Low-Maintenance Color Options for First Greys.

It’s almost inevitable to end up with some greys at some point. It can be a natural result of aging, genetics, or possibly other lifestyle-related factors. Most people get their first greys in their 30s. Greys are the result of a melanin loss inside the fiber. Depending on your natural base, they can be very visible or less visible, it's a question of contrast. Greys might also be different in texture as they tend to be thicker.

Low percentage of greys

Grey hair show up differently for everyone, and their appearance can have a very different pattern. For some, greys start showing up in patches, for others, the pattern can be very scattered. For someone with a low percentage of greys, grey blending can help greys look less obvious.

Why full coverage can feel too intense early on

For a low percentage of greys, full color coverage can look and feel too intense. Maybe you’re not looking to fully hide greys, or to shift your whole hair color. Perhaps you just want some subtle coverage.

Grey blending is on the newer end of the spectrum when it comes to hair coloring and grey coverage trends. It can be a great low-maintenance color option for more natural-looking coverage, allowing a graceful transition. It may be lower maintenance but still requires expert decisions and techniques. Grey blending can include a number of different options, like the following:

Demi-permanent color

Demi-permanent color can help provide seamless results without impacting too much on your natural hair color. This option will limit the regrowth demarcation that could happen with permanent hair color. The fading will be much more natural for a more lived-in look.

Soft highlights to blend greys

On darker bases you sometimes need to add more pepper to the salt meaning more darker pieces inside grey patches. It's a color technique to add lowlights into the hair in order to reduce once again their visibility and contrast, while keeping the dimensionality you love.

Toners for natural dimension

To neutralize any brassiness, toners can be used in between salon visits to keep greys and whatever color solution you’re using in harmony.

Depending on your natural hair color, your salon professional will likely recommend that you go in certain directions for your grey blending.

Brunette first greys

Dark hair is a bit more challenging for grey blending, because of the contrast. Technique will be essential here. Warm tones can add dimension and subtly distract from the greys, while darker lowlights can make your base color richer.

Blonde first greys

Blondes have an easier time going grey, because of tonal similarity between the shades. Cool colors like platinum and ash can be a good way to start for blondes trying grey blending.

Redhead first greys

For natural redheads, multi-dimensional lowlights can be a great bet, especially by adding strawberry blonde highlights to hide greys and darker lowlights (auburn or copper) for some depth.

For grey blending, you are generally looking at full touchup maintenance every 10-16 weeks, basically four times a year.

How long gloss lasts

Grey blending with gloss treatments can last two-to-three months, so that’s the likely frequency of touchups.

When to upgrade to stronger solutions

It might be time to upgrade to stronger or more permanent color solutions when you have a higher percentage of greys and you want fuller, deeper coverage and are not ready to fully embrace your greys.

Before taking the plunge into permanent hair color to cover your first greys, why not explore grey blending, for an approach that’s subtler and easier to maintain? French Blending^TM by L’Oréal Professionnel is a service perfect for those just starting to see greys. It provides coverage but still with transparency and dimensionality. Consider a way to add just a little pepper to your salt for well-seasoned greys and natural looking regrowth.