Silver hair has a reputation: It’s icy and ethereal, but can be quick to fade. If you’re committed to the maintenance routine, however, hair professionals are the first to tell you that few shades are as striking as glimmering silver.
What if there was an easier, more beautiful way to wear silver? In the past few months, metallic silver hair has been on the rise. The subtle blend of blonde and gray catches the light and sets its wearer apart from a sea of ordinary hair colors.
Wondering how to get silver hair? With the aim of finding out more, we contacted Min Kim. The L’Oréal Professionnel brand ambassador and salon professional gave us the lowdown on metallic silver’s rise to popularity and the maintenance it requires. Interestingly, she attributes the rise of the shade to social media.
“Makeup trends and the explosion of social media gives life to the interest in metallic and reflective hair colors, especially with longer lasting options,” Kim says.
Reflective, striking shades always have an audience online. That’s led to the average woman becoming more willing to experiment with hair colors that go beyond light brown or medium blonde.
Aside from actually plopping a silver wig on your head, it’s hard to know whether or not the shade will flatter your complexion. Thankfully, Kim has an expert trick up her sleeve to help you decide.
“When in doubt, look to jewelry. If silver looks best on your skin, stay cool, but if gold is better, try warmer versions,” she says.
If you’re considering the switch to metallic silver, Kim recommends giving L’Oréal Professionnel’s Majirel Metals a try in salon. As with all hair colors, the first step should always be a consultation with a trusted expert.
With a color as bright as metallic silver, the prepare for it to take your colorist several appointments to reach the final shade. It may seem counterintuitive, but that’s actually for the best. Unless you’re starting with pale blonde hair, your hair pro will use bleach to lift the color from your strands. Chemical processes will always cause some damage, but the right expert will work to leave you with hair that looks gorgeous and feels soft.
“In between blonding services, I would recommend coming in for a L’Oréal Professionnel DIA Light gloss service and customized L’Oréal Professionnel Powermix treatments,” Kim says, emphasizing the importance of caring for your hair even before your final color is done.
Once your hair is finished, it’s time to establish a touch-up routine. If you’re not so thrilled about the idea of dealing with visible roots every few weeks, choose a balayage or highlight application with smoky roots.
Notably, silver is one of a few shades that gets something of a bad rap when it comes to fading. If you have friends who regularly color their manes, there’s a good chance you’ve heard grumbling about maintaining silver. Not all hair colors are the same quality or maintenance level—that’s for sure. Kim believes a metallic take on the color can actually help with its longevity.
As every color fanatic knows, the ultimate test of hair color preservation happens after you’ve left the salon. Kim emphasizes the importance of quality color care to keep your locks silvery and cool. She recommends focusing on strength as well as shade preservation, especially since your mane has been through the wringer. Try L’Oréal Professionnel’s Serie Expert Absolut Repair Lipidium range or Serie Expert Silver shampoo.
Metallic silver hair, just don’t care. You’ll thank yourself for taking a step outside of the hair color box this time around.
Absolut Repair Instant Resurfacing Hydrating Conditioner
A hydrating conditioner to instantly nourish damaged and weakened hair.
Absolut Repair Resurfacing Golden Masque
A hydrating mask to instantly nourish damaged and weakened hair.
