A stylish grey hairstyle can look attractive, sophisticated and effortlessly charming, offering a flattering, mature style for men who want to feel confident in their appearance. Going grey is natural, symbolizing experience and a life well-lived, but some guys feel self-conscious about the aging process and start chasing awkward, youthful looks that don’t complement their features.
From classic to modern, the most popular haircuts for men with grey hair combine short, cropped sides with textured, longer hair on top, creating a fuller look that exudes character and class. These simple styles are ideal for older gentlemen who want to embrace their salt and pepper locks and transform into a sexy silver fox.
Here are some excellent examples of handsome grey men’s hairstyles that will show off this versatile approach and inspire your next visit to the barbershop.
Popular Hairstyles For Men with Grey Hair
Classic Pompadour
One of the most popular choices for men with gray hair is the classic pompadour. This timeless look combines elegance with a touch of rebellion. The hair is styled high and back, with shorter sides that add a gentlemanly touch. A hint of darker hair at the hairline can create a distinguished look. The pompadour works well for various occasions, from casual outings to formal events.
Medium Flow
For those who prefer a more laid-back style, the medium flow is an excellent choice. This hairstyle allows your natural texture to shine through, creating a soft and trendy look. The hair is left a bit longer, falling gracefully around your face without the need for heavy styling products. Use a sea salt spray to add light structure and gently push the hair away from your face for an effortless, beachy vibe.
Silver Fox Slick Back
If you’re looking for something more dramatic, consider the silver fox slick back. This bold style is perfect for trendsetters who refuse to let gray hair age them. The key is the striking contrast between silver roots and darker ends. To achieve maximum impact, opt for shorter layers at the crown and longer ones in front, then slick everything back with styling gel. Cropping the sides and back close to the head can also create the illusion of more volume on top.
Thick Textured Brush Back
For men with curly or wavy gray hair, a thick, textured brush back is a fantastic option. The long layers at the front stand out against shorter sides and back, creating a dynamic profile. Use texturizing pomade or sea salt spray to define your waves or add extra lift. A spritz of hairspray will keep everything in place. Pairing this style with a full, mid-length beard can balance the cut and frame your face handsomely.
Classic Comb Back with Beard
If you’re dealing with thinning hair, a classic comb back with a short beard can work wonders. This style allows your stylist to adjust lengths strategically, then comb the hair back to cover any sparse areas. The hair flows away from your face, creating a flattering frame that can camouflage a receding hairline. Consider adding silver streaks to enhance texture, especially around your face.
Long Hair with Beard
For a more rugged look, try the long hair with beard style. This look is a favorite among outdoorsmen, bikers, and musicians. Long, cascading layers fall from a hidden center part, forming curtain bangs before reaching collar length at the back. A bushy but well-trimmed beard complements the volume and frames your face. For formal events, slick your hair back into a low ponytail.
Buzz Cut
If you prefer shorter styles, the buzz cut is a masculine, low-maintenance choice. It’s an easy transitional style for men coming to terms with their graying hair, as the short length reduces the visibility of salt-and-pepper strands. The uniform, military-inspired look offers a modern aesthetic that’s neat and makes a strong statement.
Crew Cut Taper
Another short option is the crew cut taper. This elegant style features a uniform top with a gradual taper from temples to nape. The short length creates a streamlined look that can hide a receding hairline. A subtle fade adds contemporary flair. For a striking silhouette, ask your barber to style a flat top with precision clippers.
Short Messy Brush Up
For a playful yet mature look, try the short, messy brush-up. This style adds texture and volume, making your hair appear fuller while emphasizing masculine features. The tousled appearance lends a youthful edge, counteracting aging associations. Use pomade or light wax for a fuss-free finish, and consider growing a full beard for balance.
Modern Mullet
If you’re feeling bold, the modern mullet is a surprising choice that looks great with wavy or curly gray hair. The front waves stand up and curl over, while the rest flows forward in layers. The hair at the nape curls outward, and a low fade at the temple gives the iconic shape. Pair it with a tapered beard for a rugged look, or go clean-shaven for a more youthful vibe.
Thin Short Crop
For those with fine or thinning hair, a thin, short crop is a no-nonsense, effortless style. It’s barely longer than a buzz cut, with a small section of brushed-up spikes at the hairline. A well-shaped beard with gray streaks adds sophisticated charm.
Long and Parted
If you have thicker gray hair, consider a long, parted style. Long layers tumble down and back from a slightly off-center part, embodying your hair’s natural movement. Tapered sides and back preserve length, and a rugged short beard adds manliness.
Modern Quiff with Short Sides
The modern quiff with short sides is a mature take on a trendy style. A striking silver streak highlights the long section at the hairline, while cropped sides feature a touch of silvery-white at the temples. Hair along the top falls forward, forming the foundation for the upstanding quiff.
Voluminous Salt and Pepper Slick Back
For a sophisticated, charming look, try the voluminous salt and pepper slick back. Use a blow dryer and round brush to add lift, then push strands up and back for a sleek finish. This style adds height and depth, giving the illusion of thickness that can hide natural thinning.
Classic Side Part with Receding Hairline
A classic side part works well for those with a receding hairline. Use subtle combing to cover gaps and blend scissor-cut sides into a full beard. This versatile look can be styled with high-shine products for polish or matte pomade for texture.
Modern Comb Over
The modern comb over offers a structured style with texture and definition. Combing hair to the side can blend salt and pepper strands, creating a seamless look that distracts from bald spots. Pair with short back and sides for easy maintenance and timeless appeal.
Short Curly Mohawk with Burst Fade
For black men, a short, curly mohawk with a burst fade is striking. The burst effect emphasizes natural contours and brings dimension to coarse locks. This timeless salt-and-pepper style features less contrast against the skin for an understated touch.
Thinning Ivy League with Tapered Sides
A thinning Ivy League with tapered sides offers a tailored, polished look. Tapering blends shorter sides with the longer top, camouflaging thin areas. Styling the front forward can disguise a receding hairline while maintaining a refined aesthetic.
Fluffed Out
For a voluminous, multi-dimensional look, try the fluffed-out style. This soft, unstructured appearance suits everyone from retired businessmen to surfers. Create volume with heat and a round brush for natural movement that hides sparse areas. Sea salt spray keeps locks in place without weighing them down.
Short Side Part
The short side part is ideal for minimalists. Pair a scissor-cut top with defined sides for a sophisticated, old-money energy. A hard part adds modern flair but is optional if you prefer classic simplicity.
Short Spiky Front with Classic Taper and Beard
A short, spiky front with a classic taper and beard brings texture and volume to flat locks. Style the front into slim spikes with medium-hold pomade to elongate the face. A well-groomed stubble beard balances the style and adds depth.
Loose Comb Over
For a casual, refined look, try the loose comb over. Tousled texture and fullness create a sexy, distinguished finish. Layers flow off to the side from a deep part, with tapered sides moving gently backward. A full beard adds ruggedness, and a clean, tapered neckline pulls it together.
Top Knot
The top knot ponytail with a cropped undercut and full beard commands attention. A wide strip of long hair from hairline to crown is pulled back high, with a subtly tapered undercut below. A full beard with extra chin length complements the profile.
Slicked Back Undercut
A slicked-back undercut offers a well-groomed, modern look. Long layers at the front shorten toward the crown, maintaining height when brushed up. It retains youthfulness while complementing gray-blonde hair, especially with a short, shaped beard.
Short Textured Quiff
The short, textured quiff embraces natural waves and complements masculine features. Longer hair on top tapers at back and sides for a gentlemanly look with a rebellious touch. A hidden side part adds structure without harsh lines.
Faux Hawk
A mature faux hawk combines long front and top layers with casually cropped sides. Salt-and-pepper hair forms upswept spikes at the hairline. A clean-shaven face adds cute charm, while stubble brings maturity.
Brush Back with Messy Thin Front
The brush-back with a messy, thin front is GQ-worthy. A short, white beard complements gray roots that transition to salt-and-pepper. A wispy fringe falls casually to one side, creating a perfectly tousled effect suitable for any occasion.
Slick Back Fade
A slick back fade is timeless and easy to maintain. Long hair on top looks fuller next to short, faded sides. A full beard completes the striking look. Use matte pomade for a natural finish or styling gel for sleekness.
Long Comb Over with Beard
The long comb-over with a beard blends casual and formal elements. Comb hair over and slightly back from a deep side part for volume. Scissored sides match the flowy look. A boxy, clean neckline and well-groomed beard add neatness.
Thin Spiky Hair Fade
Finally, a thin, spiky hair fade adds height and volume to thinning gray hair. Chunky spikes just behind the forehead stand tall, with shorter hair fading to stubble at nape and ears. A full beard with clean lines balances the style.
Ponytail
A ponytail keeps long, thick hair away from the face, offering a relaxed, comfortable, and effortlessly refined style. Slick the hair back into a tight ponytail for a sophisticated feel or opt for a loose, low pony to add ruggedness. Split the hair into distinct sections if you want to taper the sides and bring a contemporary element to your appearance.
Short Pompadour with Shaved Sides
A short pompadour with shaved sides is a contemporary, stylish cut that offers a modern and edgy twist on a classic gentleman’s cut. Ask your barber to use zero-guard clippers or a straight razor to shave the sides down to the skin. Fashion the hair backward into a signature pomp with a strong-hold pomade and balance the extreme sides with light, grey stubble for a harmonious, confidence-boosting look that proves age is just a number.
Tousled Crew Cut with Tapered Sides
A tousled crew cut gets chic dimension from tapered sides, creating an edgy aesthetic with a high-contrast, messy feel that defies age. Use a matte pomade and rake it through the top to create a rebellious, bedhead look with a textured finish. Taper the sides to a single length or channel your inner daredevil with a mid or high fade.
Thick Brush Back
A brush back flatters men with naturally thick silver hair, forming a stylish and voluminous look that promises to attract attention. Create a combed-back style by directing hot air through the bulk and gently brushing the length for an effortlessly cool, lifted finish that highlights ashy grey locks. Pair this high-volume style with a connected, full beard and scissor-cut sides for a well-balanced look that strengthens the jaw and frames the face.
Short Curls with Temp Fade and Line Up
Short curls get depth and dimension from a temp fade and line up, constructing a modern, trendy look with sharp contrast. Embrace your natural coils or use a curl sponge to define the short top neatly. Pull the line up back to hide thinning near the temples while simultaneously defining the forehead area. Choose a low fade for a business professional appearance or start the taper further upward for a dramatic transition into a razor-trimmed beard.
Short Spiky Hair
Short, spiky hair offers older men a youthful, energetic cut, giving them a chance to relive their glory days. Spiking the hair with pomade adds volume and texture to make the hair appear fuller, reducing the appearance of thinning strands. The hair can be slicked back for professional events or styled into thick spikes for extra definition. Keep the sides long and scissor-cut to avoid distraction from the fun, fresh top.
Long and Flowing
A long, flowing grey men’s hairstyle combines classy elegance with boyish charm. The front sweeps back and to the side from a deep, imperceptible part, while the sides tuck behind the ears to add depth and texture. Wear the cut with a stubbly silver beard and an all-black ensemble for a striking, poised finish that commands attention.
Cropped Top with Beard
A cropped top with a beard is a clean haircut for older men who enjoy fashionable, manageable haircuts. The hair is cut to a short and uniform length around the entire head and can be balanced with a subtle, trimmed beard. Cropping the locks disguises thinning hair and a receding hairline, making it a confidence-boosting cut for men transitioning to complete baldness.
Brush Back with Messy Thin Front
A brush-back with a messy, thin front is suitable for the cover of GQ with its distinguished and sophisticated appearance. The short, white beard complements the grey hair at the roots, which gradually transforms to salt-and-pepper toward the tips. A wispy fringe lazily falls to one side, creating a perfectly tousled, casual effect ideal for virtually any event or situation.
Slicked Back Undercut
A slicked-back undercut is a contemporary, well-groomed look much longer on the top than on the sides. Long layers at the front gradually transform into shorter layers as they move toward the crown, allowing the hair to maintain its height when brushed straight up. The look retains an air of youthfulness while complementing gray-blonde hair when paired with a short, shaped beard.
