Whether you are starting with a gray or silver base, or you’re looking for an ultimate transformation, we have heard that silver hair is no easy accomplishment. In the same way it gives us #hairgoal feelings, our inner fear of commitment also starts to bubble up. That is why we sat down with stylist Cassie Perez at our home salon, Birds, to get the dish on all things silver hair before heading to the salon. Here are all her tips and tricks to get and maintain silver hair.
purple hair mask
formulated to hydrate, soften
and reduce brassiness in blonde,
grey and silver hair tones
What is the ideal hair color base for silver hair?
“It's important to remember that hair has to be lightened to the palest blonde to get true silver locks. Ideally, lighter-toned hair is the best color base to achieve the look. Brunette hair will need several lightening sessions.”
How specific should I be with my stylist about the shade of silver I want?
“When making a big change like silver, it's important to be very specific and thorough during your consultation. There's tons of different shades of silver out there and a million different names for them all. Pictures are always a great reference to bring to your appointment.”
Anything I should do to prep my hair before heading to the salon for such a big change?
“Clean hair is essential when coming in for any color service. Product and mineral buildup on the hair can greatly alter how hair color processes and reacts to your skin. It's good practice to use a clarifying shampoo (try Verb’s Reset Clarifying Shampoo) before any major service.”
reset clarifying shampoo
designed to remove product
build-up for super shiny hair
and a balanced scalp
How many hours should I commit to being in the chair to get the perfect silver color?
“Give yourself time! Doing a major transformation like this can sometimes be unpredictable and require several processes. Service time will vary based on hair length, texture, and tone. Plan to be in the salon at least 3-5 hours. Pack yourself some snacks, bring a book and some headphones because it's going to be a long day.”
How do I make sure my silver hair isn’t dull and lifeless?
“Don't fret because there's so many great products you can use to keep your hair looking shiny and healthy. I love using a leave-in conditioner (ones like Leave-In Mist or the Reset Sealing Mist) before styling. To finish off my style, I'll always add in a little styling oil (try Ghost Oil) for shine and polishing.”
ghost oil
formulated with moringa
oil for soft, frizz-free hair
from roots to ends
Should I be concerned about the health of my hair?
“So here's the sad truth no one likes to talk about: silver hair can and usually will affect the health of your hair. Lightened hair just naturally is prone to dryness. It's important to keep this in mind with your daily routine. Using a moisturizing hair mask like Hydrating Mask or an intensive one like the Reset Repairing Mask at home every other week will keep your hair feeling healthy and happy in between appointments.”
hydrating mask
restorative deep conditioning
treatment designed to
nourish all hair types
How long does silver hair last and how often will I need to go to the salon?
“Make no mistake about it, silver hair is high maintenance. You should be prepared to commit to root retouches every four to seven weeks, regular haircuts every six to eight weeks and toner refreshes as needed. Going too long between root retouches can quickly turn into a color correction. A color correction can equal more damage, unevenness, time and most importantly, more money.”
What happens when I don't want silver hair anymore?
“When you're ready to be done with silver, the world is pretty much your oyster. Your hair will be lightened and can take on pretty much any new color you might want to try out next. Why go back dark when you can try out some fun pastels for a little while?”
Any tips on making silver hair last longer?
“There's lots of at-home maintenance you can do to help your silver hair last longer and stay vibrant. First, stop shampooing your hair every day! Everyone is different but if you can at least skip one to two days between washes, your hair color will last way longer. Second, use color-safe shampoo. You don't want to spend all that time and money getting silver hair just to wash it with drugstore shampoo. Quality products make a difference — all Verb products are color-safe. Lastly, use something color-depositing to refresh the color. Over time, silver hair can start to turn brassy. It's important to use violet shampoo or conditioner try using Purple Mask and Purple Shampoo to keep the brass at bay. This will also brighten up the silver and give you more longevity out of your color.”
purple hair mask
formulated to hydrate, soften
and reduce brassiness in blonde,
grey and silver hair tones
Desperate times call for desperate measures (ie: covid). What are some at-home ways to get silver hair?
“Sometimes you can't always get into the salon to refresh your silver locks (hello, quarantine?) I would never suggest lightening your own hair at home but there are lots of products on the market that can deposit color in one shampoo. Brands like Overtone and Viral have an extensive line of color depositing products for at home refreshes. You can even get creative and intermix colors for a custom hair color.”
Any tips for hair that’s already naturally grey or silver and you just want to enhance it?
“For those who are already rocking naturally silver tresses, a great violet-depositing product like Purple Mask can do wonders to brighten you up. Use once a week or as needed to cancel out brassiness and make that silver really pop.”
Have more questions about getting that perfect silver hair color? Find us on Instagram at @verbproducts and DM us! We're happy to answer all questions and help you find the right products, tips and tricks for your hair type.
