What Gray Hair Shampoo & Conditioner Should I Try?
Congratulations! The fact that you’d go hunting for the best gray hair shampoo in the first place means you might be starting to embrace your glittery strands. You’ve earned them, after all. They’re worth celebrating – even if you still surprise yourself every time you look in a mirror.
Many of us go through a resistance phase at first. We pluck our grays. Or, we color them. Or maybe, we just ignore them.
But almost like working through the stages of grief, at some point we either go into denial or acceptance. Denial means spending a whole lot of time and money with your favorite stylist, coloring and re-coloring your tresses. Some go this route and never really know how their gray would have looked. Acceptance could turn into celebration, though, especially because you’ll free up a bunch of time and money you can use for something way more fun.
Invest in Silver
Once you’ve decided to embrace the gray, you’re not quite off the hook when it comes to spending money on good hair care products and tools. Just like when you were younger, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can make you feel and look better, even affecting the color of your hair.
The same old boring advice still applies…
Keep up your intake of vegetables, fresh water, and healthy protein. Get regular exercise. Don’t overdo the drinking. Quit smoking. Get enough good sleep every night. Blah, blah, blah, right? These factors DO impact your hair’s condition, though, not to mention your overall health. No gray hair shampoo on the planet can substitute for taking good care of yourself. But you’re not here for a health lecture… you’re here trying to figure out which shampoo and conditioner you should try.
Before You Add Gray Hair Shampoo to Your Cart…
If it feels like you’re dealing with a whole new head of hair, you’re right. Gray hair isn’t just a different color. Its texture is also completely different from younger hair. It’s usually drier and finer than more pigmented hair. That can make it a challenge to manage.
Because gray or white hair is more porous, it absorbs chemistry more dramatically. Chlorine and dyes in hair products can have surprising effects on our hair. Those blue-haired old ladies you remember playing bridge with your grandmother? They probably just overdid it at the old clip ‘n curl, getting a rinse to rid their hair of the yellowish tint that commonly plagues the silver set.
One simple solution to the issue is using hair products specially formulated to be used on salt and peppery hair locks. If just a small portion of the hair has turned gray, these options can care for the natural color and add a shine and rich luster to gray and white areas. Here are some of the best shampoos for making gray hair look its best.
Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo and Conditioner
This shampoo isn’t widely advertised, yet it’s very well-recognized. It has a formula rich in protein which lightens white and gray hair. It also removes yellow hints to leave locks appearing healthier and thicker.
IMPORTANT: This shampoo isn’t meant to be used every day. It has a blue formula which can actually build up. Warning: it will leave you looking like a Smurf if you overdo it.
Click to Buy Clairol Shimmer Lights
Klorane Silver Highlights Shampoo
A gentle shampoo that is used as a daily cleanser. It contains organic botanical extracts and prevents the yellowing of gray hair, helps brighten silver hues, and keeps hair feeling smooth and soft.
You can use this one every day if you want, and you won’t end up looking like your grandmother’s bestie. It’s got a pretty subtle floral scent and like many high-end shampoos, it works without a huge amount of lather.
Click to Buy Klorane
Philip Kingsley Pure Silver Shampoo
Some like the scent and some don’t. The shampoo has a purple tint but doesn’t turn your hair purple.
Click to Buy Philip Kinglsey
Kevin Murphy Maxi Wash
This formula not only lightens lack-luster gray hair when it’s dull, but it also contains no sulfates and is meant to address many different hair issues. Plus, it helps balance out the sebum production, soothes an irritated scalp, and detoxifies sluggish and flaky scalps. Do you style your hair regularly? This high-quality shampoo can be perfect for getting rid of buildup from the products you use.
An additional consideration to make is that due to the lack of pigment in the hair, it’s more likely to be harmed by harsh sun rays. People who dislike wearing hats should try out shampoos and conditioners that have sunscreen in them.
Click to Buy Kevin Murphy
We’re thinking that as gray becomes more fashionable, the list of products developed specifically for this weird, wild hair type will continue to grow. Many women will just continue using what they’ve always used. But if you’re not getting the results you used to be able to get, try one of these brands of gray hair shampoo and let us know how it works for you.
