Embracing the Silver: Pro Colorists Share Strategies for a Seamless Transition to Gray Hair
Andover, MA – As more individuals choose to embrace their natural gray hair, a growing demand exists for guidance on navigating the transition with confidence and style. Colorists are increasingly sought after to help clients move away from traditional coloring and towards a silver-toned look, whether a dramatic conversion or a gradual evolution.
The shift towards accepting natural gray is fueled by a desire for authenticity and low-maintenance hair care, but achieving a polished result requires careful planning. “Do you want a full gray transformation, a blended grow-out, or to softly introduce natural silver tones over time?” asks Sean Michael, stylist and owner of Salon Beau in Andover, massachusetts. Once a desired look is established-supported by inspiration photos-a consultation with a colorist is crucial to map out a personalized path.
Experts recommend easing into the change with strategic color techniques. “Most people benefit from adding cool toned highlights or lowlights to blur the line between existing color and new growth, which creates a softer, more intentional transition,” Michael explains. Jackie Seabrooke, hair artist at Kristen ess, echoes this advice, suggesting, “I would recommend getting strategic highlights and lowlights to diffuse and break up the hard gray line of demarcation that you so often see.” For those with darker hair, lightening the overall base color can further enhance a blended grow-out.
Beyond color, understanding how hair texture changes with graying is essential. Michael notes that gray hair often becomes coarser, drier, or even curlier due to reduced sebum production and alterations in follicle shape as melanin production slows. Addressing these textural shifts with appropriate hair care products is key to maintaining healthy, manageable silver strands.
