Herringbone highlights are the easiest way to embrace gray hair

jeffsovayAugust 18, 2022

Skip your next salon appointment thanks to this trendy new technique.

(Photo: James Devaney via Getty Images)

Call it the *silver* lining of lockdown. In the aftermath of our quarantine, many of us have become more willing to let our gray hair grow. says Olivia Corracci, founder of Toronto Salon Twenty seven“Before that, I would run into the salon after a month and cover it up, but now everyone takes care of their hair a little less.”

And that includes celebrities who are following the herringbone highlights trend. This is a multi-tone look that works rather than overwriting the natural gray streaks. “when Sarah Jessica Parker came in And like that…everyone was thrilled with the fact that she had gray hair,” said the hairstylist, Mera and Kera“It was a herringbone technique.” Jennifer Aniston When Gwyneth PaltrowBut what exactly are herringbone highlights? Here, Coratch and Lee give us the scoop.

What is Herringbone Highlight?

“Herringbone highlights are a new way to blend in with your gray hair by sporadically incorporating cool and warm highlights,” says Lee. Silver can’t cover her spots in this style. Most highlighters use shades of gray or gold in her sessions, but Lee says this combination works because it mimics the way cool tones of gray blend with your natural hair color. I explain that it is for the sake of

As for the name, it should not be confused with the homonymous coloring technique in which hair stylists place highlights in a herringbone-like V-shape as they move from the front to the back of the head. You can, but colorists may prefer balayage (when the color fades out from the roots – what SJP stylists do) or foil highlights. Lee’s best guess? Its name comes from the fact that wooden herringbone his flooring is often a mix of cool and warm tones.

What makes herringbone highlights perfect for growing grays?

“In the past, people used to cover their roots and then get their highlights,” says Colacci. “It was the whole process of hiding gray hair and then trying to turn that colored hair back blonde.” He kept his virgin hair base with herringbone highlights. This will not only give you more reliable results, but it will also mean fewer trips to the salon. It will be much softer than if you completely covered the gray hair.

After finishing your preperations accept being grayit’s a great way to transition to a full silvery mane. When the gray grows in uneven clusters, adding other highlights adds dimension to the whole, and the stylist can add lowlights if needed. You can also use it to break up large blobs of gray, says Colacci.

Are herringbone highlights good for all hair types?

“Anyone with gray hair It’s sporadic, and those who aren’t afraid to go a little lighter will benefit from this trend,” says Lee. I’m here. Both stylists point out that redheads are the only group that may not get the desired results from the trend, but that’s because their “greys” tend to be blondes.

When it comes to hair types, herringbone highlights work across the board. “Textured hair can do this perfectly. I really like the look on both curly and straight hair,” Lee says.

What is the content of the salon?

bad news, DIY enthusiast: This professional service is best left to the professionals. Not only does the process involve lighteners (think bleach), but herringbone highlights also require expert skill to get a perfectly placed mix of tones. “You need to think more when doing these highlights,” he says Colacci. “What I do for one client is not what I do for the next.”

If your stylist has never heard of the technique, ask them to add both warm and cool highlights and keep the natural grays intact. Very similar to lights. Allow your stylist to apply highlights all over your hair (with or without foil) and wait for the color to lift before rinsing your hair. Colorists can also add a little shadow to the roots for a smooth-growing modern look.

How to style and keep herringbone highlights?

“The end goal for herringbone highlights isn’t to get your hair done at the salon every month,” says Colacci. Lee estimates that with herringbone highlights, he can extend the interval between appointments by four to six weeks, depending on the natural tone of your hair and how it works.

And for that amount of time between salon visits, the look is also pretty low maintenance. Both pros recommend pro-level products designed to preserve color.Lee’s brand Mera & Kera We offer a line for highlight hair called Balayage Exceptionnel. shampoo and conditioner ($46 and $48) feature quinoa for color retention and vegan protein for strengthening treated strands. It helps maintain color while keeping it in place,” Lee says.

Outside the shower, Korazzi loves leave-in conditioners that help nourish her hair.her favorite Davines OI All-In-One Milk ($42), you can spray it on towel-dried hair to detangle, protect from heat, and use it on non-wash days to make it a little smoother.

When it comes to styling, don’t fight your natural texture. “Especially with supple gray hair, at some point it becomes damp and that sleek style doesn’t last,” he says Colacci. Plus, the modern, no-fuss look is part of what makes herringbone highlights so great. “Sarah Jessica Parker said she didn’t want people to associate her with showing off her gray hair and doing something brave. To her, it’s no big deal.”