When men’s hair starts becoming more salt than pepper, they can either color it or embrace it.
While both choices have their merits, award-winning men’s hairstylist Jim Shaw is focusing on the latter. “Embracing grey hair is a powerful styling move for men,” says Shaw a U.K.-based international hair stylist and educator.
He asserts that with the right care, grey hair can become a distinguished, attractive asset. “Going grey gracefully involves updating your maintenance routine, as grey hair is often drier and coarser than pigmented hair.”
Here are Shaw’s top tips for male clients who are ready to rock a power grey with confidence.
1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Hair that’s lost its natural pigment is more susceptible to dryness, brittleness, and coarseness than before, becoming more wiry and harder to style. That means your strands are going to require a lot more moisture than they did before they went grey.
Use sulfate-free moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, hydrating treatments (like moisturizing masks) once a week, and incorporate leave-in styling products that tame frizz and add shine.
Products to Try:
- Deep muk Ultra Soft Moisturising Cream
- Mizani Moisture Fusion Intense Moisture Hair Mask
- Oligo Professional Blacklight Blonde Science Hydrating Kit
2. Switch Shampoo Habits
Avoiding over-shampooing is essential for men who are greying. Excessive washing strips away the hair’s natural oils, and daily shampooing can dry hair out fast.
Shampoo no more than three times a week, at least once of those with a purple shampoo. Because purple is the opposite of yellow on the color wheel, using violet-pigmented shampoo cancels out brassy, yellow tones.
The violet pigments boost natural silver and white tones in the hair — the key to that “silver fox” look. Leave the purple shampoo on your head for 2-5 minutes before rinsing.
Products to Try:
- Biolage Color Last Purple Shampoo
- Danger Jones Killer Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner
- PRAVANA Perfect Blonde Shampoo
3. Exfoliate and Treat the Scalp
As the hair turns grey, follicles produce less natural oils, which can disrupt the balance of the scalp. Add drier and coarser grey hair to the mix, and scalp care becomes a necessary step in maintaining healthy-looking locks.
When the scalp gets clogged, the hair pays the price. Dirt, oil, and product buildup block hair follicles and prevent normal growth. Styling products that work with the scalp environment, not against it, and that prevent buildup are your go-tos now.
Those, along with regular, gentle scalp exfoliation that removes dead skin cells, debris, and buildup, create an optimal environment for the scalp to absorb beneficial tonics, serums, and/ or growth treatments.
Products to Try:
- Fatboy Charcoal Fiber Paste
- PHYTO Scalp Solutions Purifying Cleansing Scrub
- tgin Balance Collection Scalp Serum
U.K.-based Jim Shaw is a grooming expert, influencer, and men's hair educator. Among other accolades, he has been named British Hairdresser of the Year, Barber of the Year, and International Men's Hairdresser of the Year.