Jodie Foster, 62, has been spotted in London proudly displaying her natural grey hair, joining a growing number of older female celebrities embracing their silver locks. The Oscar-winning actress, who recently received an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, was seen with a shoulder-length bob and visible grey streaks around her hairline.
Foster is not alone in challenging the red carpet's youthful ideals. At Cannes, Andie MacDowell, 63, and Helen Mirren, 75, also showcased their grey hair, with MacDowell sporting a mane of greying curls and Mirren wearing her grey hair in a chic chignon. The trend reflects a broader cultural shift, with lockdowns prompting many women to let their natural grey grow out.
MacDowell told The Drew Barrymore Show in February that she had to let her roots grow out during lockdown because she couldn't visit the hairdresser, and she is now a fan of her 'silver fox' look. Guardian columnist Sali Hughes also went grey over lockdown, writing for Vogue that she had 'no regrets'.
The movement has gained traction on social media, with the hashtag #greyhairdontcare used nearly 430,000 times on Instagram. Influencers like Jin Cruce and Sandrine P have built followings by celebrating natural grey hair, while modelling agencies report increased demand for grey-haired models. Fleur Brady, co-founder of Mrs Robinson modelling agency, says, 'Year on year, the demand has grown for grey-haired models and it is no longer unusual for mainstream brands to request models over 50 with grey hair.'
Colourist Josh Wood notes that clients are increasingly seeking to blend in their grey or use it as an accent, rather than covering it entirely. He says, 'I think you can be very glamorous and kind of high-maintenance looking [with grey hair]. That acceptance is a new thing.'
