By Michelby Whitehead
As we glow up and age like fine wine, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually die. When there are fewer pigment cells in hair follicles, that strand of hair will no longer contain as much melanin, and will become a more transparent color — like gray, silver, or white — as it grows. And viola! You’ve got gray hair.
Whether you’re fully gray or just seeing your first silver hair peek through, going gray is really not a bad thing! I have a friend who’s been gray since we met in college, and she’s always rocked it like a goddess.
International hair extraordinaire Marie Simone says going gray is the way, but you have to know the rules if you’re going to flaunt those strands of wisdom! She shared some wisdom of her own in relation to caring for gray hair.
SIMONE SAYS:
- DON’T pluck gray hair. Its texture tends to be rougher than naturally pigmented hair. So, when you pull it out, it will grow out just as white and coarse as it was before.
- DO use a shampoo for gray hair that both tones and conditions the hair at the same time, such as Shimmer Lights Shampoo, with a blue-violet base. It brightens dull, gray hair strands and removes any yellow-orange buildup.
- DON’T use demi-permanent hair color on gray hair. It does not cover as well as a semi-permanent dye.
- DO choose a modern and up-to-date haircut that compliments your face shape. It can keep you feeling and looking younger.
- DON’T color at home. Seek a professional hair stylist if you want to color your gray hair. Coloring gray hair at home is risky and can leave you with an unflattering greenish tint.
- DO use a moisturizing conditioner! It is very important to nurture gray hair because it tends to be fragile and dry.
For more of Marie Simone’s tips for luxurious hair, visit mariesimone.com and follow @mariesimonehair on Instagram.
Photo by Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz on Unsplash
