Women across Portsmouth show off their rainbow hairstyles as they ditch the blue rinse

The delicate shades of anthracite and shell pink were the preferred colours of genteel ladies who had a weekly shampoo and set during the 1950s and 60s.

But women who are now reaching their ‘silver years’ are opting for something more striking and individual.

Retiree Susanne Holmes felt that she wanted to be more frivolous with her hair.

Susanne said: ‘When I had a career, I didn’t think it was right for me to have colour in my hair. It would have detracted from the work I was doing and I would have been judged because of it. My job was customer facing and as a young woman, having colour in my hair just wasn’t an option.

‘But now I’m retired I can do what I please. I hit 70 last year and I thought what am I worried about? I love bright colours and I’ve found that pinks and magenta work best in my hair.’

Having spent a lifetime trying to blend in and not be seen, Zirrinia Austin Dean says she’s ready to be more daring with her hair shade.

She said: ‘I never coloured my hair until I started to go grey and to begin with I just wanted the same shade as the original colour.

‘But my hairdresser, Belinda has changed all that. Now I have pink and orange - it’s all about relaxing and just having a bit of fun.

‘I wouldn’t have done this as a younger woman, I didn’t want to stand out any more than I already felt I did. But now I know I stand out and I might as well just go for it.’

Belinda Cleary is responsible for creating the colourful looks at her Osborne Road salon, Medusa.

The Southsea hairdresser said: ‘Many of my older clients are wild about colour - they tell me it makes them feel a little bit naughty.

‘Clashing colours work really well but it depends on the individual personality. I advise women to build-up to the really zany colours. Err on the side of caution first and then let yourself go.’

Margaret Ferguson from Lovedean enjoyed having bright hair so much that she decided to get pink, lime green and turquoise hair.

The 74-year-old said: ‘I’ve had everyone from little tots exclaiming that I’ve got unicorn hair to people who stop me in the street to admire my style/bravery.

‘Lots of women my age say they feel invisible when you get to a certain age - well it doesn’t have to be like that.

‘Now people notice my hair more than any wrinkles I may have.’

PR expert Kate Pearce modelled for Belinda when she hosted a photoshoot at her salon.

The 57-year-old said: ‘I was the ‘old lady’ in the room compared to the other young, beautiful girls who had been chosen to model.

‘But Belinda created a seascape in my hair with a beautiful mix of blues and greens - the

total opposite of a traditional blue rinse. I love it.’

Annette Footman-Williams, who lives in Spain, books in with Belinda when she returns to Southsea.

She said: ‘The last time I saw Belinda she put purple, turquoise and blue through my hair. In the past I’ve had purple and green in June to mark Wimbledon.

‘I do it to please myself.’

Her sister Marylou explained she had always been a bit wacky when it came to colour as she was a hairdresser and was happy to experiment.

‘I loved the punk look and Mary Quant. I got married in Biba clothes and I was lucky my mum was very much into fashion and encouraged me to be creative with my look.

‘I would advise anyone with grey hair to give it a go when it comes to colouring your hair. Colouring your hair isn’t life threatening - in fact it’s life liberating.’ she said.

With news that hairdressing salons might be able to open from July, Belinda said she looked forward to welcoming clients old and new.

She said: ‘I’ve been contacted by so many of my clients who can’t wait for us to be able to open again - I am looking forward to being able to weave a bit more colourful magic.’