A list of what makes Helen Mirren such a generational icon could never be exhaustive – it’s so full of surprises that there’s always something new to add. This doesn’t just apply to his always-interesting role choices or even his delightful colors. awards wardrobe. Mirren happens to be one of Hollywood’s most understated characters. beauty influencers, but its impact goes deeper than many realize. When fans spotted Helen Mirren’s long silver hair flowing freely in slightly curled waves at the 73rd Berlinale International Film Festival, it was more than just a stunning moment on the red carpet. A self-possessed woman who dares to let her natural hair color grow long shouldn’t sound like a revolutionary statement, but in an age-obsessed age, it is indeed.
The slightly parted waves on the sides featured a few soft bends through the mid-lengths and ends, falling just above the elbows of her black puff-sleeved dress. Stepping onto the carpet for the festival premiere of her new film “Golda,” Mirren’s look is sleek and classic. Although far from the first time she wears it naturally silver gray hair at a high-profile event, it’s one of the few occasions she’s skipped props for a full, unobstructed view.
Adequate representation of older women still has a long way to go in the beauty and fashion industries, but it’s celebrities like Mirren who help further the cause simply by being themselves – all multiplied by the star power, of course. If there was ever a role model to overwhelm society’s expectations, it’s Mirren. In a 2020 interview with People, she shared that she initially quit coloring her hair because it was just too much of an effort, choosing to embrace her gray hair and the limitless possibilities that come with it. “I think women were so terrified of having white or gray hair because it immediately put them in a different category,” Mirren said. told the magazine. “And of course you are in this age group. So why not just embrace it, accompany it and welcome it? Make it a positive thing rather than a negative thing.
In this case, it’s as much the length of her hair as its color – maybe even more. Outdated societal rules about the “age-appropriateness” of hair longer than shoulder length are slowly losing steam, which will only accelerate as they are seen and normalized. Mirren regularly chooses to highlight her own silver gray hair with bold accessories like headbandseven using the light color to experiment with temporary dyes in fun colors.
Gray, silver and white hair, however, require a little more care, as the cuticles of the individual strands are thinner and therefore more fragile. Mirren told Allure in 2020 that she rarely uses heat on her hair, preferring to air dry for minimal damage. With great conditioners and toning shampoos to make sure no yellow or brassiness seeps through silver, there’s never been a better time to go gray.
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