Going gray is a popular choice these days whether you have never colored your hair or after many years of coloring, you have decided to embrace your grey. But what are the best colors to complement gray hair?

Let’s have a look at the best colors to complement gray hair.

If you’re still wondering if gray hair is for you, you may like to enjoy the article and comments in our article to gray or not to gray.

The best colors to complement gray hair

Once you have chosen to go gray, the question that I often get asked is “what colors look good with grey hair?”. Let’s explore the best color palettes for gray hair in this article.

Gray hair is the lack of pigment that naturally occurs as we age, as does a softening of our skin tones and even our eye color.

Not all gray is the same

50 shades of grey? Not quite, but there are many variations depending how much grey is in your hair and what your natural color was. Grey ranges from salt & pepper, steel grey, champagne, silver, platinum and all the way to pure white.

And the percentage of hair that is gray compared to that which is still pigmented also changes the look of your grey and will change over time as more pigment is lost.

The color grey is naturally a “cool” color, so depending on the amount of gray in your hair, you may look “cooler” even if you have a warm complexion and eye color.

With all these changes you may not suit some colors that you wore when younger. Let’s discuss the best color pallets to complement your gray hair.

In this article, you will find the colors to complement your gray best – depending on what your original natural color was.

I’ve also included some beautiful clothes in the colors that suit you best. I’ve concentrated on tops, coats and scarves as these will be what you wear against your face and hair.

color palettes tips for gray hair | 40plusstyle.com

Pastels may wash you out now as there is less contrast between your hair and complexion. Avoid muddy colors as these may dull your complexion.

Dark colors may be too harsh.

So what can you wear? Exactly what are the colors to complement gray hair?

Mid value colors to bright and jewel tones will be more complementary. Now let’s explore that in more detail. I was trained in the color analysis concept and believe that your skin undertone remains the same as you age.

That means if you have a cool undertone, you will always have that, so I will review the color pallets for warm and cool.

Which colors complement cool complexions

Colors that complement cool complexions | 40plusstyle.com

If you had naturally dark brunette or black hair you will look best in these colors:

Purple

Colors to complement gray hair -FRAME Femme Tieneck Silk Sleeveless Blouse | 40plusstyle.com

FRAME Femme Tieneck Silk Sleeveless Blouse

Royal blue

Colors to complement gray hair -Chiara Boni La Petite Robe Pieranna Sleeveless Peplum Top | 40plusstyle.com

Chiara Boni La Petite Robe Pieranna Sleeveless Peplum Top

Colors that complement gray hair - Dayle wears blue | 40plusstyle.com

Dayle @artfulcitystyle above (read her style interview here) looks great in her tonal blues.

Recreate her outfit with this similar tunic top, pants, flats and necklace.

Cobalt

Colors that complement gray hair - LookbookStore Notched Lapel Blazer | 40plusstyle.com

LookbookStore Notched Lapel Blazer

Fuchsia

Colors to complement gray hair - LARACE V-Neck Tunic Top | 40plusstyle.com

LARACE V-Neck Tunic Top

Red

J.Crew Cashmere Shrunken Cardigan Sweater | 40plusstyle.com

J.Crew Cashmere Shrunken Cardigan Sweater

If you had naturally dark brunette or black hair you will look best in red | 40plusstyle.com

Mel @bagandaberet above (read her style interview here) teams a red outfit, complete with red lipstick, with her gray hair.

Get her look with this similar sweater, pants and booties.

Emerald green

Boden Sienna Linen Shirt | 40plusstyle.com

Boden Sienna Linen Shirt

Icy colors

LCRRRN Blazer | 40plusstyle.com

LCRRRN Blazer

All greys from silver to charcoal

Neineiwu 3/4 Sleeve Chiffon Blouse | 40plusstyle.com

Neineiwu 3/4 Sleeve Chiffon Blouse

Colors that complement gray hair - Eileen wears gray and white | 40plusstyle.com

Eileen @eileenternullo above shows how wearing grays and whites can look beautiful with gray hair.

Steal her look with this similar sweater, pants, espadrilles and earrings.

What you may wish to avoid

Browns in your pallet may not work as well next to your face but would be fine as neutrals for trousers, skirts and jackets.

You may find black a bit too harsh, so you may want to substitute with navy.

White may be too draining next to your face especially if you have a high percentage of grey in your hair

Those who had blonde or lighter brown hair will look best in these:

Deep lavender

Lock and Love Dolman Top | 40plusstyle.com

Lock and Love Dolman Top

Magenta

Trina Turk Concourse Satin-Back Crepe Top | 40plusstyle.com

Trina Turk Concourse Satin-Back Crepe Top

Raspberry

Equipment Slim Signature Shirt | 40plusstyle.com

Equipment Slim Signature Shirt

Bright pinks

Harshman Finch Cap-Sleeve Blouse | 40plusstyle.com

Harshman Finch Cap-Sleeve Blouse

Colors to complement gray hair - pink | 40plusstyle.com

Jospehine @chicatanyage above (read her style interview here) opts for a look that would be perfect for summer with a pair of white pants and bright pink top.

Recreate her outfit with this similar top (another option here), necklace and pants.

Denim blue

Colors to complement gray hair - rag & bone Maxine Denim Shirt | 40plusstyle.com

rag & bone Maxine Denim Shirt

French blue

Boden Cotton Flutter Top | 40plusstyle.com

Boden Cotton Flutter Top

Cornflower blue

Saks Fifth Avenue Scalloped Button-Shoulder T-Shirt | 40plusstyle.com

Saks Fifth Avenue Scalloped Button-Shoulder T-Shirt

Periwinkle blue

Dokotoo Chiffon Top | 40plusstyle.com

Dokotoo Chiffon Top

Jade green

Lock and Love Drape Front Open Cardigan | 40plusstyle.com

Lock and Love Drape Front Open Cardigan

Rose red

Ramy Brook Lori Silk Halter Top | 40plusstyle.com

Ramy Brook Lori Silk Halter Top

Off-white

CHICWISH Ruched Long Sleeves Knit Top | 40plusstyle.com

CHICWISH Ruched Long Sleeves Knit Top

The best colors to complement gray hair | 40plusstyle.com

Misja @misjabeijers above (read her style interview here) shows how creams can look great with gray hair. She adds interest to her outfit with her funky accessories.

Recreate her outfit with this similar top, pants and bracelet.

Pale greys

Made By Johnny Swing Tunic Top | 40plusstyle.com

Made By Johnny Swing Tunic Top

The browns and taupe in your palette may not work as well next to your face but would be fine as neutrals for trousers, skirts and jackets.

You may want to avoid soft pastels as these may wash you out.

Which colors complement warm complexions?

Warm tones and color to complement gray hair | 40plusstyle.com
CHICWISH Women’s Cream/Black/Burgundy Ruched Long Sleeves Knit Top 

Those who had warm brown, strawberry or golden blonde hair will look best in these:

Corals

Colors that complement gray hair - coral | 40plusstyle.com

Sharryn @thestylishwoman above (read her style interview here) opts for a coral tunic that looks good with slim pants or leggings.

Check out this similar tunic dress (another option here), pants, sandals, head wrap, earrings and necklace.

LEIYEE Wrap Top | 40plusstyle.com

LEIYEE Wrap Top

Watermelon

Tahari ASL Side Ruched Flutter Sleeve Dress | 40plusstyle.com

Tahari ASL Side Ruched Flutter Sleeve Dress

Kelly Green

Angashion Loose Fit Drape Blouse | 40plusstyle.com

Angashion Loose Fit Drape Blouse

Royal blue

Loveappella Godet Maxi Dress | 40plusstyle.com

Loveappella Godet Maxi Dress

Bright aqua

Made By Johnny Sleeveless Draped Open Cardigan | 40plusstyle.com

Made By Johnny Sleeveless Draped Open Cardigan

Turquoise

WIHOLL Square Neck Puff Sleeve Shirt | 40plusstyle.com

WIHOLL Square Neck Puff Sleeve Shirt

Colors that complement gray hair - turquoise | 40plusstyle.com

Terrie @glammas.closet above (read here style interview here) teams a turquoise cardigan with her black dress.

Check out this similar cardigan (another option here), top, skirt, sandals, belt, sunglasses, handbag and earrings.

Warm pinks

MBJ Wrap Front Drape Dolman Top | 40plusstyle.com

MBJ Wrap Front Drape Dolman Top

Lilac

WAYF Sterling Wrap Sweater | 40plusstyle.com

WAYF Sterling Wrap Sweater

Warm cinnamon browns will be better than a tan or buff colour next to your face.

Beiges would be fine as neutrals for trousers, skirts and jackets. Ivory may be too pale for you now, so wear it with an accent color.

Those who had auburn or red hair will look best in these:

Burnt orange

Zeagoo Cross-Front Ruched Blouse | 40plusstyle.com

Zeagoo Cross-Front Ruched Blouse

Terracotta

Colors to complement gray hair - Caslon Gingham Textured A-Line Shirtdress | 40plusstyle.com

Caslon Gingham Textured A-Line Shirtdress

Tomato red

Colors to complement gray hair - Levi's Shrunken Faux Leather Moto Jacket | 40plusstyle.com

Levi’s Shrunken Faux Leather Moto Jacket

Colors that complement gray hair - red | 40plusstyle.com

Judith @stylecrone above (read her style interview here) opts for a matching hat and dress with a statement necklace.

Recreate her outfit with this similar tunic, earrings, necklace and hat.

Teal

Made By Johnny Kimono Style Dolman Cardigan | 40plusstyle.com

Made By Johnny Kimono Style Dolman Cardigan

Plums

Colors to complement gray hair - FRAME Ruched Sleeve Recycled Cashmere Blend Sweater | 40plusstyle.com

FRAME Ruched Sleeve Recycled Cashmere Blend Sweater

Aubergine

Dokotoo Smocked Chiffon Top | 40plusstyle.com

Dokotoo Smocked Chiffon Top

Deep coral

Liverpool Los Angeles Smocked Shoulder T-Shirt | 40plusstyle.com

Liverpool Los Angeles Smocked Shoulder T-Shirt

Forest green

Boden Empire Ruched Waist Dress | 40plusstyle.com

Boden Empire Ruched Waist Dress

Goldenrod

Colors to complement gray hair - Connected Apparel Ity Mock Wrap Dress | 40plusstyle.com

Connected Apparel Ity Mock Wrap Dress

Choose the warmer and richer colors in your pallet as the paler colors may wash you out.

Neutrals in the richer warm browns and camel will be better next to your face than olive or khaki.

Make-up to complement gray hair

Wear make-up colours that complement your skin tone.

You may feel you look paler now as your skin and hair color are a lower contrast, so you may want to try a brighter lip color. Lip and blush colors should be clear and slightly bright.

Warm complexions would use corals and warm pinks and cool complexions pinks and berries. Red lipstick is another great option, but perhaps go a bit lighter or with a sheer red.

Quick Tips for wearing color with gray hair

  • Wear your most flattering colors next to your face.
  • If you wear mostly neutrals, add color with scarves and accessories.
  • Play up your eye color with your clothing choices. Blue eyes will really pop with turquoise and cobalt blue and hazel and green eyes with greens and purples.
  • Try on clothes in colors you may never have worn before.
  • Try on different lipstick colors. Do a lipstick swap with friends and try new shades.

Keep in mind everyone is unique, so now is a perfect time to experiment and try something different. What colors are you loving with your grey hair?

Continue reading:

  1. How To Dye Your Hair Roots Yourself
  2. To Grey Or Not To Grey?
  3. How To Transition To Grey Hair: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Like this article on the best colors to complement gray hair? Share it on Pinterest!

The best colors to complement gray hair | 40plusstyle.com

Feature image by Jospehine @chicatanyage

Sylvia

Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.

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