The choice to color one’s hair or embrace its natural grey is a dilemma faced by many, especially women, as they begin to notice strands of silver. This week, actress Olivia Colman made headlines by showcasing her transition to grey hair at the Zurich Film Festival. Colman, known for her dark pixie hairstyle, debuted a curly grey look, elegantly styled to one side, earning praise online, with Vogue even dubbing her a “silver hair muse.”
At 52, Colman joins other notable figures such as Andie MacDowell and Lisa Bonet, who have also opted for grey or silver hairstyles. However, for many women outside the entertainment industry, moving away from hair dye is often a more challenging journey. Stacey Duguid, a former fashion editor, highlighted this struggle when she began sharing her experiences of job hunting at the age of 52, despite her extensive background in the field. She revealed that she had to downsize her home and was currently relying on universal credit, receiving an outpouring of support from other middle-aged women facing similar employment difficulties.
Duguid pointed out that many women feel pressured to maintain dyed hair when re-entering the job market. “To embrace grey hair confidently is a privilege,” she stated, noting that it typically becomes feasible for those already in senior positions. “As an unemployed, single parent, it wasn’t a choice I had,” she added.
Typically, individuals begin to notice grey hair in their mid-30s for white and Asian populations, while for Black individuals, this usually occurs in their mid-40s. Louise Chunn, a former editor and current founder of the therapeutic platform Welldoing, stopped dyeing her hair upon taking the role of editor at InStyle magazine in the UK. She felt less concern about perceptions regarding her grey hair due to the nature of the position, which valued grooming and sophistication over youthful appearance.
Although Chunn resumed dyeing her hair in her 50s out of concern for looking older, she ultimately embraced her natural colour in her 60s. Colman’s stunning grey hairstyle was crafted by Inanch Emir, a London-based hair expert, who used four shades of grey to enhance Colman’s natural color while adding volume and length.
While Duguid praised Colman’s hairstyle as “spectacular,” she noted that it possesses characteristics often associated with a younger demographic, describing it as a “fetishised version of grey hair.” Sarah Bower, a color specialist at Larry King salon in London, explained that clients contemplating grey hair often worry about appearing older. She emphasized that transitioning to grey involves more than just ceasing to dye, as it often requires blending the line where natural hair color meets dyed hair. This process can take up to three years to achieve a fully grey look.
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics indicate that approximately 3% of individuals aged 50 to 64 in the UK are unemployed. Despite the state pension age increasing to 67, a recent study by the Centre for Ageing Better revealed that job applicants are often viewed as less desirable by recruiters once they reach the age of 55. Research by Professor Ian Burn from the University of Liverpool highlighted that age discrimination in hiring practices against women begins a decade earlier than it does for men, with women’s chances of being invited for interviews declining after 40, while men do not experience such a decline until their 50s.
Fashion runways have begun to reflect greater age inclusivity. Notably, in January, 50-year-old model Stephanie Cavalli, sporting grey hair, opened the Chanel couture show. Similarly, 59-year-old Evelyn Effrim-Botchey, who halted her modeling career in her late 20s due to decreased opportunities, has shared how her grey-streaked hair has facilitated her return to the industry.
Despite these advancements, many older models still opt for dyed hair. For instance, none of the glamorous women featured in Gucci’s recent Milan show embraced their natural greys, and 70-year-old Jerry Hall continues to be seen as a blonde in Grazia magazine this month. Pamela Anderson, now 59, has chosen to forego makeup since 2023 but remains committed to her blonde locks.
Duguid has encountered older women who resort to using filters during video interviews to disguise their age. “It’s utterly exhausting,” she remarked, highlighting that grey hair cannot be easily concealed. For those striving to secure employment, the pressure often leads them back to dyeing their hair.
Alyson Walsh, a former magazine editor who now runs the platform That’s Not My Age, stated, “Despite older women possessing ample experience and knowledge, society still clings to the notion that aging should be hidden.” Walsh herself ceased dyeing her hair in 2015, finding empowerment in her decision. “It saves me money, requires less maintenance, and my hair is healthier. I don’t appear older; I simply look my age,” she asserted.
During the lengthy Covid lockdowns, I became fixated on my prominent grey streak. With salons closed and my reliance on box dyes behind me, I pondered whether it was time to let my natural hair come through. Working remotely and isolated from societal expectations, I found liberation in the idea of going grey, even feeling a sense of rebellion against conventional norms for middle-aged women.
However, the thought of starting a new job with younger colleagues made me reconsider my stance. Should I abandon this newfound defiance and return to the salon for a fresh color? Had I known that prominent figures like Olivia Colman would boldly challenge societal standards of aging, I might have continued my hair revolution.
Nevertheless, I resisted the temptation for a new hue and accepted a role where I am surrounded by younger team members, grappling with the ingrained belief that grey signifies aging and neglect. The journey to embrace one’s natural self remains complex and laden with societal expectations.
