Gray Hair Extensions Are in Serious Demand

May 17, 2023

By Danielle Sinay

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In 2019, Glamour reported that the gray-hair revolution had begun—and that was before the COVID-19 pandemic expedited the process exponentially. Since then, women of all ages have begun to proudly embrace gray hair. Brides have gone viral for sporting gray on their wedding days, while celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek, and Sarah Jessica Parker have all worn various takes on the shade. Now gray-friendly hairstyles are all the rage: See the TikTok-trending skunk stripe and the gray-blending balayage craze.

But the gray-hair movement also prompted a surge in something slightly more unexpected: A massive demand for easy-to-install and accessible gray hair extensions.

"Currently, gray extensions are one of our biggest demands—clip-ins, pony, volumizers, tape, keratin, hand-tied, and even braided headbands in different shades of gray," Lisa Richards, founder and CEO of RPZL Hair Extension & Blowout Bar, tells Glamour, explaining that after having appeared on Good Morning America, the number one request she received was to add a gray extension line. Translation? It's not that people don't or didn't want gray hair extensions—it's that they didn't know where to find them.

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"Now we have a lot of clients in their eighties wearing our gray hair extensions and loving them," Richards says, as RPZL added an extensions line in August 2022. "They are purchasing up to four grey hair extension products on our site—as soon as I saw the demand for it, it was overwhelming. I had to add new products and new grey extensions." Indeed, Luxy Hair is the only other mainstream extensions brand currently selling gray hair extensions in the US—and the line only launched in spring 2022.

While it may seem paradoxical—the "authentic" aesthetic of gray hair juxtaposed with the high-maintenance aesthetic of extensions—it's actually the conglomerate of two contemporary cultural fads. Post-lockdown, demand for hair extensions skyrocketed—partially due to the pandemic-prompted rise in hair loss (both from COVID-19 and stress), partially due to increased awareness and subsequent accessibility of extensions. "TV shows, celebrities, influencers, news anchors are all talking about extensions—they’ve been normalized," says Richards. As a result, seamless-to-install clip-ins are easier than ever to order—and match to your hair color—online, all of which can be done from the comfort of your own home office.

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Meanwhile, staying home accelerated the gray-hair revolution just the same. "More clients have been embracing their gray hair, opting for lower-maintenance gray blending than full coverage," Jan-Marie Lozada, colorist at Sally Hershberger Salon in New York City's NoMad neighborhood, tells Glamour. "Lockdown has shown us that people don't actually want to spend the time coloring their hair at home, but also don't want to commit to a four to six week routine, and embracing their gray hair gives clients the freedom to be flexible in their hair-care maintenance." Richards agrees, adding that many people noticed their hair was healthier without repeatedly dyeing it.

Furthermore, gray and silver hair is trending as-is: Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and Saweetie have all worn their hair silver in recent years.

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Finally, the desire to make oneself up for Zoom calls persists—and likely will for some time. "There are still a lot of Zoom calls, and people want to look their ‘best waist-up,’" Richards explains. "Some older demographics are still nervous to go out but continue to FaceTime and Zoom family and friends. People want to look their best on these calls, and style their hair with extensions."

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So really it's no wonder that the demand for gray hair extensions is so great—and, slowly but surely, mainstream brands will continue adding them to their repertoires. Just be sure to remember that no two gray hair tones—or textures—are the same, whether you’re looking to buy your own set or purchase it as a gift. "Gray hair comes in all different shades—dark gray, salt and pepper, white—so if you're going to be offering gray hair extensions, you must have an array of colors to get the most accurate match," RPZL lead stylist Stephanie Angelone tells Glamour. "One gray swatch will not match them all—just like [with] blondes, everyone's color tones are different."

Gray hair also tends to have its own unique texture, so you should select the type of extensions you use accordingly. For example, Richards has found that standard clip-ins are often too big or heavy for clients with thin gray hair, and so she's launched a gray "halo" (an extension you wear like a headband) as a flexible alternative for the gray-hair demographic.

"Gray extensions are here to stay," Richards concludes. "Move over silver foxes, it's time for the silver felines."

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