How to Enhance Gray Hair

Out of all the beauty trends that come and go, there’s one that feels like a breath of fresh air: instead of looking at going gray as a bad side effect of aging, many people are starting to embrace gray hair. But before we discuss how to make the most of this styling change, you may be wondering what causes gray hair in the first place.

Hair that may look gray, silver or even white is actually colorless — your hair color comes from melanin, a pigment in hair follicles, which are depleted over time and lose their ability to make color. And contrary to popular belief, gray hair is not always just a marker of old age. Factors like smoking, high-stress lifestyles and even genetics can make you gray at an earlier age: while half of all people start to go gray by their 50’s, factors like these can cause gray slivers to start to appear as early as your 20’s. 

Whether you’re looking for a Stacy London-style accent streak or ready to take the full plunge into a whole head of silvery locks, today we’re discussing how to keep your hair looking vibrant and healthy while going gray.

Style and color by Tom Connell

First, let’s talk about transitional looks. Fully committing to just letting your grays grow in can mean awkward growth lines or bold contrasting colors, but luckily there are ways to make the process look a little more toned down.

Rocking a bold gray streak is a fun way to help get used to this new look, without having to completely change overnight!

When I decided to start transitioning my hair color from black to light brown, the first thing my stylist recommended was cutting as much off as possible. Removing length will not only minimize the contrast of the grow-out stage, but help make the difference in texture between gray and “regular” hair (gray hair tends to look and feel coarser and drier) less noticeable. And since short gray hair is trending this year, you’ll look even more stylish than before!

Now’s the time to stop getting permanent, all-over color: it will most likely cover the grays, but it will only make the contrasting grow-out line look that more obvious. Instead, ask your stylist to find a semi-permanent color that will let the grays blend and peek through.

Highlights and lowlights are another smart way to help any new grays blend in with your natural hair color. Ask your stylist to see which option they think will be more flatting and natural-looking with your hair color.

Choosing the right hairstyles can also affect how natural your graying process looks. Long layers aren’t just a great way to add movement and body to your hair: they can also help visually diffuse the look of new grays, making them blend in with your current hair color.

Ready to take the final plunge? Here are some of our top recommendations on products, styling routines, and lifestyle best practices to help your gray hair shine.

Since gray hair tends to be drier and frizzier than normal hair, it’s important to avoid any products that can over-cleanse or dry out your hair. Hydrating hair products are always a smart bet to help ensure your locks are as moisturized and nourished as possible.

If you’re looking for a more low-commitment salon option to tone down the contrast of gray strands, ask your stylist to apply a gloss over your hair. These will lightly tint your hair, and help to balance out any residual brassiness. And if it’s frizziness you’re concerned about, applying a clear gloss over your hair will help seal in moisture and lock out frizz (and don’t forget to make using an anti-frizz hair oil a regular part of your routine, too!).

Pollution is an unfortunate part of daily life, and build-up on your hair and scalp can make your locks look lifeless, limp and dull. Swap in a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month to help remove any excessive build up and impurities that can weigh your strands down. 

Since gray hair has no natural pigment, it can start to yellow or look brassy over time if left untreated, especially if you’re using the wrong shampoo and conditioner. Using a shampoo for silver hair can help combat this brassiness, making your gray locks look silvery and shimmery. And a conditioner for gray hair will also perform double duty of fighting brassy tones and restoring any much-needed moisture.

While all hair and skin types benefit from UV protection, it’s especially true for anyone with gray or white hair. Since these hair types lack pigment, it makes them extra susceptible to yellowing from sun exposure — as well as even drier and frizzier from a loss of moisture. Choose hair products with UV protection to ensure that your strands don’t become brassy or over-dried when you go outside.

If your go-to styling spray or leave-in serum has a warm or golden tint to it, it’s time to swap it out. These can actually make your hair look brassy, so when you’re ready to go gray it’s a smart idea to use clear styling products instead.

Excessive heat exposure can make gray strands look drier and frizzier than before, as well as potentially tint your hair to a more brassy hue. Remember to use a heat protectant spray before blow drying, and let your hair air dry whenever possible.

The easiest way to nourish and bring moisture to your hair? Make sure you stay hydrated! Drinking enough water during the day will help ensure that your hair is healthy, shiny, and hopefully way less frizzy than before.

Another cause of premature gray hair can be nutritional deficiencies — if you want to slow down the speed of your hair turning gray, there are certain foods that can potentially help curb the process. Adding in foods like lentils, miso, seaweed, or anything high in folic acid and Vitamin D, can help you stop your hair from turning gray too quickly.

We already mentioned that stress can play a part in how early you go gray, so it’s easy to see how your lifestyle can affect your overall health.

Choosing to let your hair go gray can be a big decision — while traditionally it has been looked at as an unwanted sign of old age, we now know that even people in their 20’s can start to see silvery streaks pop up, and many people are now choosing to embrace gray hair. If you’re ready to rock your silver locks, just make sure to choose the right hair care products, lifestyle changes and daily routines to have it looking its best. And if you have any additional tips on how to enhance gray hair (or other questions you’d like the Davines community to weigh in on), be sure to let us know in the comments below! 

by Lauren Hannel, staff contributor

Cover photo color and styling by Tom Connell