Grey abandon? Salons reveal big debate post-lockdown as some customers go back to their roots while others will forever say dye

Busy stylists report from the frontline as comeback clients split on whether or not to boldly go back to their true colours

It’s been said for years that grey is the new black but now, it seems, it might be the new blonde, brown and all shades in between too.

After almost four months in lockdown and with hairdressers out of action, many women have decided to ditch the dye and go grey gracefully.

As salons opened their doors last week, many clients were asking not to have their roots covered up but, instead, requested how to spruce up the salt and pepper growth.

Jason Miller, salon director at Edinburgh-based Charlie Miller, said: “We have seen quite a few clients who are going grey since lockdown – and we’ve only been back a couple of days. Grey hair is definitely something that people are embracing.

“Because they couldn’t visit the salon for months, they are seeing something they have never seen before as their roots have never had this long to grow – and some are liking it. Generally, a lot of people think about stopping putting dye on their hair, but few stick with it for very long.

“With going grey, or growing out a colour, there is a pain barrier, but lockdown has forced people to break through this. And that’s when they think about really doing it properly.

“Of course, even those who have made the decision are probably only a fraction of the way there. It can take up to two years to fully grow a colour out, so they’re welcoming us back with open arms and plenty of advice on how to ease it with highlights, lowlights and cuts.”

Leading hairdresser

Taylor Ferguson added: “I dare say some people will want to go grey, especially as they’ve had time to grow a lot of the colour out.

“It’s a nice idea but, lockdown or not, we tend to find not that many clients stick with it. Very few people have good virgin grey hair. It can grow in patchy, whiter at the top and darker at the back.

“Most grey hair is dull and dowdy. It needs some kind of enhancement, like highlights or toner, to bring it to life. White is more common, but that’s hard to get right in Scotland with so much indoor heating, which makes it yellow, and so much rain! Instead what I think we will see is people experimenting with new colours, styles and cuts. At least that’s what we will be suggesting. No pressure, of course, but, after being shut away for so long, there could be nothing better than greeting people with a fresh, new look.”

Taylor was delighted to be back in his Glasgow salon last week as he and wife Anne welcomed clients back into the chair for a post-lockdown makeover.

“Lockdown was hard,” he admitted. “We’ve never been off work for more than 10 days in our 44 years of married life.

“We just don’t do long holidays. Not many people can say it but we love to work. So it’s great to be back again.

“I cut my grandson’s hair before the salon opened up and it felt odd to have a pair of scissors in my hand – but fantastic at the same time.”

He added: “The salon

sadly doesn’t look the same with all the screens, tape and no glossy magazines or fancy coffee cups, but sadly it’s all necessary – and we just have to get on with it and try to get back to business as usual as much as we can.

“We’re hoping our clients will appreciate what we do best and that is to give them the best hair we can.

“The books are full for the first few weeks and that’s only with a small number of clients coming back, so it is going to be hectic – but that is exactly how we like it!”