As more women choose to embrace the grey, an ever-growing number of chic ways to wear it are emerging. All it takes is a glance at some of our favourite silver-haired celebrities for inspiration. The latest shade to join the roster is one we're calling ‘Ice Frappuccino’ grey — a cool, icy silver with plenty of dimension stirred in. It's a look we've already spotted on the likes of Kristin Scott Thomas and Emma Thompson, and it’s incredibly flattering.
What is ‘Iced Frappuccino’ grey?
‘Rather than embracing a darker steel grey, both Kristin and Emma have opted for luminous pearl, platinum and icy silver tones through the top layers, while keeping softer depth closer to the roots underneath which gives an ‘Iced Frappuccino’ effect,’ says Jason Collier, celebrity hairstylist, founder of Studio23 and Key Opinion Leader at Jerome Russell Bblonde.
He adds: ‘The intentional contrast creates modern dimension, movement and shine, rather than allowing the hair to appear flat or overly uniform. It's a beautiful, brighter and cooler take on silver hair.’
Kristin showcases the shade through her signature ‘halo’ effect. As Jason explains, the lighter pieces are kept concentrated around the hairline and crown, while a slightly deeper tone underneath adds depth and dimension. ‘Her colour is a beautiful example of how silver hair can look incredibly refined and purposeful, and the brighter pieces around the face help to illuminate the complexion and soften features,’ he says.
Emma, meanwhile, proves the colour works just as well all over. ‘Her silver is bright and icy, almost bordering on a white-blonde silver. The cropped shape allows the colour to really take centre stage, while the lighter tones around the fringe help draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones.’
Why is this shade so flattering on women 50-plus?
According to Jason, it's all about the way the icy hue reflects light. ‘Cooler pearl and silver tones can also help counteract sallowness and bring freshness to the skin, which is why this colour often appears so rejuvenating. It's almost the hair equivalent of placing a soft-focus filter around the face,’ he says.
The shade's appeal isn't just down to its complexion-brightening effect, however. The strategic placement of lighter and darker tones can work wonders for mature hair. ‘The dimension also helps create the appearance of thicker, healthier-looking hair, which is often a key consideration as hair matures,’ explains Jason.
Why it feels so modern right now
Jason predicts we'll be seeing a lot more of ‘Iced Frappuccino’ grey in the months ahead. ‘I think we'll see much more of this look throughout summer because women are becoming increasingly confident about embracing grey hair, but they still want it to feel polished and intentional,’ he says.
He adds: ‘This brighter silver feels fresh, clean and modern for the warmer months. It's less about covering grey and more about enhancing it in a way that looks chic, contemporary and incredibly flattering.’
Is it easy to maintain?
A salon appointment is only part of the equation. Maintaining that bright, reflective finish at home is key. Thankfully, you’ll only need one product to hand.
‘All it takes is a toner treatment,’ says Jason — and he namechecks the Jerome Russell Silver Blonde Colour Bomb as his top recommendation.
Jerome Russell Silver Blonde Colour Bomb
‘The key to this trend is keeping the silver looking crisp and reflective rather than allowing yellow or brassy tones to develop,’ he says. ‘Using a colour-depositing treatment helps to refresh those icy pearl tones between salon appointments while maintaining the brightness that gives the 'Iced Frappuccino' effect its complexion-enhancing finish.’
It’s easy to see why the A-Listers are backing the shade.
