Few things in life are certain except getting older. And with age comes life experiences and physical changes – including gray hair. Although many of us go gray, the path to full-fledged silver hair is different for everyone. Whether you conceal your gray strands with hair dye or just leave them as is is up to you. Since there's no wrong or right way to go gray, there are a number of ways to incorporate your silver strands into your existing base color to make them less noticeable, or to enhance them to make them extra shiny.What highlightsfor gray hair? Read on to find out!
How to blend gray hair with highlights
Nowadays there are endless ways to apply highlights. From balayage to babylights, we have numerous techniques at our disposal - each offering its own unique effect. And while not every procedure is perfect for concealing gray hair, many can be customized to achieve the effect you desire.
Traditional highlights
Traditional, but never boring: Classic highlights are applied in an even pattern from root to tip, then foiled for a bright, luminous shine. Since they usually start at the root, you can eliminate the gray growth with a few lighter onesLoosen up the strandswhile giving the hair movement and dimension. When working with blonde highlights, you should go for cooler tones like ash or ice blonde. This way they are closer to the natural silver, white and gray strands.
Face-framing highlights
These gray strands frame the face and make your complexion shine. To ensure thatHer gray hairTo stay soft, experts recommend using an ultra-moisturizing product to wash your hair.
Which highlights for gray hair: warm demi-gloss
Brunette women who are transitioning to gray often have a hard dividing line between their light roots and dark ends. For a softer, more seamless look, a gloss is a good option. A demi-gloss color either enhances warmth or cools down all hair. This won't hide the gray, but it will add a nice sophistication to your existing color (and it would grow out without any harsh lines).
Bold gray touch
Consider thicker slices to create more boldness and firmer areas. JoAni Johnson's chunky highlights are a prime example of this technique.
Try the foil technique
Add reflections or foil in deeper areas to create more lightness and brightness. The technique depends on the initial depth and the gray content. For the time between appointments, experts recommend a root refresher product to smudge the strands.
Which highlights for gray hair: gray ombré
Another trendy way to go gray? Ombre highlights. Salma wore Hayek for her film The Hummingbird Projectan updowith a deep black base that becomes increasingly silver towards the ends. Her hairstylist Jennifer Yepez styled the wig in loose beachy waves to accentuate the different shades of her color.
Silver or ash blonde tones
Transitioning to gray hair using highlights can take years because highlights are very fine particles of color. You need a lot of them to get enough saturation to break the harsh line that comes with growing out natural gray. Experts recommend adding highlights to blur the grays and then tinting them to ash blonde or silver.
Herringbone shades are trendy
With this technique, the gray tones are incorporated into the base hair color. Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Jessica Parker have both incorporated herringbone highlights into their iconic blonde tones.
Balayage for gray hair
It's a myth that balayage should only be used on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. In fact, a few strokes starting at the roots can create a youthful, sun-kissed glow. Try placing some lighter areas on the crown or temples. This is the best trick for women with little gray hair that they want to blend easily.
Babylights are very popular
They are ideal for women who want to cover a small volume of gray strands. They mimic the sun-soaked, natural highlights you got on vacation as a kid, and are just delicate enough for small,silver strandsto cover up. To conceal excessive hair growth, you can also paint the Babylights back to back so that there is almost no gap between the individual bands. Whatever highlights you choose for gray hair, your hairstyle is sure to shine!
