About half of us will get a grey beard sooner or later. In fact, according to a 2018 paper by the International Journal of Trichology, 50 per cent of all guys will start going grey by the age of 50. And while that shouldn't really change what tools you use to style it (you can still use the same razors, electric shavers, and beard trimmers, for example), how you style it is gonna be pretty different.
Sure, that sounds a little scary at first, but there's really nothing to worry about! Just look at handsome devils like Idris Elba, Oscar Isaac, and Pierce Brosnan. If these very famous men can look good with a silver medal, so can you. So we sat down with TJ Hunt, barber at Time Shoreditch, and Luke Davies, co-founder at Supply 91, to find out everything you need to know to style a grey beard.
SKIP TO: Should you dye a grey beard? | How do you dye a grey beard properly? | How do you care for a grey beard? | What face shape suits a grey beard? | Departing tips
Should you dye a grey beard?
Like colouring your head hair, you can, indeed, dye a grey beard. But there's often more to think about when it comes to the bottom half of your face. Sure, those ‘Just for Men’ ads make it seem quick and easy and something that you can just do when you've got a few minutes to spare. However, if you follow their lead, you'll likely end up with an unsubtle beard-to-barnet blend and a jet-black bathroom.
“You want it to look as natural as possible, so this means only going significantly darker if your hair matches,” says Hunt. “There's little benefit in dyeing your beard to look at odds with your thatch. So, do you go and see an expert colourist to do your hair and beard at the same time? You could, but it'll be expensive. Plus, beard hair grows significantly faster, so you'll have to be prepared to be back in the salon regularly. Alternatively, and this would be my recommendation, embrace your grey beard. If it’s good enough for George Clooney, it's good enough for you.”
Panasonic Multishape shot by Josephine Judd, Commerce Photo Editor and modelled by Owen Gough, Senior Commerce Writer
Remington Barba, shot by Josephine Judd, Commerce Photo Editor and modelled by Owen Gough, Senior Commerce Writer
“A grey beard is a really cool look, and if you've got it, rock it,” says Davies. “But if you really must give it a fresh lick of paint, get your beard kit out and choose a colour that's as close to your natural hair as possible.”
How do you dye a grey beard properly?
If you're adamant that the home-dyed beard is the one for you, then be sure to do it properly. Use dye that's been specifically formulated for your beard and not for your head. This is extremely important, as it's quite different in comparison. It's often coarser and sparser, and there's a possibility that you can damage your beard if you use the wrong kind of product.
“Before doing anything, you should do a patch test,” says Hunt. “This will avoid any potential harm to your skin and your hair. Put a little dab of the dye on your wrists and a small, less conspicuous area of the beard 24 hours before going all-in to make sure you're not going to have any adverse effects. Once you've done this, rinse it thoroughly. The dye can stick to the skin under the beard, and you don't want to leave it in contact there for any longer than necessary, otherwise you could end up with sore skin, skin that matches the colour of your new beard, or both.”
“Of course you can dye your beard yourself, but I'd always recommend going to a professional for any kind of colouring, especially with facial hair,” says Davies. “Because of its thicker, drier texture, it picks up pigment a lot faster. Beard box dyes nearly always go darker than you think, so I would always err on the side of caution.”
How do you care for a grey beard?
Beards (and the skin below them) can easily become dry, itchy and irritated if you don't treat 'em right. Use a beard shampoo to clean up and clear any debris at least a couple of times a week.
