Is your gray hair under control?  For many women, going gray isn’t challenging because of the color change.  Instead, it’s the texture and lack of control that’s especially frustrating.

Taking an iron to gray hair can result in yellowing.  Maybe that’s why one TypeF.com how-to recommends a straightening process that doesn’t involve a flatiron.  The right smoothing products and blow drying techniques are all it takes to set your curly hair straight.

Maintaining curls also has a lot to do with moisturizer.  NaturallyCurly.com suggests using moisturizing shampoos and conditioners.  “[Jonathan Torch of the Curly Hair Institute] likes to use Curl Keeper on his gray clients to enhance their shine.”

Whether you want your gray hair to be straight or curly, it’s all about taming those resistant wiry strands.  Sometimes pampering those uncooperative hairs with moisture just won’t cut it, and when that happens, New York-based stylist Paul Labrecque suggests using a maximum hold hairspray.  He claims it can do wonders in keeping stray hairs where you want them.

For more details, read these complete how-to articles:
How to Straighten Gray Curly Hair
The Beauty of Gray Curls
How Do I Tame Gray and Wiry Hair?

When we were younger, our mothers told us that eating the crust of our bread would help us grow long, curly hair.  They also told us Santa Clause was real.  Here are some myths about gray hair that you may or may not have been told before.

If you pull out one gray hair, two more will grow in its place.

Diagram of a hair follicle from Gray's Anatomy

The myth that plucking out a gray hair will only prompt two more to grow back is an impossibility.  Each hair on your head emerged from its own hair follicle.  If a hair is plucked, the follicle can only hold one replacement.

Similarly, cutting your hair will not make it grow faster or thicker.  A fresh cut eliminates split ends and evens out your hair’s length, which makes it seem thicker even though it isn’t.  The thickness of each hair is dependent on the size of the hair follicle, not on whether you cut it.

A traumatic experience can cause your entire head of hair to go gray overnight.

Portrait of Marie Antoinette of France, 1775

This myth has made appearances in fiction all over the world.  Some accounts claim that Marie Antoinette’s hair turned completely white the day before her execution.  However, studies show that this white fright idea is indeed a myth.

It is possible for a person’s hair to appear to go gray overnight, but only if she has a rare condition such as alopecia areata, which may cause non-gray hair to fall out in large amounts before the gray hair does.  This would make it seem like a person’s hair turned gray overnight, when in reality it was hair loss that occurred—not color transformation.

New York University dermatology professor Jerry Shapiro, M.D., told AARP that not only is going gray overnight a myth, but stress in general also does not cause hair to go gray.  “When hair turns gray—and which hairs turn gray—is genetically programmed,” Shapiro said.

Too much sun will turn your hair gray.

Does the sun make our hair go gray?

Only a few years ago, a team of researchers at the University of Bradford in Great Britain made the breakthrough we’ve all been waiting for.  The team discovered the exact biological and chemical process by which our hair turns gray.  Basically, we can blame increased amounts of hydrogen peroxide (or the lack of enzymes to break it down) for gray hair.  The discovery dispelled the myth about sunlight causing gray hair.  An article in Newsweek summarized the process and confirmed:

“The process described by the European researchers also explains why the hair inside the ears doesn’t turn gray as quickly as the hair on the top of the head, Weissmann says.  ‘That hair is not exposed to as much sunlight or oxygen,’ he said.  But does that mean if you wore more hats, you wouldn’t gray as fast?  ‘No,’ says Weissman.  ‘It’s not just sunlight.  The problem is more the indigenous oxygen than the external factors.  Most of our defenses just wear out as we get older.’ ”

You can read the complete study in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.  Check out Glamour magazine for more hair myths.

Last week, I shared two of the most popular new year’s resolutions, along with ways that you can achieve them in 2011.  Just like gray hair, striving to be healthy and happy never goes out of fashion.

Now, here are three more resolutions that make the list year after year.  Essentially, all three ask you to do one simple thing: open your mind and heart to the world around you.  In other words, reach out to your community.

Improve Your Personal Relationships.

There are so many ways to show appreciation for your family and friends: remind them of your love, cook their favorite meal or just take the time to ask, “How are you?”

Ask your neighbors, “How are you?” This new year, between kissing your husband goodbye in the morning and greeting your boss at work, don’t forget the people across the way, your neighbors.  True, those fences are there for a reason, but a good neighbor living next door is like having a sibling in the next room.  Sure, they can be annoying, but their quirkiness combined with the occasional sincere conversations make the friendly neighbor a TV family staple.  Just look at TV Guide’s list of our favorite TV neighbors.  Whether your neighbors are Mr. Feeny/Wilson Wilson types or Steve Urkels/Kimmy Gibblers, take a moment to talk to them.  After all, they’re right there on the other side of the fence.

Help Others.

Just like some kids wish for world peace on their birthdays in hopes of earning karma points, each year people resolve to help others.  They feel a sense of social responsibility to take part in bettering the world we live in.

Here are ways you can give in 2011:

Volunteer. Give the gift of giving that keeps on giving, and giving, and… well, you get the idea.  There are limitless volunteer opportunities out there.  But while you are giving out your time and energy, you will receive in return priceless experiences, self-esteem and a stronger bond with your community.

Spread the wealth. One of Real Simple magazine’s “9 Easy Ways to Be Happier” is by spreading the wealth.  It suggested the following:

“If you’re going for coffee, take a colleague’s order and foot the bill.  Pick up a treat for a friend that you would normally impulse-buy for yourself at the checkout counter.  And tip generously.”

Studies show that, contrary to popular belief, money can buy happiness.  More specifically, spending on a series of smaller purchases is likely to lead to greater satisfaction than spending on one big purchase.

So don’t be afraid to spread the wealth.  In the end, “the payoff will be yours,” promises Real Simple.

Try New Things.

The new year is the perfect time to try new things.  It is a time for clean slates and reinvention.  Real Simple suggests picking up a new hobby, such as baking or hula dancing.  And here’s another possibility:

Go gray. Or if you already have, why not try out a new hairstyle?  Visit our Gray Hair Resources section for advice on how to go gray gracefully, what products to use while/after you’ve gone gray, etc.

If you have gone gray and have any tips or tricks to offer, let us know and we’ll add them to the list.  Cheers to a new year of going gray and authentic living!

Daily brushing and styling can take a toll on your tresses, robbing them of natural oils and leading to breakage. Trade in your plastic brush for one with natural bristles (look for boar), which redistribute oils throughout hair as you brush, boosting shine. “The only time I use anything but a boar-bristle brush is to detangle wet hair,” says Harry Josh, creative consultant for John Frieda Collection. Natural bristles are also less likely to break hairs. Use them consistently for fewer flyaways.

Goody Hairbrush Available at Drugstore.com

“Vitamin therapy would also not be recommended for hair growth. Vitamin and or mineral supplements would not be effective in stimulating hair growth. Currently other than minoxidil, there is not any product on the market that will stimulate hair growth.”

“Phyllis A. Balch, author of “Prescription for Herbal Healing,” suggests that biota, drynaria and ginkgo can help restore and thicken your hair. Both biota and drynaria come in specialty lotions or tinctures, an alcoholic solution made from herbal ingredients. Ginkgo is available in tablets in most grocery stores and drug stores. Biota, Balch notes, can thicken your hair and keep existing hair from falling out. Drynaria and ginkgo both help to stimulate new hair growth.

“As you age, the collagen in your skin loses moisture, causing sagging and visible wrinkles. In “The Green Pharmacy Anti-Aging Prescriptions,” Dr. James Duke suggests you protect your collagen with gotu kola. Duke notes that this herb can strengthen the collagen you have, whether you take it in pill form or combine the herb’s extract with an emollient such as olive oil. Duke also suggests you make your own anti-wrinkle cream using two horse chestnut seeds and several fennel seeds ground into a paste with one avocado.

A well-balanced diet can go a long way toward overall health.  As a well-balanced diet provides nutriets and vitamins to your body for optimum function, it can also aid in healthy hair and skin!

Protein & Omega 3’s

“When it comes to foods that pack a beauty punch, it’s hard to beat salmon. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron. ‘Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health,’ says Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD, a dietitian in Los Angeles and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. ‘A deficiency can result in a dry scalp and thus hair, giving it a dull look.’ Vegetarian? Include one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fats.”

Antioxidant-Rich Foods

“Research on the best foods for healthy skin is limited. Still, antioxidant-rich foods seem to have a protective effect for the skin. Consider these skin-friendly foods:

We’d love to hear about your favorite healthy snack or recipe incorporating these ingredients!

Gray or white hair can easily get dull and….dingy.  It’s time to kick it into high gear and make your gray bright and luxurious.  Ladies, it’s time to knock em’ dead.

We’ve talked about shampoos to brighten your gray hair before.  In this clip, stylist Gregg Giannillo talks about using Jhirmack products as well as a Redken Shades treatment you can get from your own stylist.  Check it out:

Worried shampoos with a purple tint will leave you, well, purple?  Mix the gray shampoo half and half with a moisturizing shampoo.  What are your secrets for keeping your gray bright and beautiful?

When shopping for the right shampoo to care for your beautiful head of silver hair, it’s important to pay attention to ingredients, speak with your stylist and shop around!  We found this great video with advice on gray hair care:

We’ve also put together a few suggestions to get you started in gray-specialty shampoos.  Happy shopping ladies!

Nexxus Simply Silver Colour Toning Shampoo – “Gentle cleansers, combined with subtle toning agents, removes shades and adds spectacular shine to the hair.”

American Crew Classic Gray Shampoo – “Removes brassy yellow tones from gray or graying hair”

Rene Furterer Okara Mild Silver Shampoo – “Okara Mild Silver Shampoo was specially formulated to restructure, protect and gently wash gray and white hair while neutralizing yellowing. Thanks to its corrective pigments, this product illuminates and revives silvery highlights.”

Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo – “Adds silvery brightness to gray hair, and neutralizes brassiness in chemically-treated hair and all shades. Blended with blue malva that’s wild-crafted sustainably gathered by hand in its natural habitatto balance hair and scalp, plus coneflower, known for its ability to intensify color.”

And don’t miss these reader favorites:

Matrix Essentials Solutionist So Silver Shampoo – Neutralizes unwanted brassy tones and enhances natural highlights on blonde, frosted and bleached hair. Eliminates dulling yellow tones and adds shimmering brightness to grey and white hair. Lightly conditions to improve manageability and shine.

Phyto Phytoargent Shampoo –  “A synergy of 3 tinctorial plant extracts with anti-oxidant properties (walnut leaf, rhatay root, broom) combined with a pigment to correct discoloration and a powerful fixative, neutralizes yellow tones, bringing out hair’s naturally beautiful, luminous highlight”

Shikai Shampoo Platinium- Platinum Shampoo Brings out cool tones in blonde, silver and platinum hair with blue malva flowers. Bringing out the natural highlights already in your hair has never been easier or more natural. COLOR REFLECT shampoos and conditioners amplify certain tones with the help of light-reflective botanical extracts.

Aubrey Organic shampoos -  “Mostly the Swimmers version, which is designed to keep blond and gray hair sparkling. It does the trick.”