively at first – and then during lockdown number three I bought a pair of cheap hairdressing scissors and really went for it. I was delighted when we went back to the the hairdresser’s and he said I’d done a good job!
Helen says:
I decided to let my natural colour (who knew what it was?) come through five and a half years ago when I was 56. I had always been a dark brunette and had had it coloured as the grey came through for about 15 years. I hated both how rapidly it was starting to come through, and the itchiness of my sensitive scalp following the dyeing process which seemed to last for ages.
So, I decided to go cold turkey. Told my hairdresser of my decision who gave it a good cut into a shoulder length bob. (Also told my friends so they wouldn’t try to stage an intervention thinking I had let myself go to the dogs!) I had to wear it up for work anyway which helped disguise the badger stage. Then once it had grown about three inches (luckily it grows quickly!), I had it cut stylishly short removing all the coloured hair.
The feeling of liberation was simply fantastic. I received so many compliments. I am now 61, my hair is shoulder length again and I love all the different shades of silver, grey, white and brown in it. Best decision I made!Goddessinthedetails says:
I was going to dye my hair second-look blue after lockdown but I suffered a months-long reaction after being jabbed on a vaccine trial I had volunteered for. My GP said I’d reacted to the vaccine as if I’d had long Covid. I’m now too scared to dye my hair – chemicals! – and just want to ‘go natural’ for a while. I’m inspired by Michelle Wang, who – while much younger than I am – has the same few strands of grey and doesn’t try to disguise or blend. I’m also used to longer hair now and feel quite at ease.
Sierra says:
Interesting to read how many have been delighted since growing out their grey. But I’m still not ready to take the plunge, even at 67.
I can tell by my roots that I’m about 95% silver now. I’ve resorted to colouring and highlighting myself lately as I could never get the natural look I wanted from a hairdresser. Over lockdown my shoulder length hair has grown considerably. I used to straighten all my hair, which I now realise is quite aging. I still straighten to reduce the frizz, but add some soft wavy curls at each side of my face. With a centre parting, longer light brown hair, blonde highlights and each ‘curtain’ waved to soften, it reminds me of when I was 18 years old. I almost feel 18 again, so will definitely be keeping my hair longer when an appointment with my hairdresser becomes available. Now all I need is to work on those hamster jowls!!!Ocd says:
I’ve been attempting to dye my hair (from box dyes) back to its natural color for years, with pretty bad results. My last color was March 2020. My long, thick, wavy-curly hair was fried. It looked & felt like straw.
I haven’t colored it since. The transformation has been mind-blowing. I wish I had never dyed my hair.
I did the easy way-the Covid grow out. The women who went before me (& during & after) have been a tremendous inspiration. Maybe we can turn this double standard around.Deb says:
I really really want Jayne’s silver hair! So gorgeous! Funny hearing the word Rapunzel mentioned- exactly what my hairdresser said when I let my topknot loose! Haven’t had hair that long since I was a “wannabe” flower child in 1975!!
Louise Mahood says:
I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We’ve been in lockdown since November. Yep, November 2020, and no sign of letting up until maybe mid-June. No salons unless you snuck around into a private home. Which I assume some have. I have red thick hair and never ever coloured it. Hair is just so much about us as women, our sense of self, our look on zoom, our self esteem etc, etc. If there is one good outcome from the pandemic [there has to be a some] maybe embracing the gray, the white is really embracing our authentic look.
LucyKate says:
I too have been growing my grey out over lockdown, inspired by a great article on this website last April and follow on comments. My hair’s definitely in better condition, and while the grey is still growing out (I have a longish bob) purple shampoo and conditioner I think make a noticeable difference, I’m more salt and pepper than I anticipated. At 54 I’m really quite surprised that it feels much more ‘me’. I think my natural colour suits my skin tone better, I’m cool toned but realise now that my dyed colour was too warm. I would never ever have thought to do this had it not been for the pandemic and the article on this site, so thanks very much!
Jean says:
I love the trend for women to grow their grey out. I’m 60 and everytime I go to the hairdressers I get asked if I want to cover my grey hair, the answer is always the same – no thanks, I’m embracing them!
Diana Moss says:
I loved the hairclaw and have just bought the brightest orange one, so pretty on grey hair. Thank you.
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Thanks so much for this post. I just wonder how do you go from dark brown hair that has been dyed for year and years….like since is was 14 and I am now 57….wow how time flies. How to do I go Grey ?