We love Dawn French’s new short, grey hairstyle
Dawn French photo: Instagram
Hooray for the grey! This week, Dawn French unveiled her new, all-grey haircut on social media becoming the latest in a long line of women to ditch the dye. How liberating to see so many over-50s showing off their grey hair, especially those in the public eye: Andi MacDowell, Liesl Tommy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Allison Janney and, now, Dawn French. Women who are pushing back against societal pressure to look a certain way and refusing to conform to youthful beauty ideals.
Sharing her new shorter, edgier haircut on social media, 63-year-old Dawn French said, ‘I’m going for it big time. Chop chop. Bring on the silver. In my head, it’s v Jamie Lee Curtis. Husband says it’s actually v Anne Hegerty. Don’t care…. Both are ruddy KWEEEENS!’ Moving on from her iconic dark brown bob, French has been gradually growing in the grey and sharing her experience on Instagram. On Monday, French told followers that eventually she plans to bring back her trademark bob ‘in full grey glory.’
Many women confronted their root re-growth head-on when salons closed during the pandemic, a couple of my friends with dyed dark hair (and it is much harder when you have dark hair) decided to ride out the transition process and allow their natural grey hair colour to grow in. And both have said they love the new look and feel more confident. Of course, going grey is more than just a #greyhairdontcare hashtag – there’s the psychological matter of coming to terms with the ageing process – of accepting that you will look older, that you are older, that you will be viewed differently. But the more women take pride in their grey hair, the easier it becomes for others to stand their ground. To choose wrinkles over Botox and fillers, style over fashion and natural grey hair over a dye job.
Grey hair is cool, at last. Not to mention less hassle at the hairdressers. Viva la grey-volution!
More on growing in the grey here and embracing your new look here, and lots of grey hair inspiration on my Pinterest boards here for those who are considering ditching the dye.
Discussion (53 Comments)
Kaz Setchell says:
I had all my hair shaved off last week for charity whilst supporting my sister who’s recently lost all her hair through chemo. I’m embracing the silver hairs shining through xx
Lee Ann Manning says:
Hooray for one more good thing that came from the pandemic! I, too, stopped coloring my hair in the last two years, and I’ve had so many compliments on the natural color. Yes, we are growing older … thank goodness we are alive to grow older!
Kudos to you! “…coming to terms with the ageing process – of accepting that you will look older, that you are older, that you will be viewed differently”…To choose wrinkles over Botox and fillers, style over fashion and natural grey hair over a dye job.” Alyson, you have said it all! The hardest part of letting myself go grey was the first thought. Yes, I look older, but I look MY AGE, and there’s nothing wrong with it. Having survived the pandemic and 79 years on earth, well, that says something, doesn’t it? Because I’ve never been tempted by Botox and fillers, am always striving for style over fashion and have now ditched the dye job, I give myself little “thumbs up” too.
Thanks, Michelle. I’ve never been tempted by Botox, I look my age, too, and I’m fine with that!
Cindy says:
Hi Michelle,
I recently learned to like myself and accept myself, super short silver pixie cut and all. I cringe when I see phrases such as “women of a CERTAIN age” or “style at a CERTAIN age. I don’t subscribe to any social media outlets. Let’s embrace our own beauty and not worry about someone else’s opinion.
Mrs Tonia says:
Hello Alyson. Thanks for featuring Dawn French’s bold new look. She probably did it right by cutting all of the dark dyed hair off and just letting the new hair and texture grow in.
I followed your lead a few years ago but did so more gradually. I kept a sharp bobbed shape but let the dyed bit grow out only cutting an inch or two off the ends. Having completed this process I’m glad I got it over and done with. Hair became a far more manageable texture. Easier to style, less dry, less wavy and subject to weather and chlorine. And for the first time people said how nice my grey hair looked and that includes hairdressers helping me to groom my hair. I’m happy I bit the bullet following your example. I don’t think the grey hair made me look older. I just assumed my age and got on with enjoying life even as an older woman.Nicola says:
I’m dark like Dawn and I think the only way I’m ever doing to go grey is to have really short cut too as the thought of years of a Cruella DeVil stripe fills me with dread. Good for her. She’s so beautiful and when you think about it, it’s slightly ridiculous to expect a 63 year old to have naturally jet black hair. I think people are probably more shocked at the short cut than the grey. However I think she needs to dig into the TNMA archives and read the article about how we wear colour differently once our hair goes grey and spend the hair dye money on some colourful glasses .
Liz Fairlie says:
I love grey. Every woman I know who went grey look younger in my view. Maybe because we feel more comfortable in our own skin. And really don’t care for dyes nor people’s opinion. yay. No more high tide marks as the grey grows thru and no more chemicals. I love my hair and a really great cut helps. Love your hair.
Oh dear , I am 68 and dye my hair regularly and judging by the above I must be chasing my youth , pretending to be younger , feeling uncomfortable in my own skin etc. etc. Is ‘kindness’ only for those who have gone grey and like it ?
Hello Rukshana – thanks for your comment. And not at all! We can have long hair, short hair, dyed hair or grey hair. I’m just emphasising that today we have a choice. We should do whatever makes us feel good. Each to their own.
Barbara Denman says:
Yes, I was a little relieved to read this too, as I am 68 and have long dyed hair with highlights, none of it grey…yet.
lizzie g says:
My strawberry blonde red hair has naturally faded not to grey or white yet, but a dirty dishcloth yellowish colour and the texture of straw. i gave it a chance during covid to see what it could be, but today i’m going to dye it back to a younger redder version and better condition along with that. its not that i’m afraid of being old or grey / white, or chopping it off, its that the dirty yellow is awful especially with pale pale skin going into winter.
Sara says:
Good to think it really is about being who we want to be in terms of hair colour. Like you, Rukshana, (although a couple of years older, even) I am still colouring, but lighter, softer than for so many years because I LIKE IT! I have spent my life choosing many different hair colours, because I wanted to; I hope to continue to chose the colour I want. I love silver grey especially but mine would still need colour to achieve that, so until I feel ready, I’ll carry on with how it is. I’ve never thought of Botox, fillers etc and I think my hair colour choice is less about age and more about what I like. Don’t want to change all my current clothes colour choices yet, either. Yes, I do like to chose colours to suit my hair colour. See Alyson look so fantastic in the Me and Em khaki and orange outfit with silvery hair for an object lesson in how this works!
As one who has always envied Dawn French’s glorious cut and conditioned hair, I do hope she does grow that gorgeous bob back eventually, think it would look stunning in grey.; age has very little, if anything, to do with it.Jacquelynn Morris says:
I think the idea is that women are feeling comfortable with doing what works best for them. I’m proud of my silver hair, and you should be proud of your choice as well. Look at it as being your best self–not avoiding grey hair–but celebrating what makes you feel best.
Gillian Gustar says:
Like some others, I was influenced by your posts of a couple of years ago to experiment with going grey – and have never regretted it. My hair is in better condition – and due to lockdown and reluctance to have hairdressers breathing on me – is longer than it has been since my 30s. This may not work for everyone – but for those reluctant to ‘go short’ – my young hairdresser came up with an interesting way to let my dyed, warm brown bob go grey less painfully. She bleached it out – much as you would do it going blond – and the used semi permanent grey/sliver dyes (remember that phase of youngsters going silver?) until my own grey took over from the blonde sufficiently. In all – about 15 months – no harsh grow out lines – but it did need hair pack (and Olaplex) to keep the condition.
One of the friends I mention did something similar, Gillian. She has long hair and has been having highlights and lowlights to blend the grey in and also has a regular treatment (not sure what that is but I’ll ask her…)
Sierra says:
Thanks Gillian and Alyson. At my last appointment, my hairdresser mentioned Jack Martin’s work using the Olaplex method. She offered to do it for me to help grow my silver grey roots out.
https://www.instagram.com/jackmartincolorist/?hl=en
It was very tempting, but I decided to keep dying my hair. My running buddy told me that her mum is 89 and still has her hair dyed, so that swayed me.
Not sure whether I like Dawn’s new look. Might take a while to get used to. Cheers.Sorry about the poor link sent earlier. If anyone’s interested, just Google Jack Martin colourist. There’s lots of info and pics online.
Janine Beverley Hobbs says:
Follow your HEART
Karen says:
suits her very well. As someone who has never ever dyed my hair – toujours au naturel ; ) I am delighted to see this move.
I haven’t dared go down ‘the chop it all off’ mode as yet…!Patricia Hanson-James says:
I always said I would not go grey. When I retired I realised the money and time I was spending on the up keep of my hair could be spent on and doing much more fun things! It is now naturally a very pale bluey grey that gets lots of compliments. I do think however with grey/white hair it is important to have a good hair cut. It is the cut/ style that is aging not the style.
I think I’m going to have the same problem as Deborah – my hairdresser says she doesn’t have to do any colouring on the back of my head so I appear just be greying along my parting. If I didn’t dye I could be two tone for years.
Wendy Jupp says:
I’d just like to say thank you to Dawn French for her wonderful contribution to the world of comedy. She and Jennifer Saunders, along with Victoria Wood amongst others, give me the most pleasure with their wit and observation. Intelligent comedy!
Deborah Benady says:
My problem is that, at 62, my mid-brown hair is only grey in a few areas, and if I’m anything like my mother (who dyed hers up to her death) or my grandmother (who didn’t), it will remain a kind of hybrid, having only the effect of making me look tired and drawn. Oh to be one of those dark haired people whose hair goes that distinguished steel grey or white. It’s a dramatic and dynamic look, but not one I’m ever destined to acquire!
Goddessinthedetails says:
I have that problem. I’m 67 and only have a few ‘sprinkles’ of grey. I have, however, given my hairdresser the okay for some second-look navy blue tones, simply because it’s something I want to experience. I probably won’t keep it for more than a year and then either revert to black with a few grey strays or transition to a few natural highlights. I don’t think these choices need be cut and dried (excuse pun!), rather that we now have the option to do whatever feels right in the moment. Just because we’re older doesn’t mean we can’t change our minds, try a trend, reject it, embrace it – whatever feels comfortable. Style is a journey, not a destination.
Mrs P says:
I’m exactly the same age with exactly the same thing going on with my hair. I’m very intrigued about the navy blue tones. Are you talking streaks of the colour? Sounds great and it’s given me ideas!
Jayne says:
That’s my problem too and I’m 77. My hairdresser suggested a few natural looking highlights to brighten up my hair and give it some texture as it’s very fine and not very thick. People assume that I colour it, until I show them the darker roots!
Here’s to all the wonderful female comedians who have given us much pleasure and the confidence to do our own thing.
Morag Burton says:
I also had very dark hair going grey from 17. Finally lost it with the very expensive colouring thing (it looked as if my head was going mouldy after 5 weeks!!) with a reality check on an Australian houseboat holiday in temps of 43+ degrees.
That was 15 years ago. I’m 69 now and look much younger with my short white spiky style. I also FEEL younger since I no longer have that ongoing battle and can spend the money on lovely stylish clothes instead!
My new problem is my eyebrows – am I alone in this? I never paid them much heed when I was younger, but now they have run amok, losing colour in patches, stopping altogether in others and, horror of horrors, a few ‘supergrowers! If I don’t do a little judicious trimming and pencilling ( I need a grey pencil too, NOT the ubiquitous brown) I appear to have a permanent frown since the outer arcs are no longer there.Maggie says:
Ah yes – the eyebrows! Patchy and and one definitely more patchy than the other. I have a hypothyroidism and I am told that one of the symptoms is eyebrow thinning. Whatever it is – they constantly surprise me with what form they choose to take on every morning.
Susan says:
Hi Maggie, I can sympathize, I also have hypothyroidism, my eyebrows have been the bane of my life for over 40 years, thin and nothing on the outer brows..I was thinking of microwaving them on but am nervous as it’s permanent, does anyone have experience in this.
Lise says:
Alverde make a grey eyebrow pencil, #03. I got mine at a DM store, have a look at dm.com if you are in Europe.
Mary Jones says:
When I first met my current hairdresser she discouraged me from my colouring hair. Her words to me went along the lines of, ” No, I wouldn’t put any colour on your hair, it looks great as it is. How about a cut, giving you the look of an elegant French lady.” I was sold on this advice, quite liked the idea of looking like an elegant French lady! I’m still working on the ‘look’ and Dawn French has given me food for thought with her new style, I like it. I did get my eyelashes/eyebrows shaped and dyed the other day and I think that was money well spent, mainly because I can’t see them very well anymore!
Hi Mary, I have a similar experience with my hair stylist – he refuses to color my salt and pepper hair. It has been a journey to find a hair cut that makes me look amazing and confident. We are at a very short pixie cut with a soft fade in the back, and I love it. Do what makes you feel amazing.
Ali says:
My hair came out in handfuls three months after I had covid pneumonia. It was silver white before. The new growth is dark!!!
Mrs Jill Barlow says:
Well I hate grey, for me anyway. I am a 69 year old great grandma and if I live to be 109 I will not go grey. Today my hair is purple, blue and pink, it’s cut every 6 weeks and I change the colours after each cut. I colour it for me, I love the changes. It surprises me how many strangers stop me and compliment my colours but say they dare not do the same. It’s your hair whatever you do with it do it for you and no one else.
Julie says:
I let my hair go grey about 18 months ago. The hairdresser scrubbed much of the old colour out with a special product and the effect was dramatic. One thing I would highly recommend is once you go grey, find a brow and make-up person who is non-ageist! It isn’t just the hair – it’s the complete look. I needed to completely replace my make-up and amp the brows before I felt I rocked the look.
Yolie says:
Beyond henna-ing my hair occasionally in my twenties, which made my silvers shine bright blue/orange depending (have had silvers since age 12 or so), I’ve never dyed to actively remove the grey. At 52, I have stripes now, in dark hair, which my other half calls my tinsel. But I’ve worked alongside a number of incredibly stylish older women over the years who all had beautiful heads of greying/silver hair. I think seeing that in my thirties/forties gave me examples of what’s possible, and that’s what’s important here: moving away from the narrative that allowing your greys to show is somehow giving up, to one that says ‘dye it, don’t dye it- whatever makes you happy’.
GOOD ON YOU DAWN I have been white for many years tried going pink once never again I will remain white
Cate says:
Oooh a favourite topic. I am a grey hair ambassador as I am 57 and went grey when I was 45. There weren’t many role models in 2008 apart from Sarah Harris but I was so weary of the stripe which started after a couple of weeks and the endless chemicals. I had black hair and started to go grey in my twenties. It is a tough process with dark hair but it was long enough to just pull back to get past the difficult phase and once there was enough grey I had a pixie cut and owned it ever since. I have never doubted my decision and loved being the odd one out with grey hair even though I would often get withering looks from the sisterhood (particularly in US department stores) in the very early days. So so SO much has changed since that time and having grey hair is now so common that it never registers to me that this is even a tough decision anymore. For anyone in doubt, I have always loved it and I have had several reverse “exam” dreams over the decades where my hair gets dyed and its a sad realisation that I have to start all over again … and then I wake up (haha!).
I am in Sydney and we are about to come out of a lockdown after 4 months and my only realisation is that its most definitely the absence of a cut and not the colour which is ageing as its the first time that I have felt “older” with my colour. I do have a question though for Alyson and the readers as I am struggling to find an illuminating shampoo, conditioner, mask or product which is at the “cleaner” end of the spectrum and will highlight silver and not violet or blue as most are the latter. Many thanks for any suggestions. Cate
PS Just another reason now to love Dawn even more xSome very interesting and varied points of view presented here. As several people comment follow what is best for you, your hair type, your personal style to do what you want with your hair.
With regards eyebrows and eyelashes going greyer but in my case not thinner and reasonable thick I’ve opted not to dye them myself ( Alyson used Eyelure in lockdown perhaps ) nor go to a salon. I found an excellent product Anastasia Brow Pomade in a range of shades. I ordered it online when all shops closed and chose a dark brown whereas the other brow pencils I had were mid brown. With an angled brush you can create as dramatic a brown look as you wish. Just needs a little combing and comes off with usual eye makeup remover Take the Day Off Clinique one. Easier and quicker and more effective in covering and grooming greying eyebrows. A temporary fix that doesn’t irritate the skin. I recommend highly.Jeanette says:
I have just gone to grey hair, my hair was styled in a Bob.
I didn’t want to go through the several months with a line, so had my hair shaved as an undercut and the top chopped into, so it wasn’t so noticeable. Now I have a pixie and may grow back to a Bob, not sure.
I have fine hair, and my grey is like a halo around my head.
I am using loreal age perfect beautifying silver care ” touch of pearl”
There are other colours in this range
It is a dye but I gather a wash out
This makes my grey a little highlighted, I really like the look it gives
Available at woolworthsJJ says:
I grew out my grey during Covid stay-at-home months, and there are no longer any traces of dye left in my hair. I’m 56 and wasn’t ready to look “older” (I am not blessed with smooth, unlined skin so I really relied on the dark hair color of my youth), and I hadn’t planned to stop coloring until I hit 60. But here we are!
My BFF is a surgeon specializing in breast cancer patients. She told me about a newly discovered correlation between certain types of permanent hair dye and straightening chemicals with rates of breast cancer. That just gave me one more reason to let my hair go natural.
When I met my hairstylist 8 years ago, the first thing he commented on was my salt and pepper hair color – which he loved and would not color. It has been a process and a journey to embrace my hair and feel confident Now, I have a very short pixie cut with a tapered fade in the back, and I love it. I feel and look amazing, and I thank my stylist for working with me through the journey.
Kirstie Knapp 
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I began going grey at 15 and in my 70s am now white. My hairdresser say women pay to be my colour, so well done to dawn french!.