Developing gray hair is an unavoidable part of aging for many of us. How many, exactly? Up to half of women will be at least 50% gray by the age of 50. If you choose to cover up your gray—be that with at-home hair color or regular in-salon appointments—go for it! On the flip side, if you choose to grow out your gray and fully embrace your silver strands, more power to you. Ultimately, it’s completely a matter of personal preference and you should absolutely do what makes you feel your best.
All that being said, there’s definitely an ‘embrace your gray’ movement happening.. “There’s a growing acceptance of diverse beauty standards that celebrate authenticity and individuality. The fashion and beauty industries have started to highlight gray hair as a beautiful and natural feature, rather than something to be covered up, so many people see embracing gray hair as a statement of self-acceptance and confidence,” explains colorist Sean Goddard, a Redken Master Artist and Global Brand Ambassador. Another factor? Celebs, influencers, and public figures doing the same: “When high-profile individuals embrace their gray, it often inspires others to do the same,” he says. (Keep reading for examples of some of our favorites doing exactly this.)
A few key tricks to keep in mind if you are going to rock your gray. One, make sure you have a set style. “If the goal is to look intentional with your gray hair, it needs to appear well-maintained, which is why unstyled or messy hair often doesn’t work. Styled looks like defined curls, a bouncy blowout, or sleek straight hair convey that effort has been put into your appearance,” says stylist and colorist Rogerio Cavalcante, owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York City. Two, at-home maintenance is also important. Like blonde hair, gray can also take on unwanted yellow tones, which taint the overall effect. Cavalcante advises using a purple shampoo to counteract this unwanted yellowing once every two weeks. His pick: L’Oréal Professionnel Silver Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo (Buy Now, $40). Using an at-home clear gloss bi-monthly is another way to ensure your silver stays shiny and fresh. One to try: OUAI Hair Gloss (Buy Now, $34).
Ready to sport silver strands with pride? Take some inspo from these seven celebs that are doing it right.
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Diane Keaton
Keaton tends to get highlights to help break up her gray and make it pop, says Goddard, a good trick if your grays are still lacking in some areas or appear dull. “Oftentimes people start to gray at the front, but the back can be a dull, flat color. Adding highlights like Keaton has will break that up until the gray comes in further through the rest of the hair,” he explains.
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Hilarie Burton
Here’s proof positive that even younger people can embrace gray. Cavalcante calls out Burton for her slightly more unique approach, embracing gray and letting it grow out while still maintaining some of her blond color toward the ends.
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Andie McDowell
Godard refers to McDowell’s gray as of a “pepper” look, which he says is a nice choice for anyone starting their gray hair journey. She has graphite-toned lowlights that help break up lighter hair tones, which work for all skin tones, and are a good thing to ask your stylist for if you’re not sure how to start embracing gray, he says.
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Glenn Close
For those who really want to make a statement with their gray hair, a cropped, pixie cut, like Close’s, is modern and adds a touch of drama, says Cavalcante.
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Helen Mirren
According to Goddard, Mirren is a great example of how gray hair can be incredibly sophisticated and chic. She does have more of a full-on platinum gray, however, which usually requires an all-over lightening service in order to get rid of existing color and achieve this uniform end result, he says. It’s also most flattering for those with lighter skin tones, he adds.
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Meryl Streep
Streep often alternates between natural gray and blonde hair, says Goddard, and is a good example why using a purple shampoo to maintain any unwanted yellowing tones is very helpful. If you have some existing color left in your hair, several rounds of fine, lighter highlights should get you to this type of final look, he says.
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Jamie Lee Curtis
The best part about Curtis’s gray hair is that it’s often how clients should start their natural gray hair journey, Goddard notes. “The best way to get rid of the old color is to let it grow out and chop it off into a cute pixie cut. That way you are only working with your natural color and there will be no high maintenance salon visits after,” he explains.
