Forget covering every gray or going fully silver overnight. The Oscar winner’s latest red carpet look shows a softer, more natural way to transition, and colorists explain how it’s done.
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Olivia Colman made a bold statement at the Los Angeles premiere of “Wicker” on October 20, and it wasn’t just her outfit.
Colman brought some drama dressed in a bright red shirt tucked into a floor-length burgundy skirt with a train, but her side-parted hair made quite a statement too. Falling over one shoulder in loose, voluminous waves, her brunette tresses showed streaks of soft silver and gray, in what is known as “quiet silver,” one of the biggest hair trends this year.
Her hairstylist, Clayton Hawkins, told Allure earlier this month that he specifically styled Colman’s color in “big, sexy romantic curls” to show off its different tones.
Olivia Colman attends the Los Angeles premiere of "Wicker" at DGA Theatre on October 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
So What is “Quiet Silver”?
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The hair trend blends grays into one’s natural color, creating a softer, more gradual transition between the two shades instead of completely going gray or completely covering everything.
Annabelle Taurua, an expert at beauty booking platform Fresha, calls it “an age-positive take on graying,” explaining, “By blending subtle grays with low-contrast regrowth and soft greige tones, the trend delivers a healthier, low-maintenance finish that keeps the hair looking effortlessly refined.”
Olivia Colman at the Los Angeles premiere of "Wicker" on October 20, 2026 | Source: Getty Images
Colorists typically create the look with highlights and lowlights. Colorist Farah Hurdle previously told Allure that her “gray-blending” approach uses highlights where silver is prominent and lowlights in darker areas to subdue any harsh lines between the shades.
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Meanwhile, stylist Sean Michael of Salon Beau says, “Most people benefit from adding cool-toned highlights or lowlights to blur the line between existing color and new growth, which creates a softer, more intentional transition.”
Who Can Try It?
According to Taurua, the transition tends to be easiest for people with lighter hair, like light to medium blondes, though muted shades like ash brown can also blend well. But as Colman shows, brunettes can embrace it, too.
Olivia Colman fashioning hair styled by Clayton Hawkins | Source: instagram/claytonhawkins
For darker hair, Glamour’s experts suggest adding charcoal tones or lightening the overall base color so it appears more blended when the hair grows out.
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If you’re thinking about trying the look, Allure recommends starting with a professional consultation rather than attempting it at home.
Keeping It Fresh
One of the good things about the “quiet silver” look is that it usually means fewer trips to the salon, since the hair grows out more naturally. Still, Taurua says toning and root touch-ups are probably needed every four to eight weeks, depending on your hair color.
Between salon visits, you can use purple shampoo at home to keep the silver strands bright, according to Hawkins. Michael suggests using it only about once a week, or mixing it with your regular shampoo, to avoid dulling your hair’s shine. Since gray hair can be drier or coarser, Glamour’s experts also recommend moisturizing with sulfate-free products and a weekly hair mask.
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