Whether you're a salt-and-pepper Silver Fox or a full-on Gorgeous Gray, the right shampoo is critical to keeping your gray hair looking vibrant and sexy.
The following are Love The Gray's Official:
Top Five Shampoos for Gray Hair!
5. Shimmer Lights
Shimmer Lights is the iconic brand of anti-yellowing shampoos. So iconic that Clairol doesn't even promote it on their website! (That's how much Clairol hates gray hair!)
This dark purple Clairol classic is your grandmother's gray hair shampoo and YES you should use it too! But don't be like granny and use it every day and become a "Blue Hair". Use it only occasionally to get rid of any yellow tinge or brassiness. And be careful, this stuff stains your shower grout blue - permanently!
This dark purple Clairol classic is your grandmother's gray hair shampoo and YES you should use it too! But don't be like granny and use it every day and become a "Blue Hair". Use it only occasionally to get rid of any yellow tinge or brassiness. And be careful, this stuff stains your shower grout blue - permanently!
4. Phyto Phytoargent Shampoo
The French beauty company Phyto specializes in plant-based beauty products. Their Phytoargent Shampoo contains plant extracts with anti-oxidant properties such as walnut leaf, rhatay root, and broom. They combine with a pigment to correct discoloration and a powerful fixative that neutralizes yellow tones, thus bringing out your hair's naturally beautiful, luminous highlights. Another dark blue shampoo, be sure to rinse it off your shower walls and down the drain before it stains the tiles!
3. One 'n Only Shiny Silver Shampoo
2. Natur Vital Henna Shampoo
1. Klorane Silver Highlights Shampoo
And even more important than what shampoo you use is the following advice:
Condition more than you shampoo. And alternate shampoo brands to avoid build up!
DON'T MISS: Our other product reviews and The Five Best Conditioners for Gray Hair
(page updated 11/2017)
3. One 'n Only Shiny Silver Shampoo
Since gray hair has a tendency to get dry and wiry, conditioning is extra important! That's what we love about the ultra-conditioning "One 'n Only" Shiny Silver Pro Shampoo from the Conair Professional series. It's formulated with lavender, lemon, orange peel, grapefruit and tangerine, it nourishes as well as restore brightness. It's also has the most appealing fragrance of all the shampoos on our list! (Plus, it's cheap!)
2. Natur Vital Henna Shampoo
Blueberries to whiten your hair? Sure, why not? We included this on our list because it features organic ingredients, isn't tested on animals, and contains no parabens, silicone, or mineral oils. Natur Vital Henna Shampoo is a popular purple shampoo in the UK, and they sure do have a lot of white hair over there! Again, not a shampoo to use everyday, use it a couple of times a week at most. Be sure to use it with one of our Five Best Conditioners for Gray Hair. This shampoo also works well with highlighted, tinted or bleached hair.
1. Klorane Silver Highlights Shampoo
Klorane Shampoo with Centaury
is our favorite gray hair shampoo for two reasons: one, it keeps your gray hair nice and bright, and two, it doesn't stain your shower! This is the one grey hair shampoo that is gentle enough to be used every day, and it's not purple! We recommend conditioning every day but not shampooing every day, however if you must: Kloraine is the one!
is our favorite gray hair shampoo for two reasons: one, it keeps your gray hair nice and bright, and two, it doesn't stain your shower! This is the one grey hair shampoo that is gentle enough to be used every day, and it's not purple! We recommend conditioning every day but not shampooing every day, however if you must: Kloraine is the one! And even more important than what shampoo you use is the following advice:
Condition more than you shampoo. And alternate shampoo brands to avoid build up!
DON'T MISS: Our other product reviews and The Five Best Conditioners for Gray Hair
(page updated 11/2017)
90 comments:
Those purple shampoos need to come with a warning about staining the shower!
I love the Biosilk Silver Lights!
Glad to find this post, gonna try the Phyto next time.
Noticed that the Klorane shampoo is on sale for half off at Amazon. ($13) Maybe they're discontinuing?
Just tried Matrix So Silver... not bad. It was the only grey hair shampoo they sold at my Ulta!
Call me old fashioned, but Shimmer Lights does the trick for me. Worked for grandma, works for me! :)
Thanks for suggesting Klorane. Been using it for months now and LOVE IT!
I use Klorane every day along with the conditioner and I love it. Thanks for this list!
The Conair Pro is the cheapest of these. Just sayin'!
According to Ask.com, the top 5 hair products for grey hair are:
1.) Biosilk Silver Lights shampoo
2.) Jhirmack Silver brightening shampoo-
3.) Rusk Bright chamomile & Lavender brightening shampoo
4.) Biogenol violights shampoo
5.) Nexxus simply Silver color toning shampoo
Has anyone tried any of these?
Thanks for that list, Tamz!
You'll see that the Biosilk Silver is our number 2 recommendation, but we will check out the others and report back to you in a future blog post!
So glad I stumbled on your site. Love your attitude and your advice is solid. I've been using the Klorane shampoo for over a year now and agree with you that it's the best. Go #TeamGrayHair!
Tried the Biosillk based on your recommendation and love it! Thanks
This is the first blog I have stumbled upon regarding shampoos for gray hair, wonderful! I love how you are proud of it and promote useful and helpful products. Just not keen on using Shimmer Lights as I am very "obsessed" on keeping my shower sparkling clean! Thanks!
Shimmer Lights smells so bad. I had to wash my pillowcase & dumped out remainder of bottle in garbage disposal. Yuk.
Tired the Klorane based on your recommendation and I love it. My grey has never been brighter and it doesn't stain the tub! Thanks for the tip!
I dont use a special shampoo - but I use Jhirmack's 5 in 1 conditioning spray and I love it!
Is there a conditioner that anyone would recommend?
Ok I started turning grayen i was 16. I have never had any problems with my gray hair until recently and it hs started having a greenish yellowish cast to it. gray from the root for about 3 inches and then starts changing colors. i was told it could be the copper water lines in my house so i purchased a water filter for my shower - a highly recommended one called Jonathan......think they also have a shampoo called Malibu and some kind of treatment which is not easy for someone to use at home.
Any thoughts from anyone on this? Have used the shimmer lights by clairol for years - also used the phyto product - now using a paul mitchell product - nothing is changing the discoloration in my hair. not taking any meds that would cause this either.
HELP......
@LizGray Check out our favortite Gray Hair Conditioners HERE: http://lovethegray.blogspot.com/2013/02/5-best-gray-hair-conditioners.html
@MotherEarth Sorry your water is turning your hair green! Our best recommendation would be to use a stronger purple shampoo. We just reviewed one from Joico you might want to check out: http://lovethegray.blogspot.com/2015/02/joico-color-endure-product-review.html
My husband ask me to let my color grow out and now my hair is so dull and no shine at all to it. What can i do to get my hair looking soft and shiny again
I forgot to tell you my hair is salt and pepper now
Do these shampoos work well for hair that isn't 100% gray? I have ample gray for sure, but I still have my original color in there... somewhere...
Yes, Donna and Anonymous, these shampoos will definitely brighten up the Salt amongst your Pepper!
Thank you all SO much, I am so glad to find the jewels of your research. And I will certainly get the products that don't stain my shower!
Thank you for turning me on to the Kloraine shampoo! Love love LOVE it!
On the Kloraine website it says their shampoo is made of "Centaury". What is that?
http://kloraneusa.com/hair-care/hair-type/white-gray-hair
I was curious too, so I Googled Centaury. You can read about it here.
http://www.drugs.com/npc/centaury.html
Thank you for this website! I read your post about "how to go grey the right way" and have been following your helpful advice. I've been using the Biosilk shampoo which I like but just bought a bottle of the Klorane am eager to try that. CHEERS!
For years I used the Pantene Silver, now I can't find it it where I live, in Austin. I've also used the shimmer lights. They've both worked good.
I often get the dingy yellow on the front/bangs partid my hair and it's getting harder to get out.
I'll try the biosilk next.
Thank you
I have been reading on the web of different ways to lighten my hair and eventually get it to be all white. My hair had alot of white and thought I would go to Sally's Beauty Supply to possibly find a toner that would get the white whiter. I was advised to use the blue toner along with developer to even it out, well, it turned my hair brown! Not what I wanted. So , now I'm looking to find something to get it white again. I read that Hydrogen Peroxide along with Baking Soda, not only will lighten it but will also take unwanted yellows out of white hair. Hope this helps you
Letting my natural salt and pepper grow out and it seems so limp compared to the blonde I have had for years. I always used shimmering lights and loved it, but don't know what to use to keep it from looking oily. Maybe I should stop using a conditioner. Help.
Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda took the yellow out of my white hair. I just make a paste of it and put on dry hair for 15 to 30 minutes then rinse out well. It cleans your hair so don't have to shampoo after it if you don't want to.
I'm scared of hydrogen peroxide. Couldn't that burn my scalp?
Tamz
I tried Rusk Bright chamomile & Lavender brightening shampoo for a year and it's not as good. my shiny white hair is dull. Also it doesn't remove the hard water deposits well, my hair still has a tinge of dingy dark yellow. If you don't be careful the white will turn purplish blue if used too often.
I used peroxide only twice in a 2 week span, it took out the yellow a bit better, but it can also disintegrate and damage hair if used too many times.
I used a cotton ball, soaked, wipe in hair and use a blow dryer to heat it, after, rinse in tepid water and condition ... I only use paraben free and sulfate free shampoo and conditioner.
I notice taking biotin for hair, nails and skin in liquid form works at keeping the hair from shedding in large amounts.
The excess hair shedding and thinning is due to the lack of hormone during perimenopause, menopause and post menopause.
Thank you so much! That did the trick, you saved me more endless hours of searching for a fix.
Clean Shampoo
Tried this last nite.
It's colorless & says its gentle for the hair & it seemed to work.
Water Works Clarifying Shampoo
https://www.ouidad.com/shop/by-product-type/shampoo/water-works-shampoo.html#product-detail-tab
Hi,
My hair isn't grey as in the traditional sense, but is white. Which product(s) is best for whites?
I am a natural white headed (my hair started turning white when I was 18years old) female. I had dyed my hair for so long to hide it, once I turned 45 I stopped and let it be. :). I would really love to get the dull brassiness out if my hair and have it look good again.
However, I've noticed lately (since I am now over 50), whenever I use coloured shampoos and/or conditioners my hair seems to take on that coloured tint. My grandmother was white headed as well (maybe has something to do with redheads?). She used to use Shimmering Lights and her hair would sparkle and be ever so beautiful, but mine isn't turning out like that. If anyone can help, I would be forever grateful.
Thank you in advance,
Michelle
It is really very helpful for us and I have gathered some important information from this blog.
Best Hair Conditioner
Hello, thanks for this great article and tips!!! Do you have any tips on the best conditioner to use perhaps?? I am thinking of going with the Klorane shampoo, especially as i have used their products before and liked them... Thank you!!
I’d recommend the shampoo of Pro Naturals ;)
Our newest review for purple shampoo Sachajuan Silver Shampoo posted here!
Your link for the Kloraine doesn't seem to work anymore. Does Klorane no longer make it?
I have grey hair with thin texture. I want thickening and whitening. I don't want conditioners because they make my thin hair flat. What do you recommend?
Pro Naturals is the best shampoo!!
Thank you for recommending the Klorane. I use it once a week in rotation with my other shampoos and it keeps my gray bright.
I love Klorane! It is the best of those I've tried. I alternate with a dry shampoo (klorane in the non aerosol container), sometimes klorane with flax for body. For conditioner, I use the Klorane flax. My hair looks shiny. I've tried joico, made my hair limp, lush, and some other brands (i live in Switzerland, so get different stuff), but Klorane works best on me.
We've been using Shimmer Lights for many years. It has NEVER dyed anything - not the tub, not the grout, not the bath mat. Didn't even stain the light green rug I spilled it on. It works great. Only reason I ran into this misinformation is that I'm looking for a good purple shampoo that does not contain sulfates.
Enjoyed reading all the comments and seeing how so many of us have stopped coloring. I took the plunge 3 years ago and can only remember being this happy with my hair when I wasn't coloring. The freedom to do anything or go anywhere at a moments notice makes me feel young again!
My hair is very thick and long. It is the type of hair that will hold whatever style I chose without the need for products or sprays. I would say I am a hair product manufacturers worse nightmare! LOL because I use very little products on my hair. Here is what I have observed.
When my hair was virgin, like it is now, I had a head full of rich mahogany thick shiny hair. When I started coloring my hair started drying out, required lots of conditioner and more frequent shampoos. It finally got to the point that I was coloring every 14 days. Hair started falling out, getting brittle, kinky and just plain nasty. The only way to make it look good again was to color.
I felt stuck on a wheel like a hamster. One day I just said "ENOUGH".
I changed my ENTIRE routine. I stopped coloring and using conditioner. The ONLY conditioner I use is a final rinse of white vinegar and water. Which I leave in. The vinegar alkalizes my scalp, this regulates the oil production and helps with the follicles. I can go 10 days without washing my hair if I please and my hair and scalp look and smell clean!
I wash my hair with Shimmer lights each and every time. I do this my ADDING it to the shampoo so it is a 20 SHIMMER/80 Regular mix. My hair has stopped falling out and it has grown in like in my youth. I am 56 - no spring chicken here but I will put my hair up against any 20 year olds. My hair for all intent and purposes is virgin. It is as silky & shiny as it was in my youth. Women and men stop me all the time and tell me how I have the most gorgeous hair. I attribute it to keeping the use of PRODUCT to a minimum.
So here is the list of exactly what I use:
Wash with a good minimal chemical base shampoo. I use Espana DOG shampoo
Mix 20% Shimmer lights to shampoo for each wash. I wash twice
FINAL Rinse with White Vinegar and water. 10% Vinegar to 90% Water - leave in
For deep conditioning maybe once every couple of months - use pure ORGANIC coconut oil
Every other oil or conditioner I have experimented with has turned my hair yellow. I will not use any other product or conditioner.
I blow dry my hair and do use hot tools like an Iron or curling wand for waves. BTW - I trim hair only every six months. Not because I need to - no split ends here but because I cannot deal with anything longer. My hair dresser is a magician he knows how to cut it so the style gets better as it grows! Worth every penny in my opinion.
Here is to all of us TRAIL BLAZERS! May you be as happy with yours and I am with mine!!
Runningwolf--- love hearing your routine!
The tip about mixing a little Shimmer Lights into your other shampoo is a great one!
Thank you for posting, and keep blazing those trails!
I have been gray for many years, too many to count! I would like to find a natural blue shampoo without the SLS. I've tried Paul Mitchell, wasn't great and same with Rusk. A lot of reviews said all these shampoos you mentioned dried out their hair. My hair is dry enough living in a State that hardly has rain. You didn't mention Aveda Blue Malva. Any ideas or is there nothing that won't dry out gray hair because it strips it of the yellowing?
Hey, Unknown!
We reviewed Aveda Blue Malva here
Use a blue shampoo in rotation with your other shampoos, and with a matching conditioner. We review blue hair conditioners here.
Another idea is to just mix a little of the blue shampoo in with your regular shampoo, condition as you normally would.
Hope this helps!
It seems like most of these posts are people referring to their natural gray hair do these shampoos and conditioners work if I have bleached my hair and colored it Gray? I saw so many posts of people coloring their hair gray on Pinterest I decided to try it however it's even the permanent colors wash out within 3 to 4 weeks and I'm left with just a blonde color I would like to keep the gray what is your best recommendation?
Do you have any experience with AG Sterling Silver Toning Shampoo?
Thanks for the info. What about scalp condition, I seem to react to shampoo that have a lot of fragrance and have dandruff too, any suggestions or insight?
Hello again. I am also reading incredible reviews on White Hot Brilliant Shampoo. Any thoughts?
I'll try and address any questions individually...
@Unknown with the dyed gray hair... I would imagine a gray hair shampoo would at least help with keeping it white, but not sure how much it would keep the dye from fading. If you try a gray hair shampoo let US know!
@Marymmcc... Just ordered the AG Sterling Silver Toning Shampoo, will let you know what we think in a future post! Never heard of the White Hot Brilliant shampoo but am now dying to try it! (Pun intended) However it doesn't seem to be available in the US. Will keep looking....
@Free_Spirited... We really don't know which shampoos would be best for a scalp condition, our recommendation would be to use just a little bit of a purple shampoo mixed with one you already know is gentle on your scalp. It only takes a little bit to keep away the yellow!
GREAT questions! Keep 'em coming!
Is there a gray hair shampoo/conditioner that doesn't contain sulfates? I try to avoid if possible.
Thank you - MKay
The best I have found in Shiny Silver Ultra from Sally's Beauty Supply. Shampoo, conditioner, mousse, gel and spray.
My hair turned completely silver when I was 31 and I'm 68 now. I seriously can not leave the house without having a minimum of 3 people stop me to tell me they love my hair
Thanks for your list. I already ordered Shimmer Lights, my first purple shampoo but will try Klorane or BioSilk next time. For Blue Shampoo I have been using Hask Blue Chamomile for Blondes from Walgreens and really love it. It is sulfate free. It smells awesome and I can even go without conditioning everyday. This is a plus for me because of oily scalp issues. I can usually go no more than a day without a wash but I can now easily go 2 and with dry shampoo even 3 days. I am hoping the purple helps more with the brassy, fading leftover color. I am 41 and very gray in front with black hair. Going "Platinum" has been an exciting adventure for me, especially since I have never even highlighted my hair in the past. I'm loving my new glitter.
Great info!
Can you please identify which of the products don't contain sulfates? I can't find this info for some of the suggestions. Thanks much!
Thanks for this list! I've been using the Klorane and loving it!
I've been using Apple Cider Vinegar as a rinse and I love it! Leaves my gray hair shiny and smooth, and it's cheap!
It's been a journey of a bit over two years that I've committed to my natural salt and peppper hair. I've found that more than the color, the texture is the biggest challenge for me. I have always had natural wavy/frizzy hair and now find I'm a curly top. I installed a purifying shower head by Waterchef and see improvement as to not absorbing the minerals and chemicals in the water. My question to you and those who may be able to help is do any of the shampoos you mention help moisturize the hair? I've tried the Klorane and though it adds some brightness I find it better for maintaining. The biosilk is very good, maybe the least drying of the purple shampoos for me, but I still see a brassy cast on my white hair. I saw that Matrix has a line called Total Effects which includes a purple shampoo. Has anyone tried it? I don't mind paying more because I feel I'm still saving by forgoing salon color and keratin treatments. If money were no object, what in your opinion is the best for grey hair. I miss the softness and shine but don't want to cover up on my grey. Thank you!!
Hey Anonymous.. Yes some gray hair shampoos can be very drying. That's why we recommend rotating them into your routine along with other shampoos. Or even more importantly with a good conditioner. Try adding a little of the "purple stuff" to your conditioner while you leave it in, to both whiten and soften your hair at the same time!
Also check out our list of Top 5 Gray Hair Conditioners and The Five Best Conditioners for Gray Hair for a start!
Use UltraSwim shampoo and conditioner to get the yellow out. Then use Shiny Silver (s purple shampoo) to really bring out the silver out.
I promise you that you will not be disappointed.
The Ultra Seim is less than $5.00 and the Shiny Silver is around $8.99. Mi use to spend close to $40.00 on products that didn't do nearly as well as these brands. Flushed that money down the drain. Still had the yellow tint to my hair.
Now it is absolutely gorgeous and everybody stops me to tell me how pretty my hair looks.
Give these a try and be amazed at how pretty your hair can be.
I use the Ultra Swin all year even though I only swim during the summer another tip for swimming. Wet your hair thoroughly with non-pool water before going underwater. Keeps a lot of the chlorine out.
Spend a lot of money and still have yellow and dry hair
Spend less and have beautiful hair
The choice is obvious to me
PS: I also take 22 prescriptions every day and as we know they can really mess with your hair. I find using these products has also improved the condition as well as the color of my hair.
Phyto Phan here! Love all their products and glad they have specific products for people with gray hair.
For my money SHINY SILVER beats all the rest hands down. I turned to platinum in one year when I was 31. I never colored my hair and tried all the grey shampoos. About 10 years ago I found Shiny Silver and have used it faithfully everyday. I’m now 69 and everyday I have at heart 2 people who come up and tell me what a gorgeous color hair I have. A few have even asked me what color my beautician uses on my hair....to this, I answer “my kids”’. Nope it’s all natural and is kept amazingly beautiful and I have at least 2prople come up to me everyday and tell me I have the most beautiful hair they have ever seen.
All thanks to (good genes) and Shiny Silver
Great to hear, Sandra! We love Shiny Silver too! You've used it every day for ten years? Bet your hair is luminescent at this point!
How often do you need to use a gray hair shampoo? They're all so drying!
We use gray hair shampoo a couple times a weeks, not every day, just add it to your rotation!
Good Housekeeping has their own list... have you seen it?
Great list! Love the conditioners you recommend as well!
For those who have commented that purple shampoos dry out your hair we've made a special post just for you!
GRAY HAIR PROBLEMS #1: DRY HAIR
I like Walgreens Studio 35 Toning Shampoo for Blonde and Silver hair. I can use whenever I want to without turning my hair blue. Makes it a shiny silver.
Best gray hair shampoo list I've come across, thanks!
I posted earlier that I've used Shiny Silver for over 10 years and I have people stop me every day and tell me what a pretty color it is. About 3 years ago when I was swimming every day my beautician told me she started to see some yellow coming. Even if you don't get your hair wet the sun will turn your silver hair yellow (as does smoking) I HATE silver/grey hair with yellow. I found UltraSwim shampoo at Walmart and I first wash with that one wash and the second wash is Shiny Silver and my hair color is as beautiful as always. Walmart only sells the Ultra Swim in the summer so I buy enough to use all year and keep the same routine.
I keep my hair short so I don't know if it is that or if it is just my type hair but I don't need a conditioner at all Some friends I've turned on to Shiny Silver use their conditioner and I have seen their hair go from lifeless and dull to ”shiny & silver” Dont think you can go wrong and if you have problems in the summer try the Ultra Swim
Looking forward from more posts from Bruce the Gray.!!
New product review posted just now!
Thank you for this grey hair shampoo list and for all your gray positivity! Following you on Twitter now!
Thank you for personally reviewing these best grey hair shampoos. So many sites just list a bunch of links that you know they have never tried. GREAT SITE!
Love this list and finally have it bookmarked. This is the Best Gray Hair site for gray hair shampoo and gray hair conditioner. Thank you!
I hate all purple shampoos and am so glad you turned me on to the Klorane. THANK YOU!
Great list, the best gray hair shampoos period!
Phytoargent is my go-to, all Photo products are great and I love the packaging and that it's French!
Love this list! Was stuck using Shimmer Lights but now I have these other options to try. THANKS!
Great list! Thanks for the Klorane recommendation!
Are these unisex? Are there any gray hair shampoos for men?
Yes! We're glad you asked, Alex... check out our recommendations for men's gray hair shampoo here: https://lovethegray.blogspot.com/2020/03/5-best-gray-hair-shampoos-for-men.html
Klorane Centaury shampoo is now purple! It's drying and is no longer the shampoo I have used for years based on this site's recommendation. I don't use purple shampoos because they make my medium/light brown and grey hair turn very dark brown. Not what I'm going for.I prefer my hair to blend with the grey. Any more suggestions? Thanks!
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