Ask Uncle John Anything: Blue Haired Ladies (2024)

Uncle John knows pretty much everything—and if he doesn’t, he heads his massive research library, or puts one of his many associates on the case. So go ahead: In the comments below, ask Uncle John anything. (And if we answer your question sometime, we’ll send you a free book!)

Where does the phrase “blue haired ladies” or “blue hairs” to describe prim and proper older woman come from?

Ask Uncle John Anything: Blue Haired Ladies (1)No, you weren’t born so late that you missed a time period in which senior citizens dyed their hair strange, shocking, or unnatural characters like they were punk rockers or Marge Simpson. From the 1930s through to about the mid-1970s (or so), it was common to see women with silver hair streaked or dotted with blue.

The product used was called a blue rinse, a dilute hair dye. Brands like Roux and Fanci-Full promised to turn gray or white hair, which can often adopt an undesirable yellow hue, into something more attractive. If it was done correctly, it gave graying hair a distinguished silvery tint, something close to the platinum blonde color of classic Hollywood movie stars like Jean Harlow. It was also favored by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. When applied poorly, as it was often done, it turned hair blue, purple, or bluish purple.

The phrase isn’t as well known in the U.S. anymore, or for the last 30 years or so, with the widespread use of more effective hair dyes that give formerly white or graying hair a more natural brown, black, or blonde appearance. In England, however, the phrase “blue hairs” isn’t used in favor of “blue rinse brigade.” While few older English people still have blue hair, it’s a “dyed in the wool” reference (pun intended), and a negative one at that, to describe older, middle-class conservatives…and it’s not the least bit affectionate. If it’s used, it’s meant to ridicule older people for their out-of-date values as well as their cosmetic choices. The last chain in the Western world to carry blue rinses was Asda, and it stopped selling them in 2006 due to low demand.

Ask Uncle John Anything: Blue Haired Ladies (2024)

FAQs

What is the blue hair for senior citizens? ›

The "elderly person" sense, first documented in the 1980s, refers to the blue rinse once used by older women to conceal grey hair. The second sense emerged from the association of dyed blue hair with social-justice activists in conservative spaces.

What does dyed blue hair symbolize? ›

Blue has always been linked to tranquillity so it makes sense that people with blue hair are thought to be very calm people. This does not mean that you are ridiculously lazy, on the contrary. By having personal calmness you are likely to have self-confidence.

What do you call someone with blue hair? ›

In my experience CHARACTERs with blue hair have been called 'Bluenettes', though no clue about purple.

Why is my grey hair turning blue? ›

It turned blue because the hair was very pale and cool, which meant the starting hair wasn't warm enough to cancel the coolness of the mix itself.

Why do old ladies dye hair blue? ›

A blue rinse is a dilute hair dye used to reduce the yellowed appearance of grey or white hair. The blue rinse gained popularity after Jean Harlow's appearance in the 1930 film Hell's Angels. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother also contributed to the popularity of the blue rinse in the 1940s.

What color hair is best for aging skin? ›

Caramel, honey, gold, copper, and strawberry give a healthy brightness that makes us look and feel younger. (Framing your face with lighter shades draws the eye away from any complexion concerns, as well.)

Why do old ladies dye their hair blue or purple? ›

As people go grey, many have an unattractive yellowish cast. With the application of a bluish/purple product, the yellow is cancelled out, making the hair appear white or more silver.

Does blue hair look good on everyone? ›

And good news: not only is blue hair a fun and bold statement, but it also looks great on all skin tones. If you have a warm complexion, try a blue tone with green or purple hues to balance your yellow or gold undertones. Or, if you have a cooler complexion, pure blues are sure to complement you best.

How damaging is blue hair dye? ›

It's extremely damaging doing multiple color corrections and bleach washes to try and get the blue out. I've been growing my hair out for a few years and it was super healthy before dying it blue. After all the things we've done to try and get rid of it, my hair is a bit thinner and definitely more damaged.

Is blue hair inherited? ›

Sadly, there are no genetic variants for blue hair-at least not at this stage of human evolution. But that doesn't mean there aren't lots of interesting things to learn about your natural hair color!

What is the rarest color of hair? ›

The rarest natural hair colour is red, which makes up only one to two percent of the global population. You commonly see these hair colours in western and northern areas of Europe, especially Scotland and Ireland. However, natural redheads may not exist for much longer.

Who has blue hair naturally? ›

Blue hair does not naturally occur in human hair pigmentation, although the hair of some animals (such as dog coats) is described as blue. Some humans are born with bluish-black hair (also known as "blue black" hair), which is black that has a blue hue under the light.

What does blue shampoo do to grey hair? ›

Blue Shampoo: Which Is Better for Gray Hair? Purple shampoo is a more ideal choice for gray hair than blue shampoo. While they both counteract brassy tones, purple shampoo gets rid of yellow pigments in light hair, and blue shampoo neutralizes orange and copper tones in brown hair or dark hair.

Can gray hair turn black again? ›

There's a lot of misinformation about gaining back your natural hair color once it's started turning gray or white. While certain nutrient deficits and health conditions may spawn premature gray hairs, it's impossible to restore your natural hair color if your grays are genetic or due to natural aging.

What does purple shampoo do to grey hair? ›

Purple shampoo has been used for decades by hairdressers, mostly to help tone and neutralize blonde and gray hair, getting rid of brassy or yellow tones for an overall more cool-toned look.

What does purple hair mean on a woman? ›

This fun purple hair color trend turns a lot of heads. Purple is associated with royalty and notability and that's what Pony brings to your pics. Swipe along to catch all the stray strands.

Does dyed hair make you look older? ›

Too dark

Going too dark with your color creates the illusion of more fine lines and wrinkles, says Michael Dueñas, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Hair Room Service. Also, if you have gray hair, you can make the line of demarcation more apparent when your hair starts to grow in.

Why is blue hair hard to maintain? ›

With blue hair, the biggest issue is it going green as it fades and products build up. I always use a clarifying shampoo on blonde hair, but on this kind of colour, it will just fade faster if you do that. So, instead, I use products targeted at blonde hair to keep putting the purple back into it.

What is the best hair color for a 70 year old? ›

Silver, ashy, blond, and platinum are indeed the most popular hair color choices for women over 60. And with good reason! Instead of coloring to hide your grey hair, you can choose to embrace it.

What haircut makes you look younger? ›

Sleek, straight bob

According to Thompson and Wilson, a bob is not only universally flattering but is also one of the hairstyles that make you look younger because “it softens facial features and opens up the face,” which, in turn, reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

What is the most attractive hair color on a woman? ›

Which hair colour do women think is the sexiest? Most women think brunette hair is the sexiest, as 25% of those polled favoured this option. Womens' second preference is blonde, which was voted as the sexiest hair colour by 19.6% of women. Again, red took third spot, accounting for 11.8% of womens' votes.

What is blue vs purple for hair? ›

What is the difference between blue shampoo and purple shampoo? Purple shampoo uses purple pigments to neutralize yellow tones and keeps blondes brighter and ashier. Purple shampoo is also great for silver/white hair as well. Blue shampoo uses blue pigments to neutralize brassy orange tones in the hair.

Does coloring your hair make you look younger? ›

Lighter hair color makes you look younger – but the tone you go for is paramount. If your skin has warm undertones, stay away from cool, ashy tones, and add some warmth to your look with golden highlights. Go for shades like honey to give your complexion a healthy, youthful glow!

What makeup to wear with blue hair? ›

So if you're all about hair color in shades of blue and purple, your makeup should represent those cool shades with soft pastel pink and blue eyeshadows, cheek color and lip tint.

What skin tone is best for blue hair? ›

Cool and neutral skin tones can wear most cool-toned blue hair colors, while warmer skin tones usually look the most natural with purple and green-based blue tones,” she says.

What clothes go with blue hair? ›

Colours like orange and mustard, appear directly opposite to blue on the colour wheel, so kick your look into high gear by donning a contrasting hue to intensify the appearance of your new blue 'do.

What happens if you leave blue hair dye on for too long? ›

"If you leave your color on for too long, there is potential for extra deposit of pigment to occur. You can't make your hair too light by leaving a tint color on too long (unless you're bleaching), but it can make your hair darker than intended," says Tardo.

What is the hardest hair color to remove? ›

Red is the hardest color to keep lustrous and the hardest color to remove,” she adds.

How do you wash blue hair? ›

How To Maintain Your Color-Treated Hair
  1. After coloring, wait a full 72 hrs before shampooing. ...
  2. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. ...
  3. Add dye to your conditioner. ...
  4. Turn down water temperature when shampooing. ...
  5. Wash hair less often. ...
  6. On off days, use dry shampoo. ...
  7. Use leave-in treatments to protect hair color when styling.
Jan 18, 2023

Does hair come from mom or dad? ›

One popular myth is that hair loss in men is passed down from the mother's side of the family while hair loss in women is passed down from the father's side; however, the truth is that the genes for hair loss and hair loss itself are actually passed down from both sides of the family.

What eye color is dominant? ›

Eye colour, or more correctly iris colour, is often used as an example for teaching Mendelian genetics, with brown being dominant and blue being recessive.

Is there permanent blue hair? ›

PERMANENT BLUE HAIR DYE FOR THE ADVENTUROUS

Not only is it vibrant and unique, but it is also a versatile color with plenty of different shades to choose from and many ways to style it. Whether you want bright blue streaks, a subtle pastel shade, or an all-over color, there is a shade of blue hair to suit anyone.

What is the rarest hair and eye color combination? ›

There's a little genetic tweak that makes the combination of red hair and blue eyes the rarest of them all.

What is the least popular hair color? ›

The United States has predominantly black and brown hair in the population, with 85 percent for black hair and 11 percent for brown hair. Authentic blonde hair makes up only two percent of the population, and authentic red hair, the rarest hair color of all, makes up only one percent of the American population.

What is the oldest hair color? ›

The first permanent hair color—jet black—can also be attributed to Ancient Rome, but it took a few hundred years for Greeks and Romans to introduce more color choices beyond black.

What hair color makes blue eyes? ›

Typically, rich brunette hues, warm blonde, and coppery reds provide the perfect amount of contrast to make blue eyes pop.

Why did blue hair turn green? ›

Chlorine and salt water can both add a green tint to your hair hue, says Kiyah. You can get the green out through a treatment mask, clarifying shampoo — or, weirdly, ketchup or tomato juice. To avoid this issue from the get go, try putting on a color-preserving conditioner before you go swimming.

Does everyone with blue eyes have blonde hair? ›

Blonde fact #4: Not all blondes have blue eyes

That's why so many people around the world have black strands and brown eyes. Lighter tint gives rise to lighter coloured eyes, including blue, but also varying tones of green and grey. So, just because you have blonde hair, it doesn't mean that you have blue eyes too.

What is better blue or purple shampoo? ›

If you have brassy orange or even red tones, blue shampoo is your best bet. However, blue pigment won't help with yellow undertones. The reverse is true for yellow undertones. Purple shampoo is great for removing yellowness, but not effective for orange or red tones.

What color shampoo is good for blue hair? ›

8 Best Shampoo For Blue Hair | Protect Hair Color From Fading
Shampoos For Blue HairBest For
Aveda Color Conserve ShampooNatural Shampoo
Kerastase Reflection Bain Chromatique Multi-Protecting ShampooDamaged Hair
MATRIX Total Results Brass Off Color Depositing Blue ShampooBlue Shampoo
Redken Color Extend ShampooSalon Shampoo
4 more rows

What's the difference between purple shampoo and blue shampoo? ›

Both blue and purple shampoos are used to color-correct dyed or lightened hair. Blue shampoos are designed to counteract orange tones in brunette hair, while purple shampoos are used to banish brass in blonde hair.

What does baking soda do to gray hair? ›

Using baking soda on your hair is essentially gently bleaching it, removing any natural color and leaving your hair looking faded or ashen. This kind of lightening can be really damaging to grey hair, especially if it's already dry or fragile.

At what age do people get grey pubic hair? ›

Some people develop their first strands of gray or white hair in their 30s or 40s, whereas others develop white strands in their 20s or teenage years.

What's the difference between gray and purple shampoo? ›

Silver shampoo is designed for those with gray or silver hair, and as silver is opposite yellow on the color wheel. This shampoo fights brassy tones of yellow that can appear in your gray locks, and take away from your color. Thirdly, purple shampoo is used for blonde hair or those with blonde highlights.

What kind of shampoo should I use for grey hair? ›

Purple and Blue Shampoo

Celebrity hairstylist Peter Butler says violet- and purple-based shampoos, such as Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra-Violet Shampoo and L'Oréal EverPure Sulfate Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo, are super helpful in keeping your gray, silver, white, and blonde hair bright and manageable.

What is the meaning of blue hair? ›

Beginning in the 2010s, and into the early 2020s, blue hair (and less commonly purple hair) has become associated with feminism, socialism, and the LGBTQ community, especially the young Generation Z and Millennial members of those socio-political movements.

What was the blue hair rinse in the 1970s? ›

Older women in The '70s and earlier who wanted to be gracefully grey would therefore get their stylists to treat their yellowing hair with a blue rinse, which, with luck, would tone down the yellow and leave a silver grey.

What is midnight blue hair? ›

Midnight blue hair is a color painted with dark blue and black hues that give off a mysterious and extra bold look. It's perfect for gals with a slightly rebellious personality. If you're obsessed with quirky fashion colors and standing out of the crowd, this daring blue-black shade should be your next hair goal!

Does blue hair damage hair? ›

It's extremely damaging doing multiple color corrections and bleach washes to try and get the blue out. I've been growing my hair out for a few years and it was super healthy before dying it blue. After all the things we've done to try and get rid of it, my hair is a bit thinner and definitely more damaged.

What hair color is best for 65 year old woman? ›

Silver Fox. Silver, ashy, blond, and platinum are indeed the most popular hair color choices for women over 60.

What will blue shampoo do to gray hair? ›

This violet and silver pigment shampoo and conditioner is ideal for brightening gray and silver locks, especially those prone to dullness and yellow brassy tones. After use, your gray hair is left looking and feeling brighter and healthier.

What was a popular shampoo in the 70s? ›

Lemon Up

Rinsing your hair with lemon was a popular beauty tip in the 1970s, but the creators of "Lemon Up" took it to another level. The shampoo claimed to have the juice of an entire lemon in each bottle, making hair shinier and brighter.

How often did people wash their hair in the 1940s? ›

Most hair care tips I found from the 1940s instructed women to shampoo about once a week and to use dry shampoo between washes. Many recommended oil as well.

What did they use for shampoo in the 1700s? ›

The first signs of soap appeared in the 18th century

Everyone went there to get their hair washed and to have their hair massaged with vegetable oil. At the end of the 18th century, 'shampoo' arrived in Europe. It was limited to a mix of melted soap shavings and plant decoctions.

How long does blue hair dye stay in your hair? ›

Jesse says you'll have to touch up a color about every two months to maintain it. To make this less necessary, he recommends a toner and color-safe shampoo. You can also use a color-depositing conditioner, says Kiyah.

What is the difference between blue and midnight blue? ›

Midnight blue is darker than navy blue and is generally considered to be the deepest shade of blue, one so dark that it might be mistaken for black.

Is blue hair hard to maintain? ›

Blue hair dye is really striking, but also a bit high-maintenance. Unfortunately, your blue hair can fade into an unwanted green hue over time.

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