SOME, including Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney, appear to be quite happy with it. But many men would rather dye than admit they're going grey.

Nigel Dean from Bournemouth, decided it was time to do something about the silver lining that was starting to appear on the sides of his head.

"I'm nearly 49 so I'm allowed to be a bit grey now. I didn't start going grey until I was 44 so I suppose I've been rather lucky really," he said.

"But for the summer I've decided that I would like to look more blond than grey although it's got to look natural - I don't want to look as though I'm wearing a wig!"

Nigel agreed to tried a professional hair colour range called Luocolour at High Maintenance in Richmond Road, Parkstone.

Salon manager Denise Rogerson explained that it gives a more natural coverage.

"It colours each hair individually keeping the same inconsisitency of natural hair so you don't get one block of colour and the re-growth is not so obvious.

"It only lifts about four shades and it also contains grape seed oil to help nourish and condition the hair too."

Just an hour later Nigel was soon admiring his new summer-kissed look in the mirror.

"It was a bit of a shock at first - the last time I dyed my hair was when I was in my 20s but I guess you could say it's grown on me!" Denise added that they had started to get more male clients coming in to have their hair coloured in recent years.

"A lot of men are still embarrassed about admitting they colour their hair but I don't know why - male grooming is one of the fastest-growing industries these days."

But although more men are reaching for the bleach, the reverse maybe true for many older women according to Sean Dawson, president of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing.

He says many women are discovering that grey can be glamorous and cites Meryl Streep in the Devil Wears Prada for proving that silver hair doesn't have to be frumpy.

"It can be as eye-catching and dramatic as you want it to be. Grey covers a range of colours from grey/blonde to silver and even a more gunmetal colour.

"It's vital to work with your natural tones to create a colour with texture and variety. Because grey hair tends to be coarser, grey hair can carry sharper styles too so be brave."

  • Daily Echo reader offer: High Maintenance is offering a 50 per cent discount on a full hair colour treatment (prices from around £45 depending on length of hair). Offer valid for new clients only. See today's (Friday) Daily Echo for details.