Millions of women have spent time, money, and a significant amount of effort to avoid growing silvery strands—and, yet, one of the latest trends sees gals going out of their way to go gray or silver using hair dye. On Instagram, the trend is hashtagged #GrannyHair, but the metallic end result looks anything but old-ladyish. However, even though going gray naturally is easy, dying your hair to a silvery hue isn’t. The process is harsh on your strands, so be very sure that this is the hair color you want to rock before you take the plunge.
Who Can Pull It Off?
Think about your skin’s undertones and what hues of makeup you choose. Silver hair is a cool tone, so it works best with people who have matching skin tones. If you love silver jewelry because of the way it looks against your skin, silver hair will work, too. If you have a pink or rosy undertone, though, silver probably won’t be the best look for you—if it’s a metallic look that you’re after, however, consider a rose gold that has warm undertones.
Understanding the Process
To get an even silver tone, hair has to be nearly bleached before the color can be applied. Therefore, those of you who aren’t natural blondes have a long process ahead of you. It will likely require multiple trips to the salon to get your hair light enough, which can damage the hair and result in some length being taken off.
Once you have gotten the silver-locked look you desire, maintain it with a purple-toned shampoo once a week. It won’t turn your hair purple—though, that’s a hot trend these days, too—but rather help keep the cool tones of the silver strands. Every other time you wash your hair, use products meant for color-treated hair that are free from sulfates.
Fear of Commitment
Hey, it’s OK—taking the silvered-hair leap isn’t for everyone, and it’s definitely better to have second thoughts before you sit down in the salon chair. If you love the idea of silver strands, there are ways to get the look on a smaller scale. Ask your hair stylist about applying silver highlights or doing an ombre look—that is, one that is darker on top and gradually slides to silver on the bottom. There’s a look out there for every level of commitment to the color.
