Women are ditching the dye, embracing the gray

A COLOR CORRECTION For many women, the pandemic offered an opportunity for a reset. While some took matters into their own hands during lockdown, attempting to color their hair at home, 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 New York City colorist

Sharon Dorram. “It blends in perfectly and completely covers the gray.” Another option: KISS QUICK COVER GRAY HAIR TOUCH UP STICK ($6, walmart.com). (Left to right) Sarah Jessica Parker on

location in New York City for "And Just Like That..."; Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch Up Spray Gotham/GC Images; Dermstore 2. PUT YOUR HAIR UP Weber-Cleary, who swears by RITA

HAZAN ROOT CONCEALER TOUCH UP SPRAY ($12, dermstore.com), says that when she was growing out her gray, she would pull her hair up into a high ponytail or bun so no one could really see her

roots. If you want to wear your hair down, try a messy zigzag part, which will help obscure the regrowth. 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, Dorram says. 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,” Dorram says. (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 pixie cut once you have a solid three to four

months of regrowth. For inspiration, look no further than Jamie Lee Curtis. 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.