Dyeing to look younger?

A number of Hollywood’s leading men — George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan, Richard Gere and even Brad Pitt more recently — all flaunt their greys with style. At one time, going grey may have been considered a sign of ageing and the diminshing of one’s looks, but as these men prove you can be a sexy silver fox. Following suit, a number of younger men are using their greys to their advantage by adding highlights to enhance and blend in with their strands for a more groomed look. In the UK, a number of men are opting for the “tampering” technique that involves tinting the thatch, the beard, and even the eyebrows for a natural effect.

Not everyone’s comfortable with it
Rohan Jagtap, Style Director & Educator, b:blunt salon & academy says, sporting greys for men is a cool trend, however not everyone is comfortable with this concept in our country. “Indian men are conscious about premature greying. They may go for the salt and pepper look, as it’s quite trendy, easy to pull off and requires little maintenance. A trick is to use a shampoo for blonde hair, which takes away the warmth or the yellow dull tone. Getting a shine treatment can enhance the greys and add shine too,” he says, adding that in order to sport this look you should get a well structured and textured hair cut. Using a very light colour to maintain translucency during the transition period (from colouring to achieving the salt pepper look) is advisable.

Salt and pepper do is elegant
Akshata Honawar — Creative Director of Runah Salon says that Indian hair is very dark so it’s difficult to get it grey. “These highlights are more easily done on men with fine hair. As long as a man has 10-20 per cent of grey strands, he shouldn’t be bothered with colouring. Those with more greys — say 40 to 50 per cent may opt to get something done. In fact, there are men who are 100 per cent grey who come to us to add some black strands to give that mature look,” she says. While a salt and pepper do can be elegant, Akshata advises it more for men in their 30s plus.

Opt for a low maintenance do
The trend still hasn’t picked up here says Mitesh tailor Principal stylist at Saks salon and spa, Mumbai. “If you’ve started greying let nature take its course. Else opt for a salon treatment  that will keep some greys visible while some can be covered with colour. It’s a great way to disguise too much grey, and is very low maintenance  than getting a colour done every so often,” he adds.

For a successful transition
Ask your colourist to use a brightener every six to eight weeks. This will soften the hair and make it less coarse, as well as remove the yellow tint sometimes associate with grey hair.

Highlight your hair every three months or so to match the grey until you get the look you want.

Add low-lights and blended colour streaks until you get the look you want. This will ensure the grey hair blends in nicely with the coloured hair.