Our beauty editor has found the best anti-ageing hair colour tricks for both coloured and naturally greying hair.
Brands are savvy to your changing needs, so care and colour technology has not only caught up with our hair’s ageing process, but outfoxed it entirely.
ALSO SEE: The anti-ageing weapon that’s better than botox
The days of mandatory dryness and harsh greys are over, instead you can preserve and improve the quality of your hair so it looks, behaves and feels just how you want it to. Your best hair days are yet to come.
Here’s our list of the best products for enhancing your natural colour or making your colour last longer:
Whichever way you colour, the product to keep that fabulous new shade in excellent condition is Inoar Concionador BB Cream Shampoo, R280 for 250ml.
This light cream formula is packed with strength rebuilding omegas and a combination of deeply hydrating oils such as linseed, sesame and macadamia – instantly adding shine and softness.
How to transition to grey
There’s no rule that says grey hair must be hidden. A glossy, nicely maintained head of silver is just as fabulous as any expensive dye job, and you’ll love what ditching the dye does for your condition.
“To make the transition I recommend embracing grey partially at first. Mixing in other shades that complement your skin tone will keep your look youthful.” says Josh Wood Atelier’s Sibi Bolan.
“At home, opt for a semi-permanent colour, which is less opaque than permanent so it feels less blocky and is easier to grow out.”
ALSO SEE: Our tips for colouring your hair at home
Enhance moisture and shine
If you’ve already embraced your grey, a healthy shine is your number one goal to counteract pigmentless strands’ lack of light reflection.
A great product to try is TRESemmé Expert Selection Keratin Smooth Shine Oil, R86,99 for 50ml – it gives hair a super shiny boost and leaves it feeling silky smooth with marula, almond and coconut oils.
“Over 40, hair is almost a mirror of your skin and needs hydration,” says Bolan, “A thick or curly hair type will need more moisture, fine or lighter hair needs hydration and strengthening.” You can thank slowing sebum production for that, and as with skin ‘miracle’ masks are a false economy.
Consistent day-to-day care is what’ll really keep it in good shape. If you wouldn’t wash your face with soap, it’s also worth spending a bit more on shampoo to avoid harsh detergents.
Micellar water is renowned for gently cleansing facial skin without stripping away moisture – now you can get the same benefits in your hair-care routine too!
Find it in Redken Clean Maniac Micellar Clean-Touch Shampoo, R312 for 300ml, which is super-light for fine hair.
As a finishing treatment, massage a few drops of L’Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil Dried Out Hair , R151 for 100ml, into wet hair. This beautifully-scented hair oil contains 6 flower oils to strengthen damaged hair, adding shine, as well as maintaining a healthier scalp.
If you’re looking for a rich shampoo to treat dry hair, a great option is Dove Advanced Hair Series Pure Care Dry Oil Shampoo, R74,95 for 250ml, as it contains African Macadamia Oil, which helps replenish the natural protective lipids on the hair.
- Words: Fiona McKim. Additional words: Beauty Editor, Martinique Stevens
