Olivia Colman has offered a striking take on grey hair, appearing at the Zurich Film Festival with long, wavy locks that combined an intentionally undone texture with a glamorous red-carpet look.
The 52-year-old actress attended the premiere of her upcoming film “Wicker” on Monday, debuting a dramatic departure from her familiar dark brunette pixie cut.
Colman’s new hairstyle also mirrors her character in the film, a reclusive fisherwoman who commissions a local basket-maker, played by Alexander Skarsgård, to create a husband for her out of wicker.
Her transformation is unlikely to be the result of months of hair growth. Colman was still wearing short hair at a red-carpet appearance in May, suggesting that extensions were used to achieve the new look.
Grey hair gets a red-carpet moment
Colman is not the only actress embracing grey hair. At the L’Oréal Paris Le Défilé fashion show in Paris this week, Andie MacDowell appeared with her naturally grey hair, while 88-year-old Jane Fonda walked the runway with a silver curly crop.
Hairdresser Luke Hersheson, whose clients include Keira Knightley and Victoria Beckham, says Colman’s longer grey hairstyle gives her a more youthful appearance.
He argues that her previous short style could sometimes appear harsh, while the combination of length, texture and colour creates a more contemporary look.
The deliberately relaxed finish is also unusual for a film premiere, where polished blow-dries and elaborate up-dos are more common.
Making natural texture work
For people looking to recreate the style, Hersheson recommends working with the hair’s natural texture rather than trying to eliminate it.
A styling cream can be applied before allowing the hair to air-dry. People with naturally wavy or curly hair can twist sections to help retain their shape.
He also recommends temporarily moving the hair parting to the opposite side while the hair dries. When the parting is moved back, this can create additional lift at the roots.
The secret behind the extensions
Colman’s long hairstyle appears to have been achieved with extensions, but experts say the result works because the colour and texture have been carefully matched to her natural hair.
London-based hair-extension specialist Hadley Yates says keratin bonds can create a discreet result because they avoid visible tapes at the roots and distribute the weight of the extensions more evenly.
Grey blending is also becoming increasingly popular, according to Yates, with stylists adding grey strands to existing hair to create greater depth and texture.
A full head of extensions can take around five hours to install and may last up to three months. Yates’ appointments start at £400 per hour.
For maintaining grey hair, he recommends sulphate-free shampoo and purple shampoos designed to prevent silver and grey tones from developing a yellowish appearance.
Make-up can change with grey hair
Going grey can also require adjustments to make-up.
Make-up artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis notes that Colman, who is often seen wearing a strong red lip, opted for softer rosy pink tones on her lips and cheeks at the “Wicker” premiere.
Make-up artist Ruby Hammer similarly recommends avoiding overly beige or nude shades, which can make the complexion appear washed out. Pink tones can add warmth and brightness without competing with the grey hair.
Colman’s look reflects a broader shift towards embracing natural hair colour and texture rather than disguising them — turning grey hair into part of a deliberate and contemporary style.
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