Gray hair strategies
Gray hair . . . badge of honor?
Graying hair, is just another natural event we can rely on, usually somewhere in our mid to late 30’s as our hair starts cutting off its production of melanin or pigment. Even though most of us can count on it, like death and taxes, few of us are ready for this sign that we are passing into middle age.
For me, at 53, I’m not ready go, “au natural” yet. Maybe it’s vanity or maybe it’s because of my hair background with coloring everyone else’s hair, but never the less, I know someday I’ll be ready look in the mirror and see gray hair. Why not, at some time it will be a welcomed new change of look and style.
“Brighten the gray, lighten the gray, blend or color the gray”
We have a number of options on how to go . . . or not to go gray. If you want to put off the moment of truth, a semi-permanent hair color may do the trick. It can tint your gray hairs making them look like mini highlights with reddish or golden hues. I did this up until recently, when this formula was no longer covering my increasing gray hair.
Foiling lighter shades of blonde or caramel tones into your natural shade, is an easy way to transition into going gray with your hair. Maintenance is much easier and less costly, which is a big plus for many, as there isn’t that definite line of demarcation as your roots grow in more subtly.
I’ve always had dark brown/black hair, a level 4 on the hair color chart. I now use this method of foiling in lighter shades as the dark was becoming to harsh with my changing skin tone. I’ve also lightened my base color by one shade. I’ve got to admit, it was hard for me to go lighter, to be objective about my own hair color becoming too dark. I can definitely see this faux pas on others, but like I’ve always said . . . it’s hard to be objective about ourselves. If you question your hair color choices, ask for advice from good sources you can rely on. There is a natural aesthetic reason we turn gray at a certain point, it softens our skin tones and new wrinkles that inevitably appear.
Gray hair can be a mark of your own personal style. It certainly was for my grandmother and for my mother as well. Both had dark hair that turned to a beautiful bright white. I’ve often heard others compliment them on their gorgeous hair. Those strands of silvery gray can be sexy and beautiful as long as you still do something with them. We have so many products now to enhance gray. Shampoos with blue or indigo tints can take the yellow out. Leave in rinses, used after shampooing, like Ultra White Mink Fanciful Rinse by Roux which whitens and brightens up white hair.
If your gray hair is an unacceptable color gray for you . . . you have options. Brighten the gray, lighten the gray, blend or color the gray or . . . not.
Some grays may retain a hint of color. When naturally red hair turns white, there may remain a slight pinkish undertone. Naturally gold highlights may appear white with yellow undertones. Other natural colors like dark brown or black may retain a silvery tint.
For some, gray is viewed as a badge of honor and a mark of distinction. For others, it is an unwelcome reminder that you may not look as young as you feel. Luckily, with today’s long lasting 100% gray coverage hair colors, you can quickly and easily return to the true you – or have fun discovering another color hidden within!
If you have questions on whether to color your graying hair or how to quit coloring your gray hair Diana Lewis Jewel is my favorite guru on the subject. See her book, “Going Gray, Looking Great
Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!
| Related Articles |
Gray Hair-Wonder if People Would Treat You Different? Going Natural With Your Gray Hair Touching Up Gray Roots Contact Us Why Do You Color Your Hair? Contacting Barb Quinn Do it yourself hair coloring
Save this page to: del.icio.us - Digg it - Yahoo MyWeb
1 Comment »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
I have always had lots of fine strawberry blonde hair that was completely straight. I am 55 and now most of it is getting quite white at my temples and it sticks out in corkscrews. I wear it shoulder length, a carree (square) the French say, no bangs, all the same lenght. I have worn it this way for 20 years. Now it looks bad!
Thanks. Help.
Comment by carrie — November 22, 2006 @ 9:59 am