The Best Makeup Colors To Complement Gray Hair

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Many people dye their hair to get rid of grays, but lately, many are actually embracing a full head of silver locks. Take Jamie Lee Curtis and Andie MacDowell, for example; they're two celebrities who proudly show off their gray hair and look stunning while doing so. Even younger folks like 42-year-old Hilarie Burton Morgan aren't afraid to show off their grays, and some even dye their hair to achieve glistening wintry tresses. As a makeup artist who has worked with all hair tones for over 15 years, I find that certain color palettes really enhance silver strands

When rocking grays, you may have to tweak your makeup, as some colors that are too warm, like cinnamon and tangerine, can look too muddy next to the cool tones of your hair. Additionally, if you're a master at neutral monochrome makeup, you'll want to start implementing more colors so you don't look washed out. Opt for colors that pop against gray, such as purple, mauve, blue, fuchsia, and green. The brighter, the better! Just be sure to not use too many different colors at the same time. For example, light-blue eyeshadow and a rose-colored lipstick go beautifully together. Or, you can try a jade-green eyeliner with burgundy lipstick. And don't forget your cheeks — a light-pink blush can tie all of the colors together and look gorgeous on all skin tones.

If you have naturally gray hair, chances are that you may have lost some thickness and pigment in your eyebrows. Since features can get lost if there's no brow definition, you'll want to be sure to fill them in. For those with fair skin, opt for a cool-toned brown with a hint of gray to it. The NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe is a nice choice. If you have a deeper skin tone, try Maybelline's Express Brow 2-In-1 Pencil and Powder.

Liner also really helps to bring out your eyes, so this is also one step you don't want to skip. While dark brown and black are classic colors, try hopping on the eyeliner trend that's taking over 2025 with unexpected shades like bright purple or electric blue. Colored mascara is also fun with gray hair, and you can either match your eyeliner and shadow or go with an opposite color to make the hues really pop. In short, gray hair doesn't mean you have to fade into the background. After all, silver and jewel tones go hand in hand, so you'll just have to experiment with interesting ways to make your gray hair shine.