Going gray can be an emotional decision. For some people, letting their gray roots show is a constant reminder that they’re getting older. For others, it’s a new and liberating experience.
Maybe you don’t care either way, but it’s definitely an adjustment. Having gray hair doesn’t just make you look different — there’s care that needs to be put into it if you want it to have the same shine as when it was pigmented. But don’t worry — all you need are these three easy steps.
1. Invest in High-Quality Products for Gray Hair
Too many people think that the “gray hair, don’t care” life means literally not caring about your hair anymore. But honestly, unless you want your gray locks to look dull and brassy, it’s going to take a little maintenance.
Once you’ve decided to go gray, your regular hair routine just isn’t going to cut it anymore. Gray hair is a lot different than pigmented hair — not just in terms of color, but texture, too. If you’re already sprouting gray hairs, you’ve probably noticed that they feel a lot different that the rest of your hair. Gray hair tends to be more brittle and dry than pigmented hair. The two main concerns for gray hair are moisture and color retention. Luckily, there are plenty of gray hair products out there that do just that.
The very first step would be to find a shampoo for gray hair. Gray hair shampoos tend to be ultra-hydrating, giving your hair all the moisture it needs to feel soft again. Getting a good deep conditioner will boost this effect.
As for color maintenance, you’re going to want to find a shampoo or conditioner with a blue or violet toner in it. The hair’s protective cuticle weakens as it turns gray, making it more vulnerable to the outside elements (especially the sun’s UV rays and cigarette smoke). That’s what causes gray hair to develop a yellowish tint. Many shampoos for gray hair will already have a blue toner in it to neutralize the brassiness.
2. Get Your Hair Dyed Professionally
If you’re seriously thinking about going completely gray, I’m assuming you’re trying to go for an Emmylou Harris or Jamie Lee Curtis look. And that’s totally attainable if you leave it up to a professional.
Again, deciding to go gray is a huge decision. So unless you’re experienced with dyeing hair, don’t buy a boxed dye kit and try to do it yourself. Getting your entire head one nice, even gray tone isn’t easy. You’re not going to get the results you want, and you don’t want to start this important transition on a negative note.
Do yourself a favor and just spend the extra money at the hair salon. It’s not worth the frustration of ruining your hair color, or in serious cases, damaging your hair.
3. Rock Your #GrannyHair!
If you haven’t noticed, gray hair has been trending for quite some time on social media. Hundreds of people (the vast majority of who haven’t even turned 30 yet) are posting selfies online of their freshly dyed silver tresses. More creative renditions of #GrannyHair include pastel ombres and subtle tones.
What started as a fashion trend has really helped older women embrace their graying hair. Gray hair can be and IS beautiful, and more people are starting to see it. So why not hit up the salon again and add a little splash of color to your already fashionable hue?
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