Going gray can be a wonderful thing.

Going gray can be a wonderful thing. It can signal confidence, maturity, wisdom and self-acceptance. It’s not just a sign of aging; it’s also a sign of power.

Gray hair is the strongest form of hair color—it doesn’t require any dye or toner to maintain its appearance. You’ll retain your natural hair color for as long as you like, so if you’re planning on going gray in your 30s or 40s (or even later!), there’s no need to worry about damaging your locks with chemicals now that they’ve grown out from the dyes and colors used in younger years.

Find a stylist who will embrace your gray hair.

Find a stylist who will embrace your gray hair. You’ll need a colorist that can help you find the right shade of gray for you and help you embrace it, too.

If you have already made up your mind on going gray, find someone who will work with those tones. The only way to get this right is by making sure that the colorist understands how the shade of gray works on different skin tones and hair types.

Stay away from ash-toned colors, which can make you look washed out.

As we established, gray hair is a beautiful thing. But there’s one thing that can make it less than perfect: ash tones.

Ashes are pale and dull, and they’re not exactly flattering on anyone—especially women. If you’re thinking about dyeing your hair gray, avoid ash-toned colors that’ll make you look washed out or like you have no energy. It doesn’t matter if you have light skin or dark skin; ash will always be an unflattering choice for gray hair color.

Instead of ash, opt for warm tones! These will bring out the warmth in your skin tone and make it look healthy without making it look flat or dull like ashes would do. A colorist can help determine which warm tones would work best with each person’s natural coloring as well as their desired style goals (i.e., long vs short).

Avoid purple shampoos and conditioners, which can disrupt the natural tones in your grays.

If you have been debating what color hair to get this one is for you. A blog discussing various options for going gray.

As I mentioned above, using purple shampoos can lead to the coatings on your hair being stripped off, which may cause some damage to your strands. So if you want to protect your color and prevent breakage, it’s best to avoid these products entirely or use a gentle shampoo and conditioner instead (we will discuss this more in a future post). If you do choose not to use a purple shampoo but still want some shine in your grays, then consider using a clear gloss instead!

If you go to salons instead of coloring at home, it’s important that you use professional products for touch-ups. Drugstore colors aren’t as gentle on your hair and scalp.

If you go to salons instead of coloring at home, it’s important that you use professional products for touch-ups. Drugstore colors aren’t as gentle on your hair and scalp. Professional stylists apply the color, which is better and more even, and they can apply it to your roots. This can be tricky to do yourself—the wrong amount of dye will give you a weird shade if not applied correctly.

Add highlights or lowlights every four to six weeks if you want dimension and depth, which will help you avoid a gray monotone.

If you want dimension and depth, add highlights or lowlights every four to six weeks. This can be achieved using foils or balayage techniques, which would require a visit to the salon each time you need to refresh your gray color. As mentioned above, it is crucial that you stay in touch with your stylist so they know how often you need touch ups!

If you want to embrace your natural gray hair but don’t want to go through the process of growing it out, consider microlights.

Microlights are a great option for women who want to embrace their natural grays, but perhaps don’t want to go all in with an all-over color. The process involves placing tiny strands of hair (usually 2-3 inches long) into your hair and then placing them under heat. Each strand is dyed individually so you get a very subtle look that doesn’t require as much upkeep as highlights or ombre. Microlights work best on naturally dark hair, especially those who were born with dark roots and lighter ends; however, if you’re worried about them being too heavy on your head, ask your stylist if they can use smaller pieces of microlight instead!

You’ll love the dimension this adds to your hair without having to commit fully to gray. Plus, it’s a great way for first-timers like myself who weren’t sure how they’d feel about going gray before trying out some microlight styles first! Here are some examples:

Go with a colorist who will help you embrace your gray naturally.

If you want to go gray naturally, then I would highly recommend that you work with a stylist who will embrace your natural gray. Highlights and lowlights can be done every 4-6 weeks to keep it looking fresh and not brassy. Microlightening also works well if you don’t want to grow out the gray. Don’t use ash-toned colors, as they tend to make the hair look dull and dirty. Using purple shampoos can help keep your color from fading too quickly in between appointments but it is not recommended for frequent use because of its bleaching properties.