The beauty of gray and silver hair is well-known and there is an abundance of styles that can enhance its radiance. To inspire women over 50, we have curated a selection of three hairstyles along with celebrity examples that showcase an age-defying appearance.
We reached out to hair experts who have also provided valuable advice on how to keep gray hair healthy and maintain its natural beauty. Read on for suggestions and insight from Dr. Roshan Vara, hair transplant surgeon and co-founder at The Treatment Rooms, Adriana Tapia, color specialist at Pierre Michel Salon, Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites, and Anna Peterson, professional hairstylist and creator of Salon Route.
3 Chic, Timeless Gray Hairstyle Ideas For Women Over 50
1. Curly, Dark Gray Pixie
Tia Mowry recently wowed her Instagram followers with a darker gray, curly pixie. This short look helps emphasize facial symmetry, and is just long enough for anyone looking for a refresh, and who is heading to the salon to remove split ends.
A style like this, Vara says, is also "very low maintenance and doesn’t require much styling," which is great for "those who want to stay away from heat.” In addition, it can help finer, thinner hair look fuller when kept at this length.
2. Ashy, Gray Pixie With Side Bangs
Included in this list of modern hairstyles is one of Jane Fonda's iconic looks, showcasing her status as a trendsetter and style icon. Recently, the Grace and Frankie actress sported a stunning ash-gray pixie with side-swept bangs, perfectly accentuating her bone structure and highlighting her best features.
“Ask your stylist for layered, side-swept bangs that seamlessly blend into your hair,” Peterson says. “They soften facial features, giving a youthful, fresh look. Style them at home with a round brush and hairdryer for volume and softness.”
3. Piecey Black-And-Gray Pixie
Halle Berry's edgy, side-parted pixie cut is timeless, and shows that you can also add another color to gray for a two-tone look anytime! This, as Vara says is a "great statement hairstyle and always makes gray hair stand out."
Rivera adds that her wispy, layered pieces can "also detract from the appearance of fine or limp hair and can add dimension to a style." She also notes that adding bangs is also a great idea, as they "can be styled in a variety of ways which can lead to the hair appearing fuller."
The Bottom Line
Overall, there are many different ways to wear and love gray hair! When taking care of your silvery tresses, Vara explains, there are several important tips to keep in mind.
To keep your gray hair looking healthy and fresh, it’s important to keep up with regular haircuts. "Split ends can cause your hair to not grow properly and can cause major breakage," he says. Going to a salon about every three months can help to keep your hair looking healthy, and it makes it easier to grow out your gray hair.
It also helps to get to "know your own face shape" before hitting the salon, he suggests, so you know what "length and style looks best and will amplify your features." Talking to your hair stylist about what might look best is helpful as they can steer you in the right direction.
Lasty, gray hair can look dry and dull as it is a different texture than hair with more pigment. "Therefore, it’s helpful to use a glossy serum that helps to amp up the shininess of your gray hair," Vara recommends. This can be used "each time you style your hair for an effortless look and that makes your gray hair pop."
