Grey hair can be a very attractive feature on an older woman. Rather than disguising their silvery locks, many women are choosing to go for the grey whilst avoiding the negative images that are often associated with it. Famous female icons such as Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Emmylou Harris and Kristen McMenamy have allowed their natural grey hair to become their crowning glory.
Grey no longer means ‘over the hill’. Nowadays, with a good cut and some tender loving care grey hair really can have the ‘Wow!’ factor.
Going Grey Gradually
It’s a big decision when you decide to go grey – a brave step. So, how to begin?
The best way to graduate from your usual all-over colour is to talk to your hairdresser about your transition. Soft highlights might be suggested as a subtle way to gently go back to your natural colour. In this way any blatant re-growth will be disguised. Gradually reduce the number of highlights over the coming months, allowing the grey to take over. Going grey slowly avoids the unattractive ‘badger effect’ – dark hair with stripy highlights!
If your natural grey hair is too dark for your liking, try foils or a high lift tint. These are great options if you want to go more than three shades lighter than your natural grey. If in doubt, consider talking to the colour technician at your salon. He or she will be able to advise on shades to suit your skin tones.
Grey Hair Needs a Good Cut
The foundation for great looking grey hair is a good cut. Should women over fifty go for long hair? Not according to celebrity hairdresser, Lee Stafford. In Yours magazine, May 2010, he is quoted as saying that as women age, hair can become finer and he suggests that for this reason hair should be no longer than just below the shoulders. Even then it should have plenty of shorter layers to give shape and volume.
Very short hair can be harsh on an older woman, unless you are lucky enough to look like Judi Dench. If you go for this look make sure there’s a bit of height on top to prevent the hair looking flat and lifeless.
These observations don’t hold for everyone . Some older women, particularly in Scandinavia, have allowed their natural grey hair to grow down their backs with stunning results. They therefore have the choice of many natural or classic, sophisticated styles. If you feel comfortable with this style and your hair is thick and in great condition, then go for it – it’s your choice.
Special Shampoos for Yellowing Grey Hair
Light hair, including silver or grey, can sometimes develop a yellowish tinge because of pollution in the air or water. There are special shampoos which tone away the yellow. Use these sparingly, alternating with your usual shampoo or whenever the yellow reappears. Products such as Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Shampoo, Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo, and L’Oreal Professional Silver Shampoo are specially formulated to tackle this problem.
To protect against pollution itself, try a cleansing and detoxing shampoo such as Umberto Giannini Spa Rituals Detoxifying Shampoo or Redken Hair Cleansing Cream.
Shampoos, Conditioners and Sprays for Fine or Limp Grey Hair
Aging hair needs special attention and there are now many products on the market that reflect this. Grey hair that is fine and/or limp will benefit from a good cut, as mentioned above. Build on this foundation by the use of body-boosting shampoos and conditioners for extra lift, such as Dove Pro Age Full and Thick Shampoo and Conditioner, or Glam Larger-Than-Life Shampoo and Conditioner. There are many good products to choose from.
If your grey hair looks dull there are professional conditioning treatments available at your salon that can help to restore shine, such as L’Oreal Symbio. This gives the hair glossy results by coating each hair strand with an invisible shield.
Before drying the hair, apply a thickening spray to the roots. Products like TIGI Bed Head Superstar Thickening Spray or Living Proof Full Root Lifting Spray will give an added boost.
Love Your Grey Hair
Grey hair is fast losing its negative image. The tide is turning and many women are embracing their grey, white and silver hair with pride. With care and confidence grey hair really can be an older woman’s crowning glory.
Sources:
- 'The Secrets of Gorgeous Grey Hair', Yours Magazine, May 2010.
- The Hair Styler website
