You’ve been rocking long gray hair for quite some time now and you absolutely love it. There is nothing better than being able to wear your natural hair color and not spend hours coloring it at the salon!
Since you love the look of your long hair so much, you are looking for the best ways to take care of your beautiful long gray hair.
You asked and we are here with the 10 tips for maintaining your long gray hair to keep your long gray hair happy, healthy and stylish.
How to maintain your long gray hair
#1. Get regular haircuts
Did you know that the hair splits the hair shaft? This means that the longer you go between haircuts, the more likely you will have to cut off more length than you would like.
Getting maintenance trims, ¼-½ inch every two to three months, will allow you to keep your gray locks long and lovely.
When it comes to a long time gray hairYou may think that skipping haircuts will help your hair grow more or you may be afraid of losing too much hair at the salon.
However, regular trims are actually one of the most important ways to maintain the length and health of your hair.
Rings This is especially true for gray hair. Since gray hair tends to be on the drier side, you may have split ends more often and want to get rid of those pesky damaged ends regularly!
#2. Don’t forget the toner
Just because you’ve grown out of all your permanent hair color and gone gray, doesn’t mean you should skip all hair color altogether. When you go in to get your long gray hair cut, ask your stylist about purchasing a toner too!
Toners are semi-permanent hair color done on damp hair. No toner Cover up your gray but will be Eliminate brass shades and enhance your natural gray with silver, blue or purple pigments. Toners also add a glossy finish to gray that has become a little lackluster.
Gray hair tends to end up a bit yellow or orange After washing and wearing then getting a toner every 2-3 months will help prevent dullness and unwanted tones.
The best news, you can get your haircut and toner done in the same appointment, we love keeping gray hair long and being efficient!
#3. Purple shampoo
We talked about tinting your long gray hair at the salon every two months to maintain its beautiful tone and shine. But what can you do between salon appointments to maintain your gray look?
Purple shampoo is a great way to maintain a gorgeous gray color at home. Purple shampoo contains actual purple pigment that eliminates those harsh yellow tones.
You don’t want to replace your daily shampoo with Purple shampoo Because using it too often can cause gray hair to become “muddy” or dark. Instead, use the purple shampoo once a week to Keep your gray hair yellow-free Between visits to the salon!
#4. Protect your hair from heat
Hot tools can be your long gray hair’s worst enemy if you don’t use a heat protectant before using a flat iron or blow dryer. Heat can damage long hair, causes refraction and appears dull. Heat can also be one of the causes of gray hair turning yellow.
The good news is that you don’t have to stop heat styling, just add a heat protectant to your hair product arsenal. Heat protectors work by creating a barrier between your hair and the hot tool.
We also recommend putting your iron and flat iron on the lowest heat settings to ensure your gray hair stays long and healthy!
#5. Deep conditioning treatments
Long gray hair needs extra moisture and you need self-care (who wouldn’t be right!?). This is where a luxurious deep conditioning treatment comes into play! A deep conditioner is more concentrated than your everyday conditioner and stays on the hair for longer.
We recommend using a deep conditioner once a week after shampooing. Apply the conditioner from the mid-ribs of the hair to the ends and use a wide-toothed comb to distribute the product evenly.
Let it sit for 10 minutes in the shower and rinse well! Your long gray hair will be instantly softer and moisturized!
#6. Use the right products
Moisture, moisture, moisture! If you’re serious about maintaining your long gray hair, this is what your hair needs. Gray hair is usually lacking in natural oils so make sure your products are designed to add moisture back to those silver strands.
You’ll want to choose a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and look for styling products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera that are humectants, meaning they draw moisture into the hair.
#7. Protect your hair from the elements
Do you find yourself outside in the sun often or like to swim in the pool or ocean? We love it for you but your long gray hair may not be as supportive.
Long gray hair needs to be protected from things like sun or salt water that may dry out the hair, causing dullness and unwanted brass tones.
Be sure to wear a hat that covers your hair when you’re out in the sun (there are tons of cute options out there!) and a beach hat when you’re in the water.
Also, make sure wash the hair As soon as you get home from a day at the pool or on the beach get rid of it chlorine or salt water residue. Your long hair will thank you!
8. Wash less
Now we know that gray hair lacks natural oils and do you know what removes oils from hair? Shampoo and above all, shampoo your hair too often! We’ve seen many people make this mistake when maintaining their long gray hair because they thought that taking care of your long hair meant shampooing it more!
Now that you’ve gone gray, you really can do less laundry. We recommend shampooing only twice a week at most to avoid over-cleansing so your long gray hair can keep moisture and look its best.
If you feel you still need to shampoo more often due to lifestyle or just preference. We recommend using a Shared laundry Instead of traditional shampoo, co-washing cleans the hair with a conditioner so that the natural oils don’t escape!
#9. Get a new brush
Long gray hair can get tangled easily and you’ll want to make sure you’re using the right brush to take care of those pesky knots!
Brushing hair can cause damage so you’ll want to make sure you’re using a brush specifically designed for detangling.
We love a wet brush, which can be used on wet or dry hair and is extra gentle on your strands. The bristles on a wet brush are very flexible so they can bend towards the hair and don’t cause as much friction as a traditional brush. Your long gray hair will love it!
#10. Go for a silk pillowcase
Silk pillowcases Looks like they were made especially for long gray hair.
The smoothness of the silk prevents the hair from tangling and breaking, it’s also a great way to keep your hair frizzy overnight. And who wouldn’t want to rest their head on a luxurious silk pillowcase every night!
Maintaining beautiful long gray hair is not difficult if you stay committed. With the right care routine and products, your long gray hair can really shine and make a statement. Remember, it’s all about maintaining that silvery glow and showing it off proudly!
Key things to remember:
- Long gray hair can stay healthy and beautiful with regular trims.
- Keep your gray fresh by getting rid of unwanted brassy tones with a purple toner and shampoo.
- Protect your hair from heat with a heat protectant and lower the temp in your hot tools.
- Long and beautiful gray hair needs deep conditioning and moisturizing products.
- Wear protection on your hair outdoors or in the water.
- Keep long gray hair happy by washing less and keeping natural oils intact.
- A new brush and silk pillowcase are essential to maintaining beautiful long gray hair.
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