Blue rinse

[geofbob]

This is a question for QM (or any hairdrerssers out there). In your answer on IDS and Tory plotters, you referred to the 'blue rinse brigade', and we all know what you mean. But is there such a thing as a blue rinse these days, and if so what is it?
(One way of ensuring we don't answer the same question simultaneously - ask each other!)

[Quizmonster]

Strangely enough, Geof, the phrase appeared in 'The Times' the other day and, today in response, there is a letter from an ex-Tory lady which reads: "...Even as a member of the Tory unfaithful (I deserted in the last two elections) I have never had a blue rinse. At 85 I remain a determined brunette."

I have to admit, it's a long time since I last saw one. Even during the recent Blackpool conference, in a hall that used to sport dozens of the things, I don't believe I saw a single one. It's such a resonant phrase, though, that I couldn't resist using it any more than Andrew Pierce of 'The Times' could! (I like the ploy in your closing brackets...being hot-on-the-heels once is bad enough in one session...but twice?!)

[katejess]

I remember when I was a lot younger, blue rinses seemed very much to be the trend amongst ladies of a certain age (i.e my granny who had not a blue, but a purple rinse).

Like you, I thought that blue rinses were very much a thing of the past, until last week!

I was walking through the highstreet, minding my own business when a little old lady with blue hair passed me by!

I was not the only person to do a double take, but perhaps this rather ridiculous craze is coming back into fashion!

[archbishop]

I have grey hair and have had since I was 14. I am constantly in a smoky(nicotine) enviroment and the thing with grey hair it shows impurities more than coloured hair. So when an excess of nicotine is absorbed my hair comes up blonde which looks ridiculous with my grey beard. There is a purple coloured shampoo which is specifically for grey hair and gets rid of the nicotine colour(blonde). This is fine for my hair but someone with grey hair without the impurities of nicotine, the hair has a blue tint. The blue rinse brigade tend to be the older person and the stalwart of whatever party they are in(volunteers).