The young often view gray hair as a sign of aging. While true, gray hair doesn’t have to make you appear old. The shades of silver, white and gray can look drab and bring to mind grandmothers if not styled well. It doesn’t have to be that way for you. Applying some hair care and styling tips makes gray hair look lustrous, sexy and stunning.
Color
To color or not to color is the question many women ask as they notice their first gray hairs. If you have only a few streaks of silver, consider adding some highlights and lowlights. Doing this helps your hair look balanced and blends the gray. Use a semi-permanent dye free of alcohol and ammonium peroxide to color gray. The semi-permanent will fade, allowing you to choose when to stop coloring without obvious roots. Don’t dye the ends of your hair and gradually lighten the color as your hair continues to gray. When you are ready, you can stop dyeing and go natural. Replace coloring with clear glaze to improve the shine and texture.
Products
How and when your hair grays has a lot to do with your genetics. For some, this can mean noticing the first grays in their 20s. Others might not see a sign of a silver until their 40s. Whatever your age, using the proper products keeps your hair from looking dull and yellowed. Gray hair tends toward dryness, so use a quality moisturizing conditioner whenever you shampoo. Use a deep conditioner regularly. Purple products help reduce yellowing. Look for hair care products designed to brighten and lighten blonde or gray hair, but only use them about once per week or your hair can take on a bluish tint. Use a monthly lemon-water rinse to reduce discoloration. Mix 2 cups of filtered water with the juice from one lemon.
Haircuts and Styles
A haircut can mean the difference between having the grandma-next-door look or a young, vivacious vibe. Talk to your stylist about chic, urban and modern cuts. Opt for shorter, layered haircuts that frame your face. The cut should move and look soft. Gray hair tends to look thin, so the haircut should help create fullness. Curly or frizzy hair can look chaotic when it grays, so don’t perm it. Use large rollers, flatirons or brush with the hairdryer on low heat to smooth your hair. Create a sleek, shiny hairdo. Use clear styling products and avoid accessories.
Photo Credit
- impish older woman image by dav820 from Fotolia.com
