Silver hair color is still as popular as ever—but like all trends they evolve over time.

“Granny hair color has become a staple of our color palette. We’re now seeing silver hues turn darker—almost in between black," says Leah Freeman, L'ANZA Global Color Director.

To help achieve this highly sought after smokey look, Freeman recommends using VIBES Smoke by L'ANZA. "It creates incredible depth and darkness, without the permanence of black," she says. "VIBES Smoke can also be blended with other VIBES shades to create an antique or jewel-toned effect.”

Need some ideas? Here are three very different styles showcasing the trend.

Color Formulas:

Decolorizer Formula:

30g Healing Cream Decolorizer + 30g 20 Volume Healing Cream Developer

Beauty Bath (Mild Formula):

30g Healing Color-Cleansing Shampoo + 30g Powder Decolorizer + 30g Water (Warm) + 5g Trauma Treatment VIBES Glaze Formula: 16g VIBES Smoke + 90g VIBES Clear

VIBES Accent Colors” 20g VIBES Smoke (separate mixture) 5g VIBES Blue

TIP: Use L’ANZA Color Films while applying VIBES Accent Colors to monitor processing and color placement.

Model began with a starting Level 4.

 GET THE LOOK:

Step 1: Begin by applying the Decolorizer Formula to new growth area. Then brighten previously lightened ends with a mild Beauty Bath. Process until all hair reaches Level 9, then rinse.

Step 2: Perform an Ultimate Treatment using 1-pump Strength Booster and 1-pump Moisture Booster, then blow-dry.

Step 3: Complete an all-over application with VIBES Glaze Formula. Process for 30 minutes, then rinse. Cleanse with Healing ColorCare Shampoo, and blow-dry.

Step 4: Part head in half. Where hair is heaviest, part that side into a fl at moon-shape, the length of the parietal ridge. In back-to-back foils, apply VIBES Accent Colors using the VIBES Sponge Tint Brush to create softness with saturation. Start application with VIBES Smoke, then outline each section using VIBES Blue. Exercise creativity and design your own application placement pattern!

Step 5: In the nape area, divide the back in half. From the center part, take a heavy triangle to the back of the right and left ear, and continue application. There will be a total of four foils on the nape, and 4 on top of the head.

Process for 30 minutes, then rinse, cleanse, and condition with Healing ColorCare Shampoo & Conditioner.

Smoking Hot Tips:

When working with SMOKE (or any blue-based tone), hair must be lifted to a "cool canvas" Level 9-10. Since any residual yellow in the hair will shift SMOKE from a gray steel color toward a greener slate tone (fading further green), you must counter-balance any remaining yellow undertones by adding up to 5g of VIOLET to your formula, for every 30g of SMOKE. Process for 30 minutes. Always conduct a strand test prior to application, so you can ensure the best possible results for your clients’ individual hair needs. 

For more information, visit www.lanza.com.