Going Gray Here’s How to Do It With Style and Confidence

ByCindy Hattersley Hours Posted on Hours Updated on
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Today I am joining some of my favorite silver haired bloggers to share our tips and tricks for going gray and maintaining it. Back in 2015, I created my first post on going gray. This topic has always been a popular one here on the blog. Today I am revisiting it because I am constantly finding new products and tips.  Here are my updated tips for going gray and what has worked for me in the years since I first penned the original post. Let’s chat about Going Gray Here’s How to Do It With Style and Confidence

cindy-hattersley-silver-haired-blogger

If you decide to go to the gray, it has to be your decision.  It is helpful if your family are supportive (mine were). Don’t let your hair stylist tell you that your hair will not be a “pretty gray”. If she/he does find a new one. When I returned to my original hairdresser she supported me. I was coloring my hair so often my hair began to look like “a frizzled mess “as my daughter described it.

Here are the three simple tips that worked for me when I decided to go gray. 

going gray with style and confidence

If you cut your hair shorter your natural gray hair will grow much faster.  If you go lighter than your natural hair color it will lessen the mark between regrowth and the color that is being applied to your hair. Instead of doing a full base color add lowlights (instead of coloring all of the hair re-pigment your base color in strands).

hannoh wessel dress, mer sea linen wrap

Once you have survived he transition remember gray is not your ticket to low maintenance hair.  Gray hair is dryer, coarser, more brittle, and frizzier than normal hair. Sun, minerals in your water, and other environmental factors can cause your hair to yellow. This is one of my major issues.

Here is how I keep the frizzies and yellowing at bay. If you don’t have a problem with yellowing you will not need to use a purple based shampoo as often or at all. Currently, I am trying to go without having keratin treatments, but my hair is much more manageable if I do. I have a great stylist now that is trying to keep me in line.

Seven Tips for maintaining healthy gray hair

Here are my most recent go-to products .  Fortunately there are new products coming on the market constantly that are tailored for gray hair. I am not endorsing these products for everyone.  There are many options and you will need to find which ones work best for you and your hair type.

TEN GRAY HAIR PRODUCTS I LOVE

SHOP MY FAVORITE GRAY HAIR PRODUCTS

I was a big fan of Moroccan Oil. I loved how it tamed my frizz. My new hairdresser advised that it was one of the culprits of the yellowing of my hair. I now am a big fan of ghost oil. I loved the Morroccan oil clarifying shampoo (love their products) but switched to Solu also because of the yellowing issue. My hair stylist also recommended Malibu C Blonde Remedy which I use once a week if I think of it! Most of the other products I have been using for several years and still love. Many of the products formulated for blondes work well for gray hair. The blond Kerastase line is very good. My favorite purple based shampoos are the Aveda Blue Malva, Kerastase, and the Phyto. The best budget friendly option in my opinion is the Hair Biology line. You can read about that here. I particularly like the conditioner. My favorite every day conditioner is still the Davines and has been for many years. The holy grail for me is still the Madison Reed gloss. I find it is as good as any Salon gloss. My hairdresser is prompting me to steer clear of the keratin treatments, so I am attempting to do that. In the summer that means a lot of hats or a pony tail.

gray-hair-mature-woman-cindy-hattersley

Once you have made the leap you need to be careful not to look like a “grandma”.  Make sure you have a current cut and you adjust your makeup. If you have the same hairstyle that you had in your high school year book photo, it might be time for a change. I find that I also needed my lipstick and blush to have a little more color with my silver locks.   I could never wear white before. White is absolutely the best color for gray hair as well as aging skin! One of the best perks of going gray, you can dress a little more hip without looking like you are trying too hard.

You might enjoy these posts that I have feature on gray hair:

HOW TO KEEP YOUR GRAY HAIR LOOKING GREAT

GRAY HAIR PRODUCTS THAT WORK FOR ME

MUST HAVE INEXPENSIVE HAIR TOOL FOR GRAY HAIR

You might want to check out these links below for more information:

OPRAH DAILY BEST SHAMPOOS FOR GRAY HAIR

ALLURE’S 17 BEST SHAMPOOS FOR GRAY HAIR IN 2023

NY POST BEST SHAMPOOS FOR GRAY HAIR ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

Four Bloggers on Going Gray and Maintaining It-going gray do it with style and confidence

Thank you for reading Going Gray Here’s How to Do it With Style and Confidence. Please share any of your favorite products. Now let’s pop over and visit my blogging pals for their tips.

SILVER IS THE NEW BLONDE

UNE FEMME D’UN CERTAIN AGE

STATE OF GRAY


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61 Comments

  1. I couldn’t take it any longer. I ha my hair straightened. I didn’t know your hair was curly, wirey, dry and impossible. It always looks so nice. I’d just had it. I called my niece who is a pro and told her my problem, she said. Just straighten it!!!! All the difference in the world. My hair truly has gotten worse. Don’t know if it’s age, medical or what.

    1. Hi Sandra

      I understand my hair is a wreck here in the midwestern humidity!!

  2. My hair is similar in color to yours….which Madison Reed gloss do you use/recommend?
    Thanks!

  3. I use a Aveda nutriplenish shampoo and conditioner – no purple shampoo or keratin treatments which have harsh chemicals – gloss when get a haircut – agree on makeup, using lipstick and creamy blush, always tinted moisturizer with spf, love the freedom to not have to schedule a dye job around an event! It’s all about attitude and confidence – whether you choose to dye or not – wear a smile and be kind – enjoy the lines on your face!

    1. Thank you.
      I continue to put off
      Keratin treatment but almost scheduled one…after years of sitting in salon chairs a cut and gloss are all I want and need.

      1. Hi Miranda

        I have been wearing a lot of ponytails here in the midwest humidity!!

    2. Hi PJ

      I can’t survive without a purple based shampoo. I love the Aveda Blue Malva and have used it for years along with the others I mentioned. Love your comments!!

  4. Love your blog and your tips on hair today ! Curious why your stylist recommends to not get a relaxer – I still do but maybe I am damaging the grey? I live in SLO , who is your stylist here ?

    1. Hi JS

      I go to Edward Tedeschi at Roux Salon in Paso. The Keratin treatments do yellow your hair but he doesn’t like them because of the carcinogens.

  5. Cindy, thoroughly enjoyed this post. Again, one of my favorite topics. You have some products that I don’t use so going to check them out. Thank you!

    PS I feel our silvers are very similar in color. It looks beautiful on you.

  6. Wow, I didn’t know that about Synthroid either, and have been taking it for years since having my thyroid removed. I’ve always loved your silver hair, Cindy! It looks fabulous.

    1. Thank you Susan so much for joining us! You always have such good information to share!

  8. Thanks for sharing all of this helpful information. I have been thinking about going gray.

  9. Wow I never heard that Synthyroid causes hair to yellow! That likely explains why my hair is natural but kinda white blonde?! And Cindy, I love your latest hair cut!

  10. Great Post Cindy! Thanks for including me in this one! I am really interested in trying the Madison Reed Gloss – it sounds great.
    And thanks for the referral for the Solu shampoo – I want a basic for when there are no more highlights woven into the white.

  11. You know you were my inspiration! I commented on the Sunday blog that you were my main (“mane”) inspo. Ha ha.
    I agree, I think I can carry off white better than before when ivory was more flattering. Maybe black is better now too?
    I do think grey/silver is less maintenance, certainly less time and money spent at a salon.

    1. Hi Wren

      Ha ha! You have amazing hair! Ivory was much more flattering than white before for me as well!

  12. HI CINDY! I LOVE THIS POST. I ALWAYS ENJOY READING YOUR CONTENT. I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE OUTFIT ABOVE: WHITE LINEN DRESS WITH LINEN SHAWL. WOULD YOU SHARE THE SOURCE FOR BOTH? ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

  13. Cindy
    Thank you for all the tips and tricks. A well written article ! I transitioned to gray these last 18 months. I had a great stylist who kept my grow out process from brunette to gray pretty seamless. She did some bleaching in the beginning with lowlights. I actually received many compliments on my hair during the transition. I’ve since tried a new stylist (your recommendation) and he gave me a French Bob. It took me a bit to get over the shock of shorter hair but now I love my hair as it is naturally wavy. All I do is wash it, add a bit of mousse and curl cream and let it dry naturally. Et voila, my hair always looks put together and chic! I feel totally free now. 😎

  14. I loved your comment “ you can dress a little more hip without looking like you tried too hard”. I never thought about it, but it’s so true!

  15. Thank you so much for this honest commentary on going gray. It’s nice to hear the challenges as well as the benefits and be realistic about it. I’m still coloring my hair and probably will continue for a while, but this helps understand that transition.

    1. Hi Laura

      Gray is not for everyone. We all have to do what we are comfortable with.

  16. Thank you for the product suggestions, Cindy.
    Your post is timed perfectly for me as I was looking to make a few adjustments in my hair care routine. I have found changing products now and then, beneficial. I am rather excited about the Malibu C treatment.

    1. Hi Girlfriend!

      I agree. I try to change mine up on occasion. There are so many more products available now!

  17. My hair is white but tends to yellow. Have discovered WOW which is sprayed on , left 3 minutes and washed out. Works like a charm , no blue or purple!

  18. What color was your hair prior to going gray ?
    Do you have warm or cool skin undertones ?

    1. Hi Nancy

      My hair was very dark brown, almost black and I have warm undertones.

  19. I’m going to try the Malibu C, thanks for the tip. I’m curious about the gloss too, do you use the clear or the purple? I alternate between both and I do it at home.

    1. Hi Arlene

      The Malibu C is fabulous and inexpensive. Be sure to follow the directions exactly.

  20. Virtue is my new favorite line of hair care products in case you ever want to try a new line. Going to check out the Madison Reed gloss. Thanks for that tip Cindy! I’m contemplating going all gray since I’m 95% gray under all this dye, ha! I follow the colorist Jack Martin on IG whose niche is going gray and loving it and I am obsessed with his feed. One day that will be me 🙂

    1. Hi Nancy

      I love Jack Martin. I wanted to interview him for the blog but he did not respond. Love what he does!

  21. Just in time…I made the leap to stop coloring my hair 2 months ago and so far I’m loving it. My stylist is doing the blonde blending route ( my hair is usually a light brown). My husband is supportive but I still need to win over my sons. Thanks so much for the tips on hair care too!!

    1. Hi Mary

      That is so funny. My husband and daughter were on board but not my son and daughter-in-law were not. I think they approved once it was complete.

  23. Thanks for this inspiration to keep going on my go-grey journey. It’s not for the faint of heart. I’ve been using the Hair Biology shampoo and conditioner that you had previously recommended and will now add a couple of these products to my repertoire.

  24. Love your gray hair- beautiful! Your clothes and chunky jewelry are spot on! I was interested in your light sunglasses; they look great with your hair! Please provide details.

    1. Interesting. I’ve been on Synthroid for several years and no yellowing.
      Since going silver I’ve skipped shampoo and wash with conditioner only. I look for a product with no nitrates, sulphates, or perfume. I follow up with gel. Easy, fast, and inexpensive and my hair is clean and soft.

  26. I’m curious which Madison gloss you use—the clear or the violet? Thanks for all the gray hair tips!

  27. Great ideas…..
    I’ve been white since I was in my 30’s now my daughter is salt and pepper!
    Everyone considering the John Frieda oil,should read the Amazon comments…seems they’ve changed it and not for the better!

    1. Hi Shari

      I will check out the reviews. I loaded up on the stuff awhile back.

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