Expert stylists reveal the best ways to care for your gorgeous grey hair
Photo: IMAXtree
Steel, silver, pewter or ash – whatever your shade of grey, we’ll show you how to care for your hair…
Going grey is an inevitable part of the ageing process. Until recently, it was viewed as the beauty equivalent of throwing in the towel, but a growing legion of fashion-forward insiders have turned this view on its head, by choosing to ditch the dye and embrace their roots.
According to fashion psychologist Dr Carolyn Mair, it’s all part of the ‘anti-anti-ageing movement’ that’s taking hold across the country, explaining that “this outward display of self-acceptance and self-confidence brings a sense of empowerment. It says: ‘This is me. I know who I am, and I like who I am.’”
But don’t be fooled; wearing the coolest hair shade is not going to be low maintenance.
Amber Swift from Charlie Miller Salons explains, “The most important thing about going grey is making sure that your natural grey works with your haircut or style. Invest in a great cut. Short, cool, choppy styles are great and help speed up the process to full-head grey and a chic bob, if it’s really sharp, looks fabulous.
“Guidance from a professional colour specialist is key to smoothly phasing out existing colour. Uneven, unwanted tones often require bespoke colour to help it blend. This could include a combination of lowlights, highlights and toners.”
Scottish model Shayne Brodie is a prime example of going grey gracefully, but admits that keeping her crowning glory campaign-worthy requires investment, both in time and money. “I wear my hair long as it’s a real statement,” she explains. “But it can be dry and frizzy, so to keep it in good condition, I visit the salon regularly for treatments, and it looks best when blow-dried by a professional.
“I’m a big fan of products that can tone down brassiness and eliminate any yellow tones in my hair. I try to always use a toning silver shampoo and conditioner, which really bring out the cooler tones in my hair to give it a luxe, silvery look.”
Top hair colourist Austen Thomson says, “During the initial stages of going grey, avoid too many chemical styling processes, such as colouring, perms, straightening and bleaching; these make permanent changes to the condition of your hair, and destroy part of its structure. Even blow-drying too frequently can have similar damaging effects. Discuss your plans with your hairdresser and they will work on a strategy with you to get the results you want.”
If you do decide to take the leap and go for grey, don’t then fall into the trap of cutting it short and neglecting it, as this will age you drastically. Instead, head to Pinterest, which revealed that searches for ‘going grey’ have increased by 879%, and Instagram (using the hashtags #ditchthedye, #silversisters #grombre and #embracethegrey) for sexy, stylish cuts and chic silver styling inspiration.