Image consultant Janna Beatty says two things occur naturally in the aging process: LOSS OF MOISTURE AND LOSS OF COLOR. Graying hair is the result of loss of pigmentation. Once lost, it cannot be reversed. So what’s a gal to do? Many decide to hit the bottle when they start seeing gray, while some decide to go “au naturale.”

Furthermore, a lot of women dye their hair for a while, THEN face a daunting task when they decide to grow our their gray.

Stylist Rosa Jenkins says she meets with several clients each month who tell her they have made the decision to go gray. “Most of the time,” Rosa says, “I can tell if someone is really ready or not. It can be an emotional  decision, and many women don’t realize it is a process which takes time  and several trips to the salon in between.” She says at least half of the women who tell her they want to grow out their gray never actually get there.

Tips for Growing out Gray:

  Curly hair is easiest to grow out discreetly since the curl makes roots appear less noticeable.

Use a root cover up for as long as possible, then have your stylist begin painting highlights (the same color as your gray)  into your own hair.

The easiest way to embrace your gray is to simply cut your hair very short and allow the gray to grow out. Of course, this will take the longest time.

If you choose to go gray all at once, you can ask your stylist to prelighten your hair and then apply a silver/gray glaze. But you will still have to visit the salon to have the glaze reapplied, because it is semi-permanent and will eventually wash out.

Rosa says it is a process to prelighten, apply a glaze, then allow the gray to grow out naturally until it blends in.

(Photo courtesy of Rosa Jenkins.)

For Those Who have Glorious Gray Hair:

• Add Color. Whether it be with makeup, jewelry, or clothing.  Gray is a neutral, not a color. When you lose color in your hair, skin, and lips, you must replenish the color in order to get that youthful, fresh look.
• Make Sure Your Gray is Shiny. Dry, dull gray hair looks lifeless and that really can age you. But, shiny gray hair looks healthy and lustrous, so make sure you use products that provide shine.
• Use a purple shampoo (as directed) to improve shine and keep gray hair from turning brassy, yellow, or dull.
• Wear a current hairstyle. Your hairstyle makes all the difference when you go gray. Have fun with the cut. Show your personality. Find the best stylist–for your type of hair–that you can afford.

The french have a saying: Votre Choix! (votra schwa). It means YOUR CHOICE. Style is all about making choices. Whatever choice you make, may it always enhance your authentic and QUINTESSENTIAL STYLE!

Special thanks to Janna Beatty and Rosa Jenkins who contributed to this blog. (Photo credits: Instagram & Pinterest)

To gray, or not to gray…Please comment below and tell us about your journey.