First Published: December 6, 2013 1:22 PM EST Credit: Getty Images
Caption Duchess Catherine
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Much ado was made about Kate’s ‘do when she was recently photographed with (gasp!) gray roots showing! It was reported this week that the Duchess spent six hours at a swanky London salon (known for its $980 haircuts) for a make-over to cover her grays! Of course, there are MUCH more affordable ways to ditch the gray roots, whether in a salon or at home. Warren-Tricomi Los Angeles colorist Jared Gee (www.instagram.com/jaredandjd) shares his expertise for the best ways to get rid of the grays.
1. What works best for different hair types and colors?
Getting rid of gray hairs can be a pain, so here’s a few tips on keeping them away. First, use a permanent hair color to ensure that gray hairs won’t pop before your roots grow out. Demi and semi-permanant hair color won’t totally cover your gray hair, especially if more than 50% of your hair is gray. The lighter your hair color, the more the gray hairs will blend in, but I don’t recommend coloring your roots more than two shades lighter than your natural hair color. Second, you do not need to shampoo your hair every day. Your hair needs some natural oils in it, and besides, even permanent colors will fade away from too many shampoos. Reds, coppers, or any pastel hues fade the fastest, so spread out the shampoos.
The most important aspect of keeping gray hairs away is the type of shampoo you use. When you wash your hair make sure you use a color safe shampoo that will also keep your hair healthy and nourished, because healthy hair holds color the longest. I recommend VoCe Hydrate it Shampoo and conditioner. It’s not only color safe but will also keep your hair nourished and hydrated. This goes for all hair types. If you flat iron or blow dry always use a heat protector, because heat can damage your hair and fade your color. If your hair gets oily in between shampoos try a dry shampoo like VoCe’s Refresh Me dry shampoo to get rid of oil and to give your hair a little volume.
2. What you can do at home to cover gray hairs?
For all the adventurous types who would dare to try to color their hair at home in between root touchups at the salon, stick with a demi-permanant gloss that matches your hair color that you can put on for 10 minutes in the shower and rinse off. Demi-permanant will add a little pigment to blend away gray hairs for a couple weeks until you can get back into the salon. A safer and less tricky way to keep your gray hairs covered at home is with a gray hair covering mascara wand. These are special hair products you can find at your local beauty supply that you rub over your gray hairs. They will stay covered until you shampoo your hair the next time. These wands are great when an unruly gray randomly pops out a bit early.
3. What are some tips to make your hair color last?
The most important thing you can do for your hair color is to take good care of your hair. You want your hair to be strong and healthy. Get regular conditioning treatments at the salon, and have a masque at home you can use once a week for extra hydration and strength. Don’t flat iron too often because the heat will fade your color and compromise your hair. Get regular trims and make time for your hair care. It’s the only accessory you wear every day.
4. Can you color your hair if you are expecting?
If you are pregnant wait until after the first trimester to color your hair just to be safe. Check with your doctor for a professional opinion. However, hair color technology has come a long way, and there are many healthy hair color options. If the gray hairs grow out, make sure to have your gray hair removing mascara wand to touch them up for public appearances!
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