Going Gray Gracefully For The Current Hair Coloring Client

First of all I don't always recommend you stop covering your gray hair for it can make you appear older, frumpy, dated and because of the ashy tone, it can make your skin appear dull and sallow. Some women embracing the gray hair, look amazing...such as Meryl Streep's character, with her silvery locks in Devil Wears Prada. I think this great silvery-gray color could look great on a lot of women if you coupled it with a flattering cut and fashionable clothing. If your the type that never considers fashion or hates to style your hair...then this look is not for you.

Since there is no hair color product on the market that will produce a true gray or white color, you simply have to let your gray grow out. For the client who has colored hair and gray roots, here are some options you have to help make the grow out process a lot more subtle and easier

1. Full highlights- Light blonde hair has very little contrast with gray hair. A full highlight each visit will be necessary until you remove all the previously colored hair....making you very blonde. A light ash toner will be necessary to counteract the yellow raw color that bleached hair achieves. The toner is light enough not to darken the hair but make the hair appear more gray or white than blonde. if your natural hair color is more salt and pepper...this can be achieved by low-lighting and highlighting the hair. A fine weave of low-lights the same color as the "pepper" in the hair and the remaining hair bleached. Then the now bleached blonde hair would be toned to give the appearance that it was gray or white. This is a process that takes a bit of time, money, and more then one visit may be required to receive the full desired results. Most find this option appealing because the end result does appear gray and makes them feel like they accomplished much of their goal even after the first visit.

2. Demi-permanent Color - The other option is much more budget friendly and probable the best option for extremely short haired clients who will cut the ends off soon anyway. Instead of getting rid of the previously colored hair and adding extra damage by bleaching and removing the color....we leave this hair alone and put the focus on the gray roots. When using a demi-permanent hair color which is deposit only hair color, it can only cover gray to about 50%. Meaning some your hair will take the color and some won't, allowing some gray to continue to shine through. When this type of hair color is deposited on gray course hair...it will also fade and leave you with little or no demarcation line. I guess you can say this works because it's not solid color like you have on the ends but not as bright white as your natural...so it is a great transition color. The demi-color would be applied to the roots only each visit and continued till the old, solid, previously colored hair has been cut off. After that phase you will be left with hair that has a salt and pepper look because of the 50% coverage of this demi-permanent product. Once your have reached this point you can also discontinue coloring your hair because the demi will fade anyway and the demarcation line will not be noticeable. This is a great option for those who have natural salt and pepper hair because your hair is like this already and you may be able to stop the process sooner.

I hope this helps and Good Luck!