You sound very fustrated and i can understand that, i have also decided to let my natural colour come through.

I think the thing is when women get grey hair they cover it with dye until there hair is almost 80% grey and then they cant go natural because (the insecurity kicks in) it would be a major colour shock to themselves and to others (some even belive the dye is your natural colour ) but it is far far worse to grow out your natural colour when your grey is more than 70% than just a few greys here and there, because you can get used to your grey as it comes and love it and others can also get used to your grey.

There are so many people that look good with grey hair and each persons grey is a unique grey to them which matches their genetics perfectly.

Going grey is just one issue the other issue/fustration you seem to have is the damage of chemical dyes. Yes they are harmful, lets not pretend they are ok anyone who dyes there hair and has great looking hair and scalp does not know what their hair and scalp will look like in the future neither does the damage become immediate a bit like smoking some people get cancer after a year whilst others smoke their whole life and just develope a bad cough and some difficulty breathing.

I would not reccomend using henna if you dont like or want the colour or a full head of colour. Highlighting is far gentler for you than a full head of colour, it also allows your greys to come in and blend nicely with your highlights. Let me also say that henna is better above all chemicals but you seem very happy with your stylist why not get some highlights matching your natural colour rather than a full head of colour.

The problem with hair dye is that it is addictive!! Over the years i hated my natural colour more and more and yet i had not seen it in 9 years! One thing is for sure growing out dyed hair does not stop at one colouring it becomes addictive and then you realise you have bleached on top of bleached and you have tried every colour (you feel fustrated with your colour and condition) etc etc.

Natural allows you to love yourself, self-acceptance and self assurance, be confident that if you treat your hair right you will gain its respect and if will reward you.

This is a decision only you can make but growing out dye is the worst thing i have had to do that last so longggggggggggg!!!!! Its never ending!!

I hope you can be at peace with your hair

naturegirl, you have my deepest sympathy at the loss of your mother.  Cancer is a cowardly thief that deserves the worst type of execution imaginable. 

Congratulations on your decision to go chemical free!