Amazing Grays

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

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.

Here are some violet-hued color-enhancing shampoos and conditioners. They work to fight brassiness and eliminate yellow undertones in gray (and blonde) hair.

ARTec Color Depositing Shampoo and Moisturizers in White Violet, $11 (shampoo) and $9 (moisturizer)

Art Luna Hair America Healthy Hilights Highlights Enhancing Shampoo, $18.50

Clairol Shimmer Lights Color-Enhancing Shampoo and Conditioner, $2.85/8 oz, $3.92/16 oz, $6.86/32 oz (shampoo); $3.92 (conditioner)

Aveda Blue Malva Color Shampoo and Conditioner, $10.25/16.91 oz (shampoo), $16 (conditioner)

Graham Webb Blonde Color Care Collection Pure Blonde Illuminating Shampoo and Conditioner, $9.95 (shampoo) and $14.95 (conditioner)

KMS Color Vitality Blonde Shampoo, $8.85

Logics Color Refresher Revitalizing Conditioner in Quartz, $9/6 oz. $18/16 oz.

Paul Mitchell Color Shampoo in Platinum Blonde, $10.50/8.5 oz, $17.95/16.9 oz

Redken Shades EQ Color Enhancing Shampoo in Platinum Ice, $7.90/5 oz.

Schwarzkopf Igofleur Prescription Color Shampoo in Extra Light Ash Blonde or Pastel Ash Blonde, $9.95 (at salons only)

Schwarzkopf Igora Toning Color Enhancing Conditioning treatment in Extra Light Ash Blonde and Pastel Ash Blonde, $9.50 (at salons only)

Gray hair tends to be more brittle and have less shine than hair with more pigment. A reconstructor or deep moisturizer will help strengthen and revive gray hair. Here are some deep conditioners/shine enhancers you might want to try:

Bumble & bumble Styling Lotion, $14.99 (protects hair from blow dryer heat)

KMS Color Vitality Reconstructor, $9.95

L'Oreal Color Vive Leave-In Shine Infuser, $6.99

Pantene Pro-V Color Intensive Care Masque, $6.69

TeraGloss Instant REstorer for Damaged Hair, $14

One to Watch For:
L'Oreal Gray Chic will be on store shelves in late June and July. This is a semi-permanent hair color that helps brighten up gray hair. Gray chic, which lasts up to 28 shampoos, costs $8.99. It comes in seven shades of gray.