A grey ombre hair is a two-toned hair color where the hair is generally darker at the roots and transitions into grey as it goes down to the tips.
Blowing up everywhere on Instagram and Pinterest, the grey ombre captures everyone’s heart because, one – it matches literally every complexion there is, and two – no matter what type and texture of hair you’ve got, grey ombre always look high class and sexy.
As spotted on Ellie Goulding, Lady Gaga, Pink, and Kylie Jenner, grey ombre hair can be worn and styled in so many exciting ways! Balayage ombre, reverse ombre, grey plus pastel ombre, and a lot more – you’ll definitely have fun using the hashtag GrannyHair on your social media.
Although, you need to keep in mind that going grey is a major commitment. To achieve the perfect shade of grey means your tresses need to be bleached, and lightened hair requires plenty of moisture and proper at-home care.
It sounds a lot of work but letting your strands go grey on purpose could be the most fun and fabulous thing you’ll ever do. Join the grey hair movement with one of these popular grey ombre hair photos I’ve gathered for you! See them now!
Blue and Grey Ombre Hair Color
This blend of grey and blue magically produces an ethereal shade of periwinkle. A luminescent color, this one’s guaranteed to make you shine. A mixture of blue shades make grey ombre hair appear mystical.
Dark to Light Grey Ombre
Stylist Summer knows her way around an ombre! This black to grey ombre hair color combination is just divine!
Black to Grey
Let those cookies and cream drip ever so smoothly. You can’t get any sleeker than this!
Reverse Light to Dark
There’s so much you can do with this light to dark grey ombre color that you’ll be surprised by the tones and shades that you can play with.
Grey and Red Ombre
Give your monochromatic hair a sip of Sienna. Absolutely highlights that pastel color marvelously.
Dark to Ash Grey Ombre
Sultry and surreal, gray is that color which is not as loud but will definitely earn you several head-turns.
Brown to Grey Ombre
Blunt balayage equals ombre! Your beauty enhanced with an atypical smoky feature. Grey ombre hair really becomes more flattering with the smoky touch to the color.
Grey to Blonde Ombre
A platinum bombshell we never knew we needed! Layers and layers of curls seal the deal on this new icy look.
Grey to Pink Ombre
A candy floss kind of pink with a grey tone? Yes! This unlikely pair for grey ombre hair will make you grow your hair that long to be rocking this twice as much.
Charcoal to Ash Blonde Ombre
Ooooh, this grey ombre hue has you getting some ideas. Just get ready for some killer bleaching sessions and you can achieve this smoldering hair color.
Purple and Grey Ombre
A smoky grey ombre style can only be pulled off by a smoldering beauty! The right mix of vaporous colors in an ombre style.
Black to Silver Ombre
A dye job from darkest to lightest of the color spectrum can be quite stressful. Good thing balayages are a trend to create that charcoal to pearly ombre.
Dark Roots to Smokey Grey Ombre Hair
Q&A with style creator, Carli Ebbert
Hairstylist / Colourist @ Juju Hair Lounge in Vancouver, BC
How would you describe this look?
The haircut is long with long layers and soft texture.
I really like the soft waves with the color melt because it not only shows off the texture of the cut but also brings out the dimension in the color.
Any advice for someone considering it?
Before considering a grey ombre hair color like this, it is crucial to have a healthy canvas, to begin with. Remember the darker the hair color, the harder it will be to lift to a blonde platinum silver or charcoal. The process of achieving this color is quite abrasive and can take multiple sessions in order to preserve the integrity of the hair. If your hair is currently over-processed or damaged, I would highly recommend waiting and using products like Olaplex or other bond builders to heal the hair prior.
Another thing to consider is that the ash and silver and charcoal colors are very difficult to keep – I recommend the use of luxury brands like Kevin Murphy and R&Co as well as keeping away from heat and chlorine, and avoid washing it every day. It’s important to remember silver, grey, and charcoal are fashion colors that are a lot like blues, violets, and reds. They are not meant to have a permanent life in your hair.
The use of toning shampoos and utilizing your salon for 6-week toning sessions will help keep your color fresh and minimize unwanted warmth that may come back as the color fades out. This color is not ideal for clients who wash their hair every day or use hot tools daily to style. The amount of maintenance involved is not worth the stress to your hair or your wallet.
Be prepared to pay your stylist top dollar for this service. These color services can take upwards of three hours to complete and require multiple processes on the hair. It is always important to purchase the recommended aftercare as well so your stylist’s hard work doesn’t wash down the drain!
Grey Silver Ombre Hair
Q&A with style creator, Brandi Rose
Stylist / Blonde Specialist @ Prep Hair in Winnipeg, MB
How would you describe this look?
This hairstyle is a smokey-silver grey ombre! I’ve always loved the trend of gray or silver hair color as it reminds me of a relaxing rainstorm or silver fox. I’m very inspired by the colors of nature!
The thing I love most about this color is how it still looks so soft and flows with the haircut, making it look more “lived in” but still fashion-forward and different from your everyday blonde or brunette!
Any advice for someone considering it?
The biggest advice I can give is to understand that it’s going to be more of a high maintenance color!
I always try to explain to my clients a few things:
1. Depending on your starting canvas, a color like this may take several hours to complete, or in some cases when you are working with previous colored hair, may take several sessions. My number one priority when bleaching anyone’s hair out is to maintain the integrity of their hair as best as a possibly can, and in some cases, they may not be able to achieve a color like this without cutting some length off. Again, this all depends on their hair history!
2. Be prepared to spend the money, not only on achieving this color but maintaining it.
Typically a service like this where I live will range anywhere from $250-$400, based upon hair length and density.
Not only do you have to be willing to spend the money getting you here, but once you’ve achieved any color of blonde (this includes silver or gray on a level 8-10), you need to be willing to spend money on products for the upkeep.
I always explain to my clients that a professional shampoo/conditioner and heat protectant are must-have products. This will help not only with helping your color last a little bit longer, but it will also help with the health of your hair.
On top of that, silver/grey or any type of ashy hair color naturally fade from the hair quicker than warm tones do, so expect to be in the salon every 6-8 weeks for a toner to keep the color looking fresh and new! Toners can range anywhere from $80-$150 depending on your location.
Silvers are still an ongoing trend that I love performing in the salon, but clients need to keep in mind that it may not happen right away. It may not be for them if they’re not willing to spend the money on upkeep.
Aside from that, I think this is a trend that almost anyone can pull off from whether they’re younger, older, pale, tan, male, or female. It can be something fun and edgy or modern and sophisticated, and it will definitely make people turn their heads!
