Grey expectations
Ready to go au naturel? Samantha Henry of Shine Hair and Studio May shares her top tips for going gorgeously grey.
Ready to go au naturel? Samantha Henry of Shine Hair and Studio May shares her top tips for going gorgeously grey.
photos SALINA GALVAN + SUPPLIED
Samantha Henry.
The mirror doesn't lie – those silvery strands are multiplying faster than you can say "salon appointment". But before you reach for the bottle (of hair colour, that is), let's chat about embracing the grey with style and confidence.
First things first: emotional preparedness. Are you ready to rock the silver vixen look? Many women find inspiration in others who've made the leap, so start scrolling those #silverandfree hashtags for a confidence boost. After all, why should men have all the fun as "silver foxes"?
Transitioning to your natural grey can take anywhere from one to three years, depending on your hair length. The first few months can be the trickiest, as you'll notice the demarcation line where your coloured hair meets the new growth. But don’t worry – there are clever ways to blend the old with the new.
One option is to switch from all-over colour to highlights or lowlights. This allows your natural hair to peek through while maintaining some bounce and texture.
Another route is to swap permanent colour for semi-permanent, which covers up to 50 percent of grey and blends up to 70 percent (using Wella Colour), giving your overall look a softer appearance.
For the adventurous, consider a balayage or ombré service to create a gradual transition from roots to ends.
Regular trims are your best friend during this journey. They'll help remove any lingering coloured ends and keep your hair looking fresh as it grows out.
Treat yourself to nourishing conditioning masks to keep your tresses hydrated and prevent breakage.
Lastly, if you do choose to let your grey shine, know you're in good company. From A-list celebs to your next-door neighbour, more women are ditching the colour and rocking their natural grey.
It's not about giving up; it's about owning your look and redefining beauty standards. With a bit of patience and the right attitude, you'll be turning heads for all the right reasons.
Who knows – you might even inspire others to embrace their own silver lining.
Let your hair down
Feeling ready to enjoy a new ’do? Sam Henry of Shine and Studio May salons reports on the season’s most sophisticated trends.
Feeling ready to enjoy a new ’do? Sam Henry of Shine and Studio May salons reports on the season’s most sophisticated trends.
photo Salina Galvan + supplied
Sam Henry
Coming in hot this winter is the trend towards quiet luxury. Just like the no make-up make-up look, it’s all about hair that appears naturally, effortlessly beautiful. Here are five ways to wear it well.
1. For a soft yet bright lift, consider lightening those baby hairs around your hairline just one or two shades lighter than your natural hair colour, but always remember to keep the health and integrity of your hair in mind – never overprocess!
2. One of the most requested colouring styles in many a salon, balayage isn’t going anywhere, but now there’s a new technique to try – camou-lage.
This creates beautiful dimension in an even more subtle way, without any visible lines. Think shiny, healthy hair with golden tones – buttercream blonde or latte-hued babylights enhancing your natural locks.
3. For the cowgirl copper lovers out there, golden amber is bringing the heat for the chilly season. It’s the perfect tone to complement those with green or blue eyes.
4. A brighter take on the mocha brown look, new-season cappuccino browns blend a warm base with cool caramel babylights.
5. Still high on the hit list for hairstyles is the timeless bob, and there are various interpretations to try. Depending on where your mood takes you as you slide into your stylist’s chair, the bubble bob might take your fancy. It’s still going strong from early 2023, and with the length curving around the chin, it’s full, floaty, bouncy and fun. Meanwhile, the micro bob is the shortest of them all – just brushing the jawline, it’s blunt and edgy. Or perhaps you want to get nostalgic with a ’90s bob, featuring va-va-voom volume and hair blow-dried like you’ve just stepped off a cruise ship.