I don't have any gray yet (at 54), but my hair went from golden blond to brown when I was about 32. Since then, I've had various types of coloring, but now I do highlights about 3-4 times a year. I don't feel myself with brown hair. I guess when I go gray, I will have to do 2 processes, color and then highlight.
Silver looks really bad on me, just totally washes out my coloring. I guess I could accept salt and pepper when I'm in my 70s, but as long as I can afford it, I will keep the blond highlights. My hair is really short and I have it cut every 4 weeks, which is worth every penny.