Going grey can also mean going glamorous
By Katrina Caruso
With the rise in the number of younger women adopting the grey look, mature women’s grey hair is also having a moment. With silver hair, though, you may find that makeup no longer looks the same. We’ve compiled a little guide for adjusting your makeup to your new locks. (You can also check out “How to Keep Grey Hair Healthy.”)
It can help to know your undertones, which will allow you to choose colours that best suit you. A rule of thumb is to see determine whether silver or gold jewellery looks better on you: this will show you whether you have cool (silver jewellery) or warm (gold jewellery) undertones. There are plenty of online guides to help with this, or you can also head off to your favourite makeup counter for help.
Tip #1: Face
Start with a freshly washed and moisturized face (preferably using a moisturizer with SPF). A makeup primer can smooth the skin before you apply foundation. A light dusting of powder can set foundation or can also be worn alone. Concealer can cover up undereye circles and any dark spots—try Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche d’Éclat or Maybelline’s Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer (a more affordable option) for brightness and light coverage.
Tip #2: Brows
Eyebrows frame the face, so don’t forget about them. They can be a few shades darker than your hair colour, which will brighten your whole face. Try an ashy light brown, a greyish-brown, or a medium grey—the Korean makeup brand Étude House makes pencils in these colours.
Tip #3: Eyes
Warm browns and navy are friends to grey hair; they’re much less harsh than black. Eyeliner on the top of your eyes and a few swipes of mascara can make eyes look wider. Once you know your undertones, find an eyeshadow palette with a range of colours for everyday as well as nighttime looks—purples, greens, greys, browns, and blues can all look great depending on your eye colour and undertones. Peachy roses and creamy colours can be great options if you prefer to look fresh.
Tip #4: Cheeks
Blush is your friend, but a little goes a long way. Find a neutral pink or peachy-pink to wear every day on the apples of your cheeks for a flushed, healthy look.
Tip #5: Lips
Pinks, mauves, and reds can be a lot of fun when you have grey hair, while neutral tones and browns may wash you out and oranges may be too stark (again, this all depends on your undertones and how fair or dark your skin is). But the main thing with lips is not to be afraid to go bold when you have silver hair.
If you’re keen to learn more, you can check out bestselling writer and hairstylist Lorraine Massey’s handbook on grey hair, “Silver Hair: Say Goodbye to the Dye and Let Your Natural Light Shine: A Handbook.”
Photo: iStock/JohnnyGreig.
