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.