The Best Products for Graying Hair, According to Hairstylists

Using a clarifying shampoo in addition to an everyday shampoo like those above will help keep gray hair looking bright by removing yellowing pollutants and preventing the buildup of products and minerals found in water, all of which can dull hair. But all the stylists we spoke with recommended using clarifying shampoos sparingly — at the most, once a week; at the least, once a month, depending on your hair’s needs. Both Mahoney and Pickthorn use Davines Solu Shampoo, which is formulated with buckwheat extract to give hair an even deeper cleanse.

Emaly Baum, a colorist at Suite Caroline (and the woman responsible for Rio’s transformation from brunette to platinum blonde), also suggests using a clarifying shampoo. She likes the Christophe Robin Clarifying Shampoo, which she says will help “lighten the hair and get rid of any buildup that has occurred.”

Fringe Salon owner Amy Schiappa agrees that gray hair “can be dry, unruly, and different to take care of,” which is why she recommends incorporating masks into your routine as another way to condition and tone grays. Masks pump your hair full of moisture, and should be used about once a week, depending on how dry your hair is. Baum also suggests using masks, specifically this one from Christophe Robin. “What’s great about this product is that not only is it moisturizing, but it helps deposit cool tones back into the hair to keep it looking silver and fresh,” she explains.

“For those who want to keep their gray icy or cool (less yellow), I highly recommend Fanola No Yellow Mask,” says Joey Silvestera, founder of Blackstones Salon. The mask, which is 100 percent vegan, is formulated with a purple pigment to specifically counteract brassy tones.

Gray hair can get frizzy fast, which is why Anessa Daviero of Headdress Hair Salon likes to use leave-in treatments to keep frizz under control. She says this one from Rahua is “a magic leave-in treatment that calms hair down and adds shine.” Plus, the texture is somewhere between an oil and cream, which she calls “the perfect combo.”

“Milk is one of my favorite products,” says Baum, who notes that although this do-it-all, leave-in conditioner is great for any hair type, it works especially well on gray hair that tends to be on the coarser side. “Reverie won’t weigh your hair down, but it will leave your hair feeling soft and healthy.”

“When people with really coarse or thick hair begin to go gray, their hair might be frizzy all the time,” explains Cunningham. If this sounds like you, he suggests using Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil to add much-needed hydration to your hair while also taming its frizz.

When blowing out your hair, Pickthorn suggests using this product with a “cream-to-oil” formula from Alterna Haircare. “It’s not too heavy, but it is on the thicker, concentrated side of things,” she says. Rub some of it through your hair before blow-drying in order to seal down frizzy grays and keep them smooth.

The stylists at Contesta Rock Salon recommend this affordable gel-cream from L’Oreal, because its unique texture helps to “manage the look of unruly, frizzy, or rebellious hair.”

For clients with finer hair, Cunningham likes using Sachajuan Hair Mousse because the lightweight formula will give just enough volume to lift the hair without weighing it down like an oil would.

Along with the correct products, using the right styling tools can also make a big difference when it comes to maintaining gray hair. Both Cunningham and Pickthorn are big proponents of using a Mason Pearson brush. “It really helps smooth out hair without creating too much tension,” says Cunningham. The boar bristles also help spread the natural oils on your scalp down the length of your hair, which aids in softening, conditioning, and taming grays.

Cunningham also likes the more affordable Ibiza brushes, which he says are his “favorite” for styling gray hair. It’s also made with boar bristles that, when blow-drying, help to smooth out hair without creating static or frizz — a must when styling gray hair.

“For an immediate fix on coarser hair, I recommend investing in a good pair of ceramic flat irons,” says Kenna. He particularly likes the GHD Platinum+ Professional Performance Styler. It’s on the pricier side, but Kenna says there’s a reason not to skimp when it comes to tools like these. “Cheap ones can cause a lot of damage,” he explains.