Herringbone Highlights Are the Effortless Way to Embrace Gray Hair

Jul 03, 2023

By Hannah Coates

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Going gray has never been chicer. No longer something to hide, the past couple of years have seen us embrace the shades nature gave us—gray and silver included. But most women would acknowledge those first silver strands can come as something of a shock. If that's you, and you’re looking for a way to ease yourself into adjustment, allow us to introduce herringbone highlights.

Herringbone highlights help marry natural shades with any newfound grays—and celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Jessica Parker are sporting the look. "I’ve always used the herringbone highlight technique, which involves applying foils at an angle in a herringbone pattern—because I like delicately blended color," says super colorist Zoe Irwin. "It's about seamlessly blending a mix of shades together, as opposed to completely hiding the gray."

This combination of different shades doesn't just create beautiful, multi-dimensional color that looks natural and effortless, it's also a great way to slowly segue to all-over silver—as and when the time comes. "The technique involves highlighting tiny little pieces of hair at an angle. When you’re going gray, you should avoid a chunkier highlight, because it makes the contrast appear too obvious," explains Irwin.

If you look at SJP—who happens to have one of Irwin's most requested celebrity hair colors—and Paltrow, their hair is full of different tones, all of which help to illuminate the face and bring youth and luminosity to the skin, while framing their features. You’d never think they were trying to hide their grays, rather, they make a feature of them.

The technique works on darker hair colors, too. "For those with darker hair that's going gray, I find a mid-tone, like a dark blonde, and finely weave it into the hair," says Irwin. "The biggest problem with darker hair color is when the grey or silver tones come through, it's 10 shades lighter than their natural color, so you can really see it. A mid-tone always works really well." She incorporates a mix of warmer beige tones and cooler shades to create balance and prevent any dullness.

The hairstylist is also a big fan of combining herringbone highlights with other modern techniques, including face-framing babylights (or "money pieces" as they’re otherwise known) and "chunky, beachy, texturized ends via balayage," says Irwin, who is a big fan of scattering lighter pieces throughout the hair—especially on ends—to illuminate and make the hair color pop.

Those looking to try the herringbone highlight technique should ensure their hair-care regimen is suited to maintain hair's strength and vibrancy. From cleansing with silver strand-friendly shampoos by L'Oréal Professionnel and Better Not Younger to soothing scalp serums and volumizing sprays, here are a handful of products to embrace the grays.