If you’re a regular on Instagram you will no doubt have seen this season’s latest must-have hair – lavender grey. This is a shade of lilac which has a slightly cooler tone. The problem? It takes some serious looking after!
It’s likely that if you have any grey in your hair, you’ve spent a good portion of your time trying to get rid of it. This season we’re encouraged to embrace the grey! If that sounds too terrifying, the lilac option is a good piece of middle ground, but it is a little time-consuming. If you get the maintenance right however, this beautiful shade of lavender is certainly a look to be envious of.
So, how exactly do you look after your lavender grey locks without the risk of fading to nothing but grey itself?
It’s a Slow Process
Shades of lilac usually don’t take to hair which is any shade darker than extremely blonde. For that reason, you’ll need to revert to blonde before you go full on lilac. Bleached hair easily turns lilac, and if you’ve ever left your purple shampoo on too long with bleached hair, you’ll know that fact all too well! By opting for a blonde look before jumping on the lavender train, you’re also easing into the look; this isn’t a shade which everyone can deal with, because it is so different from anything else. Jumping from dark to lilac immediately would be a massive shock.
Once you’ve changed to blonde, if a change is needed, it’s a good idea to try using a toner with a purple hue before you opt for the lilac look. This will help to protect your hair and ensure a smooth and even finish, without patchiness. Without this, you may end up with a slightly blue look, and nobody wants to look like a Smurf! This shade of lavender grey is a slightly smokier take on the lilac look and one which is more wearable overall.
Cold Water is Your Friend
When you wash your hair, it’s vital that you avoid hot water and go for cold instead. It might be a slight shock to the system, but it will do your hair the power of good. The reason is that the cuticle opens itself up when you use hot or warm water to wash with, but if you opt for cold, the cuticle stays closed and therefore the colour remains where it’s supposed to. This will help with premature fading and save you a good amount of cash on re-colouring!
Specialised Shampoo is a Big Yes
If you want your hair colour to last, it’s not all about cold water, it’s also about what you wash with. In this case, opt for a shampoo which has a violet shade as its base. This will keep your hair firmly in the lilac camp and away from purple or blue. Remember to condition to keep your hair in the best health too, and if you’re purchasing a specialist shampoo, it’s probably a good idea to opt for the complimenting conditioner product in the same range.
Avoid Overwashing
The key with maintaining your beautiful lavender locks is to not wash too often. This type of hair colour is almost certainly going to be a temporary colour or a semi-permanent and the more you wash, the easier it fades and disappears. If you notice your hair becoming a little flat or greasy between washes, you can always give it a spritz with dry shampoo, or get creative with up dos!
If you’re ready to embrace the lavender look, make sure you’re ready for the maintenance time. In addition, make sure you take plenty of selfies to join the Instagram lavender grey movement!
