The best color palettes to complement gray hair

Going grey is a popular choice these days whether you have never coloured your hair or after many years of colouring, you have decided to embrace your grey. If you’re still wondering if gray hair is for you, you may like to enjoy the article and comments in To gray or not to gray.

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

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

50 shades of grey? Not quite, but there are many variations depending how much grey is in your hair and what your natural colour 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 grey 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 colour grey is naturally a “cool” colour, so depending on the amount of gray in your hair, you may look “cooler” even if you have a warm complexion and eye colour.

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

Pastels may wash you out now as there is less contrast between your hair and complexion. Avoid muddy colours as these may dull your complexion. Dark colours may be too harsh. Mid value colours to bright and jewel tones will be more complementary. Now let’s explore that in more detail. I was trained in the colour 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 colour pallets for warm and cool.

Cool Complexions

Those who had naturally dark brunette or black hair would be best in these colours: Purple, royal blue, cobalt, red, fuchsia, emerald green, all greys from silver to charcoal and icy colours. 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: French blue, cornflower blue, periwinkle blue, denim blue, jade green, deep lavender, rose red, raspberry, magenta, bright pinks, pale greys and off-white. The browns and taupe 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 want to avoid the soft pastels as these may wash you out.

Warm Complexions

Those who had warm brown, strawberry or golden blonde hair will look best in these: Lilac, turquoise, royal blue, bright aqua, kelly green, watermelon, corals, warm pinks. 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 colour.

Those who had auburn or red hair will look best in these: Burnt orange, terra cotta, teal, plums, aubergine, deep coral, tomato red, forest green and goldenrod. Choose the warmer and richer colours in your pallet as the paler colours 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

Wear make-up colours that complement your skin tone. You may feel you look paler now as your skin and hair colour are a lower contrast, so you may want to try a brighter lip colour. Lip and blush colours 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

• Wear your most flattering colours next to your face.
• If you wear mostly neutrals, add colour with scarves and accessories.
• Play up your eye colour 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 colours you may never have worn before.
• Try on different lipstick colours. Do a lipstick swap with friends and try new shades.
• The pantone colour of the year, Ultra Violet will be gorgeous with grey.

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

Author bio: Yvonne Grzebien’s passion for fashion started at a young age through modelling and then progressed to working in the fashion and cosmetics business for many years. She also has training as a Colours Consultant. Yvonne lives in Canada and when the weather permits you will find her on the golf course.

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Top photo is of Susan
Other photos, photographed by Denton Taylor and submitted by readers
Find them at at our inspiration articles on grey hair: Women with long gray hair, middle long hairstyles, long silver hair