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
LARACE V-Neck Tunic Top
Royal blue
Dayle @artfulcitystyle above (read her style interview here) looks great in her tonal blues.
Get her look with this similar tunic, pants, flats and necklace.
Karen Kane Tie Front Flutter Sleeve Top
Cobalt
LookbookStore Notched Lapel Blazer
Fuchsia
LARACE V-Neck Tunic Top
Red
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 long sleeve top, pants and booties.
GRACE KARIN Cropped Blazer
Emerald green
Milumia Self Tie Blouse
Icy colors
Urban CoCo Open Front Blazer
All greys from silver to charcoal
Eileen @eileenternullo above shows how wearing grays and whites can look beautiful with gray hair.
Steal her look with this similar short sleeve sweater, pants, shoes and earrings.
Neineiwu 3/4 Sleeve Chiffon Blouse
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
Magenta
Milumia Pleated Keyhole Back Blouse
Raspberry
PJ Salvage Pre Pointelle Sweater
Bright pinks
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.
SheIn Scallop Top
Denim blue
Citizens of Humanity Kayla High-Low Cotton Denim Shirt
French blue
Zeagoo Twist Knot Front Top
Cornflower blue
Nordstrom Rib Crewneck Sweater
Periwinkle blue
Dokotoo Chiffon Top
Jade green
Lock and Love Drape Front Open Cardigan
Rose red
CeCe Square Neck Blouse
Off-white
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.
Get her look with this similar top (another option here), pants, bracelet and ring.
CHICWISH Ruched Long Sleeves Knit Top
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?
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
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, pants, sandals, head wrap, earrings and necklace.
HOTAPEI Drape Wrap Blouse
Watermelon
Eileen Fisher V-Neck Stretch Jersey Dress
Kelly Green
Angashion Loose Fit Drape Blouse
Royal blue
Iandroiy Twist Knot Tee
Bright aqua
Made By Johnny Sleeveless Draped Open Cardigan
Turquoise
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.
WIHOLL Square Neck Puff Sleeve Shirt
Warm pinks
MBJ Wrap Front Drape Dolman Top
Lilac
Jescakoo Front Twist Top
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
JASTIE Open Stitch Crochet Cardigan
Tomato red
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, pants, earrings, necklace and hat.
Newchoice 3/4 Sleeve Blouse
Teal
Made By Johnny Kimono Style Dolman Cardigan
Plums
Hanes Lightweight Rolled Sleeve Top
Aubergine
PrinStory Ruffle Short Sleeve Top
Deep coral
roswear Cuffed Sleeves Chiffon Blouse
Forest green
Jouica Mesh Panel Blouse
Goldenrod
HOTAPEI Wrap Chiffon Blouse
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?
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