Grey matters

Option 1: Flaunt it!

Grey hair can look elegant and steely… think Meryl Streep in 'The Devil Wears Prada'. But many people agree with the view of Nicky Hambleton-Jones, presenter of TV's 'Ten Years Younger' and Clairol Nice'n easy style expert, when she says, 'Grey hair immediately puts you past your 50s, no matter how youthful your face.' She continues, 'This may not be such a bad thing if you're already in your 50s or 60s, but when you're younger, you want to stave off grey. Most of us develop a salt-and-pepper grey look - white hair mixed with brown or black. This creates a heavy unflattering texture.'

Grey hairs are the result of the pigment-forming cells at the root becoming inactive. Hair that is already formed doesn't turn 'grey', it's only new hairs that grow white and unpigmented. The process is gradual and of the thousands of hair follicles on your scalp, only a few become inactive at a time, although it varies between individuals. Most of us have a few grey hairs by the time we're 30, and by the age of 50, it's normal for around half your hair to be grey.

How to make the most of grey

L'Oréal Serie Expert Silver Shampoo, £7.95, will keep grey looking chic. Grey hair tends to be dry, so a moisturising product is also a good investment. Zoe Irwin, creative director of Headmasters, recommends Kérastase Masquintense, £24. We also love John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Strengthening Crème Masque, £5.49, which is targeted at frizzy hair, but is great for moisturising dry hair and smoothing the wiriest of greys. Don't pluck stray greys. According to Zoe, this weakens the root and when it grows back, it will be even more wiry than before.

Option 2: Cover it

'For blondes who are going grey, it's easiest to simply carry on with, or start having, a few highlights to blend in the odd white hairs,' advises Carolyn Newman, colour director of Charles Worthington. Dark blonde colourant and/or paler highlights can both be used to cover and blend the grey. You only need to increase coverage when the amount of grey really starts to overpower the blonde. When this happens you can stop having highlights and go for a whole-head blonde tint. It's quicker to apply and cheaper than highlights but will look just like them.

On brunettes, grey hairs are more obvious. If you have just a few greys, salon lowlights will blend them in. Or, if you prefer keeping your hair all one colour, choose a semi-permanent shade close to your natural shade. This should cover greys and make your hair look shinier too. Semi-permanent colours last around six weeks. Alternatively, you could try a home product such as L'Oréal Paris Couleur Experte, £12.99, a two-step process in which you do your block colour first and then add a few high or lowlights.

More than 50 per cent grey is best covered with a permanent colour. 'Always go one shade lighter than your natural shade, to flatter your skin tone' advises Sean Tetlow, Clairol Nice'n easy colour expert. He recommends Clairol Nice'n easy Permanent, £4.79, which provides 100 per cent grey coverage and comes in 42 shades. 'Blending a full colour with highlights also works well and will soften any regrowth.'

Finding your style

What if you're fed up with colouring or don't want to start? Should you let your grey hair grow through? Carolyn Newman believes it's purely personal. 'White hair will suit you if you have a cool skin tone (that is, pinks, blues and white suit you). But, if you have a warmer skin tone and look good in brown, green and orange, colour your grey to stay looking youthful.'

According to Zoe Irwin, it's also about confidence. She says, 'If you go grey young, it can be hard to accept. But if you are going to stick with your grey, have a great, sleek cut to keep you looking up to date. Cute crops, like Jamie Lee Curtis's, can look fantastic if you have good bone structure. A sharp bob can also look really smart and sexy and flatters a rounder face and softer bone structure.' 'If you have one striking flash of grey, it can give you a distinctive look,' says Nicky Hambleton-Jones. 'Think of presenter Caryn Franklin; the grey streak in her fringe is her signature statement. In this instance it's worth manipulating your hairstyle around your statement slice of grey.'