How To Brighten Salt And Pepper Hair?

This article is for you if you've had dull or yellow salt-and-pepper hair for a long time.

Often, women face the problem of their gray hair turning yellow, dull, and dry. That can be due to many factors, including internal causes. If you change your diet or start taking a new medication, they can be the reason. External factors can also cause changes to your salt and pepper hair. Like the sun, hard water, the hair product you use, etc.

Nothing a few products and tips can't solve.

It's not hard to say that salt and pepper hair can be very stylish, shiny, and beautiful. People may even go to the hair salon to dye this hair color or get a salt and pepper wig. But the hair becomes dull and yellow is a common problem many women may meet. So how to many your gray hair look shining and brighten your sale and pepper hair? The solution is in this article.

Check for Discoloration through a Test

Before taking any step to brighten your salt and pepper hair, check if you are truly experiencing discoloration. That's because there's a possibility you are not. It could be that your hair is growing out, or you could have a different gray shade.

We can do a small test by comparing the strands of your hair to the roots of your hair. Fold your strands near the roots to compare. If they are similar, then the gray shade is your hair color. If it's different, you have discoloration.

Knowing this could give you an assurance about your natural salt and paper hair. So, take the test.

How to Brighten Salt and Pepper Hair

1. Use Purple Shampoo

Purple shampoos work great in removing yellow color from hair. If you've ever noticed, the color purple is directly opposite yellow on the color wheel. Which means purple can neutralize yellow.

Purple shampoo can help you fight the brassiness and yellow tint in your salt and pepper hair. You can also use a purple conditioner. While it's more subtle than the shampoo, it works.

When applying, do not put too much purple shampoo in your hair. You don't want to dye your hair purple. Stick to using a little to wash your hair.

Here's how:

- Wet your hair with some lukewarm water.

- Apply the purple shampoo all over your hair. Move from the tip to the roots of your hair.

- Let it sit in your hair for a few seconds, and wash it out. After rinsing, you can go in with your regular moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.

Use this once a week or twice a month. Remember that the aim is to cancel out the yellow hue and make your hair shine.

2. Clear Semi Permanent

Your salt and pepper hair can pop with a clear semi-permanent rinse. It adds shine without disrupting your curls or the pattern of your natural hair. What's more, it makes your hair vibrant and luxurious.

Here's how:

- Wash your natural hair with your regular natural hair shampoo and conditioner.

- Apply the clear semi-permanent to your hair. Make sure you coat your hair correctly with the product.

- Put your shower cap on after you've generously applied the semi-permanent clear to your hair.

- Leave your hair for about 15 to 30 minutes, then rinse it out.

- Once done, style as you want.

The clear semi-permanent is not chemical. So, it's not that harsh on your hair. Likewise, it's temporary. You can apply it when you think you'll love extra gloss to your hair.

3. Use Kaolin Clay

Kaolin clay is widely known to be effective for skin and hair. You can use it once a week to get your hair shining and less frizzy. If you have sensitive skin, you can use kaolin clay to restore your hair's shine without bothering with other products to see what works. It will cleanse your hair and not strip it.

Using this as a mask on your hair has quite several benefits. Apart from adding shine, it combats whatever external factors make your hair dull and lifeless.

Here's how:

- Add kaolin clay to a bowl. (Add the quantity that will coat all the areas of your hair).

- Then, pour an essential oil and mix properly.

- Wash your hair with shampoo and apply the mixture to it. You can section your hair, so it's easy.

- Leave it on your hair for about 15 minutes and wash it out.

- Go in with your conditioner before washing it out as well.

Whenever you mix the paste, do not make it too thick or watery. You can apply this once every 15 to 30 days. You'll see your hair shining.

4. Intense Purple Treatment

Use intense purple treatment to cancel out the brassy yellow tone. It's like purple shampoo and lightens your hair, giving it the perfect shine.

There are quite a number of them available. Make sure you choose correctly before applying.

Here's how:

Let's see. The intense purple treatment is always used on clean hair.

- Start by washing your hair with shampoo.

- Clean properly, then apply the intense purple treatment to your hair.

- Let it sit for about a few minutes. Three to five minutes is fine. Then rinse it out.

5. Rinse Your Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar

If your hair is yellowish due to external factors like UV rays, buildup, harsh water, pollution, and so on, using apple cider vinegar is an easy way to lighten it.

Apple cider vinegar is a natural product that cleanses the hair from the minerals of harsh water and products. It's also good at reducing brassiness, making your salt and pepper hair brighter. Plus, it's good for your scalp. It makes your scalp healthier and shiny.

Using it to restore shine to your hair is relatively easy.

Here's how:

- Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar inside a bowl with one cup of water.

- Mix well and set aside.

- Then, wash your hair with shampoo and rinse thoroughly.

- Use the apple cider vinegar mixture to rinse your hair and let it sit for a few minutes.

- Rinse your hair out once again with clean water.

You can mix apple cider vinegar with kaolin clay for a better result.

6. Clarifying Shampoo

Your clarifying shampoo might be all you need to brighten your salt-and-pepper hair. You can use this once a week to brighten and shine your hair.

Since clarifying shampoo works well in removing product buildup, it can cleanse your hair. It will also neutralize the yellow hues your gray hair may show. You don't have to use this regularly, and it's not ideal to do so.

If you use a hydrating shampoo on most days, you can switch it with this once a week for that gloss and shine. Then, follow up with the rest of your products; your hair should look good.

Here's how:

- Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and rinse properly. Depending on the buildup in your hair, you can allow the product to sit for a few minutes.

- Next, use a deep conditioner to replenish and restore your hair's moisture. Whether your hair dries out or not, using it is vital.

These products and methods are effective in brightening your salt and pepper. While some work to cover up the yellow hues in your hair, others cleanse and remove them. Whatever your choice, they are good at adding gloss and shine.

However, we can't leave you without giving you a few hair care and general tips to leave your hair shiny, gorgeous, and full of life. If you'd like some handy tips, check out the next section.

Some Hair Care Tips For Salt And Pepper Hair

1. Use hairspray the right way.

As you age, your hair becomes coarser. While hairsprays give your hair the beautiful finish you want, using them wrongly can lead to matting. So, if you love to spray your hair, make sure you spray the areas that are not visible.

2. Avoid using harsh chemicals.

Harsh chemicals are the enemies of gray hair. You want to avoid using them as much as you can, including hair dyes. Stick to slaying your gorgeous natural salt and pepper hair, and you'll enjoy your hair for a long time.

3. Stay clear of shampoos and conditioners that are not formulated for your hair.

Stay clear of shampoos and conditioners that are not designed for your hair. Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are the best for natural hair. You can get those for yourself.

4. Never miss a weekly deep conditioning mask.

It's important to nourish your strands weekly. As we've said, grey hair may become hard to manage. A hair mask can make it soft, easy to operate, and shiny.

5. Visit your hairstylist

Another tip you shouldn't take for granted is to visit your hairstylist regularly. Your stylist can trim your hair, allowing your strands to flourish more, and give you hair treatments that will keep your hair shining and bright.

6. Eat Well

A healthy diet can help nourish your hair. Try eating more vegetables. Vegetables and fruits are good sources of antioxidants beneficial for the hair. Include some of them in your diet, and they can help maintain your hair.

Final Words

Salt and pepper hair is a gray, black, and silver mixture. Maintaining it can be difficult. However, if you do a good job, you'll love it. Follow our steps and tips, and you'll rock a shiny salt and pepper hair.