Color Grey Hair
When your hair turns grey, it is the result of a loss of pigment in your hair follicles. This often happens to men and women as they age, but many people are genetically inclined to turn grey earlier than others. Hair coloring is a viable option for men and women of all ages to get a younger, fresher, better-looking head of hair. While some people embrace their aging gracefully, other folks want to retain their age by reverting back to their original hair color.
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[hide]Steps
Picking the Right Shade For You
- Think about your goals for hair coloring. Do you want a little salt and pepper, or do you want to color out the gray entirely? Light treatment is quick and lasts a longer, as you can keep a little gray around, but a full coloring will need to be reapplied every 4-6 weeks to prevent unsightly gray roots.
- Know that, as your hair loses pigment, you skin does as well. This is a natural part of aging. What it means for you, however, is that a complete switch to a bright, vibrant hair color will likely look odd and unnatural. Try to complement your skin with a color that is slightly lighter and duller than your natural hair color.
- Highlights may be a way to keep some bright, youthful color in your hair without looking unnaturally shiny.
- Talk to your hair stylist about your hair. They will have specific recommendations for products to use and colors to sample. Gray hair is coarser than young hair, which means it is more resistant to taking color than it once was. As such, you may need to get a specialty color for your hair, and your barber will have the best solutions for you.
- Know that you can mix and match dyes. Often times the best color for you is not the one sold in stores. Try mixing and matching your "natural" (the one you had as a kid) color with a lighter shade, allowing you to have perfect mixture that fits your skin tone.
- For example, you might try mixing a 6A light golden brown with a 6C.
- Consider dye combs for salt-and pepper hair. Companies make specific products that leave a little grey in and require minimal effort to apply. Oftentimes they come with small combs pre-loaded with dyes, and they have a variety of shades and colors. You can find them in the Beauty section of most pharmacies and big-box stores for men and women.
Coloring your Hair
- Bleach or lighten you hair first if you want a full coloring. If you are trying to get a consistent, even hair color, but you are currently salt and peppered, you likely need to lighten you hair first. This is especially important if you hair is dark in patches. Use a bleach or blonde hair dye first and let it set in before moving on to your desired color.
- Know, however, that bleaching your hair causes damage. Although, you will not need to bleach it with every coloring.
- Wash your hair to remove any chemicals and dirt. Use a gentle shampoo and rinse off your hair well. Check your specific dye to see if you should dry your hair as well -- some require damp hair to start.
- Let your hair air dry if possible -- this prevents damage to the hair that could lead to a more difficult coloring.
- Comb the knots out of your hair. Make sure you hair is straight and free of tangles, as this will make it easier to apply the dye.
- Separate long hair into sections. Use a bobby pin or your comb to break your hair off into at least 3 small sections. This makes it easier to apply the dye evenly and consistently, and prevents you from missing any sections.
- Apply the dye with a brush, as if you were painting. Once you've mixed together your dye, use the brush to apply it to each section of hair. Go slowly, being sure to coat each bit of hair evenly. This is when the sections come in handy -- more sections ensures you get every bit evenly.
- If you needed to use bleach or blonde dye before dying your hair, put it in and let it set for 5-10 minutes, then rinse it out and begin with your desired color.
- Treat your dyed hair according to the directions on the bottle. At the very least, buy shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for "Dyed or Treated Hair." This ensures that your color is long lasting and your hair is healthy. Immediately after applying the dye, you will likely need to wait as it sets in, then rinse it out to see how it looks.
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