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Gray hair has a long trend history behind it, which divides opinions and minds into two camps. The lovers of the gray hair trend, see It girls with oyster gray hair, and the anti-gray faction, who were probably just confronted with natural, graying strands too soon. Now a third camp is emerging: Stylists and trendsetters seem to have looked for and found a happy medium and are now agreeing on the gray blending trend. You can find out what the dyeing technique is and how to use it here.
Gray Blending is a new coloring technique that opens up completely new ways for both colorists and customers to wear gray hair. Because no, gray hair should not be covered up but instead should be balanced out or accentuated with additional highlights or balayage. The goal is to achieve a more natural, low-maintenance look that you don’t have to recolor as often.
Sounds like the solution that bright minds with silver streaks have been waiting for. You can finally color your hair without having to refresh it every four weeks. The best thing about it: The technique is adaptable and suitable for every hair type and color . You can either use a classic block highlighting technique with foils, or brush freely with the balayage coloring technique. Both have their advantages and have different effects.
If you’re looking for inspiration, you should take a look at Instagram. Dedicated to “radically celebrating the natural phenomenon of gray hair,” the account @Grombre showcases how beautiful, trendy, stylish and sexy gray hair can be through hundreds of posts from women of all ages and ethnicities.
Gray blending with the help of block strands
Are you interested in gray blending? Then there are various techniques available to you. The most popular techniques are coloring with foil highlights or balayage .
To color block highlights with foil, first divide the hair into sections. Then apply brightener and wrap the sections in foil. Because foil conducts heat, the product can penetrate deeper into the hair. However, you have to place the highlights well and combine them with helpful products so that no harsh lines appear at the roots.
Colorists usually use foil highlights when clients want gray hair coverage without opaque permanent color . Instead of coloring the gray hair so that it blends in with the base color, the surrounding hair is lightened with highlights. This way you blur contrasts and the gray hair harmonizes with the base color.
The correct placement of the highlights is the key to success. Depending on how the natural gray hair is distributed, the gray blending block highlights can be placed either over the entire area or individually to allow the gray hair to merge with the lightened hair. In order to avoid the harsh new lines that were common with the outdated block highlights method, professionals today rely on special products. They make the color gradients and transitions even smoother.
Gray Blending: Balayage
Alternatively, you can cover gray hair with balayage. While foil highlights may make sense for some clients, there are also several reasons to choose balayage for gray coverage.
To blend gray hair using a balayage technique, stylists brush lightener onto the hair using their free hand. It is important that you paint up to the hairline in order to achieve a well-blended result.
The size of the lightened sections depends on how much coverage the hair needs, i.e. how gray it already is in its natural state. The more gray in the hair, the smaller the strands that are dyed should be. The more free highlights are distributed throughout the hair, the brighter the look will be in the end.
The advantage of the technology: high flexibility. The treatment can be adapted to the needs of the customers. If you need more coverage in a certain area of your head, you can pay more attention to those areas with balayage.
Gray blending for brown hair
This article is about highlights and brightening. This may have unsettled some brunettes, but don’t worry: gray can also be combined wonderfully with shades of brown. The goal is still to let the gray strands merge with the natural hair color by creating transitions. The coolest possible silver highlights and gentle lowlights should be incorporated into brown hair. The variety gives the hair depth and dynamism and allows the gray strands to flow smoothly into the brown hair.
Important: If you have a particularly warm or even reddish brown, you need to balance out the base color first. Gray is easier to blend with cool ash brown. In warm chestnut brown, the contrasts with silver strands are a little too strong.
Gray blending for blonde hair
Gray blending is particularly easy in blonde hair. With cleverly placed highlights around the gray strands, whether with blocked highlights and foil or colored with the balayage technique, the effect is always super natural in the end.
It’s best to talk to your colorist – professionals know what to do. Even in blonde hair, the color of the highlights must match the basic tone. Then the flowing, soft transition is created, which makes gray blending a trendy technique.
Gray Blending: Care Tips for Gray Hair
To ensure that both the colored strands and the gray hair remain healthy, supple and shiny, there are a few care tricks that support the gray blend look.
- Since both gray and colored hair dry out more quickly, you should use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner as well as regular moisturizing masks.
- Use shampoo and conditioner that are specifically designed for naturally gray strands.
- Since gray hair can quickly become dry and frizzy, a leave-in conditioner helps keep it supple.
- Chemicals from other hair products can make gray hair appear yellow. Therefore, make sure to use a color-safe conditioner so that the gray hair does not discolor.
- Always use heat protection to protect against discoloration. Otherwise, avoid heat as much as possible.
- If gray hair turns yellow, a purple shampoo once a week will help.
- Natural alternative that locks in color: Use an apple cider vinegar rinse once a week .
- Heavy pomades, waxes, and oily serums can make gray hair look dull. Better: Light styling products.
- When it comes to styling, hold and texture, use alcohol-free sprays that don’t dry out the hair any further.
- The best way to combat frizz is with a nourishing top oil.
Los Angeles Times
Madeline Fass
Amandine Lhoste
