Who is a good candidate for Gray Blending/Transformation?

There are many different ways to go about Gray Blending or a Gray Transformation, but most imagine a process where their old color is bleached out and toned to silver- a Color Correction Blending or Transformation. The following criteria applies to those who are considering a Color Correction Blending or Transformation, which involves extensive and often aggressive chemical processes. Most are surprised and disappointed when they discover that they are not a good candidate for these types of services, but don't worry if you're not- I will share other methods that can get you to your goal. So, brace yourself- but keep an open mind!

Color Correction is ideal for you if:

You have never colored your hair and a few grays are starting to appear
Your hair is more than 50% gray and you have been coloring or lightening it blonde
Your hair is less than 25% gray and you have been coloring it dark
Your gray is concentrated at the front hairline and temples
You want to wear it in a shorter style or are willing to try a shorter hairstyle
You would be satisfied with warm-toned highlights
You are willing to put in the time and effort to maintain your new look

It bears repeating:

REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS FOR GRAY BLENDING/TRANSFORMATION

BY COLOR CORRECTION

It can be a long appointment, depending on the method. You can expect anywhere from 4-12 hours in the salon, and it's usually best to expect the longer time.
It could take more than one session to reach your goal.
It will cost hundreds of dollars in total, and possibly more with after care product and maintenance added.
It will require that you re-tone any hair that has been lightened to gray, usually about every 4 weeks if you shampoo once per week. Plan on more frequent toning if you shampoo more often.
Any hair that has been lightened, lifted, or had color removed from it WILL turn yellow after shampooing 1-4 times.
It can be damaging, despite best efforts made to maintain the integrity of your hair.

Color Correction is NOT ideal for you if:

Your hair is more than 50% gray and you've been coloring it dark or red
You have been coloring your hair with box dye
You have had your hair permed or relaxed in the last year
Your hair is damaged from over processing or heat styling
You intend to keep your hair long
You expect to get a perfect cool-toned match to your gray from lightening (bleaching)
You expect to achieve a transformation in one appointment
You want low-maintenance hair... NOW

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE...

There are some Gray Blending services that only require one session.
After a successful blending session, subsequent sessions will take less time and cost less.
Once you've reached a certain point, the rest of your grow-out phase requires little maintenance.
After a while, with regular trims and treatments, your hair will start feeling so, SO healthy!
The day you realize you'll never have to color your hair again is a day you'll never forget!

What is the right path for YOU?

To some, it's important to keep their hair long, or wear a hair color that would complement their skin tone and eye color (hint: it's your natural color). To me, it's important to keep your hair healthy and give recommendations based on personal details- such as lifestyle, dedication to upkeep, and budget. Sometimes, the deciding factors end up being color history, texture, density and porosity of the hair, and there's a huge roadblock set in front of the path one had hoped to take.

SO WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE?

Actually, there are several alternatives to color correction transformations- but as I've said countless times to hopeful clients- a Gray Hair Journey, no matter which path you take, is going to be a long one- especially if long hair is your goal.
Whether you bleach and tone, or chop your hair into a cute pixie cut and grow it out, it's going to be a while before you have long, natural, HEALTHY gray hair. The shorter you wear it, the quicker the journey. The more open-minded you are to alternatives to bleaching, the easier (and more affordable) the journey will be.

There is NO "one and done" service when you embark on a Gray Hair Journey, unless you shave your head... which is reserved for only the bravest among us... and even then, the brave ones will need a haircut again someday!

The most affordable option with zero potential damage is always to go "cold turkey", which is to stop coloring your hair and start growing it out. Most potential clients I meet aren't willing to do that (which is why they are meeting me). I still put it out there as an alternative, and I urge anyone who is on the platform to join the Facebook group called "Going Gray All The Way". There are women all over the world who are doing this exact thing, and they absolutely OWN it! There is also discussion about every other method of transitioning to gray- it's a wonderful resource and support system.

The quickest, most affordable option is getting a transformation haircut (usually a pixie or short bob). The normal reaction to this recommendation is "Mmm, noooo...".

The middle ground is growing it out until you have enough length that you would be comfortable cutting off. This will take time too, but you can try some lovely layered styles through the process.

Transformation Haircut Pros:

Quick, affordable, and you're all natural (or at least much closer to being all natural) once it's done
Short hairstyles save so much time in your beauty routine
Hairpieces can be used to get you through the journey, and are really fun, just FYI (more on that to come)

Transformation Haircut Cons:

It's a drastic change that essentially throws you out of your comfort zone and doesn't let you back in for a while
It can feel like forever and a day while you grow it out, in one very long awkward phase.

If sacrificing length isn't for you, let's look at some other options.

Below is a list of Gray Hair Journey services that don't involve extensive bleaching or cutting your hair short:

hairpiece blending

1h 30m|$55

Maintenance: at-home washing/styling

Now, before you say "Hairpiece?!?", I urge you to search "celebrities wearing wigs" online. You will often suspect someone is wearing a hairpiece afterwards. Wigs, half-wigs (or "falls"), every type of extensions, and toppers alike have all been worn by some of the most famous and elite women (and men) in existence- and they're not about to stop! When it comes to a Gray Hair Journey- or even a regular bad hair day or lazy day- a hairpiece can be your most valuable tool. I promise- no one will ever know, unless you tell them (or wear one in rainbow colors, maybe), and you really don't have to break the bank!

After you purchase a hairpiece, it will likely need some tweaking to blend it in with your natural hair. This service includes application and a tutorial on self-application, trimming your hair and the hairpiece as necessary to blend seamlessly together, plus education on how to care for your hairpiece so that it lasts for as long as you need it to.

Ideal for:

Hair with any shade of previous artificial dark or light color
Hair with any percentage of gray, but best for those who have white roots and dark artificial color
Those who prefer to avoid bleaching or color correction

PROS:

Blends gray hair with no damage
Can be a piece in a gray percentage to match your natural mix or in the same shade as your artificial color
Hides demarcation line while growing out
Painless application (no braiding or pulling of the hair)
Can be colored, washed, dried and styled just like the rest of your hair (depending on what you purchased)
Adds volume and thickness to thin/thinning hair

CONS:

Lower quality pieces may look worn out more quickly
Limits versatility for how your hair can be styled
Hairpiece may need to be color-matched to your previous color, or your hair will need to be colored to match the hairpiece for some synthetic hairpieces that cannot be colored

dye strip method

1.5h|$45 initial application

1h|$30 subsequent applications

Maintenance: 3-6 weeks

Semi-permanent or permanent color coverage on new growth, in a 1.5-2 inch strip on either side of the part line only. Semi-permanent color gives translucent coverage on grays. Permanent color offers darker, opaque coverage of gray. This strip of hair then lays over the rest of the hair when parted, camouflaging the line of demarcation underneath, and allows you to grow out new gray and previous dark color with time and trims. When you're ready to go fully gray, you can remove the semi-permanent color with a color removing treatment (results may vary), highlight the permanent color to blend with gray, or you can start "flipping" your part line to where there is no color, and let the semi-permanent or permanent color grow and fade out naturally.

Ideal for:

Hair with previous artificial dark color, with previous highlights
Hair with previous artificial dark color, without previous highlights
Hair that is 50% or more gray at the roots and has high contrast artificial dark color beyond new growth
Hair that is 50% or more gray at the roots and has low contrast artificial light color beyond new growth

To see exactly what this method looks like, watch this video. Irene Claire's YouTube channel also documents her Gray Hair Journey and a few different methods she tried along the way.

PROS:

Quick, affordable application
Less processing time
Offers camouflage cover of demarcation line while growing out
Semi-permanent color is more gentle and gradually fades out

CONS:

Natural gray will start peeking through from underneath the colored strip as it grows
Regular, possibly frequent touch-ups still needed for the strip
Color removal will be more of a blend than a match, depending on level and tone of color
Color can turn brassy on very white hair if not formulated correctly.

semi-permanent root retouch

2h|$75

Maintenance: 4-6 weeks

Semi-permanent color coverage on up to 2 inches of new growth all around, which utilizes your natural grays as a "highlight". The color will be warm- caramel to honey blonde- and allows you to grow out previous dark color with time and trims. When you're ready to fully go gray, the semi-permanent color is removed with a color removing treatment, or you can tone it cooler or let it fade out naturally. Works well along with Highlight Blending.

Ideal for:

Hair with previous artificial dark or warm color and previous highlights
Hair which has never been colored but is starting to go gray
Hair that is less than 50% gray
Those not fully committed to going gray just yet

PROS:

Blends gray new growth with previous warm colored base and highlights
Softens demarcation line while growing out
Semi-permanent color is more gentle and gradually fades out

CONS:

Demarcation may still be visible, depending on previous application and saturation
Regular touch-ups needed
Removal of semi-permanent color may not be 100%, creating more of a blend than a match.

highlight gray blending

3-4h|$120-$140

Maintenance: 4-6 weeks for toner

8-12 or 0 weeks for highlights

Partial (half head) or Full (all over) classic foil highlights with a placement matching your natural gray pattern as closely as possible. Toner, Olaplex treatment, a "dust off" trim or bang/face frame trim, wash and blow dry style are included. This is for shades in the blonde family, and tone/level depend on saturation and frequency of application and tone/level of your previous color.

Ideal for:

Those who have darker artificial previous color
Those who have lighter but warmer artificial previous color
Those who prefer warmer tones (caramel, honey, gold)
Those with any percentage of gray

PROS:

Blends gray hair with previous darker color by lightening it
Softens demarcation line while growing out
Highlights often only need one application, depending on individual circumstances

CONS:

Demarcation may still be visible, depending on previous color and saturation
Root touch-ups and/or toner may still be needed so that cool roots and warm ends don't clash
Not an exact match in tone, unless paired with a Semi-Permanent Root Retouch

uv light extensions

4h|$200

Maintenance: 6-8 weeks

Meticulous application of individual strands of hair, attached with UV-cured adhesive. This application, as well as its longevity, is similar to that of lash extensions. Human hair extension strands are utilized, allowing you to wash, dry and style much like your own natural hair. Included with this service is an application of hair color to match your previously colored areas to your new growth.

Ideal for:

Hair with previous artificial dark or light color
Hair which has never been colored but is starting to go gray
Hair that is 25% or less gray
Those who prefer to avoid bleaching or color correction

PROS:

Blends gray hair with no chemical damage
Softens demarcation line while growing out
Painless application (no braiding or pulling of the hair)
Can be washed, dried and styled just like the rest of your hair

CONS:

Demarcation may still be visible, depending on previous application and saturation
"Shedding" is similar to that of lash extensions
Extra care must be taken to avoid shedding too quickly
Subsequent applications will be necessary, with frequency depending on home care.

camouflage gray blending

2h-2h 30m|$75-$105

Maintenance: 6-8 weeks

A Semi- or Demi-Permanent color application that gives 50-75% gray coverage. Translucent coverage gives you the appearance of still being gray, just not as gray.

Ideal for:

Those who have never colored their hair before
Any length of hair
Those with up to 50% gray hair

PROS:

Blends beautifully- no one would suspect your hair was colored
Gives you a "10-years-younger" look
No bleaching damage
No line of demarcation while growing out, as color gradually fades

CONS:

Requires touch-ups- 4-6 weeks on average for long hair on new growth, and 2-4 weeks for short hair, as camouflaged hair is cut off

Who is a good candidate for Gray Blending/Transformation?

Color Correction is ideal for you if:

You have never colored your hair and a few grays are starting to appear

Your hair is more than 50% gray and you have been coloring or lightening it blonde

Your hair is less than 25% gray and you have been coloring it dark

Your gray is concentrated at the front hairline and temples

You want to wear it in a shorter style or are willing to try a shorter hairstyle

You would be satisfied with warm-toned highlights

You are willing to put in the time and effort to maintain your new look​

It bears repeating:

REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS FOR GRAY BLENDING/TRANSFORMATION

BY COLOR CORRECTION

It can be a long appointment, depending on the method. You can expect anywhere from 4-12 hours in the salon, and it's usually best to expect the longer time.

It could take more than one session to reach your goal.

It will cost hundreds of dollars in total, and possibly more with after care product and maintenance added.

It will require that you re-tone any hair that has been lightened to gray, usually about every 4 weeks if you shampoo once per week. Plan on more frequent toning if you shampoo more often.

Any hair that has been lightened, lifted, or had color removed from it WILL turn yellow after shampooing 1-4 times.

It can be damaging, despite best efforts made to maintain the integrity of your hair.

Color Correction is NOT ideal for you if:

Your hair is more than 50% gray and you've been coloring it dark or red

You have been coloring your hair with box dye

You have had your hair permed or relaxed in the last year

Your hair is damaged from over processing or heat styling

You intend to keep your hair long

You expect to get a perfect cool-toned match to your gray from lightening (bleaching)

You expect to achieve a transformation in one appointment

You want low-maintenance hair... NOW

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE...

There are some Gray Blending services that only require one session.

After a successful blending session, subsequent sessions will take less time and cost less.

Once you've reached a certain point, the rest of your grow-out phase requires little maintenance.

After a while, with regular trims and treatments, your hair will start feeling so, SO healthy!

The day you realize you'll never have to color your hair again is a day you'll never forget!

SO WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE?

You are willing to put in the time and effort to maintain your new look