If you’re used to hearing much more about how to cover your greys than how to transition to grey hair, you’re not alone. But as some of our favourite celebrities (Diane Keaton, Andie MacDowell, and Salma Hayek, to name a few) have demonstrated, there’s a distinct kind of cool that only comes from fully embracing grey hair.
Whether you started noticing grey streaks recently or you’ve been colouring them for years and want a lower-maintenance look, there’s no right or wrong time to transition to grey hair. The most important thing is that you feel excited about experimenting with grey, the same way you would about a big haircut or any other colour transformation.
Plus, since all hair colours eventually go grey with age, you know it’s a universally flattering choice from the start. Below, we asked expert hairstylists and colourists how to transition to grey hair seamlessly – and feel great about it every step of the way.
Featured in this article
.png)
.png)
.png)
How should you start your transition to grey hair?
“The first step is to get clear on your end goal,” says Sean Michael, stylist and owner of Salon Beau in Andover, Massachusetts. “Do you want a full grey transformation, a blended grow-out, or to softly introduce natural silver tones over time?”
Once you have a clear idea of the look you’re after—and a camera roll full of inspiration shots, ideally—Sean advises booking a consultation with a colourist to map out your path to grey.
Once you’re ready to kick off your new colour journey, experimenting with streaks rather than a full-head colour change can help you ease in. “Most people benefit from adding cool-toned highlights or lowlights to blur the line between existing colour and new growth, which creates a softer, more intentional transition,” Sean says.
Jackie Seabrooke, hair artist at Kristen Ess, offers similar advice: “I would recommend getting strategic highlights and lowlights to diffuse and break up the hard grey line of demarcation that you so often see,” she says. “If you are someone with really dark hair, you can also lighten your overall base colour to have a more blended grow out.”
Is the journey to grey different for different hair types?
Another factor to consider early in your grey hair journey is how your specific hair type will respond. Lots of people experience texture changes when their hair starts greying: “Many people notice grey hair feels coarser, drier, or even curlier,” Sean says. “This happens because the follicles produce less sebum (natural oils) and sometimes change shape as melanin production slows down.”
If you’ve always had straight, smooth hair, you may notice that your natural greys feel more wiry, or even wavy or kinky, Jackie says. On the other hand, naturally curly hair might take on different curl patterns as more greys start growing in. “Curly or textured hair reflects light differently, and grey curls can look especially beautiful when kept hydrated and defined,” Sean says.
Your hair’s natural density and volume will also affect the way it looks when transitioning to grey. “Fine hair shows new growth quickly, so subtle blending techniques like baby lights help create a softer, more natural look,” Sean says. “Thick or coarse hair can disguise grey more easily, so you can grow it out gradually or add highlights for a seamless blend."
How should your hair routine change when shifting to grey?
Since grey hair is naturally drier and more porous, you’ll want to add some heavy-duty hydrating products to your routine during your colour shift. Sean recommends hydrating masks and leave-in conditioners that will restore moisture.
Additional considerations? “Swap in a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo to protect the integrity of both natural grey and coloured hair,” he says. “Lightweight oils and heat protection are key to keeping greys shiny instead of wiry.”
Jackie says that grey hair can also be more prone to discolouration, since its porosity and lack of pigment “allow it to absorb impurities from hard water and product buildup.” To form a shield and maintain shine, she emphasises the importance of moisture-shot conditioners, along with home glosses, UV protectants and sulphate-free products.
Save when you shop with these Sephora discount codes at checkout.
All the benefits, none of the grease.
Should you use purple shampoo and conditioner on grey hair?
Purple shampoos and conditioners are used to colour-correct and neutralise brassiness, which makes them a great routine addition for both blonde and grey hair. “I recommend using purple or silver shampoos for grey hair,” Jackie says. “Both contain purple pigments, which are opposite to yellow on the colour wheel, making them more effective at neutralising the unwanted yellow and brassy tones."
Purple cleansing and conditioning duos are especially helpful for maintaining cool-toned grey hair and bright highlights—both natural and colour-treated. But you don’t want to use them every time you wash your hair: “The key is not to overdo it; only use once a week or mix it with your regular shampoo to avoid dulling the shine,” Sean says.
For grey clients, he recommends the Oribe Silverati Illuminating Conditioner, which is designed specifically for silver and white hair.
.png)
Save when you shop with these LOOKFANTASTIC discount codes at checkout.
Which base colours are easiest to transition to grey?
Both Jackie and Sean say that natural blondes or light brunettes generally transition to grey more easily, since the lower contrast makes grey streaks easier to blend. Dark brown or black hair contrasts more dramatically with silver strands, and brunettes might notice harsher grow-in lines around their roots.
However, there are plenty of beautiful ways to incorporate contrast intentionally—face-framing grey highlights are forever chic!—and professional colourists will be able to help with a strategic grow-out plan.
How long does it take to transition to grey hair?
Unsurprisingly, this answer varies from person to person based on end goal, haircut, and growth rate. “For most clients, a beautifully blended grey transition takes 6 to 12 months,” Jackie says, adding that six months is the minimum transition period and fully growing out grey hair can take up to two years.
“Your hair grows about half an inch to an inch a month, so if you have a pixie cut or a bob, it can take as little as three to nine months, while medium to long hair usually takes one to two years,” she says.
While a grey transition won’t happen overnight, the process leaves lots of room for experimentation. Along the way, you can play with colour blending, contrasting highlights, warm and cool tones, and eventually, all-over grey tones to see what feels most like you.
Instead of thinking of your grey transition as an instant transformation, go in ready to meet several grey-haired versions of yourself: “I always suggest planning it in phases: lighten, blend, tone, then maintain,” Sean says. “That way, every stage looks intentional.”
This article originally appeared on Glamour US.
.JPG)
.jpg)
