Going gray with style: 10 tips

Those of us with gray hair often use color treatments to cover it up and stay looking younger.

But that brings its own problems – not the least gray roots!   Whatever hair color you use those roots are definitely aging.

The more gray we get the more more time consuming it is to cover up and gray hair can become one of the worst hair problems associated with getting older.

One solution of course is to let your gray hair take over – accept nature and wear your new color with pride. 

If this is something you are considering it’s a good idea to set yourself a role model – focus on a stylish look  like Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada”.

There’s no doubt gray hair can look stunning – the difficulty is the process of going gray.  Many women start and then give up because they can’t bear the half gray – half colored look or “salt and pepper hair” as my mother used to call it.

Looking good as you go gray is all about managing the transition. You have to put in a little effort and give your gray hair a lot of extra special anti aging care as it emerges.

Here’s ten great tips for going gray effortlessly:

1.  Keep your hair in tip top condition. Hair texture changes when it loses color – you may find it’s more wiry or coarse and certainly drier than it was before. Step up the deep conditioning treatments to restore gloss and shine to your gray hair. Use an extra conditioning luxury shampoo and conditioner with every wash.  Choose something specifically for older hair – try Frederic Fekkai Ageless Shampoo and Frederic Fekkai Ageless Conditioner.

2.  Give your gray hair a treat – use a deep conditioning mask like Rene Furterer’s Okara Radiance Mask once or twice a week.  Or stick with the legendary Frederic Fekkai and try his  Protein Rx Anti Breakage Treatment Mask.  If you want the deep hydration of a hair mask in a spritz formulation take a look at Rene Furterer Karite Intense Nutrion Oil – recommended when you are growing out hair.  There are rave reviews from customers at Dermstore and you can leave it on overnight for silky soft hair in the morning.

3.  Use finishing products after you style to give the appearance of shine to your gray hair.  After drying and styling add a little glosser – it’s amazing how this can give your older hair a youthful glow and bring the gray to life.  Try Oscar Blandi Pronto Gloss or Rene Furterer Spray Gloss

4.  Eat to give your hair shine and body – make sure you get plenty of vitamins and eat a healthy hair diet full of anti aging antioxidants to boost condition from within.

5.  Drink lots of water - 2 liters a of pure still water a day to keep your digestive system cleansed. A sluggish digestive system shows in dull hair.

6.  Take a supplement for hair health or even for hair restoration to boost essential vitamins and minerals. Taking a supplement and eating well can help make your hair grow faster so your old color grows out more quickly.

7.  Revamp your makeup – gray hair can make you look more pale and may lead to a washed out look. Treat yourself to some new makeup in colors that boost your complexion and strengthen your skin tone.

8.  Pay extra attention to skin care – shiny gray hair and a younger looking skin is a great combination. If you haven’t given much tender loving care to your skin now is the time to start.

9.  Fade to gray gradually if you have colored hair. Visit your salon more regularly to cut off the old color treatment and get some lowlights to blend in the new gray hair as it emerges.

10. Get a new hair style. Stylish gray hair means a great cut so talk to your salon and revamp your look.

That’s it – follow these simple tips and – whether you decide to go gray or not – you’ll be well on the way to having great looking older hair.

Related articles:

• All about anti aging
• Summer hair care tips for older hair
• Hair problems: worse as you get older?