Is your hair color making you look older? (2024)

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From moisturizers, eye creams, and serums designed to target just about every skin issue out there...to microneedling, laser treatments, and even drinking collagen—though it goes without saying that everyone’s routines and budgets are different, many of us spend a fair amount of time and money trying to turn back the clock on our skin. So...might your hairstyle be able to help with any of the heavy lifting? Turns out, most colorists and stylists think your hair really does influence whether you look older or younger.

We celebrate beauty at every age, and there is no right or wrong approach to personal care. But for anyone who’s curious about how your cut and color might be secretly making you look older—or could sneakily be helping you look younger!—read on for 7 tips and tricks that might just take years off your hair.

7 Hair Tips To Help You Look Younger

1. Add contrast

   If you’re trying to look younger, a monotone shade is a big no-no. Hair color that lacks dimension is automatically aging on virtually everyone—and, depending on your haircut, could even give you the dreaded helmet head. Opt for a shade that’s multi-tonal, which will give your color depth and make your hair look healthier and more natural.

   

2. Brighten up

   Ten out of ten colorists agree, shades that are warm-toned read more youthful than cool-toned hair colors. Spicy copper reds, rich caramel brunettes, and soft honey blondes will warm up your complexion for younger-looking skin (hold the retinol).

   

3. Find your most flattering cut

   Don’t assume a shorter haircut is more “age-appropriate”—a b.s. term if we’ve ever heard one—or that you shouldn’t wear long hair past a certain age. Many stylists think longer layers can actually be far more flattering than a chop that is too short, straight-across, or severe. Real talk, though, your most flattering haircut is your favorite haircut—whether that’s super short, shoulder-length, or long enough to sit on. You do you.

   

4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

   This one’s unanimous. The condition of your hair can be far more aging than any color or style. If your hair is too dry, your color looks overly processed, or your split ends are in dire need of a trim, please show your strands some TLC, ASAP.

   

5. Think outside the balayage

   See Also

   Hair Aging in Different Races and Ethnicities | JCAD | The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic DermatologyBLONDES VS. BRUNETTES: WHO GRAYS FIRST?Why does hair turn gray? - Harvard HealthWhat Makes People Go Grey Earlier Than Others?

   Listen, we love highlights too, but they aren’t going to help you with gray coverage. If you’ve been relying on your highlights to cover any newly-emerging grays, you’re only going to make your strands more dry and damaged (see: #4). Here’s what colorists recommend instead—a single shade of permanent hair color for gray coverage on your roots, followed by subtle highlights on your mid-lengths and ends to add depth and dimension. Try one of our Light Works® Balayage Highlighting Kit for sun-kissed, face-framing highlights.

   

6. Consider going darker

   If your hair is too light—think platinum blonde—it can look white or silver at first glance. When in doubt, go a shade or two darker to avoid looking washed out.

   

7. Bust brass

   Overly orangey or reddish undertones in your hair color can be aging and may make your color look damaged. Use a hair gloss like cool Espresso to neutralize brassy tones and improve condition at the same time. Win-win.

   

Do you think the right hair color or cut can help you look younger? Or could you not care less? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Tags: Author-French

Blog>Hair Color

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