Time is unshakable. It inexorably takes our years to a distant place, and in this place, over the years, our beauty gradually fades. However, the modern beauty industry is literally inundated with all kinds of cosmetics and procedures to preserve and restore youth and beauty. But perhaps the most popular among all women is coloring gray hair. Some women do not react in any way to the appearance of gray hairs, but for some it is a “sore subject.” In any case, returning your hair to its former color, richness and beauty is quite feasible. In this article, we’ll talk about how to properly color gray hair, what kind of gray hair it generally occurs, and look at examples of work before and after coloring.
Why does gray hair appear?
A special pigment, melanin, is responsible for the color of our hair. With age, it begins to be produced less well, resulting in gray hairs. Even in their structure, they are very different from ordinary hair. Firstly, gray hair is less susceptible to coloring due to the fact that its structure changes; it becomes coarser and drier. Secondly, the hair loses its natural shine, which also affects its coloring.
Types of gray hair
Based on the concentration of gray hair, they are classified into:
- focal gray hair is when gray hair accumulates in one specific place (at the temples or at the back of the head);
- diffuse gray hair is when gray hair is not concentrated in one place, but is scattered throughout the entire volume of hair.
Among other things, the structure of the hair also plays a huge role when dyeing. Thin and soft gray hair is the easiest to dye, but hard and brittle hair (also called glass hair) is the most difficult.
Gray hair coloring technology
There is a certain sequence when dyeing gray hair:
- Diagnosis of gray hair. At this stage, the type of gray hair, hair structure and general condition are determined.
- The second stage is divided into two: etching or pre-pigmentation. Etching is a procedure in which the hair is treated with a special oxidizing solution to open the hair scales. Etching is used for the so-called “glass gray hair”, when the scales fit too tightly to each other and prevent the penetration of the coloring pigment inside. Prepigmentation is a procedure in which a certain area of hair is saturated with pigment before the main dyeing. Prepigmentation is used, for example, for overgrown gray roots. The choice of one method or another depends on the desired coloring result.
- Application of a coloring composition with the addition of a certain oxidizing agent.
- After a certain time, the dye is washed off, and a special conditioner is applied to the hair, with the help of which the result is fixed and the dyed hair is given shine.
Features of gray hair coloring
It is worth remembering that diffuse and focal gray hair should be colored differently. Scattered gray hair should be colored using pre-pigmentation and various oxidizing agents. Oxidizing agents are used for the most uniform coloring. Pigmentation products must be left on for 20 minutes. In addition, it is important to remember that only areas with established gray hair should be pigmented to avoid color oversaturation.
Professional stylists do not recommend dyeing gray hair at home. In the salon, the master will not only select the color correctly, but also do all the necessary manipulations.
The trend of the last decade has been the color gray, its shades, and combinations with other colors. Bright and at the same time elegant, it inspires artists and designers. The beauty industry is no exception - cold steel shimmers are increasingly used in hairdressing. For transformation, gray hair color is chosen by young girls; it also attracts mature women. The psychology of shade includes the spectrum of black and white, the attraction of opposite edges. This is one of his main secrets of popularity among both brunettes and blondes. Maintaining a unique shine is quite difficult; gray requires comprehensive care.
Color Features
Gray includes shades of green, red, blue, and depending on the concentration of each, the intensity of the main tone changes. Coloring in ashy tones is incredibly popular, from natural light brown to rich silver with a blue undertone. Used for colored ombre with strawberry, peach, turquoise, lavender combinations.
Such images require bright makeup - glossy scarlet, berry lips, grotesque eyeliner, lush, doll-like eyelashes. But the color is also suitable for those who want to add natural notes to their appearance. Painting it a light brown smoky color will add sophistication and sophistication.
Advantages of gray color:
- transforms appearance;
- suitable for different age groups, color types;
- looks luxurious on different types of haircuts, from classic to avant-garde;
- goes well with natural and rainbow palettes.
For those who want to achieve a gray shade, Don't forget about its disadvantages:
- it is necessary to first bleach the strands so that the gray pigment is evenly fixed;
- brunettes, brown-haired girls, and fair-haired girls should have their coloring done only in a salon, otherwise the curls may acquire yellowish-greenish tints;
- to preserve color and shine, it is necessary to select care products for silver blond;
- you will need a whole series of products - dry, brittle trunks after painting require regular moisturizing and color protection;
- restrictions apply to all thermal procedures - blow-drying, styling with tongs, and even walking under the bright scorching sun can lead to yellowness.
Note! Periodically, the color must be tinted using tinted shampoos or balms.
Who is it suitable for?
Gray color does not tolerate lack of shape and styling. This shade looks great on Hollywood curls, voluminous bobs, architectural soissons and pageboys. Avant-garde asymmetrical haircuts are at the peak of popularity; tandems of ash with pink, purple, gray, and green are often used. Gray-ashy afro-braids, weaves, and careless buns look interesting. When laying, you need to add volume to the root area.
Suitable for:
- mousey ash-blond color is often found in the Summer color type with gray-blue, gray-green eyes; You can add brightness to your appearance by tinting your curls in a steel tone;
- suits mature men and women when most of the hair is covered with gray; you can use coloring to obtain a beautiful, elegant shade;
- suitable for Winter: perfectly shades milky porcelain or dark skin, the combination of dark brown or blue eyes adds a fabulous look;
- Spring and Autumn should choose combinations of smoky and golden - pure steel color can highlight all the shortcomings of warm undertone skin, green-tea eyes, making the appearance faded and expressionless.
Popular shades
The diversity of the gray palette allows everyone to find their favorite tone. Even warm color types of appearance can be matched with a harmonious shade.
Gray-haired
It is a rich gray color, suitable for those with a bright, expressive appearance with blue or black eyes, an ideal skin tone without redness or age spots.
Grey
The muted shade is often intertwined with beige and golden colors. You can choose for girls with blue, blue, gray, azure eyes. Not suitable for green-brown eyes, pale skin with bronze blush.
Steel
It differs from natural gray strands in its glossy shine. Recommended for use after bleaching, gives a healthy glow.
Mouse
Natural light brown with brown-golden tints. Suitable for girls with blue eyes and naturally light hair. Will highlight natural beauty in combination with chocolate and chestnut shades.
Dark grey
Visually makes you look older, so it is more often used by girls under 30 years old. It is very difficult to achieve at home - obtaining the desired pigmentation requires experience and knowledge of color secrets. Suitable for those with natural light brown hair and a cool appearance.
Light gray
Golden brown is recommended for those with tanned and fair skin with freckles. Can also be used by natural blondes to obtain a more expressive color.
Ashen
Combines 3 shades at the same time: light brown, ash, blond. The palette suits girls with gray, blue, gray-blue eyes, milky skin color.
Pearl
This can only be achieved on blonde hair. Pearl highlights neutralize yellow tones for a clean, even, cool glow. Suitable for those with perfect skin tone and expressive facial features.
How to get it at home
It is easier to get a gray, rich shade for light brown, fair-haired girls, as well as those who have undergone blonding. Brown-haired women, as well as brunettes, will have to go through the bleaching stage in the salon - a procedure carried out independently can lead to the destruction of the stem structure and the appearance of yellowness.
Permanent paints
Hair dye-gel Estelle Only rich in variations of blond, ash blond, light blond, light ash blond, light ash blond, light ash-violet blond. The formula contains a unique quat-acrylic complex and is enriched with argan oil. As a result, 5 levels of protection of the structure and color of curls are provided. The condition of the strands improves, they become smooth and manageable. The long-lasting rich shade lasts for about 2 months. Cost 210 rub.
Cream hair dye Londa. The gray palette is represented by medium blond, light blond, platinum blond, dark ash, ash blond, platinum silver. Provides gentle coloring that maintains shine and curl strength for up to 8 weeks. The coloring pigment penetrates the stem structure, allowing you to obtain a uniform shade from the roots to the very tips. The formula of the balm used after coloring is enriched with panthenol and vitamin E. Protects strands from external factors, including ultraviolet radiation. You can buy it for 180 rubles.
L'Oreal Paris Recital Preferenc hair dye allows you to achieve exquisite shades - ash blond, Copenhagen light blond, Viking very light blond, light blond pearlescent, ultrablonde cold ash, ultrablond cold pearlescent. Thanks to large molecules, it helps maintain a glossy, rich color for 2 months. The dye contains a vitamin complex and filters that provide strength and shine to curls. The kit includes a balm that enhances color and protects hair from fading in the sun, exposure to hair dryers, and ironing. You can buy it for 434 rubles.
Tint preparations
Shampoo for colored hair Schwarzkopf Color Freeze protects color, protects strands from exposure to external adverse factors. Gentle, gentle cleansing, even with frequent washing, allows you to maintain the intense radiance of cool, ashy tones. Moisturizes, cares for the scalp, makes strands soft and silky. It is recommended not only to preserve color, but also to neutralize yellowness. Apply shampoo to damp strands, foam, and rinse off after 1–2 minutes. You can buy it for 612 rubles.
Shampoo for colored hair with silver effect Indola allows you to achieve cold overflows. The complex contains violet and blue pigments; as a result of washing, the shade acquires a rich metallic sheen. The composition includes nutritional components and amino acids. Application allows you to avoid subsequent staining and tinting. It is recommended to use indole shampoo to maintain and neutralize yellowness once a week. The composition is applied to damp curls, foams, and is washed off after 3 minutes. Price 1650 rub.
Yellowness neutralizer shampoo with biolamination effect Tonic Recommended for bleached and blonde hair. It has antiseptic properties, relieves irritation, and gently cares for the scalp. Contains peach oil and a vitamin complex that nourish and moisturize curls along the entire length. Suitable for frequent use, applied to damp strands and washed off after 3 minutes. You can buy it for 154 rubles.
Partial coloring techniques
Gray color is suitable for painting using various modern techniques. To combine with a gray shade, a natural dark palette can be used; rainbow colors are also relevant.
- Gray highlightsperformed on medium and ultra-long hair. Contrasting “salt and pepper” involves alternating ash and black strands. Suitable for natural brunettes with expressive facial features.
- Shatush - the technique allows you to achieve an imitation of burnt strands under the influence of sunlight. The paint is applied randomly, allowing you to create the most natural look. Natural ash, light brown shades are used to tint the main length and ends in tandem with darkened roots. Hair volume visually increases; renewal is required no more than once every 2-3 months.
- Ombre — the color of the root area is sharply different from the tips, the transition is smooth, gradient. Not done at home, looks better on long straight curls. Gray can be used as a base color with strawberry, lavender or turquoise highlights. In classic coloring, combinations of ash and dark blond, blue-black and pearlescent will be successful.
- Balayage - unlike the shatush technique, there is a V or Sh-shaped distribution of the dye on the strands. Permanent dye or tinting agent is used mainly on medium and long curls. Details on how to perform ash balayage can be found on our website.
Cost of the procedure in the salon
To obtain ashy, gray curls, it is recommended to turn to professionals. Even those with light and brown hair may need additional bleaching or blonding. For women with natural gray hair, hairdressers may recommend a toning procedure to evenly distribute the silver tone. The entire palette of gray is in fashion, both for monochrome and partial coloring.
The cost of coloring for short hair is from 1000 to 2500 rubles, for medium length (from 20 to 35 cm) - from 1500 to 3700 rubles, for ultra-long curls - from 2700 to 6000 rubles. The salon can also offer restorative procedures, nourishing masks, treatment with ampoules, glossing and lamination.
Color care
Experts recommend purchasing a set of products to preserve cool, silver shades immediately after dyeing. They not only moisturize, protect from mechanical damage and ultraviolet radiation, but also have a toning effect.
Care secrets:
- natural or colored curls must be regularly nourished and moisturized exclusively with professional products; homemade masks can lead to the appearance of yellowness;
- Before using a hair dryer, curling iron or hot roller, be sure to distribute protective styling products on the strands;
- In summer, protect your hair from fading using balms and masks with UV filters.
The mesmerizing shine of silver-gray strands suits different color types of appearance. You can achieve an elegant shade by turning to professionals. To give light strands an ashy undertone, entire series of shampoos and conditioners have been created. Beautiful, luxurious curls will decorate your appearance, making you feel like a Hollywood diva.
Ideas for bright, incredibly beautiful and stylish coloring:
Useful videos
How to dye your hair gray or gray at home.
As you know, coloring gray hair is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. You yourself know that gray hair without dyeing looks bad. Gray hair dye is selected based on your skin tone and personality. Today we will answer your question: which coloring for gray hair is best for you. Take a look at these photos and get inspired for your next look!
Gray hair coloring
A common effect of the aging process is the gradual appearance of gray hair. For some, this may happen quickly and prematurely. After all, by the time we reach over 50, everyone has gray hair. If you have premature gray hair, then be sure to read this article about the causes and methods of treating premature gray hair.
Gray hair or white hair is the result of loss of the pigment that gives hair its color. Gray hair is more difficult to manage because there is no base color and the hair is usually thicker and coarser.
Gray hair after dyeing will regain its former attractiveness and make you feel younger. And your new image will attract the attention of others.
Fashionable dyeing of gray hair blonde for women over 50
Here's a simple tip - going for a lighter, more natural color makes the transition from gray hair to colored hair look more natural. It also blends better with white roots as your hair grows. For this reason, lighter hair color can make you look younger, especially when paired with the right modern hairstyle. This technique for coloring gray hair is undoubtedly worthy of your attention - it is the best coloring for gray hair!
A short, platinum blonde pixie is the perfect hairstyle and hair color combination for women over 50. It is also easy to maintain and looks amazing.
You will find even more other short pixie hairstyles that will suit women over 50 and beyond here.
In the photo, blonde for long hair is another example of a good hair color for women over 50.
The photo shows another option for dyeing blonde on long gray hair.
Honey blonde is a great hair color for women over 50 with fine hair and fair skin. The color is natural, resulting in a more youthful appearance, as shown in the photograph of Meryl Streep.
The Best Hair Colors for Women Over 50
If you have pale or fair skin, you need to stay away from hair colors that are too warm. Stick to cool brown shades, for example. Such as in the photo below.
For women over 50, brown hair like Susan Lucci works well. The style may be a little dated, but it looks good on her and might suit you too.
The photo below shows a light, medium, blonde shade of balayage on a graceful bob with bangs. Ideal for women over 50 with fair skin. Mixed hair colors are the perfect way to hide gray hair.
The Best Hair Colors for Women Over 50 with Olive Skin
Women over 50 with dark or olive skin tones can dye their hair warmer tones. For example, a brown or warm dark brown shade would be perfect. This dark hair color is best suited for women with partially or completely gray hair.
The chocolate shade is great for women over 50 with dark skin, this combination perfectly complements the skin tone. This is a great way to hide gray hair and look youthful.
Mahogany brown for women over 50 looks great with olive skin. As Sophia Loren's photo shows, this is a wonderful hair color choice.
But, for example, a woman uses a short hairstyle with medium ash brown hair color. This is a very suitable hair color for women over 50 with olive skin.
Complete hair color for women over 50
Pink hair color for women over 50. The soft shade of pink is sure to attract attention while maintaining your femininity. It's a fun color that makes you look younger.
Are you ready for the flaming pumpkin blossom? Be confident with this fiery ripe orange haircut. Like fire, this hairstyle complements fair skin and blue eyes. Be bold and brighten up your hair color.
Expressive hair color for women over 50
If you are a woman over 50 years old but young and cheerful at heart, attract attention with the help of modern and youthful hair coloring. Purple ombre is a fun way to add color to hair for women over 50. Lighter, more natural hair color near the roots allows for easy hair and hair care.
Another way to add color to hair for women over 50 is with an asymmetrical blend. Here, blue and dark blue hair dye adds a modern feel to an otherwise normal hairstyle. This is a good choice for women with a full head of gray hair as it adds color that looks great and is easy to maintain.
If you want a more subtle option, use only partial colors. This hairstyle with a slight lilac undertone looks amazing without being flashy or boring.
If you are bold enough to make a statement, then go for burgundy hair color. Wherever you go with this hairstyle, you will be the center of attention.
If you were unable to choose the appropriate type of gray hair coloring, perhaps you will find what you were looking for in our section on colored hair.
Caring for hair color after dyeing
After you've spent time and money to get the hair color you wanted, you'll want to keep it for longer. You will definitely need a shampoo and conditioner that is suitable for colored hair. Relevant information must be placed on the packaging. Find a shampoo for color-treated hair that has a low pH level so the color won't wash out as quickly. Please note that you can now find shampoos for colored hair of the appropriate color or shade (light, dark, chocolate, red, etc.) on sale.