Grey hair often grows in coarser than the pigmented hair it replaced, and that grip is why a low twist with bobby pins can still be sitting flat at the nape eight hours into a wedding. Here are grey hair updos for older women, each with the cut that sets it up, the density it suits, and how often to trim.
1. Low Chignon
The low chignon is where I start with a grey hair updo older women can wear anywhere, because grey hair holds a twist without pins fighting it. I cut long layers from the collarbone on dry hair so the twist has texture, then smooth the length, twist it at the nape, and pin it flat. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Set with hairspray and use a violet shampoo weekly. Trim every ten weeks.
2. Soft French Twist
A soft French twist is the wedding hair for older women I book most, because it lifts the face and stays put for eight hours. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, then brush the length to one side, roll it vertically up the back, and pin along the seam. It suits medium to thick density and oval or round faces. Set with hairspray and leave two pieces out at the temple. Trim every ten weeks.
3. Textured Low Bun
A textured low bun keeps the grey loose instead of slicked. I cut long layers from the cheekbone on dry hair, wave the length with a one inch iron, then gather it at the nape, twist loosely, and pin with pieces pulled out. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Mist a texture spray through and set lightly. Use a violet shampoo weekly. Trim every eight weeks.
4. Braided Crown Updo
A braided crown wraps a grey braid around the head and pins it above the ears. I cut the perimeter past the collarbone on dry hair with no layers so the braid stays even, then part at the center, braid each side, and cross the braids over the crown. It suits medium to thick density and oval or long faces. Set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
5. Half Up Twist With Grey Waves
A half up twist with the ends left in waves is the half updo that works on short grey hair too. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, wave the length, then twist the two front sections back and pin at the crown. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Set with hairspray and use a violet shampoo weekly. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
6. Sleek High Bun
A sleek high bun on silver hair reads sharp because the color is already a statement. I cut long layers from the collarbone on dry hair, then brush the length up to the crown with a boar brush, wrap it into a bun, and pin. It suits medium to thick density and oval or round faces. Smooth the edges with pomade and set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks.
7. Pinned Back Pixie Updo
A pixie can still be pinned for wedding hair for older women with short grey hair. I cut the sides short with scissor over comb on dry hair and leave the top at four inches, then twist the front back and pin it behind the ear with two bobby pins. It suits fine to medium density and oval or heart faces. Set with hairspray and add a small comb if the day calls for it. Trim every five weeks.
8. Low Side Bun
A low side bun sits behind one ear and shows the neck on the other side. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, then part deep on the opposite side, sweep the length across, and twist it into a bun behind the ear. It suits medium density and round or square faces. Set with hairspray and pull one piece out at the temple. Trim every ten weeks.
9. Twisted Half Updo on Grey Bob
A twisted half updo on a grey bob works when the bob is at the collarbone or longer. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair with long layers, then twist a section from each temple back and pin them together at the crown. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Set with hairspray and use a violet shampoo weekly. Trim every eight weeks.
10. Banana Clip Updo
A banana clip updo takes thirty seconds and holds thick grey hair all day. I cut long layers from the collarbone on dry hair, then gather the length vertically at the back, fold it up, and close the clip so the ends fan out at the crown. It suits medium to thick density and most face shapes. Mist with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
11. Mother of the Bride Chignon
The mother of the bride chignon is a low chignon with the front set in a soft wave. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, set the front in a velcro roller for ten minutes, then smooth the length into a low chignon and pin. It suits medium density and oval or long faces. Set with hairspray and use a violet shampoo the day before. Trim every ten weeks.
12. Messy Top Knot
A messy top knot on grey hair reads casual and takes one hair tie. I cut long layers from the cheekbone on dry hair so the knot has pieces to pull out, then gather the length high, twist it loosely, and wrap it around the base. It suits fine to medium density and oval or round faces. Pull a few pieces out at the hairline and mist with texture spray. Trim every eight weeks.
13. French Braid Into Low Bun
A French braid into a low bun keeps the crown flat and the detail at the back. I cut the perimeter past the collarbone on dry hair with no layers, French braid from the hairline to the nape, then coil the tail into a bun and pin. It suits medium to thick density and oval or long faces. Set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
14. Rolled Updo With Volume at the Crown
A rolled updo with crown volume adds height where grey hair over 60 has lost it. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, tease the crown lightly, then roll the length under at the nape and pin. It suits fine to medium density and round or square faces. Smooth the top with a boar brush over the teasing and set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks.
15. Grey Hair Updo Older Women With Glasses
A grey hair updo older women wear with glasses needs the sides clear of the frames. I cut long layers from the collarbone on dry hair, then brush the sides back behind the ears, twist the length at the nape, and pin it with nothing falling at the temple. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
16. Loose Low Bun With Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs left down over a loose low bun frame the face. I cut the bangs on dry hair from the nose to the cheekbone, splitting at the center, and long layers through the length, then gather the length at the nape and twist it loosely. It suits medium density and square or round faces. Blow-dry the bangs out with a round brush and set the bun with hairspray. Trim the bangs every five weeks.
17. Twisted Updo for Short Grey Hair
Short grey hair at the chin can still be twisted up for wedding hair for older women. I cut the perimeter at the chin on dry hair with two long layers, then twist small sections from the hairline back and pin each one at the crown until the sides are up. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Set with hairspray and leave the nape soft. Trim every six weeks.
18. Silver Ballerina Bun
A silver ballerina bun is a tight bun at the crown with nothing left out. I cut the perimeter past the collarbone on dry hair with no layers so the bun is smooth, then brush the length up, wrap it around a bun form, and pin. It suits medium to thick density and oval or long faces. Smooth the edges with pomade. Trim every ten weeks and use a violet shampoo weekly.
19. Half Up Braid
A half up braid pulls the front back and leaves the grey length down. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, then braid a section from each temple back and pin the two braids together at the crown. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Wave the length with a large iron and mist with hairspray. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
20. Low Twisted Knot With Side Part
A low twisted knot with a side part puts the volume on one side and the knot at the nape. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, part deep to one side, sweep the heavy side across, and twist the length into a knot at the nape. It suits medium density and round or square faces. Set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
21. Pinned Curls Updo
Pinned curls are the updo for grey hair that is already curly. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry curls with long layers, then gather the curls at the nape and pin them one cluster at a time so they stack. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream before pinning and set with hairspray. Trim every eight weeks.
22. Sleek Low Ponytail Wrap
A sleek low ponytail with a wrap reads as an updo without pins. I cut long layers from the collarbone on dry hair, then brush the length smooth into a low ponytail, wrap a piece around the band, and pin the end under. It suits medium density and oval or long faces. Smooth with pomade and set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks.
23. Chignon With Face Framing Pieces
Face framing pieces left out of a chignon soften the jaw. I cut long layers from the collarbone on dry hair and point cut two pieces at the cheekbone to leave out, then twist the length into a low chignon and pin. It suits medium density and square or round faces. Wave the two pieces with a small iron and set the chignon with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks.
24. Teased Crown With Low Bun
A teased crown with a low bun is the volume fix for fine grey hair. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, tease the crown with a fine comb, smooth the top over it, and twist the length into a low bun. It suits fine density and round or square faces. Set with hairspray and use a violet shampoo weekly. Trim every ten weeks.
25. Braided Low Bun
A braided low bun coils three braids into one bun at the nape. I cut the perimeter past the collarbone on dry hair with no layers, split the length into three, braid each, and coil them together at the nape with pins. It suits medium to thick density and most face shapes. Set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
26. Updo With Fresh Flowers
Fresh flowers in a low updo are the wedding hair for older women that photographs best against grey. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, twist the length into a low chignon, then pin three small flowers along the seam. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Set with hairspray before the flowers go in. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
27. Half Up Bun on Grey Lob
A half up bun on a grey lob takes the top half up and leaves the lob down. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair with long layers, then gather the top half at the crown and twist it into a small bun. It suits fine to medium density and oval or round faces. Wave the rest with a large iron and mist with hairspray. Trim every eight weeks.
28. Rope Twist Updo
A rope twist updo twists two strands around each other and wraps them into a bun. I cut long layers from the collarbone on dry hair, split the length in two, twist each strand, then twist them around each other and wrap at the nape. It suits medium to thick density and oval or long faces. Set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks.
29. Tucked Under Updo
A tucked under updo rolls the ends under a band so no pins show. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair with long layers, then put an elastic headband around the head and tuck the length into it from the sides to the back. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Mist with hairspray. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
30. Vintage Victory Rolls on Grey Hair
Victory rolls on grey hair are a retro updo for a themed wedding. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, set two front sections on hot rollers, then roll each one back toward the crown and pin. It suits medium to thick density and oval or long faces. Set with a strong hairspray and smooth the rest into a low bun. Trim every ten weeks.
31. Bun With Decorative Comb
A low bun with a decorative comb is the updo that dresses up with one piece. I cut long layers from the collarbone on dry hair, twist the length into a low bun, and slide a comb in above it. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Set with hairspray and use a violet shampoo the day before so the grey reads clean. Trim every ten weeks.
32. Knotted Half Updo
A knotted half updo ties two sections in a single knot at the back. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, then take a section from each temple, tie them in a knot at the crown, and pin the ends under. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Wave the rest with a large iron and mist with hairspray. Trim every eight weeks.
33. Smooth Updo for Thick Grey Hair
Thick grey hair takes a smooth updo with the interior thinned so the bun does not sit like a fist. I cut long layers from the collarbone on dry hair, slide cut the interior, then brush the length into a low bun and pin. It suits thick density and oval or round faces. Smooth the edges with pomade. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
34. Loose Chignon for Fine Grey Hair
Fine grey hair takes a loose chignon with the crown teased so the knot looks full. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, tease the crown, then twist the length loosely at the nape and pin with pieces out. It suits fine density and most face shapes. Mist with texture spray and set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks and use a violet shampoo weekly.
35. Low Bun With Side Swept Bangs
Side swept bangs over a low bun soften a square jaw. I cut the bangs on dry hair from the brow to the cheekbone, swept to one side, and long layers through the length, then twist the length into a low bun. It suits medium density and square or round faces. Blow-dry the bangs across with a flat brush and set the bun with hairspray. Trim the bangs every five weeks.
36. Twisted Updo With Pearl Pins
A twisted updo with pearl pins is the updo that needs no veil. I cut long layers from the collarbone on dry hair, twist the length into a low twist, and press four pearl pins along the seam. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Set with hairspray before the pins go in. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
37. Crown Braid on Short Grey Hair
Short grey hair at the chin can take a crown braid along the hairline. I cut the perimeter at the chin on dry hair with two long layers, then French braid along the hairline from one ear to the other and pin the tail under. It suits fine to medium density and oval or round faces. Set with hairspray and leave the back soft. Trim every six weeks.
38. Soft Updo With Tendrils
A soft updo with tendrils leaves pieces out at the temple and nape. I cut long layers from the cheekbone on dry hair, point cut two tendrils at each temple, then twist the length into a low bun and pull a few pieces out at the nape. It suits medium density and oval or heart faces. Wave the tendrils with a small iron. Trim every ten weeks.
39. High Twist With Volume
A high twist with volume lifts the whole face. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, tease the crown, brush the length up to the top of the head, and twist it into a high knot. It suits medium density and round or square faces. Smooth the sides with pomade and set with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks and use a violet shampoo weekly.
40. Grandmother of the Bride Updo
The grandmother of the bride updo is a low rolled bun with the front set in soft waves. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, set the front on hot rollers, then roll the length under at the nape and pin. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Set with hairspray and use a violet shampoo the day before. Trim every ten weeks.
41. Half Up Twist With Clip
A half up twist held with a clip is the updo that comes down in one move. I cut long layers from the jaw on dry hair, twist the two front sections back, and close a claw clip over them at the crown. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Wave the rest with a large iron and mist with hairspray. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
42. Low Maintenance Grey Updo
The low maintenance version of a grey hair updo older women can do without a mirror is a twist and two pins. I cut long layers from the collarbone on dry hair, then twist the length at the nape, fold it up, and push two long pins through from opposite sides. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Mist with hairspray. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
Grey hair often grows in coarser than the pigmented hair it replaced, and that grip is why a low twist with bobby pins can last through a whole event without a redo. For grey hair updo older women I rough the roots first so the pins actually catch the strand, not slide off it. A mist of strong-hold spray at the base is what carries it past the last toast. oval face haircuts stay the shape I reach for most, and the same length rules apply whether the hair is thick, fine, silver, or round-faced.
