Everyone eventually gets grey hairs, some quicker than others. If you're thinking about transitioning to grey hair, beginning a gradual grey hair transition, or exploring how to grow out grey hair, here are some professional tips on how to go grey gracefully.
Tricks for Growing Out Grey Hair
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Be prepared to wait it out
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Touch up grey regrowth until you're confident to go natural
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Think about your ends as well as your roots
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Consider cutting your hair shorter
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Learn from your hairstylist
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Hydrate your hair as much as possible
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Don't completely ditch the hair colour
When the grey roots take over and it feels like you need to colour constantly, many of us ask ourselves: "Is it time to grow out my grey hair?" Whether you want a full change or a low-maintenance grey hair transition, the journey can be made smoother with the right guidance.
Here at Josh Wood Colour, we celebrate all colours—including grey. Josh is famed for making grey hair a trend. He’s put grey hair on the runway at Jean Paul Gaultier and turned supermodel Kristen McMenamy grey, and he has embraced grey hair personally too.
Josh’s mantra when it comes to wearing grey hair is: "If you're going to do it, own it!" So if you’re thinking about growing out your grey hair, read on for his invaluable tips, along with styling and haircare advice from Matt Hawes, Creative Master Stylist at the Josh Wood Atelier salon.
1. Be prepared to wait it out
Josh: “When you decide to start growing the grey out, you’ve got to be committed. There will be a period of hard regrowth. Realistically, the quickest I’ve ever seen someone transition is nine months, but for most people it takes around 18 months to get to a point where you're happy.
“The first step is to purposely leave a little bit of grey regrowth around the hairline to soften the harsh line. If you're going to a salon, talk to your colourist about a lighter tint around the hairline and then adding highlights or balayage. This helps break down the demarcation line and makes growing out much easier.”
2. Touch up grey regrowth until you’re confident to go natural
Josh: “If you're struggling with the noticeable regrowth, use temporary grey root touch-up products. They wash out, so you won’t undo your decision to grow out your colour.”
3. Think about your ends as well as your roots
Josh: “For mid to shoulder-length hair, the ends may still hold years of pigment. Start using deep cleansing shampoos to soften the intensity of your colour. Lightening the ends helps prevent a solid block of colour. Talk to your colourist about adding thicker highlights to create contrast between your natural grey and your coloured lengths.”
4. Consider cutting your hair shorter
Matt: “The more you cut, the quicker the transition to grey. Even a shorter style with layers can help distract from visible regrowth. Straight, one-length hair shows a more obvious line, so shape and texture work wonders.”
5. Learn from your hairstylist
Matt: “Grey hair can be wirier or coarser. A good blow-dry helps smooth the texture. Ask your stylist for tips so you can recreate the look at home.”
6. Hydrate your hair as much as possible
Matt: “Natural grey hair often has an open cuticle, which can make it appear dull or frizzy. Use a deep conditioner like the Miracle Mask to add moisture and shine. Pair it with an ultra-hydrating shampoo and conditioner to restore softness and reduce brassiness caused by lack of melanin.”
7. Don’t completely ditch the hair colour
Josh: “Only about 10% of people have naturally even, silky, silver-grey hair. Most will need a little help. Adding highlights or lowlights creates premium-looking contrast. Prevent brassiness with an icy blonde gloss to neutralise yellow tones and blend grey beautifully during the grow-out process.”
Looking for personalised advice? Book a free 1:1 virtual consultation with one of our professional colourists.
