There are so many great ways to style grey hair. Here are just 10 of our favorite grey hairstyles.
Whether itโs natural or dyed, grey hair exudes sophistication, elegance, and even wisdom. Itโs one of the most striking hair colors for men, and thereโs a lot you can do with it.
Since grey hair is lighter and more vibrant, it tends to stand out a little more than other hair colors like black or brown. So when youโre choosing a hairstyle, you want to choose one that really allows the grey to shine.
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In this article, weโve curated 10 hairstyles that complement grey hair on both younger and older men. From simple and straightforward to unique and adventurous, weโve got something for everyone. (As a bonus, most of these hairstyles work with white hair, too.)
Weโve broken it down into short and long styles, so if you have a certain length in mind, feel free to skip directly to the appropriate section.
Short Haircut Styles for Grey Hair (For Men)
Shorter styles tend to be a little more versatile, so if youโre looking for an all-around flexible hairstyle, this is the section for you.
#1: Short Crop
For guys who are into simple, low-maintenance hairstyles, the short crop has a lot to offer.
A staple among older menโs haircuts, the short crop makes for a clean and even head of hair. It works especially well with grey hair, since the noticeable color helps the crop to stand out. (Plus, if you rock a beard, a crop is a great choice.)
Thereโs also a lot of room to experiment with crops. You could get a full-on Caesar cut, where the hair is cut to be the same length all over, or you could get a crop with a slightly longer top for a bit of volume.
#2: Side Part
Another classic, the side part has been a go-to haircut for men for decades.
While the side part comes in many shapes and sizes, itโs characterized by a prominent part (obviously) and sides that are at least a bit shorter than the top. This means you can sport a side part style even if you like to keep your hair really short. (Of course, you could also achieve a side part with medium to long hair.)
The side part is one of the few hairstyles that looks good on any guy, so itโs no surprise that it works well with grey hair. This is especially true if your hair is on the thinner side, as the part is an easy way to add definition to your hair without needing a ton of volume.
#3: Messy Crop
If you like the overall look of a crop but want something a little more unique, a messy crop like this one might be exactly what youโre after.
This is still a short style, but the messiness of the hair adds a lot of texture, which is usually harder to get with shorter hairstyles. And if you need to, you can always brush it into place for a more formal look that resembles a standard crop.
Again, you can play around with length here. Keep in mind that the longer the hair on the top is, the messier it will look, so donโt go too long unless thatโs what youโre going for.
#4: Brush Up
Like the side part, the brush up is a versatile haircut that suits a range of formalities and occasions.
The brush up follows the traditional formula of โshort on the sides and long on topโ to accentuate the short quiff at the front of the head. The sides donโt need to be buzzed, though, so you can still grow your hair out a bit and maintain a stylish brush up.
As with the other styles mentioned in this guide, you can go shorter or longer for varying effects. For example, a taller quiff will be more noticeable but also higher maintenance.
#5: Side Part with Quiff
Since the classic side part is, well, classic, it tends to look a little more traditional. However, there are lots of ways to add stylish contemporary touches to this tried and true style. One way is to add a shorter quiff up top.
You might have seen skyscraper-level quiffs on social media before, but you donโt need to get that kind of ridiculous volume to have a great hairstyle.
A neat quiff thatโs just a couple of inches tall can look fantastic with well-trimmed sides. The side part helps here by clearly separating the top from the sides, which will emphasize the quiff no matter how tall it is.
#6: Brushed Back Undercut
The undercut is another old style thatโs made a huge comeback in recent years. Itโs one of the best younger menโs haircuts for grey hair, so if youโve dyed your hair (or if youโve just been blessed with grey hair earlier than most), this is an excellent option.
Even a basic undercut can look great with grey hair. With an undercut, you donโt need to get flashy to have lots of style, as the haircut itself does most of the heavy lifting for you. Since the sides are so short, all the attention will go to the hair on top and thus to the prominent grey color.
This also means that if you have a grey hair fade (as shown here) from lighter to darker, the undercut will really show that off.
#7: Messy Quiff
To wrap up this section on short grey hairstyles for men, hereโs a much more casual haircut thatโs all about the quiff.
This isnโt going to be appropriate for formal situations, but itโs great for just about everything else. The slightly unkempt, windswept look takes an otherwise structured hairstyle and spices it up. It hits that balance of looking just messy enough while not making it look like you /actually/ just rolled out of bed.
Menโs Long Grey Hairstyles
Prefer to grow out your hair and rock longer locks? Youโre in the right place. Here are a few longer hairstyles that complement grey hair.
#8: Tight Coils
If you have curly, coiled, or kinky hair, you can achieve some unique styles that you donโt often see with grey hair. One of the simplest yet most impactful is this tightly coiled look.
For this type of hairstyle, all you need to do is let your hair grow out a bit so it can flaunt its natural properties. It should be long yet properly trimmed so it doesnโt look too unruly. As a result, youโll get one-of-a-kind texture that will make the grey color stand out.
Even if your hair is looser or tighter than this, the same general rule still applies. Grow it out so that itโs long enough to show off its texture, but make sure itโs not too shaggy.
#9: Long and Flowy
This straightforward look is probably the easiest way to style longer hair. If youโre new to sporting long hair or if you want a more manageable style, this wavy cut needs to be on your radar.
As long hairstyles go, this is pretty simple. Itโs essentially just long hair brushed into place. The top is combed back into waves, and the sides are also grown out for more fullness.
Longer hairstyles tend to pair well with beards, and this one is no exception. A well-trimmed, well-oiled beard can make longer haircuts look neater, and it also provides balance. Whether you go clean-shaven or beard-toting, this flowing hairstyle is worth a look.
#10: Shoulder Length Locks
If you want to channel Zeus with your next hairstyle, then this oneโs for you. This luscious length isnโt for the faint of heart, but itโll have you looking like the trendiest warrior this side of Mount Olympus.
Here, the hair goes all the way down past the shoulders, but it still looks controlled thanks to the hairโs natural waves (and, of course, brushing the hair helps, too). The sheer length of the hair really highlights the naturally alternating salt-and-pepper streaks.
Conclusion
Going greyโโwhether naturally or with dyeโโopens up a world of styling possibilities. Hopefully youโve found a style or two on this list that caught your eye, and maybe youโll even consider getting one of these the next time you see your stylist.
Whatโs your favorite style on this list? Did I miss any menโs grey hairstyles that you love? Feel free to comment below!
Very helpful article, but a little advice please:
Iโm 46, salt and pepper hair with permanent salt and pepper stubble. I live on the South Coast on a houseboat and am always in or on the water as Iโm a an instructor and lifeguard, or Iโm out rock climbing or classic car racing.
Short hair has always served me well for my lifestyle. However, I do have the sides at the top receding, leaving a fair bit at the front.
My barber insists on shaving the hair to 0.5 side and back, and long on top….but Iโm not sure thatโs really the look I need. I think I might be going to the wrong barber.
I like the 1st and 4th designs on here (short crop and brush up) and just wondered your thoughts please, taking into consideration the receding I have and the lifestyle I lead.
Being an ageing bachelor and dealing with the public, I like to look good, but also need a no nonsense hairstyle that will be manageable getting wet a few times a day.
Thanks, in advance for all help and advice.
……who knew grey could be so versatile and great looking ( having seen these great pics I must buy a sports jacket too!!)
Matt
Very well written article. Helpful for me at 75 and tired of my old look since high school. Thanks. Eduard
Nice article!
Thanks for the ideas. I really wanted to try out this hair color but I am a little bit afraid to die my hair. But I guess I just have to take care of it after it has been treated.
Stay cool and healthy!
Cheers!
Thank you, another great article
After going through the photos of these men with (great) hair, I feel more envious of them now
I have 1 word left to say
Sigh…..
Roman