Grey hair shock comes when you suddenly realize from looking at the regrowth of your hair color that you now have a lot more grey hairs than not growing out from your scalp.
A few of my clients have been asking how they could grow out their colors and embrace their natural grey hair. Without ending up looking like a grandmother. My first response was “with patience” my second “it can look unforgettable if worn well with a great haircut or look”
We all like to stay looking younger but for some reason Mother Nature just hasn’t got the message that says “hold off the grey hairs for another decade or two as I don’t need them just yet”
I am not sure whether it is due to the trend of bleaching the hair then applying a color so as to produce a grey tone as seen on stars such as Ginnifer Goodwin, Kylie Jenner and Nicole Richie to name a few. But this has made grey hair a lot more visible, fun and acceptable where as before it was only looked at as being very ageing.
There may come a time as your grey hairs are increasing and seem to be showing faster and faster at the roots of you colored hair. That either due to economic reasons or the fact that you finally think it’s time to stop denying nature that you think about growing your color out.
Growing Out Your Grey Hair And Still Have A Sense Of Style.
Firstly it needs a good consultation with a hairdresser you trust and feel confident with as they can guide you through what it entails, what to expect and a time span.
Mentally prepare yourself as after years of seeing full coverage it may take some time to get your head around seeing some white hairs. Also be ready for the comments you will receive from your friends and family some will be good “it looks great” and some not “you are too young for grey hair.”
Remember it is your hair to do with as you like and yes you can still look great with natural grey hair when you enhance the color.
Just look at Jamie Lee Curtis, Annie Lennox, Emmilui Harris or Helen Mirren.
You will also need to understand that your whole complexion will change. Therefore you may well have to look at changing your make up colors and to even some degree your wardrobe as some of the colors you wore before may not work well with your new hair.
How I Change my Clients Hair To Their Natural Grey In 4 Steps.
Step One.
As long as the overall color is not to dark the first step I always recommend is to go lighter. This will eliminate or lessen the demarcation between the regrowth and the color of my client’s hair. Putting in some hi lights is a great way to achieve this and it will adapt her to seeing herself with lighter hair.
Step Two.
Depending on the percentage of white to dark hairs I may suggest another set of hi lights within the next six weeks or so therefore increasing the lightness even more.
Step Three.
When the hairs re growth has reached four to six months and a decent length of grey is showing it is now time for my client to make the big decision and I must say that all so far have jumped for what I consider to be the quickest and best way forward.
Yes the big snip.
To go shorter will then eliminate most of the old color in one stroke.
Why keep the length when walking around with longish hair that has inches of grey re growth is just not desirable.
Step Four.
So now we have the natural hair color which maybe relatively even in the distribution of white and grey hairs or all white hairs.
Generally speaking though a lot of clients find that they have far more white hairs at the front than the back of their heads. This is where as a stylist we use our skills to achieve an overall blend. By the use spot coloring with either a few dark or light hi lights we are able to balance out the look.
If You Decide To Embrace The Grey.
It is important to remember that your hair was at its best in your twenties.
And from your thirties your hair will slowly start to change with age leading to maybe less volume and density.
When hair looses its color it is susceptible to frizz, wiriness and yellowing. So do to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to help keep the hair subtle and always finish the look with a serum or shine to give a lustre to your hair. Should your hair begin to take on a yellowish tinge (discoloration due to pollution) use a purple shampoo to counteract the effect.
Thank you for reading my post. I hope you found it informative.