Grey hair, don’t care: How to get on board the ‘gronde’ hair trend
It’s not only Gwyneth Paltrow who is embracing her inner grey/blonde goddess, with #ditchthedye becoming a popular pandemic trend.
When GOOP founder and famous blonde Gwyneth Paltrow posted a family photograph on Instagram recently showing off obvious grey roots, compliments flowed.
Looking ageless in a summer dress and standing alongside her mother, actress Blythe Danner, and daughter Apple, the 47-year-old was sporting the new “gronde” hair trend, a hybrid of grey and blonde.
Maurice Meade salon senior colourist Lori Calarese says the wellness guru is far from alone in embracing hair au natural during COVID, with “grey hair, don’t care” trending across the globe.
The rise of gronde during coronavirus pandemic
While men have long enjoyed the flattering term “silver fox”, until now most women have chosen to hold back the years when it comes to hair colour, Lori says.
“In 30 years of hairdressing, I have never ever seen a year like this,” she says.
“Without a doubt people have become more accepting – or maybe it’s more daring – when it comes to their natural hair colour.”
The hair expert says many of her clients have transitioned to low-maintenance hairstyles that are easier to manage in uncertain times.
“For many that’s embracing the grey. For others, it’s meant going shorter or living with ‘grown out’ long hair,” she says.
Celebrities embracing natural colour
Whether it’s gronde or full silver sister, you only have to flick through social media to see who’s saying hello new hue this year, including some very well-known faces.
Helen Mirren, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lily Allen and Salma Hayek have all posted pictures showing off natural locks while Los Angeles-based artist and girlfriend of Keanu Reeves’, Alexandra Grant, has spoken widely about her decision to #ditchthedye.
Jane Fonda made headlines at this year’s Oscars sporting a silver pixie crop after years as a blonde, courtesy of California colourist Jack Martin.
The hair artist is also credited with taking Sharon Osbourne from deep burgundy to a new natural white, a transformation taking eight hours – posting side-by-side before and after Instagram shots.
Gronde or grey hair does need care
While putting down the hair dye for good might seem like the easiest thing in the world, it’s not quite as simple as “letting it all go”, warns Lori.
“While grey-blonde, or gronde, and dark hair with grey can be extremely flattering, it’s about getting the contrast and tone right and making sure you keep your hair in good condition,” she says.
“Get the right advice and some professional help to make sure your natural colour blends evenly with any existing colour and flatters your skin tone.
“And then wear it proudly.”
More hair tips
- The 10 commandments for dream hair
- How to get the super-shiny glass hair bob
- How to colour your hair without chemicals
- Six must-dos to keep your hair healthy this summer
Written by Liz McGrath
