Gray Hair is So Hot, It Can Get You a Date - StyleList

Kate Moss wore gray steaks to debut her new line for Longchamp; Pink went platinum with silver tips for the 2010 Grammys. Photo: Getty ImagesGoing Gray has never looked this glamorous.As we've been reporting here at StyleList, the once-shunned shade is downright chic these days, thanks to a slew of young women who are adding touches of gray to their tresses by choice.First, it was 19-year-old British It girl Pixie Geldof, who was spotted out-and-about in London this winter rocking a bold gray crop. Then it was Daphne Guinness, who opened and closed the Spring 2010 Giles Deacon fashion show, where matte gray strands ran rampant.The domino effect continued at Gareth Pugh's Spring 2010 show, where "premature" hair matched tonal gray clothes. At Thakoon's spring showcase, hair stylist Eva Scrivo intermixed strips of pale platinum and rich pewter for an unexpected twist.Pixie Geldof dyed her locks silver gray in mid December 2009. Photo: Getty ImagesAnd last week, Chanel Couture breathed new life into the trend, sending models marching down the runway looking anything but dowdy in shiny silver-streaked wigs-all while 13-year-old blogging sensation Tavi Gevinson looked on in a newly-dyed blue-gray 'do.Frederic Fekkai master stylist Didier Malige -- who gave three models at Proenza Schouler's spring fashion show grayish blue, green and purple strands -- called the new silvery hues "fun and unique" and pointed to French model Marie Seznec, who at 26, was prematurely gray and served as the muse for Christian Lacroix in the 1980s.Speaking of muses, one of the latest converts is none other than Kate Moss. The 36-year Hair extensions old actress debuted "graylights" in her blond bob-worn messy and slightly separated-at the Longchamp party last week at The Ritz in Paris.And while Moss was spotted the next day at the Balmain boutique in Paris sans gray strands, Scrivo says gray is definitely having a moment: "Women aren't afraid of gray hair anymore. A couple of chunks of gray here or there makes a real statement," she says. "It's reminiscent of the 1920's when platinum blonde was very popular, like white almost, which is so close to that gray, pre-war glamour color."This flapper-chic look was seen at last night's Grammy Awards on the singer Pink, who tipped her platinum crop with bites of glistening gray.Karl Lagerfeld and 13 year old fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson show off their gray locks -- his, silver, hers dusty blue. Photo: Getty ImagesAnd while we are all about bright young things in their 20s working this trend, we can't help but wonder if it's not ridiculous for those of us slowly creeping towards middle age Feather hair -- and without the fashion cache of Kate Moss -- to rock these stone-colored styles."If you look at Kate, she can pull off anything -- it's messy and it blends in and you can't tell if its highlights or something else," says celebrity stylist Oscar Blandi. "But it's silly for middle aged people to try and replicate this. If you're in your 40s or even late 30s, I don't think you want to have streaked gray hair for your blind date."With women now spending a reported $1.3 billion per year on hair color (that was just for 2009 according to Nielsen data), the irony of deliberately dying our hair the one color that so many of us desperately try to cover up, isn't lost on us.But the author of the book 'Going Gray,' Anne Kreamer, who at the age of 49 let her hair grow out to show her natural gray, tells StyleList that gray's new cult status is a positive thing: "I think it's fantastic. It opens up the opportunity for women of all ages to say, 'hey, if young women are embracing this, so can I,' and the less an issue hair color can be, the better." Kreamer, who created a profile on match.com to feather extension research her book, says more men wanted to go out with her gray hair than without.So for those of you with the guts to try and rock some gray locks, StyleList consulted the experts for a few full proof tips.Celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis, Blythe Danner and Helen Mirren embrace their graying locks. Photo: Getty Images | Film Magic | Bauer GriffinThe safest way to tackle the trend? Extensions. Forget a full head of gray. Scrivo suggests ordering gray clip-on pieces, available online from salons like hers. "Your stylist can then clip them in and customize it to your haircut." Scrivo says these dimensional pieces add interest to highlighted hair, "as long as they're translucent, subtle and not too bright."Women with olive complexions, beware: Gray can make you look more drab. Scrivo says skin with green or yellow undertones might be best holding off on this one. "Women with pink and red undertones can handle more ashen tones because gray helps neutralize."And lastly, gray streaks are best when they don't hit your face directly. Scrivo recommends gray strands on areas like the overlay of bangsSo go ahead, ladies, are you ready to get your gray on?

Highlighting Hair: How to Highlight Your Hair at Home - StyleList

Learn how to highlight your hair at home, like a pro. Photo: Peter BuckinghamLet's face it: highlights are expensive. At any given salon, you can spend upwards of $100-200 dollars for a head-full. It's no wonder, then, so many women are hitting the box (of highlights, that is) and doing it themselves at home.A few strategically placed highlights can work wonders. They can make you look younger and more radiant (it's amazing what a little sun-kissed color can do). Plus, notes celebrity stylist and Hair Basics expert, Ted Gibson, they create dimension, and make the hair look and feel more full. "The hair shaft expands when it's highlighted, creating the appearance of thicker hair," he says.Thankfully, gone are the days of frantic phone calls to the 800-number on the back of the box (help, my blonde hair turned orange and feels like straw!). New and improved at-home formulas are now available and offer healthy, natural-looking results.The most essential step in home highlighting is picking the right shade. "If you have darker hair, you want to choose a more neutral color. If you have medium-toned hair, you can go a little lighter, maybe even golden or sun-kissed," says Gibson.The rule of thumb when selecting a shade: one to two shades lighter than your natural base color is always a safe bet.Placement of the highlight is equally as important. "When you're highlighting, always think about what feature you want to bring out and highlight it," says Gibson. "If you have bangs, highlight them so that you bring emphasis to your eyes. If you have a little bit longer bang, or a side sweep, make sure to highlight in the front so it can bring out the chinese remi cheek bone," he adds.When applying the formula, start a quarter-inch away from the scalp using thin, fine strokes (chunky highlights can look unnatural.) Apply conservatively, too. Overdoing it is a dead giveaway you colored your hair, whereas a few strategically placed highlights will make it look more natural.Post-processing (most take about 15 minutes), shampoo, condition and style. If you think the color is not light enough, give it time. Highlights evolve with every washing, which means they'll get lighter and lighter over time.For a step by step on how to create the most-natural looking highlights at home, watch our how-to video, above, or follow the step-by-step gallery, below.\Peter BuckinghamHair Basics: Highlighting 101Home highlighting has come a long way. Gone are the days of orange hair that looks and feels like straw. New formulas, with nourishing ingredients, offer healthy, natural-looking results. The key to achieving gorgeous color? Shade selection and placement. Here, celebrity stylist and Hair Basics expert, Ted Gibson, offers tips on how to achieve salon-worthy results at home.Hair Basics: Highlighting 101Shade selection can make or hair bulk break your hair color. As a general rule, choose a shade that's one to two shades lighter than your natural base color. "If you have dark hair you want to stick with more of a neutral color and if your have medium toned hair you can go a little bit lighter," says Gibson.Hair Basics: Highlighting 101Where you place the highlights is essential. Start by looking at your cut. "Hair color is a great way to highlight a hair cut," says Gibson. "Always think about what feature you want to bring out and highlight it. So if you have bangs, highlight them so that you bring emphasis to your eyes. If you have a little bit of a longer bang, make sure to highlight in the front so it can highlight the cheek bone," he adds.Hair Basics: Highlighting 101Start applying in the front first, painting thin, delicate strokes from root to end. Move to the sides next and finish with the back. The back of the hair is the hardest to highlight-not a bad idea to enlist a friend. When applying, remember less is more. A few strategically placed highlights look most natural, and you can always add more later.Hair Basics: Highlighting 101Start the application 1/4 inch from the scalp. "You don't want the highlight to look like it's coming directly from the scalp," says Gibson.Hair Basics: Highlighting 101When applying the formula to the ends of the hair, you can paint it on a little thicker. Because the sun tends to lighten the ends the most, this creates a sun-kissed look that bulk hair feels and looks more natural.Tip: Highlights make the hair look thicker. "It actually expands the hair shaft," says Gibson, creating the appearance of fuller locks.Hair Basics: Highlighting 101When application is complete, allow the hair to process. Most kits have a 15-minute processing time.Post-processing, shampoo and condition the hair thoroughly, then style.Hair Basics: Highlighting 101Soft and natural-looking, highlights create beautiful dimension to the hair and add a sun-kissed radiance.Hair Basics: Highlighting 101TIP: Your highlights will lighten over time. Make sure to use color-saving shampoos and conditioners to keep your color truer, longer.Hair Basics: Highlighting 101