
Unfortunately, generations of women were taught to live in fear of those first grey hairs, with a whole sector of the beauty industry built around “solutions” – hair dye, root spray, colour conditioning gloss, and the rest. These days? Women are rightly embracing the beauty of salt and pepper or silver – just look at Chanel model of the moment Stephanie Cavalli. At Zurich Film Festival on Tuesday night, a certain Olivia Colman became our newest silver hair muse.
Wearing an all-white Celine look, Colman let her natural colour and texture shine. She swept her wavy locks to one side, showing off a hoop earring and subtle make-up. She’s in incredibly good company, with Jane Fonda, Salma Hayek-Pinault, Lisa Bonet and Kristen McMenamy all rocking variations on pewter. There’s no downside to grey hair, but it does require specialised upkeep, as scientist and certified hair practitioner Dr Gaby Longsworth told . “With age, hair loses density, shine, and pigment, and the oil glands in the scalp produce less sebum.”

Using a deep moisture mask or bond-building treatment is recommended when it comes to silver-specific haircare, along with the occasional use of purple shampoo, which helps to reduce any brassy tones. Colman presumably has her own routine down to a fine art – whether it’s the dash of grey in her 2023 pixie crop, or the mid-length salt and pepper waves she’s wearing now, the Oscar-winner always gives great hair.