In my last article, I wrote about options for coloring gray (or white — I use “gray” to mean both) hair, but what if you don’t want to cover it? I think for all of us, it’s a big question and what you ultimately decide depends on how you feel about your changing hair. If you’re in the camp that decides to rock your gray, there are options for enhancing it to keep it looking shiny and lustrous.
Transitioning from your natural color to gray is the first (emotional!) hurdle. Most of us start seeing a few strands and depending on the pattern, we get more and more until we’re grayer than our natural color. During the transition, one trick is to cut your hair shorter, which will take away some of the bulk and keep the focus on your face. Another option is to lighten your natural (or base) color, which will help camouflage the gray until there’s enough of it to make a statement. You can also use a temporary color to cover the gray while you get used to the transition (see recent post about different temporary options).
Once you’ve decided to go with what nature gave you, there are a few things you should keep in mind about caring for it. Gray hair is light because it lacks pigment and can take on different color casts depending on things in the environment. For example, if you use a yellow, purple or blue shampoo or conditioner, a small amount of the color can show up on your gray. Be sure to choose products that are clear or white.
Another big discoloration culprit is hard water (especially well water), which contains chemicals and/or minerals that can affect gray hair. When I worked at Clairol, I had a consultation with a sweet old woman whose gray hair had a strange greenish-blue cast. When I remarked on the unusual color and asked what she was using, she leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “It’s my WATER.” Installing a filter in your shower can help – click here for a variety of options.
Chlorine can also be a problem because it can cause a greenish cast on gray hair. If you like to swim in pools, one way to avoid it is to wear a swim cap – not the most stylish solution but it will help protect your hair. If you don’t want to wear a cap, after swimming you should wash your hair with a shampoo that removes chlorine like Ultraswim Moisturizing Chlorine Removal Shampoo, Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo or Triswim.
To maintain natural color and radiance, be sure to shampoo and condition with products specifically made for gray hair like Clairol’s Shimmer Lights and Pantene Pro-V Silver Expressions.
If you want to try coloring your gray but prefer natural products, henna is a great option. It’s derived from plants and doesn’t contain ammonia, peroxide, or other chemicals. A company called Light Mountain makes henna coloring kits specifically for gray hair.
Deciding what works for you will probably require some trial and error. You may want to live with your gray for a bit and see how it feels; remember to use a gray enhancing shampoo and conditioner to keep it looking healthy. Or try a temporary color to go a bit lighter and brighter – you might find it adds a little glow and gives you a boost. Whatever path you choose, you’ll know you’ve found the best option when you feel like it’s a reflection of the best you.