While we’re used to seeing her on our TV screens with Cora Crawley’s signature brunette crop, in real life, Downton’s Elizabeth McGovern has long been embracing her natural grey locks. She’s all the proof we need that letting your grey roots grow out is the chicest beauty statement of them all.
Last night, excitement swept through the Big Apple as the Downton Abbey cast took to the red carpet at the New York premiere. Now, just mere days away from the big release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale film (the GH team are practically buzzing with excitement, by the way), the cast all looked absolutely stunning, but it was Elizabeth who truly stole the show.
Elizabeth has been championing her silver strands for years, and she never fails to make them look effortlessly fresh. At the premiere, her hair was slicked back into a sleek, polished bun, embellished with a bow for a playful, feminine twist. A few front strands were left loose, falling into a faux side-fringe, cascading down and framing her face beautifully. Parted on the side, the look was asymmetric and felt strikingly modern.
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Here at GH, we’re all for the grey — and the hair pros love it too. Skye Edwards, artistic director at Gielly Green, says she’s seeing more clients move away from constant root touch-ups: ‘People are embracing the grey more than ever,’ she says. ‘It grows out naturally and surprisingly easily for some, and hair looks all the greater for it,’ she says.
Hairstylist Tom Smith agrees. Speaking to his followers on social media, he explained: ‘Grey hair can be designed by your hairstylist in a really modern, really fashionable way. It won’t be your most youthful look, but when you get to the point where you want to look striking, it’s a great option, because natural grey hair is stunning.’
Speaking to GH, Tom adds: 'Grey hair, because of its obvious natural look, works excellently when combined with a sharp and sleek hairstyle like Elizabeth's,' he explains. 'Grey hair tends to be multi-tonal and has a lighter effect around the face. Wearing the hair pushed back or swept away can help to lift and brighten the features.'
Elizabeth’s look proves the point. Her silver hair acts as the perfect canvas for experimentation, with the cool-toned strands amplifying the vibrancy of everything she wears. Take her bold red lip, for instance, which pops brilliantly against the grey, or the sweeping of blush, which looks instantly brighter, giving her a healthy, glowing flush. Elizabeth shows that grey hair isn’t just chic, but it’s also a secret beauty weapon.
And it didn’t stop at her makeup. Dressed to the nines in a shimmering pink and orange sequinned gown from Maison Murad Atelier, Elizabeth’s outfit played the perfect partner to her silver locks. We’re certain she turned heads all night long.
Our takeaway? Grey hair is not only lower maintenance, but it’s also the easiest way to elevate your entire look.
