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It all started three years ago. A woman walked into colorist Jack Martin's California salon and told him that she had been dyeing her hair from gray to brown with at-home box color every 3-4 weeks for years. But she didn't want to worry about her hair color that often; she's retired, enjoying the great outdoors, and wanted to save as much time as possible.

Jack Martin accepted the challenge, and they immediately started bouncing ideas. Eventually, the two of them decided to dye her hair silver, which would give her natural gray hue slightly more polish, which would allow the woman to visit salons less. When everything was said and done, she loved the results. Martin did too. In fact, he was so pleased with his work that he posted the transformation on Instagram. And people noticed. The picture went viral, bringing Martin clients with similar requests.

More info: jackmartinsalon.comInstagram | Facebook

"My clients with natural gray hair come two or three times a year, instead of every few weeks," Martin told Allure. The freedom that comes with such a stunning look really is appealing, not to mention the empowering emotions that come with owning your natural gray hair.Martin usually does these transformations over one ten-hour-long session.

As he explained on Instagram, the process starts with using a color extractor to remove any remaining artificial color. Then, while preserving the gray roots, Martin bleaches the rest of the head to prep hair for the new silver color.

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TheKnightOwl
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's grey/white, yet makes her look younger than the before pic.

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Next comes the crucial part. Martin bases the new color on the hair's natural gray pattern. He even asks clients to come in with three to four inches of their roots grown out, so he can analyze the natural coloring of their hair. He then re-creates the pattern on the entire hairdo.

"Some clients have salt and pepper mostly in the front and the back is darker, so I match that and add some dark to it," Martin said. And just like that, about ten hours later, clients leave his salon enjoying the blend of their natural hue.

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Miss Cris
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is her hair natural on the right picture? It seems coloured white and black

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Pat
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks gorgeous grey. Grey matches her skin tone better and she looks younger.

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Gr8Gramma2-4
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The hair always looks so much healthier. Gives them the cut to match up with their faces

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Crystal Martin
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too young for what, embracing her natural grey hair? She looks fabulous.

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Donald Holder
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like this shade of grey. Beautiful. Matches her light skin tone.

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Al Christensen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All these women who had been fighting looking old actually look younger with silver hair.

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Bridgette Blumenthal
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always look better all gray, than to see the roots of obviously dyed hair. Lovely.

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Susan Callihan
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My hairdresser convinced me to go natural 10 years ago. It's the best thing I've ever done to my hair.

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Brynn Bigelow
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're all beautiful but does he have to bleach the hair out to get the gray in?

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Ahmadullah Amarkhil
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why no men decided to do the same, I wonder? I am going to do this when I have more gray hair. This is amazing.

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Crystal Martin
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Listen, Miss Miss, your attitude stinks. These photos are provided to help build confidence in women, who by no fault of their own, genetically turned grey. People like you enforce the grey hair stigma. Take a hike.

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Tina Tustin
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every women looking beautiful before and after but the after is so much nicer .

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Flowergirl Power
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They all look so much better and younger with the gray hair. Some seem young to be going gray , lots of gray.

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Cheryl Kaukonen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great colourist/stylist. All heads of hair look shinier and healthier.

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Amanda Sambrano
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey Miss Miss if the only reason you are on here is to show YOUR ugliness then you have succeeded. Go troll elsewhere. All these women look beautiful! You on the other hand seriously need an attitude adjustment.

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Garth Robinson
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have noticed that there are several things that make these girl "look" more attractive, obviously the hair work, then photo lighting improved in "B" shots, subtle skin toning & lippy, and a smile improves a womans looks tenfold. Unfortunately that seems to be a dying trait among women these days...... the ability to show a "genuine" smile.

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Cathy Piner
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You will find that almost any possible before and after pics for anything, the after pic has the subject with flattering makep or a tan or prettier clothes or what not in the after pic ,for obvious reasons.Just look at weight loss before and afters etc. Its how they sell things. If the before puc looks bad , theres no point in showing it.

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HMFan2010
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not so much the color of the hair but the confidence with which you present yourself. Just look at Joan Baez or Emmylou Harris. GO FORTH, LADIES! Let the world know that you are NOT someone to be trifled with...

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Joan Rogers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These women have beautiful hair, (don't we all, right after having our hair done?) but I didn't see a senior among them. Age makes a big difference because grey does make us look older.

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Leslie K Von Dell
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it just me or do the photos of the "after" look as if all the women have either had their make up applied to make them look younger or they were photo-shopped to look younger? What's that you say? Truth in advertising? Mmmm, interesting concept!

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Kelli Kelley
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All nicely done but are there no Black Americans with grey hair?

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Chris R (MaddDoll)
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They all end up looking way younger! Beautiful. Stop dying it brown and blond and stay grey!

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