Styling for bounce, not for smoothness
The look everyone is actually chasing — shiny, voluminous, slightly swung — comes from drying with tension and finishing with a large barrel. Rough-dry to about eighty per cent first, then take sections and dry them over a round brush, with the nozzle pointed down the hair shaft. At the roots, dry against the direction of growth for a few seconds before dropping it back into place; that's where lift comes from.
Finish with a pea-sized amount of a light oil or shine cream warmed between your palms and skimmed over the surface and ends only. Grey hair shows product build-up quickly, so less than you'd use on dark hair. Spray hairspray onto your hands rather than straight at the head if you want hold without the matte, crunchy finish.
Does purple shampoo really work on grey hair?
It works for neutralising yellow and brassy tones, which is a different job from adding shine. Use it sparingly and follow with conditioner — if your grey is looking flat or faintly violet rather than bright, you're using it too often or leaving it on too long.
Why does my grey hair look yellow?
Several ordinary things cause it: mineral deposits from hard water, product and styling-spray residue, sun exposure, smoke, and heat styling at high temperatures. A clarifying wash every few weeks, a shower filter if your water is very hard, and dropping your straightener temperature will usually improve it more than another toning product will.
