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.
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
If you had naturally dark brunette or black hair you will look best in these colors:
Purple
FRAME Femme Tieneck Silk Sleeveless Blouse
Royal blue
Chiara Boni La Petite Robe Pieranna Sleeveless Peplum Top
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
LookbookStore Notched Lapel Blazer
Fuchsia
Red
J.Crew Cashmere Shrunken Cardigan Sweater
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
Icy colors
All greys from silver to charcoal
Neineiwu 3/4 Sleeve Chiffon Blouse
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
Magenta
Trina Turk Concourse Satin-Back Crepe Top
Raspberry
Equipment Slim Signature Shirt
Bright pinks
Harshman Finch Cap-Sleeve Blouse
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
French blue
Cornflower blue
Saks Fifth Avenue Scalloped Button-Shoulder T-Shirt
Periwinkle blue
Jade green
Lock and Love Drape Front Open Cardigan
Rose red
Ramy Brook Lori Silk Halter Top
Off-white
CHICWISH Ruched Long Sleeves Knit Top
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
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?
Those who had warm brown, strawberry or golden blonde hair will look best in these:
Corals
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.
Watermelon
Tahari ASL Side Ruched Flutter Sleeve Dress
Kelly Green
Angashion Loose Fit Drape Blouse
Royal blue
Bright aqua
Made By Johnny Sleeveless Draped Open Cardigan
Turquoise
WIHOLL Square Neck Puff Sleeve Shirt
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
Lilac
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
Terracotta
Caslon Gingham Textured A-Line Shirtdress
Tomato red
Levi’s Shrunken Faux Leather Moto Jacket
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
Plums
FRAME Ruched Sleeve Recycled Cashmere Blend Sweater
Aubergine
Deep coral
Liverpool Los Angeles Smocked Shoulder T-Shirt
Forest green
Boden Empire Ruched Waist Dress
Goldenrod
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:
- How To Dye Your Hair Roots Yourself
- To Grey Or Not To Grey?
- How To Transition To Grey Hair: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
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Feature image by Jospehine @chicatanyage
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I have also been going grey during Covid. I have gotten some blonde highlights and it has helped bridge between my brown color, my grey all around my face, and my darker salt and pepper in the back. Thanks for all your advice!
I’m fair with cool toned skin and emerald green eyes. . As a child my hair was white blonde but as I grew up it turned a mixture of chestnut brown with dirty blonde natural highlights. I’m wanting to go grey so I can let it grow into its natural grey color. What’s the best grey tone that would suit me?
My hair was dark blonde. I use to use neutral blonde. I let my hair color come in. It’s two tone, dark greyand white. I get compliments but want the grey lighter. I bought purple shampoo to highlight it. I used it once. I don’t feel it helped. I don’t want to dye my hair again. What can I do? I am 71 years young . I guess, I need more lighter tones where the dark grey is. I have short hair. Any suggestions?
I have fair skin, freckles, dark brown eyes and white hair. Should I grow my white hair out? Would it look good on me?
Thank you Yvonne, your site helped me be more comfortable with my decision going grey. I am cool tone and have always loved jeweled tones. I loved your suggestions.
How do you know if you are cool or warm toned?
By looking at the color of your skin. If it has a yellow undertone you’re warm, if it has a pink undertone you’re cool. Other indicators are the eyes and your veins (If your veins appear more blue, you’re cool-toned but if you see more green, you’re warm-toned.). You can also just add colors close to your face. Check the video at the bottom of this article https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-wear-red/ Which colors make you face ligthen up?
I am tan with red under tones I have grey hair and 78 what color am I (cool or warm)
This article helped me alot. But i have brown eyes with silver hair. Any suggestions?
Thanks for featuring me I’m the model in the orange sweater
I have quite olive skin and my hair is white/grey I am not sure what colours I should be looking at I used to be able to wear corals but find I no longer can. I used to have brown hair, I desperately need advice
Been a “grey” for 4 months..this spring and summer I need my right colors..confused if I am a cool or warm.
I have stark white hair and love it! I very seldom wear gray or dull colors like beautiful blues and various greens. Black is very striking.
Wow! I’m a blue-eyed blonde who went from gray to white hair, which everyone thinks is gorgeous except they don’t want it! Very interesting about colors (I am a cool) and I am finding that pastels aren’t working for me and I’m not liking how I look when I wear black. I’m not fond of the bright pink lipsticks that have a lot of blue. Any more ideas for someone like me to has to start rethinking her wardrobe? I really enjoyed this particular subject since it fits me to a “t.”
Hi Margie,
Sorry for the delay in responding. Instead of a blue based pink lipstick, have you tried something like a raspberry, berry or even a rose red? You could even go to a softer taupier pink.
Hope that helps.
Yvonne
this is me too. I have always loved black, blues, purples but my hair is now gray with still some blond in it and I look washed out all the time. It is a real struggle. I was hoping you would have received a little more information on what to use to brighten up our faces.
It is obvious that grey hair needs a different approach in colours of your clothes near your face. As I have (fake) blond hair, I find it already applies a little to that as well. Love all the bright colours, so if I ever decide to go grey I won’t have any trouble adjusting.
Fabulous article at just the right time! I was only saying to my husband the other day that I need to get some colour in my wardrobe. I’ve bought things thinking they will go with my other clothes and have ended up with a wardrobe full of black, grey and navy.
Thank you so much for the cool color palette for those of us who used to be brunette and are now gray.
It’s good to know that i’m wearing the right colors.
I always enjoy reading your guest posts, Yvonne. You share tips and information in a way that is easy to understand. Thank you!
Thank you Susan for the kind comments. And thank you for allowing us to use your gorgeous photo.