“People are embracing grey; it grows out naturally and surprisingly easily for some, and hair looks all the greater for it,” she says. Being open to new ideas in terms of styling can also help grey hair to look modern, according to award-winning colourist and founder of STIL salon Christel Barron-Hough.
Women of all ages can look fantastic in long gray hair, especially if it's healthy and well-maintained. Long layers or waves are especially flattering on older women with long silver hair, and naturally grey hair looks youthful in modern buns & braids. Can you look younger with gray hair?
Our expert colourist David Inman has some advice for you: “Grey hair will always suit you, so don't worry about embracing your grey. What you need to do is ensure the texture and shine of your hair is optimised, giving you depth and dimension.
Among the most flattering hair shades, gray hair color works on everyone—after all, at a certain age, almost everyone will have it. But don't let gray hair fool you. The shade is surprisingly versatile with plenty of techniques for creating dimension and embracing the latest hair color trends.
The average age of onset of hair graying appears to be mid- to late forties; however, this varies with race, with the average age for Caucasians being mid-thirties, that for Asians being late thirties, and that for Africans being mid-forties.
Get the Right Cut
Rock a great cut with lots of style and texture, and get a trim every 6-8 weeks. Women who are 100% gray often wear their hair short. But consider long layers. They can be beautiful and add movement to healthy, bouncy hair.
Let your grey shine
Nicola recommends “white and platinum if you'd like to keep your look natural, or consider blue and ash tones if you're after a more edgy grey.” For something slightly less bold, weaving iridescent, pearly shades through a grey base also gives hair a low-maintenance lift.
Is it better to go lighter or darker to cover grey hair? As for your permanent colour kit choice, for the best grey coverage, Josh recommends choosing a shade close to your natural root colour (that's the colour between the greys.) "Make sure to never stray more than two shades away from this,” says Josh.
If your skin has warm undertones such as yellow, orange or olive, it's best to opt for neutral grey colors such as glossy gunmetal greys and platinum silvers. In case your skin undertone veers towards cool and neutral such a beige or pinks, then true metallic silver hues are tailor-made for you!
More than 60 percent of Americans have some grey hair by age 40. The age at which greying begins seems almost entirely due to genetics. Sometimes people are born with grey hair because they inherit the trait. The order in which greying happens is usually: nose hair, hair on the head, beard, body hair, eyebrows.
Grey hair is not a sign of old age today. Just the opposite. More and more women dye their hair grey in order to get an extraordinary hairstyle. Others let their hair change according to the natural life cycle.
Over the years, Hayek has gotten candid about her hair turning gray, sharing “tips” on how to easily hide roots on her Instagram.
Red: a bold and daring choice that can create a stunning contrast with grey hair. This shade is perfect for those with warm skin tones. Purple: a unique, eye-catching shade that can add a pop of colour to grey hair. This hue is perfect for those with cool skin tones.
Ten out of ten colorists agree, shades that are warm-toned read more youthful than cool-toned hair colors. Spicy copper reds, rich caramel brunettes, and soft honey blondes will warm up your complexion for younger-looking skin (hold the retinol).
Hair products with alcohol are a no-no for gray hair. As gray hair already struggles in keeping moisture and adding alcohol to your hair will only dry out even more and make it look even wirier.
Wearing gray hair without looking older is all about finding the right shade and styling it in a fresh, modern way. Opt for tones that complement your skin's undertone, like silver or ashy gray for cool undertones, or warmer gray shades for those with warmer complexions.
According to Bellemare, purple shampoo is a great option for those with gray hair as it can help neutralize yellow tones. This brassiness can develop from environmental factors such as pollution, UV exposure, hard water, heat styling and product buildup, says Bellemare.
The Colors to Avoid with Gray Hair
Here are a few to steer clear of: Muddy Neutrals: Beige, taupe, and other muted tones can make your skin look washed out and ashy. Earthy Yellows and Oranges: These warm tones clash with the coolness of gray hair and can make your complexion look sallow.
The study revealed that women found gray hair to be less attractive than snowy white hair. Many women appreciate white hair, but when asked about their own gray hair, they had extremely negative perceptions of it. The women also had very strict opinions on how older women should style their hair.
Does short or long hair make you look younger? Long hair can enhance facial features by diverting attention away from wrinkles or age spots and adding volume to your hair. Short hair does not need to age you, though, as the style and texture of shorter hairstyles can add a youthful appearance.