Whether you’re showing off your naturally silver streaks, letting your roots grow out, or asking your stylist to transform your locks into a glossy gray, there’s no doubt about it: Gray hair is on trend, and it’s beautiful. Instagram accounts with massive followings are dedicated to the color, and more and more people are embracing their grays as they age. But as with any hair color, texture, or length, there are certain styles that can really help your tresses shine. That's why Best Life asked stylists to share the best hairstyles for gray hair. Read on to find out what the experts recommend to make the most of your gray hair.
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1 | A classic bob
SDI Productions/ShutterstockIf you’re looking for a style that’s incredibly easy to maintain, write this down. “There’s no contest that the best hairstyle for gray hair is the classic bob,” Gwenda Harmon, hair and beauty expert at Power Your Curls, tells Best Life. For starters, she says, the shorter your hair is, the easier it is to style.
"When you have gray hair, you will understand how important it is to be able to easily style it," she says. "The classic bob is a great way to show off the naturally grown gray hairs. Embrace the gray hair and show it off.” This hairstyle is low maintenance but works with a lot of face shapes, she adds.
2 | A slicked-back ponytail
adamkaz / iStockJoel Warren, a globally-acclaimed hair and beauty expert and creator of The Salon Project, recommends pulling your hair back if you've got the length for it: "For a more polished look, try slicking your hair back into a low ponytail or bun. This can be a great style for both casual and formal occasions," he says.
3 | A messy pixie cut
Milan Ilic Photographer / ShutterstockWould you say your gray hair has a wiry or coarse texture to it? According to Cindy Marcus, a professional hairstylist in Las Vegas and editor-in-chief of Latest Hairstyles, the best haircut that can work on any hair texture, but especially this one, is a messy pixie.
Gray hair tends to look on the trendy side when it’s cut into a modern pixie, Marcus tells Best Life—and it’s easy to maintain and style on your own. “This style will also provide fullness and volume for fine hair; however, it will work well for textured hair, allowing for movement and dimension.”
4 | A layered bob
Image Source / iStockWhile a classic bob is blunt-cut, ask your stylist is a layered bob may work better with your particular hair texture. "This classic haircut can be a great option for gray hair, as it can help to add volume and movement," says Warren.
5 | Shoulder length with soft layers
insta_photos/ShutterstockMore specially, ask your stylist for a shoulder length cut with soft layers that frame the face. This means they'll cut your hair in varying lengths at the front of your face to help define your features—and there are all kinds of ways to do it depending on the shape of your face, according to L’Oreal’s website.
"As we age, hair around our face tends to weaken and break," says Alayne Curtiss, owner of Make Me Fab and a curly hair and gray blending expert. “This classic style is great for blending and to soften up around the face.”
6 | A shag
Nadino/ShutterstockWhat do Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez, Bella Hadid, Kristen Bell, Cara Delevingne, and Halle Berry all have in common? They’ve recently rocked the shag, a hairstyle that was big in the '60s and '70s. It’s made a comeback, and it’s an awesome way to show off your silver locks. “Wear it wavy or straight. Piece-y and fun. Age is just a number with this effortless cut,” says Curtiss.
7 | Long and wavy
Roman Samborskyi/ShutterstockSearch for “gray hairstyle” on TikTok and you’ll be hit with countless videos of ideas, but one in particular dominates the airwaves: long wavy salt and pepper hair. According to Hair Adviser’s website, “a salt and pepper hairstyle doesn’t automatically age a woman. Go for big, bouncy curls to show off your coif’s volume.
