Why Grey Hair Looks Different
Grey and white hairs grow when the pigment cells in the hair follicle produce less, and then no, melanin. When that starts is mostly genetic. Grey hair often feels coarser and drier, partly because the scalp makes less oil with age, and without pigment it can turn yellowish from sun, heat and minerals in water.
Grey reads as 'deliberate' when it's in good condition and paired with a current cut. It reads as 'given up' when it's dull, frizzy and in a shape that hasn't changed in years. The difference is almost all cut and care.
Grey Hairstyles for Women
Blunt bob: a sharp line looks modern and makes grey look silvery rather than wispy. Textured pixie: short grey hair looks bold and shows off the face. Long layers: long grey hair can look striking when it's healthy; add face-framing layers. Soft shag: movement suits grey's texture. Lob with waves: versatile and easy.
Grey Hairstyles for Men
Short and sharp works best. Textured crop, classic side part, crew cut and buzz cut all look distinguished in grey. A neatly trimmed grey or salt-and-pepper beard adds to the effect. See haircuts for men over 50.
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How to Transition to Grey
Growing out dyed hair is the hardest part. Options: a shorter cut that removes most of the dyed length quickly; highlights or lowlights that blend the line between dye and grey; or 'grey blending', where a colourist adds fine light streaks so new grey growth looks intentional. Many people grow it out over 6 to 12 months with regular trims.
Read more: Haircuts for Men Over 50 That Look Sharp, Not Dated
Keeping Grey Bright
Use a purple or silver shampoo once or twice a week to cancel yellow tones; more often can tint the hair. A gloss treatment adds shine. Protect grey from heat with a heat protectant, and from sun with a hat or UV spray. Moisturising conditioner helps with coarseness.
Grey also changes which clothes colours suit you; many people find cooler, clearer colours flatter grey hair more than warm ones. See what colors look good on me. The free face scan in Ollie Stylist ranks cuts for your face shape.