When Grey Hair Turns Yellow: Why It Happens—And What You Can Do About It
A message from Kelly St Claire~
Grey hair is beautiful. It’s radiant, unique, and carries a quiet (or bold) kind of confidence.
But if you’ve noticed your silver strands turning yellow—especially in certain spots like the front or underneath—you’re not alone.
And more importantly: it’s not your fault.
I’ve had several clients come to me recently with the same concern:
“My grey hair keeps turning yellow, no matter what I do.”
They’ve changed shampoos. Installed shower filters. Tried toners. Even cut their hair short, only to have the yellow tones return. It can be frustrating-
especially when you’ve embraced your natural beauty and just want it to shine.
As a grey blending specialist and silver transition artist, I’ve seen this time and again.
So let’s talk about why natural grey hair can turn yellow, and more importantly, what we can do about it—together.
Why Does Grey Hair Yellow?
Grey and white hair is more porous, which means it absorbs and holds onto things more easily—things like minerals, pollutants, and heat. When that happens, hair can lose its cool tone and take on a yellow or brassy tint. Some common culprits include:
Hard Water Minerals: Even with filters, trace amounts of copper or iron can build up and stain the hair.
Heat Styling: Blow dryers and flat irons can cause yellowing over time, especially on fine or front-framing strands.
Product Buildup: Even “clean” products can leave behind residue that changes color with heat or sun.
Sunlight & Pollution: UV rays oxidize grey hair, and environmental particles can settle into it and dull the shine.
Health & Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, certain medications, or even hormonal shifts can affect the clarity of your natural silver.
If this sounds like what you’re experiencing, know this:
you don’t need to cut your hair short or go back to dark color.
There are kinder, effective solutions.
You’ll leave feeling lighter, brighter, and more connected to the beauty of your natural hair.
Introducing: The Silver Clarity Treatment
Now available at Hair by Kelly St. Claire
This new in-salon experience is designed to detox, rebalance, and restore clarity to yellow-prone grey hair—without harsh toners or high-maintenance color.
It’s gentle, effective, and rooted in the clean-beauty products I personally believe in.
What It Includes:
Mineral Detox
A chelating treatment that removes mineral buildup from hard water and chlorine exposure. Perfect for clearing the canvas before restoring shine.Detox Hair Mask
An in-depth treatment with charcoal and kaolin clay to lift away product and pollution without stripping the hair’s natural moisture.Hydration + Shine Boost
We follow with a deeply hydrating mask from Innersense to smooth the cuticle, prevent future staining, and enhance light reflection.Protection + Take-Home Guidance
I’ll walk you through how to protect your grey moving forward—with styling tips, product recs, and guidance that works for your real life.
You’ll leave feeling lighter, brighter, and more connected to the beauty of your natural hair.
Is This Right for You?
If you’ve been:
Struggling with yellow tones in your grey hair
Trying to “fix” it at home with little success (purple shampoos, etc)
Considering coloring it darker just to get rid of the yellow
Or simply craving a reset that brings back clarity and softness…
This treatment might be exactly what you’ve been looking for. It’s one of the ways I support women who are ready to embrace their silver—and just want to feel confident in it.
Ready to Talk?
If you're curious about whether this is the right next step for your hair, I invite you to book a consultation. We’ll take a look, talk it through, and create a plan that supports both your hair goals and your lifestyle.
Visit my website to fill out a short form, and I’ll be in touch personally to schedule a time to connect.
FILL OUT THIS SHORT FORM TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT.
Because your grey hair deserves to shine. And you deserve to feel beautiful—just as you are.
With heart,
Kelly
Owner | Hair by Kelly St. Claire
Grey Blending Specialist | Silver Transition Artist