Growing Out Grey Hair: Is the Big Chop the Right Move for You?

Thinking about a big chop to embrace your grey hair? 

Remember, it’s more than just a haircut. Just like it’s more than just grey hair.

As I’ve learned from my amazing silver-haired community, the transition to shorter hair can be just as challenging as embracing your actual grey hair can be.  So, take your time and choose what feels best for you. 

Are you on the chopping block?

Ok so not only are you well on your way into your natural grey hair grow out, it’s been approximately 6 months of walking in confidence and trust in what is to come.

Ok yes and maybe we hid in hats, used root spray, headbands and scarves, tried twisty cutesy hair twists and styles you’d normally never wear. Maybe you ‘gave up’ and dyed it again.  Now you have tried a second time. You’ve experienced the WT* am I doing phase.  You’ve probably questioned how you ever thought grey hair was for ‘old people’ and that SILVER was boring?!

You’ve probably realized that you haven’t disappeared like you feared you would! You’re actually getting a lot of attention, good and bad. You’ve probably been questioned tons of times. 

You got YOUR FIRST COMPLIMENT! You’ve probably realized grey hair is NOT wiry and all those fly aways on others wasn’t broken old hair it IS NEW GROWTH hair! Baby hair!

You wonder how you ever thought this way about hair, age, women?  And then you start waking up. You’ve cancelled plans because just NO you can’t go ‘like this’!  You’ve documented your progress, you are adjusting to see this new colour next to your skin and you’ve been keeping your eyes on the silver prize by finding inspiration from those in the journey just ahead of you. 

Maybe you are already shorter haired and the light at the end of tunnel seems to be nearing. Do you go a little shorter to get rid of the dreaded demarcation line (the harsh line between the new growth hair and the previously dyed hair, this can be very drastic and harsh for some people or much more subtle depending on how you were colouring your hair prior to ditching the dye) Your transition would be complete! Pixie cuts are super cute you keep telling yourself and go looking at shorter hair styles on silver hair.  It could work!?  It’s just hair it’ll grow back you tell yourself.  Afterall having been through this hair journey I’m sure a change in hair cut length or style should be a no brainer right? 

WRONG.

 This is literally the second biggest pivotal time of the silver hair grow out journey. Having now experienced and witnessed many a grey hair transformation the 2 most common complaints I have heard from other women, by a mile, is trying to colour match, blend dye or lighten or highlight the lengths, causing more colour confusion (initially or after a month or so) and more damage and dryness to their hair leading to more frustration with the process.  (and yes, some women are very satisfied with their results as well the choice is yours I’m just sharing the consensus!)

Next is regretting doing the BIG CHOP! If I had a dollar for every time I thought about doing this, I’d be rich (well, maybe not rich if it was in Canadian but..ha..). Looking back at old photos of myself the few times I had shorter hair in my life and thinking ‘It wasn’t so bad’.  (It was so bad I’ve never loved having shorter hair on me but I have always loved change) My hair grows fast.  It’ll grow back in no time! (This 19 months of grow out feels like a lifetime already and I’m barely at the shoulders) I could try bangs?  Bobs are cute and trendy. 

This is where I think you should pause. Take some time to really sit and feel the feels.  No spontaneous decisions or actions are recommended at this time.  This can be such a challenging phase but hear me out it’s hard enough to transition into a new colour, especially grey hair but then a new drastically shorter cut too sounds like risky business to me! And if you’re doing this hair transition in your late forties like I am, there are already so many changes happening to our bodies and appearance that are beyond our control that maybe it’s good to transition with ease. 

It truly depends on where you are at in your journey.  I’ve chosen to embrace my grey hair, aging face and skin, sun spots, wrinkles and to celebrate aging.  I want to control the narrative around my personal experience with it all.  I believe we should boldly face our fears. Scared to show your natural bare face in public?  Try it in baby steps start by going to the post office with no make up!  I personally refuse to allow anything or anyone to get in the way of me living boldly and showing up as I am in every phase of me.  Even more so as I get older.

 The very last thing you want to do UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO REVAMP AND TRANSFORM yourself and your look which I am a huge advocate of!  I LOVE a GOOD REBRANDING both physically and philosophically! … heck I chopped off all of my dark hair and went for a short blond bob because I wanted a drastic change so I was happy with it over all because that’s exactly what I wanted. 

But this journey for me is a bit different.  I am embracing my natural authenticity here with my hair journey. It's about my accepting me as I was created and designed so making massive changes aren’t what it is about for me.  This time.  It’s an unveiling.

Your hair. 

Your choice. 

Your body. 

Your voice. 

Isn’t wonderful that we have a choice? 

Don’t you feel blessed that we have a voice?

Things to consider before deciding on the BIG CHOP

1. Evaluate Your Personal Style Preferences

Think about how you truly feel about short hair vs. long hair on yourself. Do you love your long hair, or are you genuinely ready for a shorter style? Consider if a big chop aligns with your personal style and comfort level.

2. Understand the Transition Commitment

A big chop may accelerate the transition to grey but also comes with its own challenges. Ask yourself if you’re prepared for the immediate change, or if you'd prefer the gradual transformation with trims.

3. Consider the Texture and Maintenance

Shorter grey hair may have a different texture, it could be more coarse or wiry (however, my hair has been softer and silkier like a new born babies’ hair!), and it will require a new maintenance routine. Be ready to experiment with products to keep your hair healthy and manageable.

4. Prepare for Emotional Responses

The big chop can feel liberating but might also bring unexpected emotions. Embracing grey and a shorter length simultaneously can be a lot, so think about whether you’re emotionally prepared for both changes.

5. Acknowledge It’s Not Irreversible—But Takes Patience

Hair grows back just as long and thick (we hope!), but a big chop is still a commitment that can take a while to undo. No ponytails, hair buns etc. If you do decide to go short, know that it is reversible, but you may need to practice even more patience if you later decide to grow it out again.

✂️ Personally, I won’t be doing a big chop. I’ve had long hair for most of my life and I prefer it on me. 
I also love watching the progression and having something to keep track of. It’s nice to have something to look forward to! Plus, sharing the journey here has been wonderful!

After 19 months of growing out my hair, I’ll maintain trims and cuts but I’m here for the full grow out. Yes, even though I just turned 50, I am keeping my hair super long because this is how I like it!

Remember embracing your grey hair is a journey, not a destination.