Best Highlights for Gray Hair + 7 Trendy Highlight Combinations on Gray Hair

Best Highlights and Lowlights for Gray Hair

Choosing the right highlights and lowlights for gray hair is very important for a beautiful and vibrant look. Suitable colors can enhance the natural texture of your hair, make your face look younger, and prevent dullness. Using the right color blends adds depth and volume to your hair, making your style more modern and attractive. Below, we introduce the best options for highlights and lowlights for gray hair and give tips to choose the right ones based on your skin tone and personal style.

Pearl Highlights

Pearl highlights create a shiny and attractive look on gray hair, making it a good choice for those seeking a stylish and elegant style.

Pearly Color Formula

• Very light blonde color (10.1 or 10.2) half a tube
• Pearly blonde color (10.81 or 9.81) half a tube
• Silver violet toner, 3 cm
• Developer 1.5% or max 6%

Platinum Highlights and Lowlights

This color gives a luxurious and modern look and blends well with white or gray hair base. Platinum is very attractive for bold and daring styles.

Platinum Color Formula

• Very light blonde color (12) in a full tube
• Silver toner, 5 cm
• Developer No. 1 (6%)

** For this style, if you have any color other than white in your hair, first bleach to level 10 for best results before applying the color.

Gray Blonde Highlights and Lowlights

Combining gray blonde with white hair creates a natural yet modern appearance. This choice is great for those wanting a simple and stylish look.

Gray Blonde Color Formula

• Light gray blonde (8.1 or 9.1) three-quarters of a tube
• Natural light blonde (8 or 9) one-quarter of a tube
• Blue toner, 2 cm
• Developer No. 1 (6%)

** After sectioning the desired parts of the hair with foil, apply the color to those sections and wait 30 to 40 minutes. Then rinse and apply conditioner for softness.

Light Blonde and Gold Highlights

Light golden highlights give warmth and shine to gray hair. This highlight makes the face look fresher and more energetic.

Golden Color Formula

• Golden blonde color (9.3 or 10.3) three-quarters of a tube
• Natural very light blonde (9 or 10) one-quarter of a tube
• Developer No. 2 (9%) for more shine

** After sectioning the desired parts with foil, apply the color evenly on the hair. After about 30 to 40 minutes, rinse thoroughly and use a suitable conditioner for softness and shine.

Ice Blonde Highlights and Lowlights

Ice blonde creates a cool and unique effect on hair. Ideal for those looking for a modern and different style, since cool tones don’t fade quickly.

Ice Blonde Color Formula

• Very light gray blonde (10.1) half a tube
• Natural very light blonde (10.0) half a tube
• Silver toner, 2 cm
• Developer No. 1 (6%)

** To achieve the best results, hair should be bleached to levels 9-10. After 20-30 minutes, wash with purple shampoo to maintain the cool tone, then apply conditioner for softness and shine.

Rose Gold Highlights and Lowlights

Rose gold creates a romantic and dreamy effect on gray hair. Perfect for those wanting a more youthful and fairy-tale-like appearance.

Rose Gold Color Formula

• Light copper or rose gold blonde (9.4 or 10.44) half a tube
• Natural light blonde (9.0) half a tube
• Red toner, 1 cm (if needed to enhance the tone)
• Developer No. 1 (6%)

** If you have non-white colors in your hair, it is recommended to bleach those sections to level 10 before applying the desired color for the best results.

Satin Silver Lowlights and Highlights

This highlight pairs very well with gray hair, creating a uniform, chic, and modern look. Matte silver is especially good for formal and special styles.

Satin Silver Color Formula

• Very light ash blonde (10.1) three-quarters of a tube
• Very light silver blonde (10.81) one-quarter of a tube
• Silver toner, 3-4 cm
• Developer No. 1 (6%)

** For best results, hair should be bleached to levels 9 or 10. After 20-30 minutes, wash with purple shampoo to maintain the cool tone, then use a suitable conditioner for softness and shine.

Important Tips for Choosing and Caring for Highlights and Lowlights on Gray Hair

• Cool tones like silver, platinum, and gray stand out more on gray hair, creating a more modern look.
• Gray hair is usually drier and more sensitive; so, using nourishing masks and oils before bleaching or coloring is essential.
• To prevent yellow or orange tones, purple shampoos are the best choice.
• After highlights or lowlights, always use conditioners and moisturizing masks to keep hair healthy.
• Thin and natural highlights on gray hair create a softer and more elegant appearance, avoiding an artificial look.