Step 1: Blend your roots Wait until your roots are at least 60% silver before giving up your dye job, so your gray hue will look symmetrical and natural as it grows in, says colorist Jennifer J., owner of Juan Juan Salons in Beverly Hills, California. “The contrast in texture and tone as your hair grows can look unkempt,” she says. During this phase, which can last up to a year, get a do-it-yourself highlighting kit or ask your colorist to weave in a few fine highlights or lowlights (darker streaks) to add dimension and blend in roots. Step 2: Update your cut9 Hair Cuts That Make You Look Younger Cropping your hair above your collarbone during the in-between period will lessen the contrast between gray and pigmented strands (you’ll chop off most of your repeatedly-dyed ends). Layers can also help camouflage multiple hues. “A choppy cut looks youthful and helps hide your roots,” says Jonathan Gale, a colorist at the John Frieda Salon in Los Angeles. And most importantly, when your gray has grown out, don’t regress to a matronly style. “For gray to look glamorous and chic, your cut should be contemporary,” says Mark DeVincenzo, creative director at the Frédéric Fekkai Salon in New York City. An above-the-shoulder, layered style that provides movement and softly frames your face is a good bet, but you’ve got options: Try browsing the for inspiration and ideas. Step 3: Get on the right schedule When hair turns gray, the protective cuticle thins out, which can make strands coarse and prone to breakage. Keep tresses soft and healthy by doing the following: For day-to-day cleansing, choose a moisturizing shampoo like Dove Quench Absolute ($6, cvs.com) to soften and smooth gray hair and make it appear more lustrous. Once a week, wash hair with a formula geared for gray to counteract yellowing caused by sun, pollutants, hard water, and smoke. We like Pantene Pro-V Silver Expressions Shampoo ($5, walmart.com). Just be sure to only use it once a week: Many of these products contain a blue tint that can cause a purplish cast when they’re overused. Every month, treat your hair to a clear gloss or glaze like John Frieda Clear Shine Luminous Glaze ($9, drugstore.com) to coat the cuticle and boost shine. Step 4: Upgrade your styling routine Daily washing and styling can dry out hair—keep your hair looking better between washes with a non-drying oil-absorber like Oribe Cote d’Azure Hair Refresher ($24, oribe.com). When you do wash and style it, use a flatiron or blow dryer and round brush to give your hair a sleek, straight look; silver strands absorb light instead of reflecting it, making your mane look dull, and curly or wavy do’s only exaggerate the issue because there’s no smooth surface for light to bounce off of. Also make sure your styling products are colorless: The dyes in tinted mousses, gels, and the like can tarnish gray hair. MORE: Steal Diane Keaton’s Gorgeous Look
