While some people embrace their gray hair, others may feel self-conscious about it. The truth is, you don’t have to be ashamed of your hair color. With the right tips, you can maintain your youthful look – even if you have a lot of gray hair.
So read on for some advice on how to stay young at heart, no matter what your age!
Tip 1: Keep Your Hair Trimmed and Styled
One of the best ways to maintain a youthful look is to keep your hair trimmed and styled. This doesn’t mean you have to go get regular haircuts – although that’s always a good idea. A good haircut will make you look younger overall and can take years off your appearance. Go with a hairstyle that works well with your hair type, face shape, and skin tone.
If you have long hair, consider cutting it shorter. A short bob or pixie cut can be very flattering, and it’s much easier to style than long hair. If your hair is long enough, you could even donate it to a place that makes low cost wigs for seniors. If you have curly hair, try a sleek style – this will help to minimize the curls and make you look younger.
If you’re not sure what haircut would work best for you, ask your stylist for advice. They’ll be able to recommend a style and explain how to care for it so you can maintain your youthfulness, despite your hair turning gray.
Aside from getting a regular trim, don’t be afraid to try new hairstyles. Go for a nice bun, or go get some waves if you have flat hair. The key is to keep your hair looking fresh and styled, no matter how long or short it is.
Tip 2: Use the Right Hair Care Products
Another way to keep your hair looking young is to use the right hair care products. Choose hair care products that are designed for gray hair, and avoid products that are heavy or greasy. Look for lightweight formulas that will help to add shine and eliminate frizz. Check out my list of the best shampoos and conditioners for gray hair in this guide.
If you have curly hair, choose a curl-defining product that will help to make your curls look defined and youthful. If you have straight hair, use a blow dry cream that will add volume without weighing it down or making it too frizzy.
Styling products can also help you maintain a youthful look. Products like hairspray, mousse, and gel can help to add volume and style to your hair, making you look younger in the process. Just be sure not to use too much, or you’ll end up with a greasy head of hair.
Trim your split ends regularly and use a good quality hair serum to help seal in the moisture and add shine. There are many different hair serums on the market, so find one that works well with your hair type.
You can also use natural and essential oils to keep your gray hair healthy and shiny. Olive oil is an excellent choice for maintaining shine in dry or damaged locks, while coconut oil works well for frizzy or curly tresses. Alternatively, avocado oil works great for all hair types.
Just be sure to use a small amount – a little goes a long way! You don’t want your hair to be too greasy.
Tip 3: Wash Your Hair or Use a Dry Shampoo
Making sure your hair is clean is another key to maintaining a youthful appearance. Depending on where you live, including the weather conditions, you might need to wash your hair more or less often. For example, if you live in a humid climate, it’s best to wash your hair every other day. If you have oily skin and scalp, don’t worry about over-washing – just use dry shampoo on the days that you’re not washing your hair.
If possible, avoid using hot tools on your hair, as this can lead to split ends. If you do use styling equipment like curling irons, flat irons, or straighteners, make sure they’re only used sparingly and never near the scalp. You can see my list of the best flat irons for gray hair here.
It’s also important to switch up your shampoo every once in a while – if you’ve been using the same product for ages, it might be time to switch things up. If your scalp is starting to feel dry or irritated, try a shampoo that’s designed for sensitive scalps.
Of course, don’t forget to moisturize your hair by using a conditioner. The last thing you want is dry, damaged hair – so make sure your conditioner contains a lot of moisturizing oils for dry gray hair and proteins.
Tip 4: Wear Protective Styles
If you’re not ready to cut your hair or if it’s really long, try wearing protective styles instead. A good quality satin scarf can be a great way to protect your hair from heat damage while still looking modern and stylish. You could even make the look more fun by tying on some colorful scarves!
Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Try a few different styles until you find one that you like. And don’t be afraid to switch it up from time to time – the more variation, the better.
Tip 5: Trim the Facial Hair (For Men)
One of the most noticeable signs that a man is aging is gray facial hair. This can be especially problematic for men with dark, thick facial hair and lots of visible gray hair.
I experienced this personally. I decided to grow out my beard like most men are doing these days. My beard is 90% gray. A former coworker pulled me to the side one day and said “I love the beard but did you know it makes you look 10 years older?” Gulp. I trimmed it a few days later.
If you’d rather not shave, there are other ways to get rid of the gray facial hair without shaving it off completely. You could try using an electric shaver or trimmer instead, just remember to be careful! This will help to reduce the amount of contrast between your skin color and your stubble. Or just pluck out any visible gray hairs with a good pair of tweezers.
Tip 6: Switch Up Your Clothing for Brighter Colors
If you’re unhappy about the amount of gray hair that’s popping up, it might be time for a new wardrobe. The clothing color you wear with gray hair will definitely affect your appearance. Try swapping out your old clothes for brighter colors instead. Not only will this make you look youthful, but also happier as well!
For example, if you used to wear lots of dark or neutral tones, try switching to bright reds or blues. This can help to make you look more youthful and provide a nice contrast with your gray hair.
Just be sure to avoid any loud or clashing colors. Stick with classic, muted shades that will flatter your hair and skin tone.
Don’t forget about the colors of your accessories like eyeglasses. Choose colors that will bring the attention to your face and eyes and not your hair. You can see my list of the best glasses colors for gray hair here.
Tip 7: Choose the Right Makeup Shade
For the ladies, a little bit of makeup can go a long way in giving that youthful, radiant glow. Just be careful not to use too much makeup. A light foundation or tinted moisturizer is usually all you need.
If you have any visible wrinkles, try using a primer before applying your makeup. This will help to fill in the lines and make them less noticeable.
When it comes to eye shadow, choose shades that are similar to your natural eye color. To make your eyes look brighter, you could try using a light shade of yellow or gold near the inner corners of your eyes.
Make sure to use an eyebrow pencil that’s two shades lighter than your natural hair color before filling in any gaps with powder. This should help to give you fuller-looking eyebrows and draw attention away from gray hair in the process. Here are my recommended eyebrow pencils to cover gray hair.
Tip 8: Smile Often
Age is just a number, and your hair doesn’t define you. So go out and have some fun! Smile often – it’s one of the best ways to look younger and feel happier. Laugh, stop frowning, and enjoy life. Don’t let your gray hair hold you back. Own it – because you look gorgeous!
Conclusion
So, there you have it – a few tips on how to look younger even if you have gray hair. Just remember to be gentle with your hair, and use the right products to keep your gray hair looking smooth and shiny.
And most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself – everyone ages differently, and that’s okay. Gray hairs should be the least of your worries, and they will only be a problem if you let them get in the way of your life.
Hey! Isn’t 60 the new 40?!?
