How to Avoid Blue Gray Hair

Older women often have a blue rinse worked into their hair to make it appear snowy white to avoid a yellowish cast to their hair. This is much the way you create a bright white paint by adding a blue undertone. However, our vision changes significantly as we get older which changes our perception of color and is the real reason why old ladies end up with blue hair.

Instructions

1. Trust your stylist. This is the easiest way to avoid turning your gray or white hair into blue or purple hair. The natural aging process causes the eye to perceive more yellow and not see blues quite as well. If your hair looks yellowish to you, and your stylist swears that it's a bright white, believe them and don't put another blue rinse in until they say otherwise.

2. Eliminate environmental factors that cause yellowing. Pollution and cigarette smoke are the most common causes of yellowing for any person's hair. You might not need a blue rinse at all, and can thus avoid having blue hair by washing your locks with a clarifying shampoo to remove the residue.

3. Update your styling products. Some hairsprays, gels and creams can add a yellow tinge to the hair. If your hair is gray, silver or white, always use products that stay clear and add shine without color. Silicone based products are the best bet for eliminating any yellowing and adding shine.

4. Use a lavender or silver rinse instead of a blue rinse, or have silver highlights added to your hair by a professional instead of a traditional blue rinse. How hair goes gray is largely determined by heredity, and sometimes adding a cool undertone truly is the best answer to beautiful gray hair. When in doubt, ask a professional or even your granddaughter if you think your hair might be turning blue.