The gray revolution is here and Donna Bella is ready to help you rock your silver strands with confidence. If you have gray hair, or you're thinking about going gray, this post is for you.
Silver highlights, grombre, gray blonde, cool-toned balayage– we’re seeing sophisticated gray looks everywhere. All signs point to: gray is in!
Are you thinking about letting your silver strands shine? We support it! Choosing to embrace your grays can be an empowering decision. Read on for tips from our team of hair pros on how to go gray gracefully and rock your silver strands with confidence.
In this blog post you’ll find:
1. Pro tips from hair experts on how to make the transition stress free
2. What products to look for and which ones to avoid
3. How your hair may actually be healthier if you go gray
4. Reminders for how to boost your self-confidence in the process
Pro stylist tips on going gray gracefully
Tip #1: Meet with your stylist for a consultation
Keep in mind, you may need to let your roots grow out first. This allows your stylist to see the pattern of your grays clearly, which is an important step before coloring your hair. During a consultation, you can talk to your stylist about your color history, maintenance routine, and how you like to wear your hair. Then they can help you decide what route you want to go.
Tip #2: Consider color blending with balayage or foilayage
Balayage and foilayage coloring techniques are a great way to make the transition time more comfortable.
Balayage is a hand painted technique that involves sweeping color down the mid-lengths and ends of the hair to create a blended look. Foilayage is similar with color being painted on the hair but in this case sections of hair are wrapped in foil instead of being left to air dry. The difference? With foilayage, the foil keeps the hair moist and retains heat so you get more lift in a faster time. This is a great option for those with darker hair.
Some stylists will also opt for face-framing highlights or dimensional toning to create gorgeous color while your hair grows out.
Tip #3: Wear hair extensions for fullness and volume
Tape-In and Hybrid Weft gray hair extensions could be a great option for you. We offer lengths in 16”, 18” and 22” and 3 shade options– light, medium and dark– so you can customize your look.
Jill is wearing 16” Tape-Ins in medium and dark gray.
Whatever route you choose to go, remember that transitioning to gray is a process and will likely require some patience and changes to your maintenance routine.
How to keep your gray hair healthy
Hydrating products are essential. Your stylist may recommend a purple shampoo, a deep conditioning treatment or hydrating hair mask. Be sure that the products you use are free of sulfates. These will help reduce brassiness (yellow tones), add smoothness and softness to your hair, and keep your color vibrant and shiny.
Heat also plays a factor, both in the temperature of the water you use in your shower and when heat styling. Using a low heat setting with hair dryers, curling irons and flat irons is a good idea.
Also, reduce the frequency of washing your hair. You could consider using a dry shampoo between washes if you tend to have oily hair.
Want a volume boost? Consider having your stylist install gray Tape-Ins or gray Hybrid Weft hair extensions!
Find a support network
There are a ton of online community groups out there with other people who have chosen to embrace their grays. Following social media tags like #grayhairmovement and #grayhairjourney can provide you with inspiration and ideas for how to cut, color and style your gray hair.
Give it time
Your gray journey is personal. You get to own it! Be patient, embrace the sense of freedom that comes with no longer coloring your hair, and love yourself through the changes. There’s nothing more beautiful than self-confidence and finding your own signature style.
Here’s a quote we love from celebrity colorist Matt Rez about the empowerment that can come from embracing your grays:
"To let go and fully love yourself naturally is one of the most freeing feelings ever. Listen, I'm a hair colorist and I make my living by battling nature's work all day, but what I love most about my job is finding ways to enhance what's there already. That's what looks best by nature's plan."
Find inspiration from others who have embraced their grays
During our photo shoot for the launch of our new gray collection, our model Maddie shared some of her story.
“I stopped dyeing my hair when I was 28,” she said. “I’m 36 now. The transition was about 1-2 years before I was fully gray.
“I was at the point where I was having to color my hair every one and a half to two weeks. I just decided I was done dyeing. Initially it was a rebellious moment for me. I was done trying to stay up with the beauty world and I gave up any upkeep that was causing me to be depressed. I let it go and I haven’t looked back.”
Maddie says she was inspired by her grandmother in making the change. “My grandma stopped dyeing her hair pretty young,” Maddie said. “She was in her 50s at the time. She’s the one that inspired me. When I first started doing it, my mom was telling me, ‘Aren’t you worried it’s going to make you look old? People aren’t going to know how old you are.’ But honestly I get more compliments than questions now.
It’s not easy to find hair extensions that are gray. It’s nice that the industry is being more open to gray haired people. I cut my hair last year to remove some of that damaged hair and I’ve missed having long hair, so I’m excited.
If you’re considering going gray or letting go of dyeing your hair all the time, do what feels right. If coloring your hair makes you happy, then color it. But if it’s something that weighs on you like it did on me, then ditch it.”
We agree! Your beauty routine should be filled with things that feel good to you.
Be sure to tag @donnabellahair with your signature gray look
We can’t wait to see how you wear our new collection of gray Tape-Ins and Hybrid Wefts! Be sure to tag us @donnabellahair and follow our Instagram and TikTok for inspo.