The 23 Best Hairstyles That Play Up Silver Hair
Everyone is currently all about embracing their gray hair. But for those who have committed to dyeing their hair for years, it can be a challenge (both mentally and physically) to transition from colored hair to au natural. So where does one even start?
There are a couple of ways you can go about it. You can get a whole new cut (fringe, the always popular bob, or go big and cut it all off with a pixie) to really show off those silver strands. You can opt for gray blending, French blending, or herribone highlights to expertly blend those grays into your natural base. The world—at least gray hair-wise—is your proverbial oyster.
For some added inspo, we rounded up 23 ways our favorite celebs wear and celebrate their gray hairs. We got every cut, style, and gray coloring technique covered. Scroll through and add these to your mood board.
- Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty Images1/23
Slicked Back
The cool girl “wet hair” look knows no bounds (read: no age or color limit). Sharon Stone shows off her short silver strands in a chic slicked back look.
- Gilbert Carrasquillo2/23
French Blending
Perfect for when you're looking for something low-maintenance, French Blending is the coloring technique that seamlessly blends in those grays. Here, Katie Holmes's grays are subtly peeking out and blended into her brunette base.
- Taylor Hill3/23
Short Feathered Layers
A great way to add volume to any cut is with short, feathered layers. With silver strands like Rita Moreno's, it really makes the silver look extra bright.
- Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty Images4/23
The Silver Bob
Bobs continue their reign as the ultimate cut. Here, Jane Fonda wears her gray hair with a deep side part.
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Blunt Bob
Sleek and modern, a blunt bob cut can make your grays look fresh. Naomi Watts wears her's just sitting on her shoulders.
- Gilbert Carrasquillo6/23
High Ponytail
Sarah Jessica Parker shows off her grays in a tight, high ponytail. A classic style, it's an easy way to let the silver shine through.
- Variety/Getty Images7/23
Soft Silver Blowout
“If they have a soft grey texture, I’d do a beautiful blow-dry that feels rich and expensive,” says Griscti. Here, Kelly Hu wears her soft grays blended in with a fabulous blowout.
- Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty Images8/23
Silver Pixie
A pixie is an easy go-to for your grays. Jamie Lee Curtis wears her's with layers for added dimension.
- Kevin Winter/Getty Images9/23
Layered Fringe
Bangs are a great way to change up any look. Alexandra Grant wears her gray hair with piecey fringe
Kristy Sparow/Getty Images10/23Natural Curls
Carlyn Griscti, a New York City-based hairstylist at Beauty Supply, says that she likes to work with her clients' natural texture while transitioning them to gray. Andie MacDowell wears her dark gray curls out with major volume.
- Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Images11/23
Low Bun
For a more effortless vibe, opt for a loose, low bun. Meryl Streep wears her's with a deep side part for some added volume.
- Raymond Hall12/23
Razor Cut Lob
According to celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims, the razor cut lob is one of the most requested styles for gray hair. “[They're] young, sexy, and effortless,” says Sims.
- Steve Granitz13/23
Bright Silver
Lean all the way with your grays with a bright silver shade like Glenn Close. Pro-tip: use a purple shampoo. Celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble says purple shampoos will help keep hair from turning yellow.
- Roy Rochlin/Getty Images14/23
Loose Waves
Another easy to add some volume is to add some loose waves. Blythe Danner wears her loose gray waves in a layered bob, parted in the middle for some body and movement.
- Taylor Hill15/23
Silver Stripe
For an edgier spin, opt for just a hint of gray against a bold, bright base. Bonnie Raitt has a silver tendril framing her face and keeps the rest of her hair bright red for some cool contrast.
- PG/Bauer-Griffin16/23
Side Swept
We're loving this sleek bob with flipped ends on Allison Janney. The added side bangs are a nice added touch (and a win for the millennial set).
- Bruce Glikas17/23
Gray Blended Locs
Whoopi Goldberg's signature locs have a gray-blended treatment. The gray starts near the roots and fades towards the ends for that seamless blend.
- Samir Hussein18/23
Casual Half-Up, Half-Down
Sims says his clients with gray hair want styles that are less maintenance. “[The] more care-free, the better,” he explains.
He loves a style like a messy ponytail to give that effortless vibe. You can also opt for something like Helen Mirren's half-up, half-down look (she also has extensions for added drama) for something that keeps the length while keeping hair out of the face.
- Michael Tullberg/Getty Images19/23
Stacey London
The television personality is known for a few things, including TLC's iconic show What Not to Wear and her silver streaks.
- Gary Gershoff/Getty Images20/23
Mid-Length Cut
Kimble says that a medium haircut is a go-to for her clients with gray hair. The key is to add volume. “Volume is nice because it makes [hair] look more youthful,” she says.
Hilarie Burton wears her gray ombré with loose curls at the ends for some added movement.
- Amanda Edwards/Getty Images21/23
Silver Shag
Another style Sims loves is the shag. He says to opt for a diffused curly shag if you've got the natural curls. You can also opt for a blownout, voluminous shag with fringe like Margaret Avery to show off those silver and gray strands.
- Steve Granitz22/23
Subtle Blend
If you have just a few grays popping up, you can easily blend them in. While attending the Breakthrough Prize Gala, Hayek opted for a sophisticated updo—strands of silver front and center.
- Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images23/23
Signature (Silver) Style
Lisa Bonet (who also goes by Lilakoi Moon) has always been a hair icon. Her locs are sprinkled with gray, along with her signature brunette.
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