The stylist's eye: boost your look with white hair

White hair comes sooner or later. Sometimes very young. Even if you are told that you are beautiful as you are (it is surely the case), you have the right to have doubts and to wonder about your style. However, more and more women, whatever their age, do not hide their gray heads and aspire to find natural hair that will save them the monthly subscription to the hairdresser. And you? Do you feel ready to give up coloring? Nathalie, a young woman in her forties whom I accompanied to the stores to find her pieces that shake up her routine, entrusted me with her reservations. Not on his face softened by white locks but on the fear of provoking unpleasant reactions. As a teenager, she remembers telling her mother that her gray hair made her look like a “neglected granny”. Thirty years later, she says she regrets saying those 'awful words' but wonders what she inspires in others now that she has joined 'the salt and pepper clan'. Aren't we going to tell her that she looks “old-fashioned” or that her whitening hair is “not sexy”, she asks me. I proved him wrong.

Read also >>> How to wear gray hair in style?

Are you interested in cutting your hair?

The world is full of stylish women with long snowy or silver hair. Why cut them if you prefer them long or shoulder length? On the other hand, pay them even more attention. That doesn't mean blow-drying but being aware of the nature of your hair which, over the years, tends to become thinner and therefore more fragile. A good hairdresser will be able to help you find a modern cut, easy to live with and harmonized with your look. He should also give you advice on how to maintain them on a daily basis (yellowing shampoo, fortifying nutritional supplements). By the way, if you wear glasses, revise your look. For example, rectangular metal glasses harden and distort the face. Ditto for the matte lipstick and the dark line under the eyes. Who can do more can do less.

Should we forget certain colors?

Colorimetry may have taught you that white hair has an interest in preferring warm colors (yellow, gold, red, orange, etc.). Softer, warm should indeed suit you better. But in what shades? This rule is far too general to submit to you. Forget it right away and check by experience by relying on your natural attractions for certain colors. And don't forget that it's the texture and the material of the garment that will partly bring density to the color or, on the contrary, extinguish it. As there are "cheap" clothes, there are low-end colors. Eliminate those that do not bring you shine.

Even if I'm wary of injunctions, I still have reservations about these shades which stand out too much with white or gray hair and features that are starting to show. Black accentuates signs of fatigue and hollows out dark circles. If this is your case, prefer navy. If dark gray saddens you, try its paler or mottled version. Pristine white is too hard on you? Try its shades (ivory, chalk, sand or off-white). But again, it all depends on your skin: respect the level of contrast that exists between your complexion and your hair. For example, if the contrast is low (white hair + very fair complexion), a low-contrast, even monochromatic outfit will suit you better than a medium or strong contrast (eg: midnight blue jacket + pure white t-shirt) .

I dont even know how to write a persuasive speech and I have to memorize one by tuesday

— Cat Traina Sun Tue 18 23:00:05 +0000 2012

How to shake up your wardrobe?

I often hear the fear of turning ten years old by dressing too classically with white hair (don't want to not recognize this "lady" in the mirror) or of being seen as someone who refuses to grow old in her little dresses with gipsy flowers and its army boots. The fears are legitimate: graying or whitening hair transforms the spirit of a figure. Does this mean that you have to forget pieces that are too “classic” or, on the contrary, too “fashionable”?

Not necessarily. You will find out by taking stock of your wardrobe to check if your looks are still as coherent as ever. You can adapt or simplify them. The pencil skirt that becomes boring with a blouse can be shifted with a loose shirt rolled up at the wrists. The long floral dress that looks girly on you with sneakers will be upgraded with straight boots. This masculine-feminine style that you find less sexy with short hair will be feminized with sensual materials.

Oversized or fitted cut, count on a garment that fits well (good quality piece, clean and well cut) and manages to get by without these outdated details (cheeky gathers, cheap rhinestones, cheap lurex thread...). And then think of the accessories that give spice to a sober silhouette:

- loose sky t-shirt + XL chain necklace + navy blazer + cream palazzo + derbies;

- navy sweater + chambray shirt + white jeans + leopard sneakers;

- fitted midi dress + silk scarf + flat thigh-high boots.

And tell yourself that you are not looking to dress “younger” but more modern!