:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gray-hair-jamie-lee-curtis-GettyImages-2074974887-6c35de71a68d47e7a0749594646579d8.jpg "7 Celebrities with Beautiful Gray Hair")
Grey hair is an inevitable part of getting older for many of us. How many, exactly? Up to half of all women are at least 50% grey by the age of 50. If you want to cover up your grey – whether it’s with at-home hair dye or regular visits to the salon – then go for it! On the other hand, if you want to grow out your grey and fully embrace your silver strands, then it’s just a matter of personal preference. You Feel your best.
Still, there’s definitely an “embrace your gray hair” movement. “There’s a growing acceptance of different beauty ideals 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 hide. As a result, many people see embracing gray hair as a sign of self-acceptance and confidence,” explains colorist Sean Goddard, Redken Master Artist and Global Brand Ambassador. Another factor? Celebrities, influencers and public figures are doing the same: “When prominent individuals embrace their gray, it often inspires others to do the same,” he says. (Read on to see examples of some of our favorites doing just that.)
A few key tricks to keep in mind if you want to make a big splash with your gray hair. First, keep it in a style. “If you want to look intentional with your gray hair, it needs to look well-groomed, which is why unstyled or messy hair often doesn’t work. Styled looks like defined curls, a bouncy blowout, or straight hair convey that you’ve put effort into your look,” says stylist and colorist Rogerio Cavalcante, owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York City. Second, at-home maintenance is important, too. Like blonde hair, gray hair can take on unwanted yellow tones that detract from the overall look. Cavalcante recommends using a purple shampoo every two weeks to counteract that unwanted yellowing. His pick: L’Oréal Professionnel Silver Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo (Buy Now, $40). Using a clear at-home shiner every two months is another way to ensure your silver stays shiny and fresh. One to try: OUAI Hair Gloss (Buy Now, $34).
Ready to proudly show off silver hair? Get inspired by these seven celebs who are doing it right.
Diane Keaton
Keaton likes to get highlights to break up her gray and make it pop, Goddard says. It’s a good trick if your gray is missing in some areas or looks dull. “Often people start to get gray in the front, but it can be a dull, drab color in the back. Highlights like Keaton’s break that up until the gray comes through more in the rest of the hair,” he explains.
Hilary Burton
Here’s proof positive that younger people can wear grey hair too. Cavalcante calls out Burton for her slightly more unique approach, which sees her wear grey hair and let it grow out while still retaining some of her blonde colour at the ends.
Andie McDowell
Godard calls McDowell’s gray hair a “pepper” look, which he says is a great choice for anyone just starting out with gray hair. She has graphite lowlights that break up lighter hair tones and work for all skin tones. If you’re not sure how to start with gray hair, he says it’s a good idea to ask your hairdresser about it.
Glenn Close
If you really want to make a statement with your gray hair, go for a short pixie cut like Close’s. It’s modern and adds a touch of drama, says Cavalcante.
Helen Mirren
Goddard says Mirren is a great example of how grey hair can be incredibly sophisticated and chic. However, she has more of a rich platinum grey, which usually requires a full bleaching to remove the existing colour and achieve that uniform end result, he says. It also looks best on people with lighter skin tones, he adds.
Meryl Streep
Streep often switches between natural gray and blonde hair, Goddard says, and is a good example of why using a purple shampoo to maintain unwanted yellow tones is very helpful. If you have some color left in your hair, achieve that final look with several rounds of fine, lighter highlights, he says.
Jamie Lee Curtis
The best thing about Curtis’ gray hair is that for clients, it’s often the start of their natural gray hair journey, Goddard notes. “The best way to get rid of the old color is to let it grow out and cut it into a cute pixie cut. That way, you’re only working with your natural color and you don’t have to make any elaborate salon visits afterward,” he explains.
