Kim Kardashian has done it. Evan Rachel Wood has done it. So has Gaga. Back in the day, Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick did it. During the 2020 lockdown, Bella Hadid did it, albeit using a filter, and showed it off on TikTok, spawning a bazillion Google searches: How to I dye my hair gray? Fast forward two years, and sterling strands continue to be a covetable hair color trend, with many even starting to fully embrace their natural growth instead of covering it up.
You might think of gray growth as an irrepressible secret to paint away with root touch-up kits or monthly salon visits—but thanks to the aforementioned celebs, and a trending #grannyhair hashtag on Instagram, there’s a new wave of appreciation for the beauty of silver strands. Women of all ages are embracing shades of gray—some by letting their natural gray grow in (quarantine helped with that), and others by dipping into dye. Either way, this isn’t matte, mushroom gray: A good colorist or DIY dye job can deliver shiny, luscious, bright, silvery hair like moonlight on water. As a bonus, steel-colored hair suits every skin tone, as evidenced by gray hair dabblers from Nafessa Williams to Cara Delevingne. (An interesting side note? The human eye can distinguish more than 500 shades of gray—not just 50.)
A word of expert wisdom: If you have brown or black hair, pros caution against trying to go silver at home. This is because hair will likely need to be bleached out in order to be light enough to hold the gray dye—a tricky, and potentially strand-frying process. To keep your hair healthy, it might be best to take it slow by lightening over time or speak to your favorite stylist first and ask them to weigh in. At-home color will give the most dramatic results for those with blonde or ultra-light hair, and can add richness and dimension to natural grays—but that’s not to say there isn’t something to suit everyone, including temporary options so that you can take the shade for a test drive before you commit.
Best for Blondes
L'Oréal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, Smokey Silver
Best for Blondes
L'Oréal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color, Smokey Silver
Now 29% Off
Pros
Nourishing formula- Long-lasting color
Cons
If you already have fair or gray hair, this is the way to go: A permanent dye that will deposit a smoky, dimensional silver while also conditioning and protecting the strength of strands.
Best for Brunettes
Got2B Got2b Metallic Permanent Hair Color, M73 Smoky Steel
Best for Brunettes
Got2B Got2b Metallic Permanent Hair Color, M73 Smoky Steel
Pros
- Nourishing formula
- Delivers shine
- Long-lasting color
Cons
A steel shimmer atop dark hair can be a beautiful, eye-catching thing—Got2B Metallics will add a subtle silver sheen to black or brunette shades, and will take dark blonde and light brown to a radiant pewter.
Best Hair Makeup
Clairol Color Crave Temporary Hair Color Makeup, Shimmering Platinum, 1 Count
Best Hair Makeup
Clairol Color Crave Temporary Hair Color Makeup, Shimmering Platinum, 1 Count
Pros
- Washes out easily
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
Another way to play without commitment? Paint a platinum silver "hair makeup" onto strands with the enclosed sponge, creating dramatic streaks or an ombre effect that washes out in one or two washes.
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Best Temporary Color
L'Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Temporary Hair Color Spray, Pastel Blue
Best Temporary Color
L'Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Temporary Hair Color Spray, Pastel Blue
Now 18% Off
Pros
- Washes out easily
- Easy to apply
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
This one-day spray is perfect for those who want to tiptoe into the granny hair trend. Applicable for all hair types and hues, the vivid color easily washes out with shampoo.
Best Semi-Permanent Color
Good Dye Young Gravedigger Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Best Semi-Permanent Color
Good Dye Young Gravedigger Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Pros
- Conditions hair
- Long-lasting color
- Vegan formula
Cons
Not ready to commit to a charcoal-like hue? Good Dye Young's semi-permanent hair color combines salon-grade pigments with a nourishing, cream formula that deposits ultra-vibrant color for up to six weeks.
L'Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 8s Soft Silver Blonde
L'Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 8s Soft Silver Blonde
Now 23% Off
Pros
- Delivers shine
- Long-lasting color
- Conditions hair
Cons
This blond-meets-gray hue is the perfect transition color before going full-on granny.
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L'Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup 1-Day Hair Color
Pros
- Washes out easily
- Mess-free application
Cons
Feeling spontaneous? Consider L'Oréal Paris' gentle leave-in hair makeup, which makes the hair coloring process incredibly seamless.
Pros
- Conditions hair
- Delivers shine
- Safe for chemically-treated hair
Cons
Achieve professional-grade hair color in the comfort of your own home with IGK's kit. Inside the box, you'll find easy-to-use formulas with hair-loving ingredients, such as squalane, orchard extract, and bamboo extract, which help reduce breakage and leave hair shinier and smoother.
Clairol Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Color Creme, 8S Soft Silver
Clairol Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Color Creme, 8S Soft Silver
Pros
- Conditions hair
- Delivers shine
- Long-lasting color
Cons
True to its name, Clairol's boxed metallic dye applies nicely and easily to hair. That's because it also comes with a specially-formulated conditioner that adds intense shine and locks in color for eight, long weeks.
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Revlon ColorSilk Beautiful Color Hair Color in 82B Silver Blonde
Revlon ColorSilk Beautiful Color Hair Color in 82B Silver Blonde
Pros
- Conditions hair
- Delivers shine
- Mess-free application
Cons
Not only does Revlon's boxed dye deliver the same radiant results you'd get after walking out of a salon, but it also intensely nourishes locks, leaving them looking and feeling healthy.
Bleach London Super Toner Semi-Permanent Hair Toner Cream, Fade to Grey
Bleach London Super Toner Semi-Permanent Hair Toner Cream, Fade to Grey
Pros
- Corrects brassy hair
- Vegan formula
- Quick results
Cons
Blonde-haired folks craving a trendy yet subtle hair change can rely on Bleach London's gray toner. In just 10 minutes, the semi-permanent dye nips brassiness in the bud while depositing the most stunning silver base.
The Bottom Line
It's never too early to go gray. But if you plan to dive into silver territory, it's important to note that certain hair colors will require more work and upkeep than others. Those with brown or black hair should consult with a professional since darker strands will need to be slowly lightened so they can hold on to the smokey hue. People with blonde or lighter hair, on the other hand, have more freedom to give the trend a go and can try it at home with a DIY dye job.
If you're going to use an at-home dye, look for formulas that contain conditioning ingredients, like hydrating oils and nourishing butters. Make sure to use a hair care system specifically formulated to treat and maintain color-treated hair, too. We recommend the Oribe Silverati Shampoo and Oribe Silverati Conditioner, as both work double duty to nourish silver hair while toning any brassiness.
Another pro tip? When the color begins to fade, consider an at-home gloss, such as the L'Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss for Gray Hair. Formulated with a coconut oil-infused deep-conditioning base, the toner helps enhance your hair color and deeply condition in between touch-ups.
April Long
Beauty Director
April Long writes about beauty, wellness, and luxury skincare for Town & Country.
Sophie Dweck
Sophie Dweck is the associate shopping editor for Town & Country, where she covers beauty, fashion, home and décor, and more.