Embracing gray hair is a growing movement that seems to be sweeping women of all ages. Leaning into your silver strands doesn’t mean you’re giving up on your hair, far from it. Gray hair marks a whole new chapter of hair looks with new highlights and haircut inspiration to go with it.
“I love working with gray hair because it creates such a chic, natural base to build on,” says celebrity colorist and co-founder of IGK Hair Care, Chase Kusero. We asked the experts what highlight colors help elevate gray hair to make it look more intentional and chic. While what’s best for you all depends on your hair color, type, texture and lifestyle, we have some inspiration for you to bookmark ahead of your next salon appointment.
Featured experts
- Chase Kusero is a celebrity colorist and Co-Founder of IGK Hair Care
- Richy Kandasamy is a colorist, the VP of Color Development for R+COLOR and an R+CoCollective Member
- Renée Valerie Radoiu is a colorist, the director of Education for R+COLOR and an R+Co Collective member
Champagne, pearl or silver highlights
“My go-to technique is soft, dimensional highlights that blend seamlessly with the natural gray instead of covering it up,” says Kusero. “Think icy champagne, pearl blonde or even silver-infused balayage. It enhances the gray instead of fighting it.” R+COLOR VP of color development Richy Kandasmy also previously told us he also loves using champagne tones for gray blending. “It softens the contrast while still looking polished and dimensional. It’s a great choice for clients who want a modern, wearable blonde with a luxe finish.”
Light blonde highlights
“I love using classic highlights to blend gray hair and enhance a more natural-looking blonde,” says director of R+COLOR Education Renée Valerie Radiou. Going with light blonde highlights “helps soften the contrast of the white and creates a beautifully bright, blended blonde with a gentle grow-out and no harsh demarcation lines.”
When someone’s shade is particularly vibrant and more of a bright white, especially around the hairline, Radiou likes to apply a demi-permanent liquid color, like R+COLOR HYPERMATIC 10-Minute Demi-Permanent Liquid Hair Color in a very light blonde like N9 (Sparrow.) “This helps soften the contrast of the white and creates a beautifully bright, blended blonde with a gentle grow-out and no harsh demarcation lines.”
Bright, face-framing pieces
“For those wanting a little more pop, I’ll layer in brighter face-framing pieces and use IGK Blonde Pop Purple Toning Shampoo and Conditioner ($58) to keep everything cool and luminous,” says Kusero. “The key is dimension and shine. It should feel effortless and elevated, not overdone.”
Dimensional lowlights
For clients who are closer to 100 percent white, Radiou likes to add deeper, dimensional lowlights. “My go-to formula is R+COLOR OMNIPRESENT Liqui-Crème Permanent Hair Color in 4.0N (Brown Bunny) mixed with 6.1A (Twin Peaks) to reintroduce richness and contrast into the overall look, giving the hair natural depth and movement.”
