Wealden Times | WT179 | January 2017 | Health & Beauty supplement inside

WT Health & Beauty Supplement sponsored by
days
Grey
Josephine Fairley explains how
to brighten silver locks
Certainly, as life landmarks go, the morning we notice
our first grey hair isn’t one that has most of us singing
hallelujah from the rooftops. But today, we can choose
to play up the silver fox style – and look fabulous. Or colour
it, and nobody (but our colourist) need ever know. However,
there’s no getting away from it: deciding which to opt for is
probably the biggest beauty conundrum we face, as we age.
And it isn’t as simple as just ‘letting it go’. That can
simply make you look washed-out and pale. According to
US-based haircolouring expert Louis Licari, “When hair
loses its colour, it loses its richness and lustre. And when
this happens it tends to make skin colour look faded.”
We can certainly all think of women who go grey gracefully
and look utterly chic. (Helen Mirren, anyone?) But, according
to überhairdresser Nicky Clarke, “they’re the exceptions. And
they tend to be fabulous, striking women who’d look great
whatever their hair colour.” Your skintone will determine how
good you’d look if you decide to stick with grey. The sallowskinned
rarely find a silver frame flattering – and nor do natural
redheads, whose hair tends to turn a pale apricot when white
mixes in. Classic silver-haired beauties tend
to cluster at either end of the hair spectrum:
women with almost ebony colouring, or pale
‘English rose’ complexions. If you don’t want
to fall into those categories – or you just don’t
want to go grey, period – then the good news is
that the fixes are more convincing than ever.
There are changes to the actual hair itself, as it
goes grey, though: it becomes wirier, often thicker
and more wayward and hard to control. According
to Chelsea-based Richard Ward (who most famously did the
Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding hair), “the texture and shape
can change; it might feel coarser, drier and grow in a different
pattern. So invest in a good quality shampoo, conditioner and
serum to help nourish hair and keep it smooth and glossy.”
Interestingly, actually covering up the grey restores not only
the colour and ‘rejuvenates’ the face – but actually makes hair
glossy again. “Grey hair absorbs the light and looks flat,” notes
Jo Hansford, who’s long been one of the UK’s wisest colour
experts. “Put back the colour and the light picks up on it and
automatically makes the hair appear healthier.” (Note: don’t
ever be tempted to pluck a grey hair. Pulling won’t kill it or
“...the texture
and shape can
change; it might
feel coarser, drier
and grow in a
different pattern...”
make it grow back with its old colour; plucking just distorts
the hair follicle, making regrowth more wiry and obvious.)
Whether you opt to stay grey or choose colour, a must is
to adapt your haircare regime. Notes Richard Ward: “Good
quality nourishing shampoos, conditioners and any products
which are colour-specific will help keep your colour looking
glossy and vibrant for longer. Also remember not to wash it
too much – this will help avoid fade.” For blondes, I don’t
think you can beat the John Frieda Sheer Blonde
range – which was truly pioneering in its
category and continues to blaze a trail. Try John
Frieda Sheer Blonde Brightening Shampoo and
Conditioner, each £5.99 for 250ml, and Charles
Worthington Colour Enhancer Blonde Shampoo
and Conditioner, also £5.99 for 250ml. Beauty
Bible testers also highly rated Aveda Camomile
Shampoo, and Conditioner, each £21 for 250ml,
as well as the Lee Stafford Beach Blonde range.
Specifically for brunettes, check out John Frieda Brilliant
Brunette Colour Protecting Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner,
£9.99 for 500ml each, and/or Toni&Guy Cleanse Shampoo
for Brunette Hair, and Nourish Conditioner, each £6.49 for
250ml. Even if you don’t choose a ‘colour-specific’ shampoo,
conditioner (and hair mask, don’t forget the hair mask!), be
sure to opt for specifically ‘colour-care’ products. Good choices:
L’Oréal Paris Hair Expertise EverPure Colour Care & Moisture
Shampoo and Conditioner, £6.29 for 250ml each, and the
excellent (if pricier) Bumble and bumble Colour Minded
Shampoo and Conditioner, £23 each for 250ml at selfridges.com.
There are specific haircare products, too, for those who
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