Curly Hair Education

Grey hair has always been unique in that there are many theories as to what causes our hair to turn grey, and no two curlies grey the same! Things like stress, heredity, and of course getting older and wiser all contribute to the sparkles we see in the mirror. Whether you're salt-and-peppering your curls, or committing to go all-the-way grey, we've got some tips to help you on your curl journey.

For those colouring curlies, think of greys as simply hair that has lost all its natural pigmentation – it’s more clear hair than it is grey hair. Colorists can camouflage greys with a technique we call "reverse shining": applying a shine on your natural colour and dulling the grey (imitating the same effect that wetting your hair does: adding shine to make the grey hair invisible).

Keep in mind, the decision to colour grey hair is only half the battle! Since there is no pigment in grey hair, we can't just apply a tint to affect the pigment and be done. It’s just like painting your house: when painting a red wall white, the first coat only turns to pale pink. The same theory applies to coloring grey hair: natural hair has several tones that add to its natural color, and several shades must show through to prevent your hair from looking like a wig.

Looking to stay silver? Don't forget to change your curl routine accordingly! Hydration is every curlies concern, but it is crucial in healthy grey care. When it comes to maintaining platinum grey tones, shampoo less often than you normally would. Grey hair tends to grow more dry or wirey than its coloured counterparts - and sometimes can grow a new curl pattern all together. For some TLC, avoid sulphates and switch to a shampoo with some protein plus lightweight hydration in your routine. A sulphate free shampoo loaded with Panthenol over time will help curls keep their elasticity AND keep curls mega strong, keeping silver strands at their best.

Grey clients often come into our salon wondering if they can still wear their hair long, or if a shorter cut is more manageable. ALL curls can look great no matter the length if it is kept healthy, moisturized and maintained properly. Not only does grey grow dryer - messy, frizzy grey hair reflects on the scalp instead of the pigmented hair, creates the look of thinner finer hair. When transitioning to your new hue, some curlies opt for the Big Chop to speed up the colour process and prevent half grey - half coloured curls.

So if you're finally ready to ditch the dye, or you're committed to colour, you know how all the expert tips for your own unique curl journey.