Embrace your silver streak like Meryl Streep: How I learned to love my locks again | Robyn Ingerson

Some of my friends were dubious about the choice but the time had come, writes Robyn Ingerson.

I received a call recently from one of my “gals”, an esteemed international journalist, who just needed to check in with her fellow “silver sister” who during Covid decided to be brave, embrace the greys rather than covering up a natural pathway to ageing and hopefully channelling some much needed “rizz” at the same time.

This media bombshell just needed gentle encouragement as she stepped out socially for the first time, with her grey flash framing her stunning face.

I could hear in her voice how happy and excited she was to be owning the silver streaks, even though her entire Italian lineage still colour their hair into their nineties as the alternative is sacrilege!

Sunday Mail columnist Robyn Ingerson embracing the silver sisterhood. Picture Brett Hartwig

I know a few of my “gals” were dubious about my grey choice, but I was ready. Who was I colouring my hair for in any case? Right?

I was tired of the crazy grey covering up techniques, the wasted time and money at the hairdresser so I took the plunge and committed to five hours of stripping all the colour out of my hair, replacing it with my natural grey.

It was a frightening process, the halfway mark was a yellow hue, but to then emerge at the 5-hour mark with an ashy blonde choppy bob was very liberating.

I felt like me, finally.

The key to embracing grey hair is to invest in the best haircut possible and the right hair toner, trust me the difference is remarkable, between looking like a little old lady when you saunter past the mirror first thing in the morning, or a healthy, fit, vibrant 56-year-old, owning your age and stage in life.

You do however need to hope like mad you have good grey colour coverage, not always the case.

For me, I have been blessed by my mother Jude, another inherent feature she has bestowed on me, along with her patience, long fingers and keen sense of humour.

Another key strategy in embracing the silver streak is to get your foundation right as no one wants to look washed out.

I am what is called a late adopter to the whole makeup process, (eyeroll from daughter!) but it is worth having a consult to get the right tone, and apparently there are other important items such as blush, bronzer, lip liner, eyeliner and mascara that assist in the overall strategy as well! Who knew!

Your wardrobe will need a total rethink.

It is time for jewel tones, never thought I would say that out loud, but emerald, cobalt and fuchsia are winners close to the face.

White can be the ultimate face freshener but only if you have a tan, which as my kids know I have ways of going to Barbados in the bathroom to maintain an international glow at all times!

Final step is lipstick. You need to be brave. Go no further than a good red lip, Bobbi

Brown, Chanel, and MAC all have this covered.

The silver streaks give you license to be bold. It allows you to be your authentic self, embracing the process of ageing, in a modern way.

I have never wanted to feel fitter, or healthier, as in my 50s. The silver streaks give you courage to be fully you, no hiding, or pretence.

Meryl Streep speaks onstage during the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

It provides a sense of achievement, discipline, empowerment and positivity all rolled into one.

Helen Mirren was one of the first to embrace the silver streaks and says, “You gain confidence as you get older”, and believes ageing brings a sense of freedom and self-assuredness.

As she has gotten older, she cares less about what others think and feels more comfortable in her own skin, saying “I’ve always said to myself, I will not try to look younger, but I will try to look my best as I get older”. Here, here!

I feel this too. Keep raising the bar on your own personal standards of presentation, posture, health, fitness, diet, as it is the only way to really feel vital ageing.

I look at the inspiring women who I like to benchmark myself against and embrace the beauty and wisdom of healthy ageing such as Jane Fonda, Jamie Lee Curtis, Andie MacDowell, Meryl Streep, Dame Judy Dench, Sarah Jessica Parker and Lauren Hutton all of whom are leading the charge, showing how women can be bold, sexy, strong, confident, dynamic and relevant at any age, even with the silver streaks!

So go on, I dare you!

Originally published as Embrace your silver streak like Meryl Streep: How I learned to love my locks again | Robyn Ingerson