Restore Your Sparkle
Taking care of gray hair can be tricky business! Sun exposure and oxidation can quickly lead to yellow or brassy tones in your mane, leaving your locks dull and lifeless. Don't worry, though— there are options available to ensure that you keep your magnificent gray looking its best. Investing in shampoos specifically made for gray hair equipped with UV protection and tonal balancing so they won’t fade or lose their chic silvery hue is a must.
If you have already have some brassiness, nix it in no time with a great purple tinted shampoo that can not only help neutralize any unwanted yellow or gold tones but also leave you with a healthy-looking shine!
Never Pluck!
Noticing a stray gray hair or two is never fun, but the worst thing you can do is pluck it out! Not only will it not prevent further gray hairs from appearing, but it can also damage the follicle and cause these little wild cards to become a permanent fixture in your hairdo. Fortunately, there are better strategies for tackling gray hairs.
You could choose to embrace the salt and pepper look—or use a semi-permanent hair dye that covers up those grays while preventing damage to your scalp and follicles. And even if none of these solutions appeal to you, just remember that hair naturally thins as we age—in other words, any extra help we give our hair in this department is entirely unnecessary!
Try Hair Supplements
Natural supplements can be a great solution for people looking to keep their hair shiny and healthy. There is a wide selection of products available specifically designed to help with hair growth and add density to gray hair that has thinned due to aging. Not only do these supplements nourish and strengthen the hair from within, but they can also contribute to scalp health by reducing dryness and irritation.
The best part? All these benefits are without a single chemical or additive, ensuring that your tresses are kept in their very best condition without any nasty side effects.
Heat is Bad
If you have lighter-colored hair, like blonde or gray, it’s important to be aware that your hair lacks the layer of pigment necessary to protect it from excessive heat. That means using a blow dryer, curling iron, or any other heat-styling tool can take a toll on your locks and cause serious damage over time.
To prevent your hair shafts from becoming increasingly brittle, we highly recommend investing in protective products specifically designed for hair exposed to high temperatures. These tools provide an extra layer of protection and help keep your style looking beautiful day after day.
Make Sure Your Products are Clear
With gray hair, you may have noticed that it takes on a brassy or blond-like finish over time. This can happen because of the golden tint in some hair care products, which makes them great for people with dark-colored hair, but not so much for those with gray locks.
Before you throw out all of your hair care items, look to see if they are yellow-based. If so, switching out these products for clear versions may be prudent. That way, you can keep your original color and avoid any unwanted brassiness!
Avoid Heavy Pomades, Waxes, and Serums
If you're looking for a way to give your gray hair a dusty look, try products that help coat the hair. A good product to consider is a shine spray, which will help give your hair an added luster without weighing it down too much.
But if you prefer, lighter-weight options like mousses, gels, and leave-in treatments can help manage frizz and dryness while giving you the desired look you're after. Whichever product you decide on, give it a try and see how your gray hair takes to the new styling—you may be pleasantly surprised with the results!
Add Dimension
Applying a soft low light color behind your hairline and at the part can create a subtle, yet age-appropriate, salt-and-pepper look. For those looking for something trendier, why not consider an ombre hairdo?
Doing so involves applying a darker grey color to the roots with lighter shades towards the tips, providing an overall sleek and chic look to your locks. With regular dyeing maintenance, you'll be sure to stay on trend while keeping viewers guessing!
Spot & Stick
If you find yourself at a loss for taming pesky gray hairs that just don’t want to stay put, consider using hairspray. A quick spritz of the spray onto your fingertips is all the product you need to help those unruly grays stay in place. Gently use your fingers to tease and smooth the hairs into submission so they lay where you want them to be.
Don't worry if it doesn't look perfect right away; as with any hair styling task, practice makes perfect. In no time at all, you'll have mastered this easy technique and be able to enjoy perfectly styled hair every day!
Make Aging Hair Young Again
Aside from lacking pigment, gray hair tends to be dry and wiry due to reduced oil production. Fortunately, there are products specifically designed to keep gray hair looking its best!
The Nexxus Youth Renewal Elixir is an excellent option for tackling signs of aging hair. This serum helps to decrease breakage and add a beautiful shine to the locks, enhancing your overall appearance. With a little attention and care, your gray hair can make you look youthful and vibrant.
Soften and Make it Shinier
Gray hair can throw a wrench in your routine because it often has a different texture and needs than pigmented hair. Gray hair's follicles are usually more coarse, making it more unruly, frizzy, and dry than other colored locks — but don’t despair!
You can absolutely bring gray hair back to fabulous with the right products and tools. Specifically, try incorporating serums and glosses that contain silicone into your beauty routine, as they have the most success in smoothing out grays. With a bit of TLC, you can still confidently rock the silver-streaked look!
Wear Flattering Colored Clothes
When it comes to your wardrobe, you want to look vibrant and energetic. However, many of us reach for gray or ivory-colored clothing, which gives the idea that we’re more tired or older than we want others to think. Additionally, greens may not be the best choice either. Those shades can cast a green hue against our hair color, making us appear even older.
Instead of those go-to shades of clothing — ones that can age us in an unflattering way — try something brighter such as teals, reds, black, pure white, and rich purples! These will bring out a youthful glow and vibrancy in you.
Thicken if Needed
Going gray is no longer something to be feared! In fact, with the right styling products, it can be a great way to boost confidence and look fabulous.
We highly recommend using products that contain keratin fibers — these fibers help thicken the hair, providing natural volume and healthy hair. Try it out today for thicker lustrous-looking locks that go beautifully with any style of your choice.
Pick Trendy Glasses
Don't worry about picking new glasses as you age; your gray hair only adds to your look! The ideal frames will bring out the warmth of your hair color and your facial features. Avoid light frames that blend in, dark shades that overtake, or any gray hue which can age you unnecessarily.
Instead, opt for warm earth tones or deep shades and observe how your face lights up with a healthy glow. Sometimes all it takes is a perfect frame to make all the difference!
Choose the Right Blush
If you've fully embraced your gray hair, it's time to put away those dark-to-brown blushes! Going lighter and wearing a neutral or peachy pink blush on your cheeks will give them a healthy, natural-looking flush that compliments your new look.
The good news is that these subtle tints are easy to find at your local makeup counter and won't leave you looking overly heavy. Plus, with just the right balance of color, you'll have a bright-eyed glow that's outrageously flattering!
Dress Up Your Lips
When it comes to choosing the best colors for your lips when you have gray hair, don't be scared to be bold! With gray hair, neutral and brown hues can wash out your complexion, leaving you looking older than you may feel. Instead, try introducing colors like reds, mauves, and pinks into the equation. These shades will give your lewk a modern update and draw emphasis to a youthful smile.
Color-wise, it's not just lipsticks that you should keep an eye on. Consider a statement shade of gloss with pink or champagne finishes that work wonderfully with silver strands. Have fun experimenting and playing up all your newfound coloring!
Layering
Layering is the perfect option if you want a new look without feeling like you've gone through with a chop! Not only does it disguise gray roots, but it can also add movement and volume – all of which help create a beautiful style. With a few strategic cuts, your layered look will be ready to show off.
To ensure it looks its best all day long, be sure to invest in a good hairdryer to fluff and fix up any flyaways. Layer away and feel confident that your locks will always look sensational!
Check The Ingredients
Taking the time to read through the labels on your hair-care products and understanding what you're using on your hair can make all the difference in protecting your silver strands. Firstly, pay attention to ingredients like Laureth Sulfate Sodium, which is commonly present in shampoos and soaps and can be drying. Secondly, watch out for single-word ingredients such as "fragrance." Many companies use this category as an umbrella term to hide a range of potentially harsh chemicals.
Instead, try seeking out products that use natural essential oils for fragrance, as these will not affect the silver shine of your hair. Checking out product reviews online or consulting your hairdresser may also help you find the best natural hair product.
Make Your Eyes Pop
Who doesn't crave a more youthful, brighter appearance? Whether you have dark brown eyes or jet black eyes, eyeshadow and eyeliner can help you achieve your desired look. If you have darker eye color, warm browns and dark blues will complement your natural tones best; however, if you have lighter eyes, consider opting for peachy roses or creamier hues. Experimenting with different shades of pigment is an easy way to brighten up your face!
Additionally, having waterproof and long-wear products can further enhance your makeup's wear time. Have fun and express yourself with eye makeup — the options are endless!
Protect Your Assets
Having gray hair can be a lot of fun, but unfortunately, it's more prone to damage from environmental pollutants and UV rays. Taking some extra steps to maintain your glorious gray hair is essential for keeping it looking vibrant. To minimize buildup and keep your gray looking healthy, try washing it at least every other day with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for hair that has been exposed to UV light and other environmental pollutants.
These products usually contain ingredients like antioxidants, which protect against free radicals in the air and help protect against color fading and damage caused by overheating styling tools. Finding the right products for your grays will result in gorgeously glossy locks that will make heads turn!
Stay Sharp
Making sure your hair looks healthy and tidy is important. Keeping up with regular haircuts at the salon is a must, as it can make a big difference in how your hair looks. If you’re looking for a modern cut with clean edges, be sure to ask your stylist to avoid using razors during the process. Razors do not provide the same quality result that more traditional cutting shears give you, and they can actually cause the ends of your hair to fray.
To really keep your look polished, make sure you get a trim every 6-8 weeks - going any longer than this can result in split ends or an overall untidy appearance. Following this advice will help you keep on top of styling so that you have a look that’s neat, polished, and powerful every day.
Blend It
Gray hair can be a tricky beast to tame. Because the strands lack the pigment which characterizes our natural hair color, it often has an entirely different texture than the rest of our mane. For example, if you have always had fine hair and suddenly find yourself with a few grays, they are likely to be a coarser texture than the rest of your locks.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by this texture mismatch, try using a styling serum to help blend your gray strands into the rest of your hair. It's amazing (and sometimes surprising!) how quickly a styling serum can help to mask those changes in texture and make your 'do look completely together!
Wear the Right Foundation
Having gray hair can add sophistication and wisdom to an overall look, but proper care must be taken in order to ensure it looks its best. With makeup, it's important to use colors that will compliment your hair shade or build on your skin's natural tones. Primers are useful for evening out textures and reducing the appearance of wrinkles while highlighting concealer helps to lift dark circles around the eyes and add a healthy glow of light coverage overall.
For those who want to enhance their graying locks, remember that with the right products and know-how, you can achieve a naturally beautiful look that celebrates youthfulness and grace.
Transition to Gray
If you’re looking to embrace your naturally beautiful gray hair, a pixie cut is a great choice! It allows you to show off your natural grays, and it’s an easy style to manage. Not only does a short crop keep strands healthy as they grow out, it can also be fun to switch up the style with different products.
Plus, you'll avoid any awkward growing-out stages that can accompany long lengths. So try out a pixie cut and rock your gray hair in style!
Highlights & Lowlights
Highlighting or lowlighting with permanent dyes is an excellent technique for blending grays. It can soften the appearance of grays and ensure that your hair looks natural, rather than having a stark gray line stand out amongst the rest of your hair color. Be sure to talk to your hairstylist about what works best for you, as there are a variety of coloring techniques available that deliver different effects depending on the strength and tone of your existing hair color.
With the right technique and experienced hairstylist, you will be able to blend in those grays without having to worry about an artificial dye look!
Hair Dyes
If you're looking to breathe some life back into your gray strands, have you considered semi-permanent hair dye? This technique utilizes color that softly blends in with the gray.
Your stylist can apply a hue of your choice to deposit subtle tones, giving life back to your gray hair instead of relying on solid coverage. It's worth considering if you want a natural result, as semi-permanent dyes tend to be gentler on the hair than permanent options and many people find they last longer too!
Play Up Your Eyebrows
When aging takes a toll on our hair, and it starts to go gray, many people worry about how to maintain the same look they’ve had all their lives. At first, graying brows can be unnerving, but luckily, it doesn't have to be a cause for concern. In fact, having brows of a darker shade than your graying hair can help make your locks look more vibrant and youthful!
If you prefer to keep your eyebrows closer in color, there are plenty of options available too; try using eyebrow pencils that come in ashy light brown, greyish brown, or medium gray tones. With just a few simple steps, you’ll be ready to confidently take the world on.
Try Clarifying Shampoo
No matter what you do, hair always ends up with a lot of build-up. That’s thanks to all the products we regularly use like shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, hair spray, and thickener – we really put our hair through a lot. Occasionally, you’ll want to use a clarifying shampoo to reset everything.
These shampoos are specifically designed to get rid of everything that’s been accumulating in your hair and on your scalp. Since clarifying shampoos can be a little harsh on your hair, it isn’t a daily treatment. Once a week would suffice, although if you don’t use a lot of product, once every two weeks may be even better.
Consider a Balayage
Balayage for gray hair works very similarly to every other hair color — it accentuates what you already have. The only difference is that gray hair is often already quite blended, so it takes a skilled hand to do this type of style. However, finding someone that can do it well will make your hair look refreshed and dynamic.
It will allow the sun to catch your beautiful gray hair and make it look even shinier. The balayage is a great option over traditional highlights because you don’t have to go get it touched up regularly. One visit occasionally is enough, and as your hair grows, it still looks great.
Don’t Forget Oil
As we grow older, it can feel like our hair changes texture. That’s actually more of a myth! It can change shape and lose a little bit of its elasticity, but the texture changes because our bodies start producing a lot less oil than it used to. This can lead to a change in texture.
Your hair might start to feel a little dry, be unable to reflect light, lack shine, and not seem as smooth. To remedy this, start adding a little oil to your scalp! One of the best oils to use is rosemary, as it can also help make your hair grow. Another option is argan oil.
Play With Shades
While leaving your gray hair in its natural state is certainly an option, you can also play around with the shade of your gray. Not every shade is the same, and you may end up liking something a bit darker or even lighter. Toners might be the thing you’re looking for in this situation.
Toners aren’t going to color or cover any of your grays. They’re designed to enhance what you already have, meaning if you have multiple shades of gray, using a toner will simply make it darker or lighter but keep the same natural hues you were born with. Wella has a great range of toners specifically designed for gray hair.