You’ve hit the big 4-0 and it’s a milestone. The great news? Finding the right hair color in your 40s has never been easier. Madison Reed’s hair color gives you more control over how you look, how you feel, and how you maintain your beauty routine. Read on for expert tips to suit your changing style and add color to your life!
Can hair color make me look younger?
Yes! The best hair color for 40 year old women can instantly create a more youthful appearance. Whether your hair is already color-treated or you’re considering coloring your hair to cover stubborn grays, it’s a good time to assess if your hair color is right for you. Sporting the wrong hair color can leave you looking washed out and, if the contrast is sharp enough, accentuate dark circles and wrinkles.
Here’s why: As we age, cell renewal slows down and our complexion becomes duller and paler. These changes often cause a subtle shift in skin tone. We also naturally lose volume in our faces over time, which means that we’re more prone to having hollow-looking areas.
How to choose the best hair color for women over 40
Match your skin tone
The first step to choosing the most flattering hair color is identifying your skin tone. Why is this important? Choosing the right shade can give you the appearance of younger, radiant skin by reflecting light onto the face. It can also enhance the natural flush of your cheeks, making them appear less sunken. If your face shape is angular, the right color can also soften the appearance, combating the look of thinner skin as we lose fat beneath the surface.
Tips to identify your skin tone:
1. Look at the veins on your forearm. If your veins look blue, your undertone is cool. If they appear green, your undertone is warm.
2. If you prefer the way you look wearing silver and platinum, you most likely have cool skin tone. If you prefer gold, you’re probably warm toned.
3. For even more info, try these tips to determine your skin tone.
Once you know your skin tone, answer a few quick questions to build your Hair Profile and discover your best hair color as a woman in her 40s. And if you prefer the hands-on approach of a colorist, Madison Reed’s Color Crew is available to help by phone, chat, and email.
Best hair color for women in 40s: what about texture changes?
Most women in their 40s know they’ll be grappling with grays as they age, but changes to the texture of hair might come as a surprise. Gray hair generally feels more coarse and is more brittle. There are a number of reasons your hair feels different over time. Hormonal changes, especially the decline of estrogen, can cause hair to become drier, coarser, and a lot less shiny. Hair growth naturally starts to slow down and the diameter of each strand shrinks, causing thinner hair.
The right hair color can make you look years younger
Environmental damage can occur from exposure to UV rays in sunlight, dry air, harsh winds, and other elements. Your hair regimen also plays a role. Damage occurs from a lot of factors like friction from brushing, heat styling with dryers, curling irons and flat irons, and exposure to harsh chemicals during hair treatments. What can you do about this? Lots!
Update your hair care routine over 40
Caring for your hair color over 40 starts with your daily routine. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to nourish your strands and lock in your color. Nutrients like lupine flower protein, keratin (the natural protein found in hair), argan oil, and ginseng root extract provide UV protection, repair past damage, and soften hair so that it feels great.