Lifestyle
Embrace Your Gray: The Key Hair Care Tip You Need to Know
As we age, our hair undergoes significant changes, one of the most noticeable being the transition to gray. In our younger years, we might have opted for any shampoo or conditioner that was on sale or had a pleasant scent. However, when hair turns gray, this approach often falls short.
A common recommendation for maintaining the softness and shine of gray hair is to use purple shampoo, which helps neutralize any yellowing that might occur. Lisa Fennessy, a gray hair influencer and founder of The New Knew, a blog dedicated to clean beauty, highlights a frequent misstep many make with gray hair care: the misuse of purple shampoo.
Understanding the yellowing effect is crucial. Gray hair, having lost its pigment, is susceptible to discoloration. Brandie Devillier, a platform educator at the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute, has explained, “Think of a white T-shirt: the more you wear it, the less crisp and clean it becomes. The same thing happens to our gray hair—pollution, hard water, and even too much sun can cause it to become lackluster.”
To combat this, hairstylists often recommend purple shampoo and conditioner. Krysta Biancone, co-founder of Amari Salon & Spa, notes, “Purple shampoos neutralize yellow tones in gray hair, keeping it bright and vibrant.”
However, Fennessy warns against a common mistake: confusing blue shampoo with purple shampoo. In a TikTok video, she points out that blue shampoo can be problematic for gray hair. Cindy Marcus, a professional hairstylist and editor-in-chief of Latest Hairstyles, cautions, “When using blue-toned shampoo, the gray hair is very porous and will grab the blue tone which will turn gray or white hair blue.”
Even when using purple shampoo, there might be a method issue. Fennessy advises, “If you’ve tried using purple shampoo to brighten your gray (or blonde) hair, but it doesn’t work—you are probably doing it wrong!” She suggests that the key is to leave the shampoo in longer, treating it almost like a leave-in conditioner to allow it to effectively tone the hair.
Additionally, it’s important to choose a purple shampoo that is highly moisturizing. As hair grays, the scalp’s production of sebum, a natural hydrating oil, decreases. Fennessy recommends using a non-stripping shampoo that retains natural oils. “Most conventional shampoos are gonna strip the oils from your hair, which leave your scalp and your hair dry,” she explains. “You want a shampoo that’s low in surfactants and leaves the natural oils that your scalp produces in place while removing dirt and grime.”
For those seeking the ideal purple shampoo, Fennessy suggests a product from the German brand Bruns, available on her website, while Biancone previously recommended Clairol Shimmer Lights.
It’s important to remember that blue shampoo is specifically formulated to reduce brassiness in brunettes, not for gray hair care. By avoiding this common mistake and selecting the right products, you can maintain the vibrancy and health of your gray hair.
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