I’ve always been on the lookout for easy ways to save money without sacrificing style. That usually means shopping at sample sales, using coupons, and finding great deals at consignment shops. I also love making small, affordable style updates with things like lip color, nail polish, and hair accessories from Marshall’s.
Lately, though, I’ve been paying extra attention to how much I spend at the salon—especially on hair color. One of the simplest ways to cut costs and embrace a more natural look is by returning to my roots—literally—by growing out my natural hair color.
That led me to a couple of big questions: Do I actually want my natural hair color back? And if so, should I let it grow out or dye it back to match?
When COVID hit and salons shut down, I panicked. I had been coloring my hair to cover grays and adding highlights because, well, that’s just what I did. How was I supposed to manage without my colorist?
Fast forward a bit, and I realized something important—I’m still the same person, no matter what color my hair is. The only difference? I had an extra $200 in my pocket every month.
By the time salons reopened, I had already put a lot of thought into my hair strategy. I decided to let it grow out naturally. Now, 15 months later, I’m about a third of the way there.
If you’re considering a similar change, here’s what I’ve learned that might help you decide.
Think about how much time you spend at the salon. Every six weeks, you’re sitting in that chair for two to three hours, which adds up to about 24 hours a year. That’s a whole day you could spend on something else—whether it’s a vacation, time with family, or just catching up on sleep.
Then there’s the cost. A color and highlight session can easily run over $100, not including a cut and style. If you’re not coloring your hair, you might not even need a trim as often. My salon budget dropped from over $2,000 a year to less than $200.
Another perk? With your natural color, you don’t have to stress about roots showing. You can throw your hair into a ponytail or part it however you like without worrying about touch-ups.
Of course, dyeing your hair back to its natural shade is the faster option. A couple of salon visits, and you’re done. I would have gone this route, but there was one problem—my grays.
Since I have random grays coming in, dyeing my hair brown would have only delayed the inevitable. By the time salons reopened, I already had an inch of regrowth, so I decided to stick it out. Almost a year later, I’m still committed.
Another thing I noticed is how hair color affects texture. My dyed hair is coarser and frizzier than my natural roots, even with the grays. The more I color it, the longer I delay letting my healthy, natural hair grow in.
Letting your natural color grow out is a slow and sometimes frustrating process. After a year, my roots are about six inches long. In a few more months, I could cut my hair into a bob and be fully natural. If I want to keep my length, though, I’m looking at another 18 to 24 months before the last of the dyed ends are gone. That’s a long wait.
But once I stopped feeling the need to explain my two-toned hair to strangers, I found it surprisingly freeing.
It might sound silly, but hair color can feel like part of your identity. If you’ve been a dyed blonde since high school, going back to brown might not feel like “you.” Think of someone like Christina Hendricks—can you even picture her as a blonde?
If you’ve been coloring your hair for years, you’ve probably built up layers of highlights and lowlights that add dimension. Dyeing it all at once can make it feel like you’re losing that depth.
Any big change takes time to adjust to. If your natural color is very different from what you’ve had for years, people will notice. You might not even recognize yourself in the mirror at first. But over time, you’ll get used to it.
And here’s the bonus—your natural hair color is probably the best match for your skin tone and eye color. Plus, you get to rediscover makeup shades that complement your real hair color. It’s like a fresh start!