Gray hairs can feel like a nuisance to many, but more women are now embracing their natural color. Raeann White, 34, from Bristol, is one of them. After years of dyeing her hair, she has stopped covering up the silver strands—and says she’s never felt better.
Raeann found her first gray hair at just 15 years old. “I was absolutely mortified when a peer noticed it,” she told HELLO!. She began plucking them out and later started dyeing her hair every two to three weeks by her mid-twenties. As a busy mom, keeping up with the constant maintenance was tiring. “Trying to make sure it was colored in time for events while juggling everyday life was exhausting,” she said. To cover the early regrowth, she often used touch-up powders and sprays.
At age 33, Raeann finally decided to stop dyeing. “I would always complain about it,” she said. Her partner encouraged her to embrace the gray, but she initially resisted. Then she discovered influencers like Miranda Parker, who inspired her to go natural. “I saw how great gray hair could look, and thought, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’”
Raeann’s transition took time. Her hair was naturally dark, long, and fine, so she worked closely with her hairdresser, Victoria Reynolds, to lighten it gradually. “We started by cleansing the color, which turned it orange,” she said. After several highlighting sessions over six months and regular trims, Raeann had her final cut in March 2025.
Now, she loves her look. “Strangers often stop me to say how lovely my hair is or ask what color I use,” she said. “It’s great to know the hard work paid off.” Her hair is softer, healthier, and requires less upkeep. “I enjoy the freedom of not having to color it constantly,” she added.
Surprisingly, Raeann receives more compliments now than ever before. She encourages others to consider going gray, while acknowledging the early challenges. “The first 6–12 months are the hardest, but if you stick with it, you’ll be glad you did.”
She also pointed out the double standards that still exist. “Men are praised as ‘silver foxes’ and said to age well. But women hear comments like, ‘You’ll look older’ or ‘You’re letting yourself go.’ There’s more pressure on women to maintain their hair color—but there shouldn’t be.”
Raeann hopes sharing her journey helps break the stigma around gray hair and encourages others to feel confident in their natural beauty.
