• Textured hair can be tricky when dyeing. Because curly and coily hair, which are naturally superporous (especially if relaxed) grab onto color more quickly and can become darker more rapidly than nonporous hair types, Clairol Color Director James Corbett recommends going a shade or two lighter than the color you desire; you’ll likely end up with the hair color you were originally looking for.
• Dark and Lovely Director of Education Mezei Jefferson advises treating your hair with a nourishing pretreatment before coloring. This will allow the color to be richer and more even.
• Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners designed for color-treated locks, and moisturize daily with coconut oil.
• Don’t let those dye molecules flush away on wash day. Rinse with cool water to close your cuticle.
• When your permanent color starts to fade, go over it with a color gloss to refresh the hue until your next dye application.
• When using hot tools, be sure to keep the temperature on a low setting and always use a heat protectant.
• If you’re on holiday, saturate your locks with regular water before going into a pool or the ocean so your hair doesn’t absorb the chlorinated liquid or salt water, both of which can oxidize your color-treated strands, suggests Redken Brand Ambassador Ryan Pearl. And don’t forget to rinse your locks thoroughly to remove any residue after your dip.
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- BACK TO YOUR ROOTS Phyto has created the first anti-gray hair treatment that will restore your natural pigments in as little as three months. The botanical elixir accomplishes this without the use of colorants by jump-starting melanin synthesis and inhibiting hydrogen peroxide formation in the follicles. PHYTO RE30 Anti-Grey Hair Treatment, $58. bluemercury.com
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- HUE ENHANCERS
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- CLAIROL Nice’n Easy Color Care, $7.99. drugstores
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- DARK AND LOVELY Damage Slayer The Rescuer Treatment, $6.99. beauty supply stores
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- BUMBLE AND BUMBLE Bb Color Gloss, $34. bumblandbumble.com
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- REDKEN Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo, $19. Ulta
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- GORGEOUS IN GREY Ty Alexander, our fave silver-haired blogger, offers tips on going gray gracefully • Be patient. If you’ve been dying your hair, just know the transitioning process will take at least a year. • Visit a good colorist and hairstylist. A skilled colorist can assist with the transition process and recommend what’s best for your hair type and texture. If you have lighter-hued hair, they may suggest that you highlight your hair with an ash blond color. Or if your locks are darker, maybe a black rinse. • Use a shampoo that clarifies the hair and scalp to keep your follicles free of product buildup and other pollutants. This will allow your unpigmented hair to really glow up. • Be sure to properly clean your hot tools, and use as little product as you can. The residue left on your flat iron paired with the heat will turn your strands yellow. • If you do get a yellow buildup, try this: In a spray bottle, mix equal parts of your favorite conditioner with water and 3-percent hydrogen peroxide. Spritz the mixture onto just-washed clean hair. Rake through with a wide-toothed comb or pick. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing out. Repeat once a week to maintain buildup-free tresses. For more beauty and lifestyle tips, follow Ty @gorgeousingrey.
