Most Strategic Tips for Healthy and Youthful Hair

Posted on Aug 19th, 2022

Originally, this article was going to look quite different. I had intended to ask some of the best colorists in the business—you know, the people who color, foil, and perfect the sparkling strands of all of our favorite stars—to prescribe the "best," or perhaps most strategic, hair colors "to look younger." But as you'll see below, that's not entirely what went down.

The types of beauty-related quandaries people type into their Google search bar inform a hearty chunk of what we research and write about as editors. After all, we're trying to provide you with the interesting and serviceable content you're most curious about. But sometimes, we want to encourage a different narrative—especially when it comes to aging. There is no such thing as a set list of hair colors that will make someone look younger. That's an obsolete, far too prescriptive approach to something as complex as the relationship between haircare and the number of years we've lived on the planet earth. Instead, we hope you'll choose a hair color based on how it makes you feel.

A list detailing the best hair colors to look younger would require hundreds of slides due to the simple fact that each and every one of us has a different skin tone, eye color, hair texture, color preference (I could go on and on), all of which can impact and influence the hair color we want or feel most comfortable with. So I decided to ask our expert panel of colorists different kinds of questions so that this could be less of a listicle and more of an open conversation. Hopefully, you'll glean some helpful insight and feel inspired to pick a hair color (be it gray, white, blue, pink, brown, or blonde) that makes you look as vibrant as you feel—no matter your age. Keep scrolling! Below, some of our favorite celebrity colorists are divulging hair color myths, professional rules of thumb, favorite products, and so much more.

What do you feel are the biggest myths or mistakes when it comes to hair color and aging?

The biggest myth and mistake when it comes to hair color and age is that there should be hard rules. Conventional wisdom wants us to believe that as we get older, we need to stay away from harsh, edgy colors. However, some of my older clients can rock a sleek, chocolate brown look way better than some clients half their age. It all comes down to attitude and how much joie de vivre someone has.

What are your best tips for choosing a flattering hair color that will help someone feel like the best, most youthful version of themself?

If you're looking for beautiful, low-maintenance color, I suggest going warmer than you might think. Warm tones are almost always universally flattering, yet we often spend so much time fighting against them. Veer toward words like honey and gold and caramel. As we start to age, most people have some underlying warmth. When clients attempt to lift this warmth to an unnatural color, the upkeep is constant. Toners fade, and maintenance requires trips to the salon every four weeks or so. Embracing your natural warmth allows for a much softer grow-out. Your natural tones will remain in your hair, and your faux color won't look as jarring when your roots start to show as your hair grows out.

Do you have any expert advice for people with lighter hair who are just starting to go gray?

For naturally blonde clients who are beginning to go gray, I often blend their hair by highlighting and adding some reverse highlights, or lowlights. The effect is much more natural and low-maintenance than a solid, single-process color. The key is to maintain a multidimensional look with various tones mixed in to mimic what the hair would look like if they were not yet gray.

How about people who are looking to embrace the gray or white tones they already have? How can they keep the color and tone as vibrant as possible?

When women (and men) begin to gray, it is usually not the perfect white, cooler-toned shade of gray we often think about. What usually occurs is a mix of salt and pepper and, oftentimes, a yellow or warm-tinged hue of unpigmented hair. I recommend asking your colorist for a clarifying treatment. The brand Malibu C makes a brilliant one that clears the hair of mineral and hard water buildup. Usually, once the hair is thoroughly clarified, it can then accept either lavender or purple shampoo or treatment, or a cool glass to really impart shine.

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