As skin and hair transform with age, selecting the right hair colour becomes a vital step in maintaining a fresh, flattering look. Edward James, hairdresser to stars like Joanna Lumley, shares an approachable test and advice to help those over 50 find colours that brighten their complexion and soften contrasts.
- Avoid exact past hair colours; aim one shade lighter per decade
- Use natural daylight to see how your skin tone interacts with hair shades
- Incorporate face-framing highlights to brighten and soften features
What happened
Ageing brings natural changes to hair and skin, including grey strands and softer contrast in skin pigmentation. Many over-50s struggle to find hair colours that feel right as their previous colours may appear harsh or outdated. Celebrity hairdresser Edward James, who styles high-profile clients like Joanna Lumley, highlights that maintaining youthful hair colour looks often means adjusting colours rather than replicating past shades.
Edward advises against replicating the exact hair colour of your 20s or 30s, as loss of skin pigment and increased greying demands subtle and softer tones. He suggests going about one shade lighter for every decade past 30 to match the natural softening and greying process and recommends looking into techniques such as micro-highlights or balayage for a more natural, dimensional finish.
Why it feels good
Selecting the right hair colour after 50 can boost confidence by enhancing your natural features and making your complexion look fresh and balanced. Edward explains that hair colour should brighten the face, bring out eye colour, and hide shadows around key areas like the jawline and mouth, which commonly deepen with age.
The process includes a simple self-test: standing in natural daylight without makeup to observe skin tone and redness around the cheeks and neck. This helps identify whether cooler or warmer tones suit you better, avoiding hair shades that emphasise uneven pigmentation or create a tired appearance. Adding warmth to hair colour can offset redness and bring life back to mature skin, creating a healthier overall look.
What to enjoy or watch next
Try experimenting with face-framing highlights created using balayage or subtle highlights to see how lighter tones around the hairline and neckline can soften your features and reflect light beautifully back onto your face. This technique is an easy way to brighten your overall look without a drastic change.
Consider consulting a professional colourist to colour swatch different shades against your skin tone before committing. Keep in mind that lifestyle and maintenance are important factors in choosing the right blonde or brunette shade, as softer, more natural colours tend to age better and work well with emerging grey, offering a sustained flattering appearance.