22 Women Who Prove It's Chic to Let Your Hair Go Grey Naturally

If you have spent the best part of your life worrying about the inevitable arrival of grey hairs, you’re not alone. In fact, since 2018, Pinterest searches for "going grey” have increased by 879%, and we totally get it. After all, going grey requires a whole bunch of hair decisions to be made. While full-colour transformations and highlights prove popular options for those going grey, the maintenance and upkeep can be very expensive.

On top of the financial aspect of covering grey hairs comes the pressure to keep them hidden. For many years, there has been an element of shame that comes alongside going grey, so much so that grey hair is cited as the number one hair concern for women in the UK. At the moment, with salons still closed for the time being, it seems people far and wide are at a total loss with what to do with their grey roots. While covering them up and at-home dyes are options, we think there's something rather chic about embracing your natural hair colour in all of its glory, no?

That’s right—a wave of grey acceptance is coming over the beauty industry, and we couldn’t be happier. Thanks to shampoos and conditioners that work to keep grey hair looking fresh (Redken's Color Extend Graydiant, £15, can’t be beaten) and blow-dry foams that work to temporarily disguise grey hairs while you transition from brunette to silver (John Frieda's Defy Grey Blow Dry Foam, £7, is a must-have for brunettes looking to go grey naturally), going grey has never been easier. Plus, grey hair has never looked chicer. Don’t believe us? To prove it, below are 22 women whose naturally grey hair looks so great that you’ll be praying for silver strands.

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Tennille Murphy
(Image credit: @THETENNILLELIFE_)

We couldn't be more in love with Tennille's natural hair colour and texture.

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Gwyneth Paltrow
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

While she might be better known for her warm blonde hair, Gwyneth has recently been sporting a grombé style, whereby her natural roots gradually blend with her bleached lengths. 

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Sarah Harris
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Sarah's long, grey strands are considered one of the most iconic grey hairstyles in the business. In fact, whenever we stress about going grey, we just channel Sarah. 

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Grece Ghanem
(Image credit: @GRECEGHANEM)

Grece’s side-parted silver bob is grey-hair goals. We love how chic it looks with gold earrings and statement sunglasses.

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Ty Alexander
(Image credit: @TYALEXANDER)

Ty is known for championing natural greys, and we don’t think we could love this slicked-back topknot any more than we already do.

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Iris Apfel
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

The pixie cut is having a serious moment, but Iris has been championing this cropped, grey style for years.

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Tracey Lea Sayer
(Image credit: @TRAYSLOUNGE)

Tracey’s long-pixie style makes for one of the most low-maintenance hairstyles going, and we love the way her brunette colour still shines through underneath. 

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Cicely Tyson
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

A voluminous grey bob with curled-under layers like Cicely's is a timeless classic.

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Stacy London
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

A huge number of people find that grey hairs start sprouting in localised areas first, typically around the face. Stacy provides all of the inspiration you need to embrace the blaze. 

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Linda Fargo
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Paired with a bright-red lipstick, Linda's sleek, straight bob is absolutely timeless. 

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Whoopi Goldberg
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Whoopi's dreadlocks make for one of the most iconic hairstyles in Hollywood, and we love the way that her natural, grey roots are starting to come through. 

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Jan de Villeneuve
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

If your hair is on the finer side of things, take style notes from Jan’s chic fringed bob. 

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Lisa Lu
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Give your grey pixie cut a modern update by keeping things poker straight, just like Lisa Lu.

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Linda Rodin
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Grey updos can look impossibly chic—especially low, centre-parted ponytails like this one that Linda is sporting. 

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Lily Allen
(Image credit: @lilyallen)

She may have posted this to Instagram with the "grandma" emoji, but we still think Lily's salt 'n' pepper grey-and-black combo here is great.

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Diane Keaton
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Could Diane’s midi-length ’do look any cooler? Opting for icy tones with the help of purple shampoos injects some modernity into grey styles. 

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Carmen Dell'Orefice
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Carmen might be 88 years old, but her white bob is serving all of the 2020 grey-hair inspiration we need. 

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Tracy Chapman
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Tracy is starting to incorporate her grey strands, making for the coolest two-toned style. 

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Caryn Franklin
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Revered presenter, journalist, and activist Caryn has rocked a grey streak as her signature look for decades now. 

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Tracee Ellis Ross
(Image credit: @traceeellisross)

Coolest of the cool, Tracee occasionally lets her lovely silver strands show through, and they're particularly striking pulled into a tight topknot.

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Erin O'Connor
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Legendary Brit model Erin has been wearing the hell outta this side-swept grey-streaked 'do for a little while now—it just seems to work with every outfit.

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Ruth Chapman
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

The very epitome of sophistication, fashion insider Ruth's soft, illuminated grey hair always looks lovely.

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Tan France
(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Okay, he's not a woman, but no one can deny that Tan's incredible grey colour and voluminous cut are fantastic.

Next up, How to Cut Your Own Hair at Home

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous.

Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics.

While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best.

When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.