Singer-songwriter Molly Johnson, 63, seems to be fierce in her ombré gray hair. She and mannequin Teruko Burrell are my when-I-go-silver hair-spirations. I discovered my first gray hair at 17, so it’s been a gradual development, however throughout extended Lockdown I let my roots develop out. I, too, regarded fierce – fiercely washed-out and fiercely drained. So, I retreated to the dye bottle regardless of it being an more and more dropping battle.
Since then, I’ve been noticing increasingly girls of color trying fabulous of their gray, silver or white hair. My curly hair has extra in frequent with theirs than the satiny locks featured in mature hair adverts. So, I reached out to Sandria Plummer – a TNMA favorite who additionally seems to be fabulous in her pure color – for recommendation on transitioning afro, textured and curly hair.
The Choice
Sandria has been transitioning her hair color for about two years now, having determined the time was proper in the course of the first Lockdown. On the time, she had lately misplaced her mom and it was tough to get her fingers on merchandise. “When my mom handed, her hair was very white – fantastically white. I regarded within the mirror and noticed my mom’s face staring again at me and I assumed, ‘Yup, I’m finished. Now’s the time,‘” says Sandria. “I wished the Josh Wooden hair color with the Shade Shot – which I cherished – however by the point it lastly got here, I assumed, “I simply can’t be bothered.” She acknowledges that everybody’s journey is private, “Nobody can select that stage for you. It’s a case of once you’re prepared, you’re prepared.”
Transitioning Color
In fact, a great hair skilled may help to transition the color, however for a lot of who don’t have the entry, the finances for, or wish to go chemical-free, what labored for her was, “investing in a whole lot of scarves and hairbands. Initially, my hair was very white across the edges and hairbands had been nice to cowl the demarcation because it grew out.” Since this transition was in the course of the summer season, she had a whole lot of enjoyable with bands coated in cowry shells, shrimps and pearls, “I pushed the boat out and handled myself to a Prada one!” she laughs.
Sandria additionally discovered including salt’n’pepper hair extensions – resembling ponytails or buns – helpful to unify the transitioning color. Braids will also be a protecting (and enjoyable) solution to develop out the gray. On {a magazine} shoot she did – mid-grey – Sandria says, “I keep in mind the hairdresser wove in a brighter silver in some elements of the braids. You’ll be able to select to make it look greyer, or as salt-and-pepper as you’d like.“ And since you simply don’t know what you’ll appear to be with a full head of gray hair, Sandria suggests {that a} good first step could be to easily attempt a wig and see if it fits you.
Altering Texture
“Hair texture modifications as effectively,” says Sandria. Consequently, gray hair wants extra deep conditioning and hydration. “Thankfully, round this time [of hair transition] Kerastase got here out with their Curl Manifesto vary,” says Sandria. She mixes it up with quite a lot of merchandise from inexpensive manufacturers like Cantu and the Palmer’s Coconut vary, to extra area of interest merchandise like As I Am’s spray-on hair moisturiser – which she adores. In between, deep conditioning remedies are really helpful.
“One essential factor I needed to do was use a purple shampoo to take out any yellow and brighten the gray up.” She warns, “you simply have to recollect to not go away it on for too lengthy, in any other case you’ll appear to be Mrs Slocombe from Are You Being Served?!” Transitioning hair may also undergo from breakage, the Olaplex system, customised shampoos from Prose and the DevaCurl vary are additionally well-liked inside the greying curly neighborhood.
Past the Upkeep
There’s nonetheless a time dedication as a result of gray hair is a lot coarser, however Sandria says, “I’m chemical-free with my hair. I don’t loosen up it so, to even be free from the everlasting dye has been liberating and a time saver.”
Sandria has had a optimistic response to her new look; so, no regrets. “If I considered this three years in the past, I’d have thought I’d immediately look older. However, I nonetheless costume the identical. I nonetheless have my model happening and I‘ve not regarded again.”
We additionally advocate award-winning hairdresser Charlotte Mensah’s guide on Afro, Textured & Curly Hair
Alexia Economou is a design and tradition journalist, and common TNMA contributor @thedesignfeedTW
Sandria Plummer, 58, is Government Assistant to the Principal at CSM. Discover her on instagram HERE.
