A few years ago, some people might have panicked at the sight of a few gray hairs. When it wasn’t a trending hair color, the silvers and grays might signala more mature age or the early onset of aging. Many people with gray hair often want to mask this hair color, in an effort to reduce the aging look and embrace a more youthful appearance, perhaps as a blonde or brunette.
These days, however, changing hair trends are embracing the looks that were often shunned and are instead glorifying them—as they should be. Having gray or silver hair used to be a bad thing, but now those who rock the steely colors are often referred to as “silver foxes,” a term much more modern and appreciated.
Even A-list celebrities have been known to sport the latest color trends, from Kylie Jenner and Rihanna to Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne. The options with this hair color are endless, and many celebrities walking the red carpet are embracing the look without a hitch. If you’re thinking about trying a new hair color this season, the steel drama of gray hair might be just the hue for you.
What Makes Hair Gray
Depending on your genes, you might be susceptible to gray hair in your 30s or 40s, or you might start noticing it as early as your high school years. Your genes are what determine when you will start seeing a change in your hair.
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The process of hair becoming gray or white starts at the roots. The roots of the hair are surrounded by hair follicles, where pigment cells live and produce a chemical called melanin. Melanin is what gives the shaft its color, but it’s also responsible for making the hair lighter or darker over time.
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Over time, the pigment cells often start to die and, with less melanin in the follicles, the hair strands start to lose their bold color. As a result, individuals will see lighter colors like grays and silvers or more salt and pepper hues.
How It Become Popular
It’s true that gray hair hasn’t always been a fan favorite. Luckily, the days of silver and gray representing a more mature group of people have melted away, and now even young male and female teenagers are embracing the look.
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But where did the inspiration come from? How did gray go from meaning “senior” all the way to meaning “steely” and “sexy”? One of the main celebrities that has been rocking the gray for years is the legend himself, Mr. George Clooney. It has been reported that sales in gray hair dye have spiked by as much as 80% on Amazon, as younger generations begin to try to emulate their more mature idols in various industries.
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The successful and suave Mr. Clooney has always embraced his silver locks, and he’s likely one of the A-listers who has inspired younger individuals to appreciate their silver strands or to dye them entirely. Clooney makes the silver fox style look strong and confident; not to mention, it looks amazing with any tuxedo or sharp outfit.
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Other famous males that have been rocking the silver look include Olympic athletes Ryan Lochte, Patrick Dempsey, and Matt LeBlanc. Men should take note that not all of these men decided to go full silver fox, either; many are embracing a few bold strands of gray or salt and pepper looks that are more natural.
How to Wear It
The great thing about embracing gray and silver hair hues is that they’re just as flexible as any other color on the wheel. Those who experiment with this shade are not confined to a stark gray or a faded shade; rather, you can intensify the color, blend it with others, or darken it to match your personality and preference.
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Ombre
One of the more popular gray hairstyle designs is the ombre option, which embraces both a more natural hair color as well as a gray. The idea, here, is to have both of the hair colors meet somewhere in the middle and blend into each other flawlessly to create the illusion that the natural hair colors have morphed into silver or gray.
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This looks especially good with individuals who have darker hair at the root, which slowly lightens into the silver or gray closer to the tips for a highlighted effect that is both modern and sleek.
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Galaxy
If you’re looking to mix some gray or silver into a more multi-colored hairstyle, then the trending galaxy hair color might be perfect for you. This idea blends a variety of colors throughout the hair, often with dark blues and purples for a dark galaxy, and the silvers and grays add pops of stardust color throughout.
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Another popular approach to this coloring is to have the darker colors at the top of the hairline and have the bottom portion a green-silver color.
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Blonde Silver
Individuals who don’t want to go full silver might consider a blonde silver option that blends a platinum blonde with silver streaks. This is often known as a pearlescent color, and experienced hair stylists will be able to help you create this shiny, satin color with a couple of visits to your salon.
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This look embraces a mixture of blonde and silver, so you can see multiple dimensions and colors without going full gray. It’s a classy, modern kind of color that can be worn everywhere from the office to the corner bistro.
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Conclusion
Individuals who already have gray hair naturally have a leg up on the latest trend. Gray hair has become a symbol of confidence and swagger and should be embraced by those who are natural silver foxes. For those who are thinking about dying their hair to join in on the trend, be sure to talk to your salon stylist ahead of time to discuss which shades will look best and how to maintain your silver hair for as long as possible.
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