“Not only has silver hair been a top color trend on the runways and it is the ‘it’ color for women of all ages, we love what the color stands for–it symbolizes charisma, ethereal energy, power, focus and it is beyond chic,” Orrea Light, L’Oréal’s Vice President of Global Marketing Product Development and Beauty Innovation, said in a press release.
Though I’d more than love to make the major transition from naturally jet-black strands to an icier hue, maintaining this look isn’t easy. In fact, it’s not a color for people who love a low-maintenance routine. But if you are up for the challenge, taking a few tips from the experts is a great way to keep your color salon-fresh for weeks to come. Below, check out some go-to tips on keeping you silver strands in top shape.
Give Your Scalp Some TLC
When it comes to any hair concern, celebrity hairstylist Christophe Robin abides by one rule: Show your entire head some love. “I believe in the health of the scalp and the strands,” he says. “Take care of your hair from the root down.”
He also notes that you should always research the ingredients in your products before using them, and advises opting for natural ingredients over synthetic.
“Stay away from sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates, parabens, silicone, SLS, oxidants, and ammonia, which are found in a lot of hair care products, especially those involving color,” he notes. “These filler ingredients are toxic and damaging in the long run.”
Use A Silver Conditioner
Celebrity hairstylist Scotty Cunha recommends using a silver conditioner to keep your hair a cool, non-brassy tone.
“If the hair is actually silver or gray, I love to add Davines Alchemic Silver Conditioner on dry hair to really cut out the brass color or any yellowness. I leave it for like five minutes, then rinse and repeat until it’s completely silver or gray.“
If your silver strands have a slight blonde tint to them, Cunha recommends putting the conditioner on damp or towel-dried hair to give it a refreshing hint of a cool lilac for a colorful twist on classic silver.
Grab A Hair Mask
As we all know, colored hair can feel dry and brittle real quickly—especially if you wash your hair constantly. That’s why Robin recommends using a hair mask, like his Shade Variation Care Mask in Baby Blonde, which neutralizes yellow and brassy tones while adding vibrance to silver strands, weekly to restore moisture and maintain color.
“When you have colored hair, especially a less-naturally occurring color, you want to inject your strands with healing ingredients,” he says. “My mask has ingredients like buriti oil, licorice extract, and almond butter to nourish, restore, and protect. The formula also includes a selection of naturally purple, iridescent pigments, and Iris Fiorentina to hydrate and regenerate.”
Go Sulfate-Free
When it comes to your shampoo and conditioning routine, Cunha suggests ditching the sulfate-filled products, which can cause some major damage and strip color. He also advises steering clear from any colored styling products, like oils, which can alter your hair’s tone.
