Want to let your white hair shine? Here is the ideal technique to highlight them, without hiding them and without complete coloring.
That’s it, embracing your white hair has never been so trendy. The era where we hid them is over, now we highlight them like Andie McDowell or Sarah Jessica Parker can do. It is no longer a sign of “letting go”, but a real aesthetic, sophisticated and daring choice. The proof is: in salons, techniques to enhance these newcomers without total coloring are flourishing. Among them, we include Gray Blending and Quiet Silver. Inspired by balayage, they blend the white hair into the mane without masking it. All without total coloring and therefore without regular visits to the hairdresser. “Today, even a client who has only 10% white hair refuses to get into this trap. Women no longer want to be slaves to their roots“, notes Nolwenn Thomas, colorist at the Parisian salon Etienne Sekola.
Another method also allows you to blur white hair in an ultra-personalized way. But unlike the others, it brings warm shades that oscillate between beige and gold, to blend white hair into the mass. “The big strong point? Zero helmet effect and super gentle regrowth, without clear demarcation“, continues the professional. With French Blending, we add white and light highlights to create relief, then we nuance with bright and warm tones so that everything merges with the natural base. The result is warm, sunny and subtle. According to Nolwenn Thomas, French Blending is in fact a French adaptation of Gray Blending. “The very gray/cold look can sometimes be scary, some people fear that it will age them or make them look bad. “French” is this touch of softness and warmth that flatters the complexion. It’s the perfect transition, chic and effortless.“
The good news? It is suitable for those who already have natural salt-and-pepper hair but find it dull, as well as for those who only have a few white strands. It also seduces women who “are fed up with the slavery of monthly coloring.“The expert, however, wishes to warn on one point:”for it to be really relevant, I generally recommend it from 30% white hair.” Apart from this little “prerequisite”, French Blending is 100% customizable depending on the desired effect.
In terms of maintenance, two choices are possible: return to the salon every four to eight months, or let the hair grow back naturally.
