As She Turns 79, Enjoy 10 Of Helen Mirren’s Most Iconic Grey Hair Moments

Dame Helen Mirren is a beacon of easy elegance—and silver hair. Sterling in both its bright shade and excellence, the Oscar-winning actor’s gray is consistently showcased in statement-making styles that subvert any resigned expectations that come with going gray. Rather than a loss of pigment, Mirren’s silver lengths prove that a turn toward gray can be a net gain—especially when the high-impact hue is shown off in an unending bevy of aspirational, glamorous styles.

Take, for example, the finger-raked midi chignon donned for a summer premiere at Cannes Film Festival, the romantic updo teaming with baubles from Dolce Gabbana’s Alta Gioielleria High Jewelry collection to regal effect. Sequined and beaded headbands lend Mirren’s silver hair an extra inch of shine; beehives, topknots, and bohemian braids ooze sophisticated feminine; and, as it turns out, half-up hair is chicer when nearly pearlescent. And whether worn side-swept with an Old Hollywood wave or parted down the middle with air-dried texture, Mirren’s long, loose lengths prove the enduring pretty (and entirely ageless) power of down-to-there hair.

As she turns 79, enjoy 10 of our favorite Mirren silver mane moments over the past few years.