How to Hide Grey Hair
with
Jonathon E. Stewart
Grey hair can look great on a guy, but it does tend to add to your age. Take a look a these easy, inexpensive tips for keeping your hair its youthful color if you decide to forgo the grey for now.
Transcript: How to Hide Grey Hair
Hey guys - Jonathon Stewart here for About.com. What do Steve Martin, George Clooney, Richard Gere, and that other Jon Stewart guy have in common? Well, in addition to having some pretty good patches of grey hair goin' on, they're also all older than me, so it's not really that sweet that my hair has decided to follow suit. But if you're not quite ready to settle in to your grey fox look, take a look at the following tips, and wash that grey right outta your hair. Check it out.Loving Your Greys
Before you start digging into radical ways to hide your salt and pepper do, know that a lot of guys look great with grey hair. Think about the look you're going for - if it's sophisticated, wise, even ruggedly weathered, having some greys just might work in your favor. However, no matter how you slice it, grey hair generally makes you look older. Even the Soul Patrol wouldn't have originally guessed that back in his Idol days Taylor Hicks was still in his 20s.Coloring Grey Hair
Other than wearing a hat every time you leave the house and refusing to take it off, there's not much you can do to hide greys other than to color them. But, once you decide to take the plunge, you do have options: temporary color generally washes out after one or two shampoos, semi-permanent color is good for about 10-12, and permanent is, well, permanent. There are also progressive hair dyes which work slowly over time to hide greys, but these often contain lead, which isn't real good for your head, so I'd personally steer clear. Temporary dye is a good way to go if you're trying the no-grey thing on for size for the first time, and permanent is one generally best left to the pros. For a good middle of the road, inexpensive solution, semi-permanent, here we go.Get the Right Dye
When selecting your dye, be sure to go for a shade or two lighter than your natural hair color. You can always go darker, but going lighter is a little tough. Make sure the kit you choose contains dye and plastic gloves, and be sure you have access to a shower before you get going. Trust me on the darker-lighter thing. You don't want to end up looking like Pepe la Pew. Really.Dye the Grey Hair
Start by doing a quick allergy test on a part of your skin that's not on your head and pay specific attention to the directions of whatever product you use. If you don't break out in hives within 24 hours, you're probably good to go. Next, pop on your gloves, mix your dye if necessary, and shake thoroughly. Use an old towel to catch any dye that might go astray, and start applying your color to your greys. You should begin with the roots and work the dye towards the ends of your hair - get your temples first and move your way to the back of your head.Be sure to keep all dye off of your skin, and use your towel to remove any excess at your hairline. Once your whole head has been colored, do one last check to make sure it's even, and keep a close eye on the clock, leaving the dye in for the length of time specified in the kit instructions. Generally, the longer you leave it in, the darker and more permanent it will be. Finally rinse thoroughly in the shower, then shampoo immediately, style as usual, and presto change-o: greys are gone.
You might find the initial difference a little shocking, especially if you leave the dye in for a long time. But no matter how it turns out, remember that it's definitely going to fade a bit over time. And above all else, just be thankful that you've even got the hair on your head to color it.
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