Silver way – my gray hair care :)

Today, I want to share with you my journey of embracing my natural gray hair, which has now been ongoing for 8 months! Alongside this decision, I also had to make changes to my hair care routine.

The biggest shift has been my introduction to purple shampoos and new conditioners…

But let’s start from the beginning…

Shampoos: I’ve been using gentle, sulfate-free, silicone-free, and phthalate-free shampoos for a while now. They’ve kept my scalp happy and my hair unburdened. This practice continues today. Additionally, every third wash, I incorporate a purple shampoo – but hold on! Only during the second wash! I never use it for both washes. The initial wash always involves a gentle shampoo, accompanied by a scalp massage. Only the second wash gets the purple treatment.

2. Conditioners: After rinsing, I apply rinse-out conditioners about 4 cm from the scalp and let them sit for around 2-3 minutes. Sometimes, I also use purple conditioners, like the one from the picture – Maroccanoil. However, my hair doesn’t particularly love this one (it tends to feel a bit overloaded), or Shimmer of Silver – a lighter, less purple option.

3. Leave-on Conditioner: Enter K18! After opting for some hair lightening to ease the transition between gray and dyed hair, my locks became quite dry and unwilling to curl. Investing in the famous K18 conditioner significantly improved their condition. I apply it after every hair wash – one pump for the whole length of my hair (avoiding the scalp), leaving it on for a few minutes to work its magic.

4. Scalp Care: After each hair wash while my hair is still damp, I massage in a natural lotion for the scalp (recipe here). I highly recommend this – the results are truly visible. I’ve got loads of baby hairs, and I’m not losing hair anymore!

5. Hair Styling: Hair gels for enhancing curls, foams, and the wax pictured above. Plus, a hair dryer with a diffuser. I flip my hair upside down while drying 😉

6. Steel Massager: I use it occasionally, whenever it crosses my mind 🙂

7. Oils: I oil my hair twice a month. I apply a few drops of AMLA oil, leave it on overnight, and wash it the next day. Usually, I do this over the weekends 😉

The Result?

Healthier Hair: No dye means healthier locks!
New Growth: New hair is sprouting, and I’m losing minimal amounts (I think it’s a very reasonable amount, not like before – handfuls!).
Curl Revival: My curls are back! The stylist mentioned that dyed hair tends to lose its curl, which now makes sense.
Sense of Freedom: No more planning pre and post-vacation salon visits!
Youthful Aura: Somehow, sporting gray hair has given me a certain youthful glow – nature can’t be wrong 😉

ps. the photo on the left – 2020 (I already had a problem with hair loss then, so my hair is short), the photo on the left is August 2023.

If you want to see more crazy photos of gray hair, please visit my instagram @silverstorylife 🙂

update: 08.03.2024

I stopped using AMLA oil because I’m afraid it may leave a yellow tint – instead I now use castor oil – but be careful – very small amounts and only on the length – not on the scalp.
when I wash hair now I use also masks for curly hair,
I only use microfiber towels and gently squeeze the water out of my hair – I don’t rub!
the last rinse of the hair ALWAYS cool water – I know it sounds terrible, but it works fantastic 🙂
I sleep on a satin pillowcase – my hair is less tangled and in better condition 🙂

Care is evolving – so stay tunned 🙂