40 Expert Tips For Going Gray With Style

Jane Fonda, Jamie Lee Curtis and George Clooney are just some of the celebrities who’ve embraced their natural gray hair. Yet lots of us are still nervous about accepting our own salt-and-pepper locks for fear of either looking old or not being able to pull off the style. But if you find yourself tempted to try out your silver strands, here are 40 expert tips to ensure you look awesome – not ancient.

40. Transition slowly

No one goes gray overnight – even though it might sometimes feel like it! And when you finally decided to embrace your silver locks, you might find the transition to be quite awkward. That’s why some experts advise dyeing roots with an ammonia-free semi-permanent color which covers about three-quarters of your gray hair. This way, you can create some growth before revealing your new look fully.

39. Blue shampoo

Gray shades are prone to yellowing, but the website Prevention notes that you can stop this from happening by using a blue-colored shampoo up to twice a month. You can also try violet products to battle brassy tones while avoiding a full-on Smurf look. What’s more, lots of brands offer their own version, so you can shop around for one that works best for you.

38. Compliment your color

After going gray, you may find that some colors in your wardrobe suit you more than others. Among the more complimentary hues are those from a similar family as your new ’do. Kathy Galotti is a colorist based in New York City, and in 2017 she told Prevention, “When you see a really attractive gray-haired woman, she’s often wearing charcoal and silver clothing, which makes her gray hair even more striking.”

37. Embrace the blush

When transitioning to gray, it may help to mix your make-up routine. The muted tone can wash out your complexion, but using blush is an easy way to warm things up. Stylist and makeup artist Yvette Gonzalez told Prevention, “Go for shades like apricot, peach, and rose – not beigey or tawny colors.”

36. Take the chop

Growing out your gray hair could take years, so you may consider cropping your locks to avoid the awkward transformation process. Birnur Aral – director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Health, Beauty and Environmental Sciences Lab – told the publication, “Some people let the roots grow for an inch or two and then just get a pixie cut and transition that way.”

35. Patience is key

If you do decide to take the plunge with gray hair, remember that the process will take time. Colorist Nikki Ferrara told Good Housekeeping, “Most people won’t have the patience, so they choose to color their hair again. But it’s super-rewarding if you can stick it out and get on a routine with your colorist to get highlights every few months.”

34.Put in some extra effort

Aral revealed her own experience of embracing silver strands to Good Housekeeping. And she claimed that a little bit of extra grooming made all the difference. Aral explained, “I feel with gray hair I need to have my hair styled – blown out or ironed – and [have] makeup on. Otherwise, I look older than my usual self.”

33. Decide on your shade of gray

Before going gray, you might want to think about your goal shade. Are you hoping to achieve an overall silver look, simply blend out your salt-and-pepper roots or add chic highlights to emphasize your natural tones? Whatever the aim is, discuss it with a colorist so they can help you reach your desired style.

32. Wash regularly

By its very nature, gray hair has less pigment, and because of this it’s more at risk of looking dull. UV light and pollutants are among the factors that can dim a silver fox’s shine. So to prevent this from happening, Prevention says that you should wash your locks every other day with products that are high in antioxidants.

31. Consult a stylist first

Are you not sure where to start when it comes to going gray? Well, just ask a hairstylist for help. They can tell you what kind of cuts and shades might work for you and how to achieve them. What’s more, a good expert can also outline the outlook for your transition period so that you can set your expectations accordingly.

30. Avoid box dyes

Embracing the salt-and-pepper look can be a long and costly process. So, it’s tempting to reach for a box dye to help move things along. Experts would advise against this, though. Store-bought coloring kits often contain harsh chemicals that can strip hair and lead you running back to the salon.

29. Frequent trims

Whatever your hairstyle, you should get it cut every six weeks to two months. Stylist at New York City’s Sahag Workshop Yvette Gonzalez told Prevention, “Gray hair can start to look unruly if it’s not trimmed frequently enough.” But, she warned, “Ask your stylist not to use a razor, because it can cause the ends to fray – making your whole style seem untidy.”

28. Stick to contemporary cuts

One of the most common hesitations people have about embracing their gray hair is looking old. Though you can tip the balance in a more youthful direction by choosing more modern styles. Revealing her secrets to Marie Claire in 2017, actress Jamie Lee Curtis said, “My stylist keeps my cut edgy and contemporary – otherwise I can go Bea Arthur very quickly.”

27. Maintain moisture

Gray hair can be extra dry, so ensure you make moisture maintenance a part of your hair care routine. The website It’s Rosy recommends looking for products that are free of sulfates. Also, you should apparently stock up on oils, serums and masks that will give your mane a much-needed boost. And if you’re looking for a wonder ingredient, seek out anything with keratin in – you won’t regret it.

26. Consider color correction

When Aral first went gray, she opted for a color correction treatment, in which a stylist dyes the lengths of your hair to blend in with silvery roots. She told Good Housekeeping, “... The colorist put in baby highlights all over my head. Toward the end of the lifting process, [they] applied dark brown hair color to the remaining hair to create an all-over salt-and-pepper effect.”

25. Be prepared for a hefty price tag

In some cases, going gray doesn’t come cheap. That’s because the initial process may require repeated trips to the salon where a colorist will help you achieve the overall look you’re after. Aral revealed, “I spent a total of seven hours in the salon and really saw how intensive the process was to justify the price tag.”

24. Hit the highlights

If your gray locks don’t pop naturally as much as you’d like them to, It’s Rosy suggests emphasizing them with a few carefully placed highlights. Alternatively, if you’re sporting just a few silver streaks, why not add a few more around your head to create a more uniform, yet still natural-looking effect?

23. Accessorize!

In that awkward in-between stage of your transition to gray, accessories can become your new best friend. Headbands, beanies, scarves, hats and turbans can all be used to add a stylish flair to your ’do. Alternatively, in a worst-case scenario they can disguise a bad hair day! Be sure to play around and experiment with looks that work for you.

22. Twist things up

Curly hair is amazing at disguising mismatched roots, according to It’s Rosy, so the style be a lifesaver when growing out your gray. If you’re not blessed with natural ringlets, you can always go for a perm which will create the same effect. That way, you can transition more subtly, without the graduation in your hair color being overly obvious.

21. Stay sun safe

Speaking to Glamour magazine in March 2021, hair expert Anabel Kingsley revealed, “Since white hair lacks pigment, it’s more prone to UV damage. Therefore, it’s even more important to use UV protective products if you have white hair.” Sun exposure can cause gray hair to yellow – not a great look in anyone’s book.

20. Boost your shine

Gray hair often comes alongside a decrease in oil production in the scalp. This leads to dry hair, which can be lacklustre in appearance as it doesn’t reflect light. So, to boost shine, Harper’s Bazaar recommends looking for glossing and smoothing treatments, purifying shampoos and products designed for colored or fragile hair.

19. Toners

Colorists will often use toners to achieve a cool gray hue. But a yellow tint can form once the product starts washing away. To prevent this from happening, Good Housekeeping says that you should supplement your hair with regular toning treatments. That way, you can stay on top of brassy tones to ensure your locks stay their icy best.

18. Keep things light

When it comes to maintaining lighter locks, heavy products such as serums, waxes and pomades are not your friend. Speaking to Prevention, Galotti said of such care products, “They can coat gray hair and make it look dusty.” Instead, use sprays for styling and to eliminate frizz.

17. Look to a silver influencer

Lots of people delay embracing their gray hair for fear of what others might think. But social media is awash with amazing individuals who’ve done just that and have also inspired others to do the same. Find an influencer whose style you admire, and follow in their footsteps to silver chic!

16. Never pluck!

You may be tempted to pluck scraggly gray hairs straight out of your scalp, but you should leave them be. In 2020 Aveda Canada’s creative director Kristjan Hayden told the Canadian magazine Chatelaine, “Plucking out gray hairs can damage the follicle. And then sometimes your hair just won’t grow back.”

15. Find a stylist who specializes in gray hair

From precision cuts to flawless highlights, lots of hairdressers have one aspect of their job which they excel at. And for some, their strong point is in caring for and coloring gray hair. So, to ensure your tresses look their best, find a stylist who specializes in salt-and-pepper styles.

14. Beautiful blends

Blending techniques can be used to accentuate your natural gray tones with balayage and highlights to achieve a more natural-looking color. As hairdresser Robert Eaton told Glamour, “Many women don’t want to go for block coverage anymore, and we’ve embraced they are looking for different ways to mask their gray hair. ”

13. Always read the label

Because gray hair tends to lack moisture, it’s important that you choose products designed to combat dry strands. That being said, some ingredients should be avoided – such as dimethicone. Hayden told Chatelaine, “[Dimethicone] is not water-soluble, so sometimes if it’s in high quantities in products, it can go into your hair and not wash out, which will weigh your hair down.”

12. Nourish hair from the inside

Graying isn’t the only thing that happens to hair as we age. That’s because it also tends to thin out in advancing years. To keep your tresses looking their fullest, the website Byrdie suggests incorporating a supplement into your diet. There are lots on the market which claim to volumize locks, so it might be a good idea to do some research on what will work for you.

11. Know what colors work with your hair

Shades of gray, white and black work well with silver hair, but that doesn’t mean you should banish all color from your wardrobe. You just need to know what hues work best for your new ’do. Prevention says that you should stick to jewel tones like sapphire blue and ruby red, which will really compliment your color.

10. Beware of heated styling tools

Lots of people turn to straighteners, hair dryers and curling irons to style their hair. But these heated tools can cause gray strands to yellow over time. Aside from avoiding heated tools, It’s Rosy argues that the only real way to beat this kind of brassiness is to wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo weekly.

9. Satin pillowcases

Caring for gray hair can be a full-time job, so you should pay some attention to your tresses even when you sleep! To maintain the overall condition of your locks, Byrdie recommends tying your hair securely before bed and investing in a silk pillowcase. These smooth slips combat friction and therefore protect from flyaways, frizz and breakage.

8. Look at your parents for an idea of how your hair may gray

If you want to know what your silver hair might look like, just look at your mom and dad. As Kingsley explained to Glamour, “When you go gray is largely down to genes. If your mother or father started getting white hairs at a young age, it is likely that you will as well. On average, most people’s hair is 50 percent white by the time they turn 50 years old.”

7. Embrace the new texture

It’s a common misconception that gray hair is more coarse in texture. It is, in fact, finer but drier. And this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In 2018 colorist Jax Williard told Allure magazine, “The texture [grays] give you can actually make your hair routine more exciting. Your hair might dry much quicker, and you might feel that it is much thicker – holding styles better and longer.”

6. Boost your brows

While they may seem like another area altogether, well-maintained eyebrows can work wonders in emphasizing your overall look. When you have gray hair, your complexion can look washed out. But a bold brow – defined with a pencil and with any stray hairs removed – can really help to distinguish your features.

5. Take charge of your look

Lots of people shy away from going gray because they fear what other people might think. But it’s important to remember that you are more than capable of deciding your own look. Whatever you choose, make sure you own your style, and don’t let anyone sway you from your own, unique path.

4. Play the long game

Going gray is a big commitment, and even a year down the line you might find yourself wanting to throw in the towel. But if silver strands are what you truly desire – hang in there. Once you’re through the transition time, you’ll be left with the mane of your dreams, and that awkward in-between stage will have all been worth it.

3. Look at the positives

Instead of looking at your first gray hair as a sign of your advancing age, consider it a rite of passage. Yes, you may be getting older, but with that comes the wisdom and experience of a life lived to the full. With that in mind, embrace those smoky strands as a reminder of all the good times you’ve seen.

2. Eschew earthy tones

Earthy colors like olive green, rust, camel and mustard have a tendency of yellowing the complexion. So instead, the website Making Midlife Matter suggests sticking to fresher, natural tones like lavender, rose, and mint green – especially near to your face. Choosing the shades of your wardrobe carefully can help you to curate an altogether more youthful look.

1. Say goodbye to gold jewelry

Unfortunately for gold lovers, yellow jewelry can make skin look more sallow and even older, which doesn’t mix well with gray hair. Platinum, silver and white gold are much safer options when it comes to injecting a bit of bling into your look, according to Making Midlife Matter. And, of course, some added sparkle will help your silver mane to really shine.