Highlighting on gray hair is the best option to refresh and rejuvenate your hairstyle

The procedure for highlighting gray hair was quite new until recently. However, now it is becoming increasingly popular, since gray hair today is not uncommon in girls under 30 years of age .

This can happen for a variety of reasons, including poor environment, stress, and health problems. Read more about the causes and methods of treating gray hair in our large review article “What causes gray hair.”

Highlighting can be used on any hair length, at any age, which is undoubtedly an advantage of this procedure. The word “highlighting” is translated as “mixing,” which means it involves combining a wide variety of shades.

This procedure cannot be called simple; it requires a professional approach, because only a specialist will be able to choose a shade of color that will suit the color of the eyes and skin tone.

Advantages of highlighting over coloring

Compared to coloring, highlighting has a number of advantages:

• hides gray hair , without affecting curls that have not yet turned gray;
• revitalizes the natural color of curls;
• wide choice of styles and techniques ;
• smoothly returns natural color after dyeing;
• enhances shine, splendor, visually creates volume;
• hides regrown roots ;
• does not require frequent procedures, which significantly saves the family budget;
• virtually no negative effect on the hair structure ;
• no age restrictions;
• can be performed on short, medium, long curls .

After studying these benefits, women often choose highlights rather than coloring. (Read more about how to dye gray hair)

Highlighting techniques

A variety of highlighting techniques allows you to disguise gray hair as effectively as possible . It is recommended to perform the procedure only if there is no more than 40% gray hair in blondes and no more than 30% in brunettes . If there is more gray hair, the procedure will only emphasize its presence. Therefore, if the purpose of coloring is to hide a large amount of gray hair, then highlighting is not suitable.

The following partial coloring techniques exist:

1. Classic .
   In the classic version, the hair is dyed evenly over its entire length, and the width of the dyed curls can be changed to create contrast. This method of highlighting allows you to hide only minor gray hair. The naturalness of the hairstyle can be preserved if very thin strands are dyed. About suitable haircuts for gray hair, in our special article, with 46 photo examples
2. Zonal .
   Only individual curls are dyed. In the classic version, only the top strands of dark or dark brown hair are lightened. But recently, asymmetrical, root, diagonal and partial coloring has become popular.
3. Traditional and reverse.
   With the reverse method, individual curls are dyed dark, while with traditional highlighting, the strands are lightened.
4. Normal and gentle.
   Regular highlighting involves changing the hair color to any number of tones. Gentle allows you to change “your” color of curls by a maximum of three tones, and the paints used in this case should not contain ammonia, but should include a maximum of moisturizing components. There is also the most gentle highlighting, when only a small number of thin strands at the ends or up to the middle of the length are dyed.
5. With edging.

   Paint the extreme hairline 1.5-2 cm wide along the entire circumference of the head. The remaining strands are given the usual highlighting. The edging looks very stylish.

A small nuance!

When choosing a highlighting technique, you need to take into account the peculiarity of the appearance of gray hair and its prevalence on the surface of the head. Every person experiences gray hair differently depending on their genetic predisposition and individual characteristics.

If gray hair appears evenly throughout the head , experts advise using regular highlighting , and choosing shades as a color scheme that are as similar as possible to the color of your own strands. In this case, even growing gray hair will not be noticeable. If gray hair appears in the forehead and temples, which happens to most people, then edging (highlighting only the graying strands).

Coloring techniques

There are different types of highlighting for gray hair (photo highlighting is presented below).

Stylists use different technologies during this process. So, with classic highlighting, the dye is applied evenly over the entire length of the hair. You can change the width of the dyed curls to create contrast. This technique is used for hair that has very little gray. The natural look of the hairstyle is preserved if thin strands are dyed.

You can perform zonal highlighting. In this case, only individual strands are dyed. Previously, only the top layer of dark hair was lightened. Now stylists are experimenting using root, asymmetrical, and diagonal coloring.

Traditional and reverse dyeing techniques can also be used. In the latter case, individual curls are not lightened, but, on the contrary, made darker.

Is highlighting on gray hair done using gentle technology? There is such a technique. In this case, the natural tone of the hair is taken into account, which changes by a maximum of 3 tones, or even by only 2. In this case, compositions that do not contain ammonia are used. They contain special moisturizing components. Gentle highlighting is also called highlighting, in which only a small number of small strands are colored. Moreover, the dye can be applied from the middle of the curls or only at the ends.

The highlighting technique with edging looks interesting. In this case, only the edge of the hairline along the entire circumference of the head is dyed. This strip has a width of 1.5-2 cm. On the remaining strands, regular highlighting is done.

Highlighting styles for light and dark gray hair

There are a great variety of highlighting styles. Let's look at the most popular of them:

1. "Salt and pepper".

Highlighting gray hair can be done quite easily if it has just begun to appear. But what to do if there is a lot of gray hair ? Highlighting called “salt and pepper” will help. This method covers gray hair well on a large amount of hair. Highlighting individual gray strands is ineffective, as the gray hair itself can turn out white, red or yellow.

This style of highlighting dark gray hair is quite interesting and unusual. The procedure results in a smooth transition of hair color from light to dark. The name itself means that the presence of two contrasting colors is assumed (white “salt” and black “pepper”), but the transition between them is created almost imperceptibly.

Salt and pepper highlights are popular not only among gray-haired women, but also among very young girls. However, young representatives of the fair sex should know that this method of coloring visually makes them look older.

IMPORTANT! Although this style helps to make your appearance brighter and more extravagant, you should not experiment with it yourself. Only in a salon environment will a professional master be able to choose the right paints to create a smooth transition between two contrasting colors.

“Salt and Pepper” will allow a woman to create a unique image of an elegant lady and at the same time disguise gray hair without damaging her hair. This kind of highlighting looks very beautiful on ash blondes.

1. Bronding.

This is hair coloring maximum number of shades matching the natural color of your own curls. Thanks to bronding, a multi-spectral hairstyle is created, its volume visually increases, the hair becomes iridescent, shining, and flows with vital energy. Brunettes Bronding is carried out using paints of coffee-chocolate, copper-chestnut shades. For blonde hair beige, nut, wheat shades are selected.

1. Ombre (dégrade, balayage).

Two-tone coloring to create a smooth transition from dark roots to light ends. It is important that after this procedure you get clarity of each tone separately, and at the same time a blurry transition between them.

1. Shatush.

This type of highlighting can be called the effect of burnt hair . It helps to hide gray hair well if its amount is no more than 30%. Usually shatush is used on dark hair , because on blonde curls the burnout effect is not very noticeable.

1. French (majimesh).

Gentle highlighting , which is carried out using ammonia-free cream paint with a wax base. Mazhimesh is used on light hair, it gives it golden, nutty shades, and creates a stunning shine. Thanks to French highlighting, the hairstyle becomes brighter and gains additional volume. This type of highlighting is not suitable for brunettes , since the hair does not lighten much, which means there is no point in carrying out the procedure.

1. Californian.

This type of highlighting is in many ways similar to shatush, but differs a large number of shades obtained. More saturated colors are used, and the palette of colors has been significantly expanded. Californian highlighting is used not only on dark hair, but also on light brown and blond hair.

1. American.

This coloring option is chosen by dark-haired girls who want to diversify their image. Highlighting is carried out using 2-5 different paints of brown, red, red shades. The strands can be of very different widths and thicknesses, and the transitions between them can be soft, sharp, or with contrast.

Can it be done on gray hair?

Gray hair does not only appear in women whose age is usually delicately called mature. The formation of silver strands is due to many factors, including genetic predisposition. Therefore, the first gray hair can occur before the age of 30.

A few hairs, especially on light brown hair, will not be so noticeable if you style it well. But hair turning gray strand by strand can be a problem. If “silver” covers less than half of all curls, you should resort to highlighting.

Attention! Early gray hair can signal problems with internal organs: liver disease, thyroid dysfunction, and gastritis left to chance.

Numerous women's forums contain varied reviews about the procedure, noting that with its help it is possible to effectively disguise gray hair on dark, light, and light brown hair. The correct options for highlighting gray hair, taking into account the original color of the hair, help with this.

If you need to expressively emphasize the presence of “silver” on your head, ash, gray and other cold tones will be optimal. But they are not suitable for every woman, which means that in each specific case you will have to look for an individual solution. To hide gray hair, you can use shades that are close to natural or bright colors.

Stylists do not recommend using highlights if more than half of your hair has already turned white. 40–50% is a borderline value, but for dark curls the figure is reduced to 1/3 or 30% gray on the entire head. In this case, full coloring will be optimal, otherwise the hairstyle will look sloppy. If the hair has completely turned grey, highlighting is also possible, but with further tinting of the hair.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of the procedure:

• disguises whitened strands;
• highlighting gray hair makes the image more expressive;
• helps to emphasize the advantages of appearance;
• gives extra volume to hair;
• ennobles gray hair if it covers all curls;
• does not require frequent correction - you can visit the salon every 3-4 months;
• considered a gentle technique;
• optimal for hair of various lengths.

Flaws:

• gray hair does not have a natural pigment, so it does not absorb artificial dye well;
• the result of the procedure can be disastrous, especially if highlights are applied to recently dyed hair;
• requires the use of an aggressive composition that will not be quickly washed out;
• dark curls need preliminary lightening;
• sometimes yellowness appears, which is not so easy to remove;
• strands can become dry and brittle, so they need special care;
• There are restrictions and contraindications, including damaged, weak curls.

Price

When planning to go to the hairdresser, get ready to pay about 3-4 thousand rubles for highlighting on gray hair. Much will depend not only on which city you want to undergo the procedure (the most expensive services are in megacities), but also on a number of other factors.

These are the qualifications of the master, the length of the strands, the number of shades, and the chosen technique. Classic highlighting will cost less than the fashionable “salt and pepper”.

Not every technology can be applied at home. It is still better to entrust complex coloring to a professional. On your own or with an assistant, you can try the traditional method of highlighting (on a cap, foil, comb). In this case, the cost of the procedure will be equal to the cost of clarifier (about 200 rubles), paint (about 400 rubles), additional materials, and tools.

Options for highlighting

Highlighting methods are chosen taking into account the length of the curls, the prevalence and uniformity of gray hair.

The following methods of highlighting exist:

• Foil

The most common way to highlight hair with high quality, as it is not particularly complicated.
Cut pieces of foil, which should be equal in length to the curls being dyed. Using a special hook, pick up the desired strand, lay it on the foil, apply the coloring composition and carefully twist the curl into the foil. The procedure is repeated with all selected strands. Wait the required amount of time (it is indicated on the paint package), remove the foil and wash your hair with shampoo. Highlighting with foil can be done once every 3 or 4 months.

• cap

The cap technique is used on short hair when foil cannot be used due to insufficient length. A cap with numerous holes is put on the head, through which the strands intended for dyeing are threaded. Next, highlighting is carried out. The process is lengthy and labor intensive.

This method has its own subtleties that need to be taken into account. Most often, highlighted strands turn out yellowish. But this problem is solved by tinting with creams and paints, with which you can make curls of a beige, ash or even peach shade. It is better to use paints with a small amount of oxidizing agent. Its share should be 1.5-1.9%. In this case, the structure of the hair will not be damaged, but the gray hair will become invisible, and the color scheme will be brighter.

You can choose shades that will not differ from your natural hair color, or choose a contrasting color. But it is worth remembering that during the next highlighting it will be difficult to choose the same exact shade, which, on the other hand, makes it possible to experiment again.

• Hand highlighting

The procedure is otherwise called glazing or “frosting”. It is used on curly hair. The dye is applied in such a way as to emphasize the natural beauty of the hairstyle and give it additional volume.

When glazing, only the ends of the hair are lightened, and frost is applied in such a way as to emphasize the beautiful spiral arrangement of hairs in a tight curly curl. The paint is applied by hand, in some cases a brush is used.

• Comb.

The method involves applying the coloring composition to a wide-toothed stripper comb and combing the curls from roots to ends (or, if necessary, to the desired length).

Types of highlighting suitable for gray hair

Classic . Hair is dyed evenly along its entire length, choosing thin strands. An option for women who have little gray hair.

Salt and pepper . This type of highlighting is suitable for those with ash-colored hair, as well as those whose curls have already become significantly whiter. The technology involves painting in several tones, from light gray to charcoal black. A combination of contrasting colors will perfectly hide gray hair. The method is used by women of different ages.

Coloring . Another method in which several shades are combined. They can be dark, light, bright, pastel. Such highlighting on gray hair is applicable in most cases, regardless of whether the blonde, brown-haired, or brunette liked it. The main thing is to successfully choose a palette of colors so as not to look vulgar, unkempt or too colorful.

Shatush . A smooth transition from dark roots to light, as if burnt out, ends is most often used on dark strands, but is also possible on light ones. The only condition is that the amount of gray hair should not exceed 30%.

Highlighting with edging . In this case, use any tone to highlight an area 1–2 centimeters wide along the edge of the hairline. The remaining curls are highlighted using the usual method. This is the optimal solution for cases where gray hair is unevenly distributed over the head and is concentrated in one area: on the back of the head, temples.

Paint selection

Most cosmetic companies produce paints specifically designed for highlighting. They have a modified formula, so they can be used at home. In addition to the paint, the kit includes gloves, a cap, an oxidizer, a hook and hair conditioner.

Highlighting paints are produced in three main types:

• Powdery.

Powder paints do not penetrate as deeply into the curls as oil and cream paints, and they can have a negative effect on the scalp. Before using them, be sure to test for an allergic reaction.

Powdered paints are not very convenient to use on your own due to the difficulty of preparation. To breed them correctly, you need to have professional knowledge and skills; they are more suitable for use in beauty salons.

• Creamy.

For independent partial dyeing of curls at home, the best option is cream dye, which can be easily applied to the strands; it is quickly absorbed and covers gray hair. Creamy dye does not spread over the curls and head due to its thick consistency, while the pigments of such dyes penetrate deeply into the hair structure, coloring it with high quality.

• Oily.

Such paints are more expensive than others and are more suitable for professional painting. They cover gray hair very well and at the same time strengthen it due to the oil base, which promotes health.

ADVICE! It is important to choose the right shade of color for partial coloring. If the original hair color is light, then ash and platinum shades are suitable for highlighting. Golden and caramel tones are recommended for brown-haired women, honey-caramel tones for fair-haired women, and cognac, currant, and coffee tones for brunettes.

According to experts and according to the results of surveys of women, the following types of dyes for highlighting gray strands are considered the best.

Brand	Description
L'Oreal	A special series from L'Oreal Revlonissimo NMT Super Blondes, which includes 7 shades for highlighting. The dyes are strong, but do not damage the hair structure from the inside; they contain proteins, collagens, and natural oils.
Estel	Offers a wide range of highlighting shades. The coloring is permanent and uniform even at home without the help of a specialist, you just need to strictly follow the instructions when preparing the composition.
Palette by Schwarzkopf	Presents a variety of highlighting paints. But they are only suitable for owners of healthy, thick, dark hair. Loose curls of paint can cause a lot of damage to a Pallet.
Garnier	This brand produces kits for lightening curls. The composition includes coloring components that have a gentle effect on the hair structure, as well as natural oils that help restore their health.

The choice of colors for highlighting is quite diverse; every woman will be able to choose the best option for herself.

Highlighting at home

It is quite difficult to highlight gray hair yourself at home; experts categorically do not recommend doing this . It is necessary to take into account many nuances: hair growth and condition, distribution of gray hair, curl color.

If you decide to carry out the procedure at home, then it is better to start with the simplest method - highlighting in a cap. You should purchase a hat with holes, a comb with a thin handle, lightener or lightening paint, gloves, and a cape for the shoulders.

The algorithm of actions boils down to the following:

1. Put on a cape, gloves, hat;
2. Using a thin comb handle, pull out the required number of strands through the holes in the cap;
3. Apply dye or lightener to the curls, wait the required amount of time as indicated in the instructions;
4. Wash your hair with regular shampoo.

Other types of highlighting are more complex, so it is not recommended to carry them out at home without professional training. Otherwise, you can damage your hair so much that not every hairdresser will be able to restore it later.

How to perform the procedure?

How to do highlights on gray hair at home? This procedure is quite complicated. Stylists do not recommend doing highlighting yourself, as there are a lot of nuances in this matter. If you still decide to do the coloring yourself, it is best to try the technique with a cap or foil. You need to prepare paint, gloves, brightener, and a comb with a thin handle.

Be sure to wear a cape over your shoulders, gloves, and a hat. Strands are pulled through the holes. You can follow the same method as when using foil. The choice depends on your personal preferences. Next, paint is applied to the selected curls. You need to wait as many minutes as indicated in the instructions. The hair is washed with regular shampoo and the strands are treated with a nourishing composition.

If necessary, you can use tint balms to give your curls the desired shade.

Care for highlighted hair.

After any coloring procedure, hair needs additional care. Even though this is a gentle method of coloring, it still uses dye and an oxidizer, which dry out and thin the curls.

Experts advise following simple rules for caring for strands:

1. Do not comb your hair immediately after washing . You need to gently blot them with a terry towel, wait until the strands dry a little and then use a comb.
2. To restore the vital energy of your hair, you can use expensive purchased masks and balms .
3. Use folk remedies . Apply burdock, olive, corn, sunflower, coconut, almond oil to the scalp and hair, and warm your head with a towel. After an hour, wash your hair with regular shampoo.
4. Avoid completely or minimize the use of hot rollers, curling irons, curling irons and other thermal devices for hair care.
5. After washing, you should rinse your hair with a decoction of nettle, chamomile, and burdock .
6. When using a hair dryer, direct the air flow along the length of the hair growth.
7. Before going outside, wear a hat in any weather .
8. Do not perform highlighting more often than recommended.

Proper and high-quality care allows you to keep your hair beautiful, lush and shiny.

Highlighting gray hair types

You can choose from a variety of highlight patterns that will complement your gray hair beautifully. Highlights can color the top of the hair close to the roots or color the bottom of the hair near the ends. If done correctly, a slight change in shade can look like you just spent a lot of time in the sun to make your hair look that natural.

Highlighting the top of the head

One of the simplest highlights. This type of highlighting highlights the entire top layer of your hair while leaving the hair underneath untouched. This type of hair highlighting can look amazing if your hair is darker grey.

Highlighting the top of the head looks very attractive and does not spoil the hair

By getting highlights on half your head that are closer to white, the darker hair underneath can show through and this can have a stunning effect.

Stripes

The stripes can be thick or thin and can be any color. If your hair is still going gray, it can do wonders to help make the transition smoother. These stripes are most often applied only to the top part of the hair.

Sometimes the stripes may be one color, maybe two, but other times the stripes may be four or five different colors. Whatever your original hair color, stripes can always go well with your hair, even if it's completely grey.

Balayage

Balayage is most similar to what is called "hair coloring" because it involves the hairdresser free-dying the hair. This can be done to look like an ombre, but it doesn't always have to be that way. Essentially, the hairdresser takes strands of hair and dyes them almost randomly to achieve a natural effect.

Most often, highlights begin about halfway up the hair. This is part of what makes this backlight unique. However, you can ask them to start closer to your roots if you prefer. Or you can request a coloring page just closer to the clues if you like that too!

Balayage gray hair is one of the most modern solutions

One type of sweeping is called filleting. The basics of highlight placement are the same. However, with foil-based highlights, once the color is added to the hair, it is wrapped in foil. This gives these colors more intensity for a more dramatic effect that looks great right on gray hair.

Weblights

To highlight the babytail, a very light brown color was chosen. An almost pearl color with a hint of yellow will work great and give your gray a bright, sunny look.

This technique is an ideal option for highlighting gray hair, especially light gray hair.

This type of coloring will make your light gray hair shiny. This can look good on you even if your original color before you went gray was not blonde.

Contraindications for highlighting

Despite the significant advantages of highlighting gray hair, there are contraindications to this method of dyeing.

You should not use it in the following cases:

1. Hair is dyed with basma or henna. These natural dyes penetrate very deeply into the hair structure, so other dye simply cannot get there. If this succeeds, then the shade will not be what it should be. It is better to wait until the hair grows, cut off the henna- or basma-dyed curls, and then resort to highlighting.
2. The curls were recently dyed dark using hair dye. In this case, the desired shade will only appear at the roots, and the color will not change along the rest of the hair length. Sometimes even a professional hairdresser or stylist cannot correct such a mistake.
3. Thin, weak hair. If the strands are dry and dull, highlighting will weaken them even more and dry them out. They will begin to break, fall out, and the ends will split.

Features of aftercare

Making gray hair truly beautiful and well-groomed is not so easy. This needs a lot of attention. Caring for highlighted strands consists of following simple recommendations that are relevant for any hair, not just gray hair:

• use special cosmetic products for colored curls;
• choose a tinted shampoo or tonic for gray hair. Products that ennoble such strands are available from many brands;
• Use rinse after every hair wash. If you take chamomile decoction for these purposes (10 grams of flowers per 1 liter of water), you will be able to get rid of yellowness;
• do not comb wet hair, because it will become thinner;
• do not rub wet curls with a towel, but only lightly blot them;
• try to use curling irons, hair dryers, and straighteners less;
• dry your hair naturally or with a stream of cold air directed along the growth of the strands;
• Protect your hair from overheating, hypothermia, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Wear weather-appropriate hats;
• lubricate the ends with oils or anti-split serum, trim them regularly;
• Use nourishing, regenerating, moisturizing masks 1-2 times a week.

If you have a complex about strands that look like they are covered with frost, first try to hide them behind skillful highlights on gray hair. You will always have time to do a full coloring. But don’t count on a miracle effect: you will need to take care of your curls with redoubled energy. Maintain the required interval between procedures so as not to damage your hair with frequent corrections.

Reviews

Source woman.ru

Prices

In many ways, the price of highlighting depends on the prestige of the salon, the professionalism of the artist and the products used, so the difference in prices can be quite significant. Approximate prices in Moscow.

Source zoon.ru

conclusions

Lush, shiny hair adorns any person, but in order for your hair to remain healthy for a long time, you need to take care of it every day. If gray hair creeps up, women, and some men too, try to get rid of it in every possible way.

And highlighting is perfect for this purpose; it will help restore freshness and youth to your curls without causing any harmful effects. With one procedure you can hide gray hair and make your image bright and trendy. Highlighting, despite its cost-effectiveness, looks very expensive on hair of any length, completely changing the image.