Don't assume that grey hair makes you look older Hair naturally loses pigment as we age, but stylist Paul Falltrick points out that the notion that grey hair makes you look older is increasingly becoming a misnomer: "Grey shades can be stereotyped as ageing, but a clean-looking grey is stunning" he says.
Going ashy.
The wrong ones, like ash, can instantly age you. “Warm tones reflect light, while ash tones absorb light. Go with warm tones, so your hair won't be dull and will instead shine, bounce, and look youthful,” says Mary Brambila of Brambila Salon.
Generally, these colours will make anyone appear older: black, cool dark brown, fiery red, yellow blonde, mousy blonde and dark grey. There's a common opinion that platinum blonde and silver hair dye age you, but we don't believe so.
Cosmetologists and colorists, as a general rule of thumb, advise going gray when 80% of your hair is white or gray, or when your hair starts feeling increasingly dry and brittle.
Your hair will be healthier.
According to Healthline, applying dye lifts the hair's protective proteins so the chemicals can penetrate the strand and change its color. While this might result in a dazzling hue, it weakens the hair, which can cause brittleness, dryness, and overall thinning.
#2: Your grays return within two weeks.
"If you have an appointment at the salon every two weeks, but you could go every week, it might just be time to let it grow in," she says. "You want to enjoy every minute of your pending (or current!)
Golden Highlights
Warm tones do an exceptionally good job at making us look younger. If you're a brunette, add some warmth to your look by asking your stylist for golden highlights. This way you'll be ready for the summer plus ensure that your hair is making you look younger, not older!
Rich Copper
According to Korab, "A rich red, such as auburn or copper, will enhance brunettes and redheads. This gives the appearance of younger and more radiant skin by reflecting light around the face with its warm tint. The deep red has a kick of fiery vibrancy no matter if you go subtle or ultra-bright."
If you're looking to stay true to your aging roots, a light blonde shade is always the way to go. This color blends seamlessly with ashy browns and grays.
AVOID: WASHED OUT TONES
You want to avoid shades that are too similar to your natural coloring; beiges, creams, off-whites, stone grays, taupes, etc. These colors will only wash you out and emphasize your gray tones.
While neutral colors may have worked well for you in the past, Brown advises that with gray hair, nude tones will leave you looking washed out. "You need pops of color, there's no question," she said. Instead, she encourages hues that fall within the rosy pink family.
Unlike dark chocolate or soft, warm brown, ash brown is a gray-leaning shade that will bring out the cool tones in your hair (which of course makes it best for women with cool or neutral skin tones).
Ash hair colours are on the cool side of the spectrum, meaning it is particularly flattering on those with a cool-toned complexion. The blue/purple pigments in ash blonde and ash brown hair colour are great for counter-balancing any redness in the skin, turning ruddy cheeks into a light rosy blush.
"A shade or two lighter [than your natural one] can be very flattering, especially because skin gets more sallow with age, and a few streaks can wake it up. But going too light can be just as aging as going too dark.
Shoulder-length hair (or longer) with layers
Forget what you thought about long hair past the age of 40—thick hair actually looks more youthful and polished when it falls shoulder-length or longer. Shorter hair has a tendency to expand at the ends, leaving you with an unflattering triangle effect.
1. Silver Fox. Silver, ashy, blond, and platinum are indeed the most popular hair color choices for women over 60. And with good reason!
If you add the right hair colour, your 'grey' hair will act as highlights, giving you a completely new look that will get you noticed for all the right reasons. Professional colourists usually recommend a darker shade for your roots and a lighter shade that matches your natural hair for the rest.
Lighter hair can make you look younger, as long as you use the right tones. Add some warmth with golden highlights and go for shades like honey to give your complexion a healthy, youthful glow!
Grey Hair Can Actually Make You Look More Vibrant
If you do decide to go grey, you don't have to feel self-conscious about it – the standards of fashion are changing. We don't have to feel limited by outdated stereotypes that “grey hair = old.”
If you're dealing with a lot of gray hair, you should touch up every four to six weeks. If that sounds expensive—and time-consuming—that's where at-home coloring is key. With it, you can keep the hair color you know and love—without spending a ton.
You'll find that the best skin tones for those with gray hair are cool and light, such as pale beige or washed tan. If you have a darker complexion, it's important to avoid colors that may appear too harsh against your grey locks. Instead, opt for lighter shades such as pastels and soft neutrals.
Gray hair is caused by a loss in melanin, whereas white hair does not have any melanin at all. As you age, your hair produces less and less melanin that leads your hair to appear gray, and then eventually white. However, the speed that your hair loses melanin is largely attributed to genetics.