It’s official, Granny hair is here to stay. Unlike other micro hair colour trends that disappear as quickly as they pop up, granny hair has stood the test of time and continues to captivate and inspire style mavens of all ages. Our current favourite is supermodel Marga Esquivel; who, after taking the catwalks of Chanel and Gucci by storm with her heavy bangs and now signature grey lob, has quickly become the poster girl for wannabe grannies all over the world. And with good reason, there’s a lot to be learnt from Esquivel; 1) Modern granny hair must be cut in a relaxed, yet utilitarian style. Nothing too girly or retro. 2) The actual shade of grey must be cool, pale grey and not, repeat not, be shot with any hints of pastel such as pink or blue. 3) Finally, avoid heavily layered, choppy styles as you could fall into the ‘trendy’ camp, rather than the ‘this is my signature style’ camp.
If you’ve been blessed with naturally silver hair like Vogue fashion features director Sarah Harris then you need do little more than embrace it, but if trying to get there from any other hair colour it’s a big job. Most colourists will want to bleach or lighten your hair with several rounds of highlights (depending on your length and overall condition of hair) in order to get the perfect shade of grey. Lighter shades of silver look beautiful on pale and golden skin tones, see One Direction hairstylist and insta-babe Lou Teasdale for inspiration, but if you have a little more depth to your complexion shades of steel and slate are the way to go. Look to your favourite grey cashmere jumper for inspiration. Chances are it will be the shade of grey that best suits you.
Book hair nowFAQs
What is granny hair and why is it so popular?
Granny hair is a hair trend featuring cool, pale grey shades styled in a relaxed, utilitarian cut. The look has become popular for its modern twist on silver hair and appeals to people of all ages wanting a standout signature style.
How do you achieve the perfect shade of granny grey hair?
Achieving the perfect granny grey usually requires your hair to be bleached or lightened with several rounds of highlights. The process depends on your hair length and overall condition, making it a big job for most people transitioning from another colour.
What is the best haircut for granny hair?
The best haircut for granny hair is relaxed and utilitarian, avoiding anything too girly or retro. Staying away from heavily layered, choppy styles keeps the look intentionally signature rather than just trendy.
Which shade of grey suits different skin tones best?
Lighter silver shades look beautiful on pale and golden skin tones, while steel and slate greys work well for deeper complexions. For inspiration, use the shade of your favourite grey cashmere jumper to find the most flattering tone for you.
Do you need to add pastels to granny hair to achieve the look?
No, granny hair should be a cool, pale grey without any pastel hints like pink or blue. Keeping the tone pure grey is key to achieving the modern granny hair style.