Grey Hair | Expert Tips
How to Look After Grey Hair
Grey hair symbolises wisdom, maturity and acceptance. I read that somewhere recently. As a hairdresser of over 35 years, I am excited to see grey hair having its moment. However, it doesn’t only signify age and maturity; anyone can get grey hair.
I’ve had clients in their twenties with a full head of grey hair. Grey hair happens when hair loses melanin. Melanin gives hair its colour pigment. The pigment loss leaves the hair white, not grey. However, the pigment loss is usually gradual, impacting individual strands. As the pigment loss progresses, it impacts the overall appearance of the hair’s colour; hair may be dark grey, salt and pepper, silver or white.
The loss of melanin can change the hair’s texture. That’s why hair can feel more dry, coarse or wiry. Grey hair is often finer in texture.
That change in texture can feel problematic; hair can become difficult to manage and style. It may look more dull, dry and frizzy. Fixing those issues is easier than you may think. Put your focus on adding moisture to your hair to resolve the dryness and smooth and soften wiry grey hair. Moisture will improve the texture, leaving the hair smoother and more flexible. Flexibility is vital as it enables your hair to hold a style.
My mantra when it comes to hair is to keep it simple. I believe in taking a simple approach for maximum impact.
What hair needs at the most fundamental level is moisture. Moisture is the foundation of a good hair care routine.
In this blog, I’ll share my advice on looking after grey hair and smoothing the texture with my deep conditioner, Restore and Shine Hair Masque. Plus, I’ll talk about how to make grey hair shine and how you can soften and smooth wiry grey hair naturally.
Keep reading to discover how you can rock your natural grey hair.
Grey Hair | Overview
We can’t talk about grey hair without talking about the shift in attitudes to ageing. I think that is important because it influences how you feel about your hair. In particular, what going grey means for you. Perhaps it changes how you see yourself or your perceptions of how others see you.
I’ve been in the hairdressing business for a long time, and I’ve seen many changes. One of the most positive changes is that women of all ages are choosing to embrace their grey hair. It’s a personal choice, but I love it.
The starting point with grey hair is the texture. Get this right, and the rest will follow. If your hair feels dry and wiry, you can transform it into smooth and shiny.
This blog is all about getting your hair in the best condition. When hair is healthy and shiny, you can wear your grey hair with pride.
I’ll cover how to soften and smooth for shiny, grey hair in 7 simple steps.
Plus, discover the best styling products for grey hair along with my healthy hair tips.
Grey Hair | 7 Tips for Smooth, Shiny Grey Hair
I’ll start by busting a myth. Grey hair is thicker. That’s not always the case. Although some of us can go grey in our teens, most of us will get more grey hair in our thirties.
As we age, hair tends to become finer, not thicker, and our scalp produces less sebum (natural oil produced by our sebaceous glands to moisturise hair).
That reduction in sebum results in drier hair and can give grey hair a rough, wiry texture. That’s why grey hair feels coarse.
By ensuring it’s balanced with sufficient moisture, you can tackle the rough, wiry texture, leaving grey hair feeling softer and smoother. That will improve the look and feel of the hair and make styling easier.
Follow my 7 steps to soften wiry, coarse grey hair by adding moisture.
1. Deep Condition to Soften Wiry Grey Hair
The consequence of the reduction in sebum as we age means our hair gets less moisture. That causes the texture of our hair to change, becoming more coarse and wiry.
That means our hair needs to get moisture from other sources. In my experience, the best way to soften coarse grey hair is to treat it weekly with a deep conditioner. But that’s not the whole story. A deep conditioner for grey hair should add moisture to the hair’s core and smooth the cuticle, the hair’s outer layer. By smoothing the outer layer of the hair, you create a slippery surface, locking in the moisture and leaving the hair shiny.
I’ve blended the following three ingredients to soften and smooth coarse, grey hair in my deep conditioner Restore and Shine Hair Masque.
Pro-Vitamin B5 penetrates the outer layer of the cuticle to get moisture right to the hair’s core. An effective deep conditioning treatment, it puts moisture back into your hair and helps improve the texture of the hair. Plus, it will feel fuller, giving your hair more body.
Glycerin protects against moisture loss, making it the perfect partner for Pro-Vitamin B5. Pro Vitamin B5 adds moisture, and Glycerin helps your hair retain moisture.
Vitamin E smooths the outer cuticle to lock in moisture and leave hair with a shinier, silkier, softer finish.
I use these ingredients because they have proven results. They add moisture to the hair without being too heavy. It’s a delicate balance. Grey hair needs additional moisture, but products shouldn’t be too heavy or leave the hair flat.
I developed Restore and Shine Hair Masque to deliver moisture and smooth the cuticle. At the same time, it plumps out the cuticle to leave hair feeling fuller. It’s highly concentrated to add moisture without any residue. It’s the perfect hair product to enhance grey hair, leaving it shiny and manageable.
2. Keep it Cool
Identify opportunities to reduce damage to your hair. Switching the hairdryer to a cold setting is one way of reducing heat damage.
You can also try drying your hair for less time; over-drying the hair is easy to do. There’s a sweet spot when drying hair with a hairdryer. It’s the point where the hair is dry to the touch; that’s the point that you should put the hairdryer down and let your hair settle.
Establish the drying sweet spot for your hair. Time how long it takes to dry your hair with a hairdryer, and then try reducing it by 30 seconds or 1 minute. Experiment to see how your hair responds if you reduce the drying time further. How your hair looks and feels will tell you how long your hair takes to dry without becoming over-dry.
3. Get Regular Trims to Prevent Split Ends
Get regular trims to prevent split ends. Split ends increase the risk of frizz. Leave them unchecked, and they ride up the hair to cause breakage on the mid-lengths and towards the roots. That will result in further moisture loss, leaving grey hair dry and frizzy.
4. Hair Care Routine for Healthy Grey Hair
With over 35 years in the hair business, I know from experience that routine is king when it comes to hair care. A routine of regular washing and conditioning is essential to tackling dry hair. A clean scalp provides the best environment for healthy hair growth, and when hair gets regular moisture, it reduces common problems such as breakage, tangling and frizz.
All hair looks its best with a routine of cleansing, conditioning and a weekly deep conditioning hair mask treatment.
5. Be Gentle with your Hair
Be gentle with your hair when it’s wet. Wet hair is the most vulnerable to breakage, and when hair breaks, frizz will thrive. Use a microfibre towel to gently pat the hair dry after washing.
6. Avoid Silicones
Silicones in hair products give hair immediate shine by coating the hair. They cover the hair’s surface so successfully that long-term use can result in the hair being unable to absorb moisture from conditioners and deep conditioners. Avoid them.
7. Use Styling Products that Add Moisture
I see hair styling as an opportunity to add moisture to your hair. Not only does adding moisture when you style improve styling flexibility and hold, but it also stops frizz and leaves hair shiny.
A lot of styling products deplete the hair of moisture.
My exclusive styling range adds moisture with a blend of pro vitamin b5, argan oil and keratin. Tiny bubbles of keratin and argan oil target damage to seal the hair for a smooth, glossy finish.
Get Volume and Shine
- Add Volume
- Speed up Drying Time
- Target Split Ends
- Add Shine as you Style
Add Shine as you Style
- Hair Shine Treatment
- Speed up Drying Time
- Target Split Ends
- Add Moisture as you Style
Styling Products for Grey Hair |Tips
As we talk about styling products for grey hair, I want to touch briefly on hairstyles. Ignore dated attitudes to grey hair. There are no rules. You don’t need to keep your grey hair short. Long grey hair isn’t ageing. The most important thing is that you keep your hair hydrated. With deep conditioning and moisture-boosting styling products, the texture of your hair can be smooth and shiny. It will have the flexibility to adapt to different styles. Whether you opt for short, mid or long hair, choosing the best styling products for grey hair is vital. The best products add moisture to support your hair as you style.
1. Condition as You Style
Do choose styling products that condition as well as style. Back in the day, the only styling products available contained harsh ingredients such as alcohol denat. They dried the hair, leaving it dull. Not anymore. My innovative styling products condition as you style. They help to maintain moisture and shine in grey hair.
2. Waxes Leave a Residue
Don’t use waxes. They are tricky to wash out. They build up on the hair and scalp, clogging up the scalp and making the hair look dull.
3. Oils can Leave Grey Hair Dull
Don’t use heavy oils on your hair. Oils sit on the hair, attracting dirt from the atmosphere and making hair look dull.
Healthy Grey Hair |Tips
Get into a good routine, and your grey hair can look and feel healthy.
Over the years of working with all hair types, including grey hair, I’ve learnt a lot about how to keep hair healthy.
Here’s my definitive list for keeping grey hair in the best condition.
1. Look After Your Scalp
Look after your scalp. If your scalp is clean and healthy, it’s the best environment for healthy hair growth. Good circulation and healthy blood flow provide the best conditions for healthy hair growth.
2. Regular Trims
Keep dry ends in check. Drier hair tends to be subject to more breakage. If you let split ends linger, they ride up the hair shaft, damaging hair. See your stylist for regular trims.
3. Give your Hair a Break from Heat
Give your hair a day off. If you use heated styling tools, they can be drying for grey hair. Let your hair air-dry at least once a week. Why not combine this with a weekly hair mask treatment? It’s the perfect opportunity to build this essential treatment into your weekly hair care routine.
4. Balanced Diet
I like to take a holistic approach to healthy hair. Eating a balanced diet with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables is the best way of ensuring healthy hair growth.
5. Stay Hydrated
Drinking water isn’t only good for your skin; hydration supports healthy hair growth. Keep hydrated for healthy hair.
Grey Hair | Take Aways
1. Grey Hair is Finer
With the loss of pigment, grey is finer and drier. Plump out the cuticle and add moisture with a weekly deep conditioning treatment.
2. Focus on the Scalp
Regular cleansing will support you scalp for healthy hair growth.
3. Smooth Wiry Grey Hair
A weekly deep conditioning hair mask. The best hair mask for grey hair will hydrate whilst giving it body and shine. It will help smooth and soften wiry grey hair.
4. Condition as you Style
Grey hair can shine naturally if you keep it hydrated. Avoid drying styling products and opt for styling products that condition the hair.
5. Turn down the Heat
Reduce dryness and breakage of grey hair by turning down the heat on your hairdryer and washing hair in warm, not hot, water.
6. Grey Hair Styles
Short cuts are not the only style for grey hair. Keep hair in good condition, with a great haircut, and any length of hair can work.
Grey Hair | About the Author
Norris Ogario
Norris Ogario is founder and Creative Director of Ogario London. Developed in his London salon, the Ogario London haircare products reflect his belief that hydration is the key to fixing most hair problems. Hydrated hair can be styled with ease. Plus, hydration leaves hair shiny and healthy. Norris has over 35 years of hair know-how. With expertise in all hair types; from dry hair to fine or grey hair, from frizzy to damaged or bleached hair, curly hair and afro hair, Norris offers his expert advice.
Grey Hair Products | Shop the Blog
Restore and Shine Hair Masque
- Add Shine
- Smooth Hair
- Get Rid of Frizz
- Detangle
- Strengthen
Styling Mist for Volume
- Add Volume
- Speed up Drying Time
- Target Split Ends
- Condition as you Style
Styling Mist for Glossy Finish
- Add Shine
- Speed up Drying Time
- Target Split Ends
- Condition as you Style
Recommended Reading
I write about all aspects of healthy hair, from preventing frizzy hair to stopping split ends. Plus I share salon tips and techniques for looking after all hair types.
Good nutrition is vital for hair health and shine.
Give your hair the right foundation with the best foods for hair growth. Discover more in my blog, Healthy Hair: Choose the Best Foods for Hair Growth.
Get all the know how on adding moisture to dry hair. I cover all aspects of treating dry hair in my blog, Salon Know-How: How to Moisturise Dry Hair.
Leave In Conditioner with Argan Oil for Hair
Add moisture to your with a leave in hair conditioner. Find out why a leave in conditioner is the best choice for hair styling. Choose from hair volume products to a leave in conditioner spray.
Expert Tips for Curly Hair
Discover why getting into a routine with a deep conditioner can transform your hair. Plus, discover how applying your products in the right way can improve product performance.
Expert Tips for Shiny Hair
For maximum hair shine, the cuticle must be smooth. Discover my expert tips for how to get shiny hair.
Taking Care of Bleached Hair and Fix Damage
If you have bleached hair and want to regain your shine, read my blog, How to take care of Bleached Hair. You’ll find everything you need to know about taking care of bleached hair, from the best hair mask for bleached hair to how to fix hair damaged from over-bleaching.
Dry Hair Treatment
Get expert tips and advice on how to use a dry hair treatment in my blog, Dry Hair Treatment: Essential Hair Care
Curly Hair Products
Find out why it’s not all about the product for curly hair. Get the the right application and routine to get the most from your curly hair products. Read More>
Expert Tips for Shiny Hair
Shiny hair is the antithesis of frizzy hair. Shiny hair is all about smooth cuticles so that light can bounce of the surface of your hair. Find my expert tips on shiny hair.
Maintaining Long Hair
Find our expert tips for maintaining long hair and getting your hair in the best condition. For instance, getting the right routine in place for your hair can make the difference between ok-looking-hair and oh-so-fabulous-hair. So find out how you can keep your hair looking fabulous every day!
Style Ideas for Long Hair
There’s no easier style than the humble ponytail. So we share ideas for making your ponytail stand out from the crowd and chic up your pony. From the knotted pony to the side pony, we share 5 super chic ponytail ideas for long hair.
Argan Oil for Hair
Are you looking for a conditioner? Styling protection. Or maybe you are looking for shiny hair or a product that will nourish the scalp? Look no further. Argan Oil delivers all this and more. Find out why it’s a favourite in my mission to condition hair in my blog, Argan Oil for Hair: 7 Benefits for Hair and Scalp.
About Us
Ogario London is a salon developed range of natural hair care products. Because we are passionate about our products, delivering the best results is at the heart of what we do. Do you have questions about our products? Or, would you like advice on the best products for your hair type? Maybe have another question about how to look after your hair? If you do, please get in touch at info@ogariolondon.com.
As Seen In
Beauty Bible Recommends Ogario London Hair Masque Hair Treatment
Restore and Shine Hair Masque was awarded best hair mask in the Ultimate Natural Beauty Bible Awards. As an independent hair care brand, we are incredibly proud to be recognised alongside some of the industry’s biggest haircare brands. Because I spend time ensuring that our products deliver the best results, I couldn’t be happier to get this review and win this prestigious award.