What Olivia Colman’s Miu Miu Moment Says About Grey Hair Now

When Olivia Colman walked the Miu Miu Spring/Summer 2027 runway in Paris on 4 October, her silver-grey hair, swept into a low ponytail, was as striking as her sleek black leather tailoring. The look was carefully constructed, too. Her hairstylist, Inanch Emir, told Elle he used extensions in four shades of grey to match Colman’s own hair and add depth and dimension. It was a reminder that grey can be a considered beauty choice, not something to conceal.

For Irina Ulezko, Technical Director and Grey Blending Specialist at Dubai’s Salon 971, that ease is exactly why the moment resonated.

“I think it was powerful because she wasn’t trying to disguise her age or make a statement about it. She simply looked beautiful, confident and completely comfortable in herself,” she says. “What I particularly love is that her grey hair wasn’t the story of her beauty. It was simply part of it.”

In Dubai’s salons, the conversation is shifting too. “A few years ago, most clients would ask how we could completely cover their grey. Now, more women are asking how we can work with it,” says Ulezko. “They’re interested in grey blending, softer regrowth and colour that doesn’t require them to return to the salon every three or four weeks.”

That doesn’t necessarily mean going fully grey. For many, the aim is simply to soften the contrast between natural regrowth and coloured lengths, making colour easier to live with. As Ulezko puts it, “It’s becoming less about hiding grey and more about creating a colour that evolves beautifully with them.”

There is no particular age at which you should stop colouring. For Ulezko, the better question is whether your current colour still works for you. “I think you’re ready when colouring your hair starts to feel like an obligation rather than something you enjoy,” she says. “I meet women who have been colouring their roots every three weeks for years. They love the result for the first week, but then spend the next two weeks worrying about their regrowth.”

Nor does the change have to be abrupt. “The biggest mistake is thinking you have to stop colouring overnight and live with a harsh line of regrowth,” says Ulezko. This is where grey blending comes in. Rather than a single service, it is an overall approach, built from a handful of techniques chosen according to your existing colour and natural grey pattern. At its heart, she explains, “we use carefully placed highlights and sometimes lowlights to soften the contrast between the natural grey and previously coloured hair.” Other techniques can include:

• Lowlights: “These reintroduce depth and dimension, particularly when the hair has become predominantly white or silver.”

• Toners: “These help refine the overall shade, neutralise unwanted warmth and create a softer, more harmonious finish.”

Patience matters, particularly for anyone with a long history of dark colour. “For clients with years of dark permanent colour, the transition may require several appointments. We have to respect the condition of the hair rather than trying to achieve everything in one session,” she notes. “My goal is always to create a transition that looks intentional and beautiful at every stage, not just at the end.”

One of the most persistent misconceptions is that grey hair is a single, flat shade. “Grey hair is rarely just grey!” says Ulezko. “When you look closely, you’ll see combinations of white, silver, charcoal, pearl and sometimes warmer tones.”

It’s the same principle behind the four blended greys of Colman’s runway look: dimension. “If we make everything one flat silver shade, we can actually lose the movement and softness in the hair,” Ulezko explains. “By strategically placing lighter and darker tones, we can enhance the haircut, frame the face and create the appearance of fuller, more textured hair.”

That individuality is also why Colman’s look is best treated as inspiration rather than a blueprint. “Your natural grey pattern, skin tone, eye colour, haircut and even your lifestyle all influence what will suit you,” says Ulezko. “Some women look incredible with bright, cool silver tones, while others are much more flattered by soft champagne, beige or warmer greys.” Her advice: “A beautiful result should feel like an extension of your own personality, not somebody else’s.”

Wearing grey well in the UAE comes with its own set of challenges. “Grey hair often has a different texture from pigmented hair. Some clients find it becomes coarser, drier or more wiry, although this varies from person to person,” says Ulezko. “Combine that with strong UV exposure, heat styling, humidity and swimming pools, and the hair can quickly lose its softness and shine.” Silver and white hair are also prone to yellowing from environmental exposure, product build-up and heat.

Her prescription is simple: UV protection, good hydration, regular conditioning treatments and a lighter hand with the hot tools. That care matters most when moving away from permanent colour, when, as she puts it, “protecting the integrity of the hair is absolutely essential.” As a K18 Ambassador, Ulezko counts the bond-repair treatment among her favourites for clients undergoing colour transformations, alongside professional conditioning treatments and carefully selected toning products. “Beautiful grey hair should look healthy and glossy, not dry or overprocessed.”

One common habit she would rethink: “Purple shampoo isn’t necessarily your best friend! Used too frequently, it can leave grey hair looking dull or violet.” Used appropriately, it can help counter unwanted yellow tones, but how often to reach for it depends on your hair and the product.

Perhaps the biggest myth of all, Ulezko says, is “that going grey means you’re giving up on your appearance. I actually think it can be quite the opposite.” The right haircut, tone, placement and condition all play their part, and embracing grey doesn’t close the door on colour. “You can be naturally grey, partially blended, beautifully silver or still enjoy highlights. For me, modern beauty is about having that choice.”

Colman’s runway look shows that grey hair need not be explained or disguised. As Ulezko puts it, “Grey hair shouldn’t define your age. It should simply be another beautiful way to express yourself.”

Hero image credits Giovanni Giannoni / Getty