Some people pay good money to have salt and pepper hair, but you may find that with age, your hair will naturally have this brilliant combination of gray, silver, and dark colors. It is one of the most effortlessly sexy options for older men and has been favored by some of Hollywood’s leading men because it is flattering, versatile, and masculine. Salt and pepper color looks great on all hair textures and types and complements all complexions. As we age, our hair growth rate naturally slows and the hair can become brittle or dry, which is why short hairstyles are often sought-after. But that is not to say you cannot embrace long hair or try disheveled styles for a carefree aesthetic. If you are looking for effortlessly cool ways to wear your salt and pepper hair, that is also practical, look no further than these ideas.
1. High and Tight
A classic and low-maintenance short hairstyle for men is the high and tight. This look is defined by the back and sides shaved to the skin with the hair on top kept longer. This combination creates a brilliant contrast and makes the hair on top appear fuller and thicker. At the same time, the cut has structure and looks masculine and clean. The simplicity of this look can highlight your salt-and-pepper hair.
2. Wavy Textured Hair
Wavy hair is an excellent texture and can give the hair volume and movement. It can be styled in various ways, including keeping the length at the top of the head and clipping the hair on the back and sides shorter to create structure. Opting for a deliberately messy, textured finish is a great way to draw attention to the hair and can highlight your color.
3. Disheveled Hair
Structured hairstyles are appealing because they look neat and clean, but opting for a disheveled style can be incredibly flattering because it creates a laidback and carefree aesthetic. The hair is styled to look deliberately messy and textured. This also creates fullness and makes the hair look thicker and healthier. The style can be achieved on hair of all textures but is easier to create on naturally wavy and curly hair.
4. Faux Hawk
The faux hawk is an edgy and cool hairstyle that is more wearable than the mohawk. It can feel slightly rebellious, but the hair is shorter on the top and there is less contrast with the sides. Instead of shaving the hair, the faux hawk is paired with a fade of your choice. This is a great way to show off your hair texture by keeping length on top.
5. Blowout
What better way to show off your salt-and-pepper hair than with a blowout? This look is all about achieving volume and height on the top of the head. The sides and back are kept short to give the hair structure and to create a neat and polished finish. This is a look that works well with most hair textures but can be especially flattering with naturally wavy hair.
6. Crew Cut
Salt and pepper hair is incredibly attractive in middle-aged and older men. It is associated with masculinity and maturity and can be styled in various ways. For a classic and polished look, try a crew cut. The crew cut is traditionally cut to around a quarter inch in length on top and is paired with shaved back and styles. It is ideal for a professional environment and looks great with all hair textures.
7. Buzz Cut
The buzz cut is one of the simplest hairstyles for men but it is a style that has withstood the test of time because of its versatility. With this haircut, the hair is clipped close to the head and kept the same length all over. This makes it effortless to style and low maintenance, which is great for the man who is on the go. The short length will not make the combination of grey, silver, and dark hairs as noticeable, but it is an excellent choice for an everyday style.
8. Skin Fade
The skin fade fades to skin level. This makes it more noticeable than many other faded styles and it will also create more contrast with the hair on the top of the head. The difference in length can make the hair on top appear fuller and thicker. The fade is also a great way to give your haircut structure and looks neat and polished.
9. Quiff
The quiff hairstyle is defined by the volume at the forelock and is styled by brushing the hair upward and backward. It is an excellent way to show off your hair texture and make your hair appear fuller and thicker. The rest of the hair is kept short to create a subtle contrast and will give your haircut a neat and polished finish. You can adapt the quiff to suit your preference, including adding other details like a hard part of a fade.
10. Mini Pompadour
The pompadour is a hairstyle that has been favored since the 50s. The look is about keeping length on the top of the head and brushing it back to achieve volume. The rest of the hair is cut shorter to create a contrast. It remains relevant because it can be adapted to suit your hair texture and length, and can be modernized so that it is less voluminous, easier to style, and more wearable.
11. Ivy League
The Ivy League haircut is an excellent option for men who want a stylish and sophisticated hairstyle that lends itself well to a corporate environment. The look first emerged in Ivy League schools, hence the name, and is a short haircut with a slight contrast in length on the top of the hair. It is low-maintenance and requires minimal styling while looking polished. You can adapt the cut to suit your preference and complement your hair texture.
12. Natural Curly Hair
Natural curly hair is a sought-after texture because it has natural volume and movement. It can be challenging to care for because some textures are prone to frizz and dryness, but opting for a short or medium-length hairstyle will let you show off your curls while still enjoying a look that requires minimal styling. Leave the hair to fall around your face to highlight your features.
13. Half Up Half Down
The half up half down hairstyle is an excellent choice for men of all ages but has a youthful element to it, which can contrast with the maturity and masculinity of the salt and pepper color. This style is defined by the hair worn half up and half down. This lets you show off your hair texture while also keeping the hair away from your eyes and opening up your features.
14. Short Back and Sides
As the name suggests, the short back and sides is a hairstyle that is defined by the hair being clipped shorter on the back and sides. The hair on top of the head is kept slightly longer. You can experiment with how much height and volume you want to achieve. This is a popular look because it gives the hair structure and will create a neat, polished appearance.
15. Long Wavy Hair
Wavy hair looks gorgeous when worn long or short, and keeping it longer is an excellent way to show off the texture. Long hair for men also challenges outdated gender stereotypes and shows that you are comfortable with who you are, while also showing off your hair texture. Style the hair to look carefree and relaxed, which is incredibly sexy.
Salt and Pepper Hair FAQs
What is salt and pepper hair men?
Salt and pepper hair refers to the color combination of grey, silver, and dark hairs, giving it the appearance of salt, which is white or in this case grey, and pepper which is black. It is a look that can be created with the help of a colorist but also occurs naturally as men age.
Is salt and pepper hair attractive on men?
Salt and pepper hair is incredibly attractive and is favored by some of Hollywood’s most attractive and successful men. It is a look that complements all hair textures and suits all complexions and is often associated with masculinity and maturity. There are also various ways to style salt and pepper hair, making it easy to find a look that best reflects your preference.
Cailyn Cox holds a degree in journalism and has been working with The Trend Spotter as a writer for over ten years. She has worked with some of the most prestigious women’s and men's lifestyle publications. For her, writing is not just a job; it’s a passion, which is why each article she writes is approached with such enthusiasm and dedication. She has extensive knowledge of hairstyles, tattoos, and beauty and has made a career out of creating informative articles that appeal to women and men of all ages.
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