Choosing a Smoky Gray Hair Color

Rather than opt for an eye-catching silvery hue, try switching it up by opting for a subtler smoky grey shade that veers only slightly darker than your natural color – adding dimension to an otherwise simple center-parted topknot style! “Dirty cool grays are an ideal option for women looking to embrace their gray hair without looking drab,” according to Kim. She advises receiving regular root touch-ups and toning maintenance in-salon to keep this hue looking its best.

Cool-Toned Silver and Grey Balayage

Selecting a cool shade is vital when wearing silver highlights, such as this style that blends ash brown roots with lavender silver hair colors for an eye-catching and subtle color transition. Root-to-ends smoky grey with violet undertones is another excellent choice for anyone wanting a cool look without going full white. To maintain its icy appeal, this style may need more frequent touch-ups to maintain. Skilled stylists can use hand-painted techniques to tame dark locks and transition them seamlessly to silvery hues, perfect for those who can’t lighten their natural color too significantly as it illuminates roots without leaving visible lines of demarcation.

Cool-Toned Smoky Grey with Violet Undertones

Relaxed grey hair has long been one of the most fashionable looks; its timeless beauty never goes out of style. Whether you’re transitioning gradually or adding this beautiful hue for good measure, cool grey hues will keep you looking your best year after year. This seductive shade leans toward violet territory, making it an excellent option for those with dark blonde or ash brown base colors who want to switch up their look without going full grey. It looks particularly striking on brunettes with cool skin tones and pairs well with an edgy lob haircut. For maintenance of color, use salon-quality shampoo and conditioner with semi-permanent tint to keep the hue alive between salon visits.

Roots-to-Ends Smoky Grey

Get drawn into this vibrant shade that almost has violet undertones. Because this darker tone requires additional maintenance, your client must be committed to their new ashy look for the best results. To achieve an excellent gray hair color, your client should lighten their blonde base to a depth of 8/0 or less and complete two toning services to neutralize yellow pigment and create a gray look. In order to maintain and extend their new smoky grey locks, use color-protecting shampoo and conditioner such as our Colormotion line – which also strengthens their strands!

Ashy Silver Babylights

If you prefer the cool tones of silver but want to avoid committing, enlist the help of your colorist in creating a blend of foil highlights and baby lights for you. This approach creates natural-looking gradients while being easily maintained with purple shampoo, increasing the time between salon visits! Light brown hair with ashy silver highlights is another beautiful way to highlight grey strands. Your colorist will craft an ombre-style delicate balayage blending in icy hues that stand out against your dark brown base, making the effect particularly beautiful when styled into waves. This coloring style makes a gradual introduction into gray locks while looking fabulous when styled over time.

Heavy Balayage

Balayage is a hair coloring technique in which stylists carefully choose which sections or strands of hair to lighten, often leaving out face-framing pieces and ends for a more natural result. Balayage can take several appointments to achieve, especially if starting from a dark base color and wanting it lightened. You may require two full balayage services (where your entire head will be lightened) as well as some partial appointments to prevent your roots from showing too quickly. It’s essential that you find an experienced stylist who knows how to perform balayage properly for the best results.

Swirling Smoky Grey

If you’re seeking an understated yet trendy hair color change, this 2023 hue could be the answer. An ashy brown shade, it can be customized to appear either smokier or muted depending on your stylist and desired result – such as Lime Crime’s On Mute grey dye mixture is likely used to get there. Once your smoky grey mane is complete, use color-safe products (like Colormotion shampoo and conditioner) to maintain it in good condition. Regular in-salon root touch-ups and toning maintenance may also be required to keep its vibrant shine looking its best.