Grey hair can look stunning. Just because you have grey hair doesn’t automatically mean that you are unfashionable or your hair will look ugly. But you do need a killer cut.

At Lily Jackson Hair & Make Up we’ll create colour and style that will look great for you, taking into consideration your hair type, lifestyle and sense of personal style. Thats why we understand that for those experiencing greying – there needs to be an individually tailored approach. Read on to find out the many options on how to wear grey hair fabulously…

How Does Grey Hair Start

Grey hair becomes visible when our hair follicles begin to produce less pigment cells which contain melanin. Pigment cells continuously produce melanin, colouring the hair strand. Melanin is also the chemical which gives our skin its colour. Vitamin B-12 deficiency or problems with the pituitary or thyroid gland are also associated as causes of premature greying, which can be rectified with dietary adjustments.

Embracing Grey Hair

Grey hair is nothing to feel embarassed about. As Julie Peacocke, Salon Director understands, grey hair can be great for some and not so great for others:

“Grey hair is an individual experience. On some people grey hair can look amazing, that is, if the hair is cut well and the tone of grey is bright, and if the hair appears healthy and shiny. Grey hair doesn’t age everyone, but for some people the appearance of grey hair can make the hair look thin and limp, and it can take away skin and eye tone which will have the effect of aging the person. If it is frizzy or fluffy it can look like a run-away mess, or if the person is a smoker the grey hair can have a yellow and brassy appearance”.

Colouring Grey Hair

Colour technicians refer to grey hair as ‘resistant’. That means it is resistant to colour coverage. Colouring grey hair requires a skilled professional hairdresser and a great hair colour range to achieve a great result colour. Fine straight hair that is grey is often the hardest to gain coverage of, but this is not a fixed rule.

When colouring grey hair we consider the client’s skin tone and eye colour along with how often they are willing and able to colour their hair. If you are anywhere between 30-100% grey, your commitment to full colour coveragewill realistically require an appointment every 4 to 6 weeks, otherwise the regrowth band is very noticaeable and unattractive.

The general rule is – the darker the colour, the more frequently a retouch will be required to have the hair looking its best.

Grey Hair Colour Options

People experiencing grey hair can opt for:

• Full Tint – This is one all over colour.

• Tint with Highlights – This involves a scattering of highlights with a full tint. The highlights will give variation and interest to your colour and can either contrast dramatically or subtly with your tint to suit the look you are after.

• Partial Highlights – Usually this would involve adding brown or blonde highlights to soften and add interest to grey hair.
  

• Creative Colour Application – This application positions the grey so it is designed as a feature in the colour, so the site of grey is intentional and works with the overall hairstyle and colour.

• Reshade – This is a semi-permanent hair colour offered by goldwell that fades out completely over about 6 weeks. Grey hair is blended into the exisiting level of depth of the hair to clean and brighten 50-100% grey hair. This is great for those who want a subtle but noticable result, without the pressure of noticable regrowth.

So whether you want to cover grey completely, or make its appearance subtle or striking, there is a colour option to suit you.

Salon Professional Colour

At Lily Jackson Hair & Make Up we primarily offer the hair colour ranges made by Goldwell. This includes Colorance, Topchic & Nectaya. All of Goldwell’s ranges are PPD free, and Nectaya goes a step further in offering ammonia-free professional colour as well as may other health benefits for your hair and well-being.

Caring for Grey Hair At Home

• Did you know that there are shampoos that imporve the colour of grey hair even without having colour done? Violet shampoos, such as Goldwell’s Dual Senses Blonde and Highlights Shampoo and Conditioner, and Trichovedic Blonde Toning Shampoo and Conditioner are great for grey hair to ensure it has shine and vibrancy, along with eliminating the orange brassiness that can occur in grey hair.
• Salon quality colour protective shampoo and conditioner, such as those mention above, are perfect for providing antioxidant protection and moisture for the hair if it is totally covered or partially coloured.
• A moisturising treatment, such as those in the Goldwell Dual Senses range (very reasonably priced at $24.95 a tub) are very beneficial for grey hair to help eliminate frizz and fluffiness, making the hair more manageable and healthy.

If you are going grey and are unsure of your options, Contact us at Lily Jackson Hair & Make Up to discuss a professional hair colour solution for you.