How to get the silver fox effect in midlife

Piers Brosnan, Robbie Williams and George Clooney are all good examples of different cuts that work well with grey hair - Getty

At this year’s Soccer Aid, former Take That member Robbie Williams showed off a full head of grey hair, in a trim, short back and sides mullet-esque style. The event’s co-founder, Williams has always been vocal about his hair loss struggles, and openly admitted to having a transplant over a decade ago. Now he is maintaining a modern, youthful cut.

Robbie Williams debuted a mullet-esque style for his grey hair at the Soccer Aid match on June 9 - Chelsea FC

According to Williams’s hairdresser Jake Wanstall at the Larry King Salon in London, “Robbie’s haircut is young, fresh and playful, which keeps the grey hair looking modern,” he says. “With his cut, it’s essential to keep the style maintained regularly.” Wanstall sees Williams for a haircut every eight weeks or so.

Williams is a regular client at the famous Larry King Salon in London - WireImage

With grey hair, you may feel you need to change up your hairstyle, whether it’s a distinct cut like Robbie’s, short and orderly like George Clooney’s or a grown-out style like Mark Ruffalo’s. You’ll almost certainly need to adjust your hair washing routine and perhaps buy a purple shampoo or two (yes, really). For all the necessary tips, here’s your grey hair guide.

Actor Mark Ruffalo opts for a more grown-out style - Getty

Rethink your haircut

While a textured mullet or disconnected quiff à la Robbie Williams may not be your cup of tea, all the experts agree: grey hair looks best with a modern, distinctive style.

“A modern haircut with grey hair gives more of an edge and looks more youthful,” says Wanstall. “This could just mean a little more length to the hair which immediately looks more distinguished and stylish.” The hairstylist Larry King adds that this latest cut on Robbie is his favourite yet, as “it’s longer and will inevitably grow out well, too.”

Maintenance is key

“Grey hair needs to be styled and shaped up more frequently,” says Wanstall. “You want to always make sure the hair looks groomed and that your stylist is making the most out of your texture.”

The biggest tell-tale sign that you need a haircut is when the hair starts to look fluffy at the nape of the neck, which King says “instantly makes you look older.” Although Williams’ style only needs to be maintained every two months, depending on your hair growth and style you may need to see your hairdresser more often.

Don’t wash your hair often

According to King, one of the biggest no-nos with grey hair is washing it too often. “White hair is porous and can be more dry, so you need to allow the natural oils to come through to stop it looking too fluffy,” says King. Wanstall advises that on day one of washing your hair, you should use a styling cream or hair wax in to tame it a little, and then on day two or three you can just wet the hair a little without shampoo to “reset” the hairstyle without removing the natural oils from the scalp.

Use the right products

To keep grey, silver or white hair looking vibrant and healthy, “introduce a purple shampoo to your routine,” advises Wanstall. The reason why purple shampoo works is because the colour counteracts yellow or brassy tones in white hair, which can make the hair look dull and ageing. It’s the same principle as having a “toner” in a hair salon. A purple shampoo used every other hair wash will keep the shine and vibrancy in white hair - it’s a tip that Wanstall shares with Robbie Williams, too.