Get the Right Cut

Gray-haired & Looking Great

Going gray gave Chazz Levi a glamorous second career. Four years after she swore off hair dye, she was recruited by a major modeling agency.

"I started getting gray hair at 18," recalls Levi, now 45. "I was getting more and more gray. To cover up, I went from dark brown to red to blond." Because her hair is straight and she didn't have bangs, new growth was immediately apparent. So finally, on her 40th birthday, she gave up the bottle.

There may be causes to dye for, but gray hair isn't one of them.

Stylists and fashion consultants agree that natural changes in
coloration--from salt-and-pepper blends to solid silver--lend
themselves to striking, sexy looks. It's important to remember,
however, that changes in wardrobe and make-up may be necessary in order
for newly gray women to look their best.

Clothing and Accessory Tips

Clothing

Make-Up Tips

To complement gray hair, you'll probably have to adjust your make-up and clothes.

According to makeup artist Bobbi Brown, "skin tone changes with age. Women often find their skin looks pale and uneven. The best thing to use is a good, medium coverage foundation, which will even out the skin."

"Women with gray hair should have a pop of soft color on cheeks and lips. They should stick to soft colors that won't wash them out but also won't be quite as harsh as some of the brighter colors we often see on older women," adds Brown.

Hair Dyes

Not ready to go gray just yet? Consultants at the Clairol hotline (1-800-223-5800) suggest that callers select dyes that are one shade lighter than their natural color. For partial coverage, try temporary colors. Try these permanent dyes, which conceal more gray.

Clairol Revitalique, $7.99-$8.99

L'Oreal Excellence Crème, $8.29

L'Oreal Superior Preference, $9.49

Hair Care: The Right Ingredients

A careful home regimen will keep hair healthy and supple. Voines urges clients to use a battery of deep conditioners, leave-in lotions, and silicone-based anti-frizz solutions. Shine products will add luster to gray, which can appear flat. To counteract the hair's tendency to turn yellow, experts recommend violet-hued color-enhancing shampoos. For extra contrast, ask your hairdresser about lowlights. The opposite of highlights, they emphasize silver and gray by darkening select strands of hair.

Get the Right Cut

Get the Right Cut

"Gray hair can be very beautiful" in the eyes of Connie Voines, stylist and manager of the Bumble and Bumble salon in New York City. The first step, she says, is to get an up-to-date cut that works. Graying tresses grow in more coarse and brittle, so short-medium, which will prevent breakage, is the preferred length. Trims every six to eight weeks will prevent ends from splintering.

Give It the Right Ingredients