Grey hair is often seen as a sign of aging but it doesn't have to be that way! With the right style and look, you can wear your grey hair with confidence and still look amazing. Keep reading for tips on how to rock grey hair with confidence!
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1. Style your hair in a messy bun or ponytail to disguise any thinning areas.
As we age, our hair goes through many changes. One of the most common is grey hair. A second thing that happens is the hair begins to thin out in areas of the scalp.
One style to disguise thinning in your grey hair is a messy bun or ponytail. This style helps to camouflage any thinning areas by giving your hair more volume. JuvaBun has a “messy bun” hair extension as well as a "ponytail" in the prettiest silver gray color. All you have to do is pull your own hair up and use it as a rubber band to hold it all in place.
All of these look so cool, and real, that I’ve added them to my Christmas wish list.
Another option is to add some curls or waves. This will also help to give your hair more volume and make thinning areas less noticeable. Milabu has a very easy to follow technique that she does with a curling iron.
I have tried using a flat iron on my hair but my hands get tired squeezing it shut. So a regular curling iron is easier to use for this technique. The Conair Double Ceramic 1-1/4" Curling Iron has a protective coating that saves your hair from heat damage. It also has recessed buttons to prevent accidental shutoff.
If holding a wand isn't your thing, these ceramic coated hot rollers by Remington are a great bet. Be sure to get the hot roller clips, too. I find those are easier to hold the rods in place as opposed to those pins that come with it.
Whatever style you choose, make sure you use a good quality hairspray to hold your hair in place. Speaking of hair spray, did you know that it can dull your gray hair? I prefer using Shiny Silver Ultra's “One 'n Only Shiny Silver” hairspray. Its special ingredients neutralizes unwanted yellow that can dull grey hair. They have an aerosol and a squirt spray depending on what strength hold you want.
With a little effort, you can easily disguise any thinning areas in your gray hair.
2. Add some color with highlights or lowlights to brighten up your hair and make you look younger.
As we age some folks have hair that goes grey slowly. It isn’t noticeable until they are in their 50’s, or even 60’s. Then there are those of us, like myself, who go entirely gray by the time they are 25. (I feel so special.) If you're not ready to go completely gray, consider doing an ombre or balayage treatment. This will gradually transition you from your natural color to grey.
You can also opt for a permanent dye to cover all the hair, or introduce highlights and lowlights, to bring depth to it as the greys grow out.
Highlights are lighter than the base color and can add depth to your natural hair color. Weaving a lighter brown into already brown hair will help to blend in the greys.
If you’re already a blonde then a lighter blonde color will have the same effect.
Lowlights are actually darker than the base color. This is a great option for hair that is thinning, which gray tends to do as it comes in.
An added bonus is that it can make hair look thicker, too. But this only works on blonde or brunette. The darker the hair it becomes impossible to find something even darker than your natural color.
Ask your stylist to use these colors to frame your fair to draw away from any complexion concerns such as wrinkles or age spots. Great colors that can make you look younger are caramels, golds, or even strawberry shades.
A skilled colorist can use a special technique to blend your greys into your regular hair color. Jamie Dana explains this technique and how it can extend trips to the salon by 7-8 weeks.
Temporary Lowlights in Gray Hair
Not ready to do something permanent or have to go to the salon? Or maybe you just don't have it in the budget? Then try temporary hair mascara to get lowlights! Check out Paula's post 15 Genius Ways to use Hair Mascara: Easily Cover Grey Hair and Roots, add Highlights, Tame Flyaways, and More! or watch her video below!
3. Avoid a severe hair cut and add soft layers instead
One of the most common fears about getting older is that grey hair will take over, making us look old and frumpy. The key is to find a hairstyle that suits your face shape and personality. (Check out Paula's post 12 Best Hairstyles for Gray Hair (or Growing Out Gray Hair!) Then maintain your aging grey hair with regular trims and treatments.
Try for a softer look by avoiding any harsh lines or severe cuts. This will help to prevent split ends from damaging the overall look. If you have fully transitioned to gray hair be sure to pay special attention to your scalp. The older we get the scalp can become dry and irritated easier.
Be sure to use a gentle and moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Follow up with a leave-in treatment (I love this one) or serum to keep your hair hydrated. By following these simple tips, you can wear gray hair with confidence - no matter your age!
By the way, you can keep your hair long! It may help to not go below your collarbone, though many ladies look great with hair below that. Check out Paula's post 15 Easy Everyday Hairstyles for Short Gray Hair to get some ideas. The longer the hair gets the more strain it puts on your scalp. A bit of subtle layering lifts the focus away from your neck and jawline.
It is easy to cut your own hair in layers at home! Check out Paula's post How To Cut Your Own Hair: The Ultimate Step-By-Step Guide [DIY Layered Ponytail Haircut] to learn how. It only takes 5 minutes and anyone can do it. Seriously!
You will need to take extra care and focus on conditioners to keep it shiny. I mentioned before in my post How to Make Grey Hair Shine Naturally that there are vitamins you can take to supplement your hair's health.
Wella Professionals UK color trend expert, Zoë Irwin, recommends boosting grey hair with a tinted glaze such as Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask in Pearl Blonde. It imparts a hint of color and shines bright for up to six washes, plus it delivers far more moisture than a classic silver shampoo alone. I use this maybe twice a year just to freshen up my natural grey. I liken it to going to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned.
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4. Use a good quality shampoo and conditioner specifically for gray hair to keep it looking shiny and healthy.
As we age our once shiny and healthy looking hair can start to look dull and get split ends more easily. Gray hair is often drier and more brittle than other hair colors, so it needs extra moisture and nutrients to stay healthy.
There are many products available that are designed to nourish and revitalize hair.
My favorite shampoo for gray hair is Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo by Clairol since it also takes out any yellow or brassy tones.
My favorite conditioner for gray hair is Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Conditioner as it is super-moisturizing with natural ingredients like coconut and neem oils. It does wonders for dry frizzy gray hair.
I recommend finishing with a quality hair serum like Lilla Rose Hair Serum, as it promotes hair growth, shine, strength and softness.
In addition, be sure to use a heat protectant before using any hot styling tools as gray hair is susceptible to damage. Thermal Defense by Lilla Rose is my favorite heat protectant for gray hair.
For my full list of the best hair care products for healthy gray hair, check out Paula's post The Absolute Best Products for Gray Hair!
By following these simple tips, you can keep your gray hair looking great for years to come.
5. Take care of your health
I just had to add this tip in here, as nothing will make you look older than poor health. Eat healthfully, get regular exercise, get a daily dose of sunshine, and for Pete's sake watch those stress levels!
Changing hormones can wreak havoc on our health and weight, not to mention our energy levels, emotions and mental state.
The biggest thing that helped me with energy and creeping weight gain, especially around the mid-section, was intermittent fasting. It also got rid of puffiness due to inflammation in my face, which made a huge difference in how old I looked.
But as an older woman, I had to fast differently than I did just a few years ago, in order to get the same results.
I highly recommend following Intermittent Fasting for Today's Aging Woman on YouTube by Dy Ann Parham. Her advice really works!
6. Wear the right color clothing for gray hair to make you look younger
Have you found that certain items in your wardrobe just seem "off" to you? You may love the outfit on the hanger or on the model, but once you put it on, it makes you look pale, tired, and kind of sickly. And as a result, you tend to avoid that top, dress, or outfit?
That is most likely because it is simply not the right color or shade for your complexion, skin tone, and new graying hair color. Your skin is aging, too, and you may be getting paler. Color shades that used to look great on you in your 20's, 30's, and maybe even your 40's, are no longer flattering or natural looking.
Definitely read my post Best Colors to Wear with White Hair so You Look Marvelous! to know the best color clothing to wear with gray hair and your unique skin tone.
This tip will give you the biggest bang for your buck, as it is as quick and easy as simply wearing the right top in the right color for YOU!
7. Wear the right styles of clothing
Just changing the color of your clothing alone will do wonders, but wearing the right clothing styles for your body type, especially as a women over 50, will definitely make you look younger rather than old and frumpy.
My favorite fashion and beauty influencer is Nada Manley. I highly recommend watching her videos on body type and the right styles to wear for each, but had to include this fun video below, about what fashion trends to definitely avoid this season, because they will make you look old and frumpy!
8. Smile!
Okay, I was wrong...wearing the right color top may not be the tip that gives you the biggest bang for your buck...
The quickest, easiest, and BEST thing you can do to not look old with gray hair is to SMILE! Simply adding a smile to your face will change your entire look.
A smile will make you look younger and more beautiful than anything else...and it is totally free!
In conclusion, is it possible to look younger with gray hair?
The answer is an a resounding "YES!" You can absolutely look young and beautiful with gray, silver, or white hair!
Gray hair will NOT make you look old if you follow my tips above...they may even make you look younger than you actually are! You may even start having people from high school start exclaiming that you "haven't aged a bit!"
I mean, would you believe I will be 60 next year?
12 Best Hairstyles for Gray Hair
To see beautiful gray hair ideas, check out my post by clicking the button below!
Still not sure if you're ready to go grey?
(You can read her story and see her fun before-and-after gray hair transition pics here: Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Go Gray)
Her ebook is so helpful to anyone who needs guidance, practical tips, and encouragement in this area.
To check it out, click here: Every Which Way to Gray and use my coupon code “PAULA” to get 15% off!
A big thank you!
Were you just loving those gorgeous photos of Missy and Erika? They are two of my favorite silver-haired Instagrammers, as not only are they gorgeous with their beautiful smiles, but they post amazing photos and stories of their gray hair journey that I know you will love.
Be sure to give them a follow and say hi! You can follow Missy HERE and Erika HERE.
about the author, Jackie Masek
Jackie lives in the city of Pittsburgh, PA, with her husband of 20 some years and her dog. Their two boys flew the nest to make their own way in the world after graduating from Masek School for Wayward Boys. So now she has the entire 3 floors of a hundred-year-old house to herself. To this day, people still show her their wrists with rubber bands on them.
