Hair Care and Styling

The first gray strands appeared in my late teens, so I colored my hair until I turned fifty. During the subsequent grow-out time, I kept it very short, wore hats often, and used temporary color a few times to help with the new growth transition. If you want to keep your length, I suggest you work with a stylist to gradually adjust the color as it grows so that the demarcation line will be less noticeable.

My haircut is a mid-length layered bob with slightly angled sides to frame my face. The primarily silver color is natural, and the texture is fine and wavy. My skincare routine is here. I’ll share an updated food choices post soon. Hair, skin, nails, and overall health are affected by what we eat.

My stylist is April Atkins at Van Kye Salon. (423)268-2190 (Much to her chagrin, I am no stranger to occasionally trimming it myself.) The key is to make the most minimal snips only at the perimeter so that you don’t ruin the style. First, I comb all the hair forward and down toward my chin. Next, gather it all to the point that ends below the tip of the nose and snip a minimal amount to even up the front. Next, comb very wet hair back and straight down. Press the wet hair sleekly against the back of your neck. Then, while looking in a handheld mirror into a larger wall-mounted mirror behind you, snip a tiny amount off the ends straight across the back. Taking off less than half an inch can freshen up your style and make your hair look healthier. I only resort to trimming it when there is too much going on to keep an appointment.

I wash my hair with the shampoo here about twice a week and use the shampoo here about once a month and leave it on while I shower. It helps to tone down the brassy yellow hue that gray hair sometimes gets. I use the conditioner here when my hair feels extra dry, but not every time I shampoo.

About once a month, an hour before my shower, I massage coconut oil into my scalp and down to the ends of my hair. Next, I put a plastic grocery bag or shower cap over my scalp and then a towel or a beanie to hold in body heat. Next, go for a walk or do your morning exercise. Finally, at the end of my shower, I remove the plastic and shampoo my hair as I usually do. This process helps hair retain a soft texture and adds a lot of shine. (I always end my shower with cold water to close the cuticles of my hair and the pores of my skin.)

I use the hairdryer without attachments on low speed and high heat while lifting sections of my hair with the vented drying brush below. Always finish on the coldest setting to close the cuticles. I do not blow dry my hair every day.

When the hair is about 80% dry, I start with the back and use the round brush below to lift and smooth small sections as I dry each completely. Lift and dry the sections from various directions to achieve more volume and movement. (For example, some sections toward the front and some toward the back but always lifting from the roots.) I learned these tips by watching the video here.

I finish with a light mist of hair spray to keep down the flyaways and frizz. Since I have fine hair, the more styling products I use, the flatter my hair becomes, so I mostly avoid them.

As with all my routines, I strive for healthy, natural-looking, and effortless hair.

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