Gray hair tends to be either slippery or wiry, so a braid on silver hair usually needs a little texture spray or dry shampoo at the roots before it will hold past lunch. Most of these braided hairstyles for older women work from collarbone length down, and the looser versions skip the tension along the hairline.
1. Gray-Hair Side Braid
For medium density on an oval or long face, the side braid is where I start with older women braided hairstyles, since any length past the shoulder can wear it. Prep is a texture spray, which gives gray hair enough grip to hold itself. The cut underneath is long layers from the collarbone, point cut so the braid tapers, with the three strand braid starting behind one ear. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight so the silver stays bright.
2. Soft French Braid for Women Over 60
For medium density on a round or square face, a loose French braid holds the hair back without pulling on the hairline. Prep is dry shampoo at the roots so the braid has something to hold. Underneath, I cut long layers on dry hair so the shorter pieces feed into the braid, which starts at the crown with every section pulled out gently. Trim every ten weeks and tone with a violet shampoo once a week.
3. Crown of Dutch Braid on Silver Hair
For medium to thick density on a round or heart shaped face, the Dutch braid crown circles the head and sits above the hair rather than under it. Finish by misting with a flexible spray and pulling the edges wider. The cut is collarbone length with soft layers, braided under from one temple around the back to the other, with the tail pinned inside. Trim every ten weeks.
4. Halo Braid on Gray Hair After 50
For medium density on an oval or long face, the halo braid is the one among braided hairstyles for older women I would send to a wedding: two braids wrapped opposite ways and pinned flat. Finish with a light pomade on the ends so gray flyaways tuck in. The length stays past the shoulder with a blunt perimeter so the braids are even; I part down the center, braid each side, and cross them over the crown. Trim every twelve weeks.
5. Fishtail on Older Women
For medium to thick density on any face shape, the fishtail shows texture better than the other gray hair braids because gray hair holds a mix of tones. Prep is a sea salt spray. The cut is a blunt perimeter at mid back, done dry, so the braid ends full; the hair is split in two and thin pieces cross over. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
6. Braided Low Bun After 60
For fine to medium density on a round or square face, the low braided bun coils a three strand braid at the nape. Styling is a smooth blow-dry first and a light serum at the end. The cut is long layers from the chin so face pieces fall loose; the rest is braided low, wrapped and pinned through the braid. Trim every ten weeks and tone the gray every six.
7. Gray Half-Up With Braids
For fine to medium density on an oval or heart shaped face, the braided half up takes two small braids from the temples and pins them at the back. Styling is a round brush blow-dry to bend the ends. The cut is long layers from the cheekbone, done dry, so the front sections reach braiding length while the rest hangs down. Trim every eight weeks.
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8. Rope Braid for Fine Gray Hair
For low to medium density on any face shape, the rope braid is two sections twisted together, which makes it work on fine gray hair that a three strand braid would thin out. Prep is a dry texture spray. The cut is a blunt perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair; each half is twisted one way, then the two are twisted around each other the other way. Trim every ten weeks.
9. Crown Braid With Loose Face Pieces
For medium density on a round or square face over 50, a crown braid with loose face pieces softens the hairline. Styling is a round brush rolling the face pieces back while drying and a flexible hold spray over the braid. The cut is a face frame from the cheekbone on dry hair, left out, with the rest braided around the head. The face pieces need trimming every six weeks.
10. Boho Braids Through Gray Waves
For medium to thick density on an oval or long face, boho braids are three or four small braids dotted through loose waves. Styling is a curl cream, an air-dry and the braids pulled wider. The cut is long layers point cut on dry hair so the waves separate; thin sections from the temple and crown are braided with the ends left loose. Trim every eight weeks.
11. Older Womens Braided Updo
For medium density on an oval or round face, the braided updo is a French braid that ends as a pinned coil at the crown. Styling is a smooth blow-dry and a working hairspray before braiding. The cut is long layers from the chin on dry hair so soft pieces sit at the face; the braid runs from the nape up and the tail tucks in. Trim every ten weeks.
12. Side Dutch Braid After 50
For medium to thick density on a round or square face, the side Dutch braid rides on top of the hair from the temple down one side. Prep is a mousse for hold, with the braid edges pulled wide afterward. The cut is long layers from the collarbone on dry hair with a deep side part, braided under so it stands out. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
13. Short Gray Hair With a Headband Braid
For medium density on a round or heart shaped face, short gray hair can wear a braid as long as it is a headband braid across the front. Styling is the bob blown smooth first and the braid set with flexible hold. The cut is a chin length bob on dry hair with point cut ends; a section from behind one ear is braided across the hairline to the other and pinned. Trim every six weeks.
14. Waterfall Braid Through Gray Hair
For medium density on an oval or long face, the waterfall braid releases a strand from each section so the hair falls through it. Styling is a one inch iron through the loose hair beforehand so the dropped strands keep a bend. The cut is long layers from the chin on dry hair; the braid runs from one temple across the back and the pieces fall as waves. Trim every eight weeks.
15. Twin Dutch Braids on Older Women
For medium to thick density on an oval or long face, two Dutch braids, one each side, keep the hair off the neck for women who garden or walk. Prep is a mousse and a smooth blow-dry. The cut is a blunt perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair with a center part, braided under from the hairline to the ends. Trim every ten weeks and tone the gray every six.
16. Low Braided Ponytail After 60
For medium density on any face shape, the braided low ponytail gathers at the nape with the length braided. Styling is a smooth blow-dry and a piece of hair wrapped around the elastic. The cut is a blunt perimeter at mid back on dry hair so the braid ends even; gather low and braid loosely. Trim every twelve weeks and gloss every eight to keep silver from turning yellow.
17. Milkmaid Braids Over Gray Hair
For medium density on an oval or heart shaped face, milkmaid braids earn their place among older women braided hairstyles: two braids crossed over the crown and pinned. Styling is the braids pulled wider for fullness and a light spray to finish. The cut is long layers on dry hair so loose face pieces soften it; part center, braid each side, and pin them across the top. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
18. Jaw-Length Braided Bob for Older Women
For fine to medium density on a round or square face, the braided bob adds a small side braid to a jaw length cut. Styling is a smooth paddle brush blow-dry. The cut is the bob on dry hair with point cut ends; a one inch section is braided from the part down one side and pinned behind the ear. Trim every six weeks.
19. Fine Gray Hair Pull-Through Braid
For low to medium density on any face shape, the pull through braid is the fullest of the gray hair braids on fine hair, because elastics do the work instead of weaving. Styling is the loops pulled wide and a flexible hold spray. The cut is a blunt perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair; the hair is sectioned into ponytails down the back and each is pulled through the one above. Trim every ten weeks.
20. Chignon With a Braid for Women Past 50
For medium density on an oval or round face, the braided chignon wraps a side braid into a flat knot at the nape. Styling is a smooth blow-dry and a spray over the braid before wrapping. The cut is long layers from the chin on dry hair; the braid is loose and to one side, coiled flat with the ends tucked. Trim every ten weeks and tone the gray every six weeks.
21. Thick Gray Hair Four-Strand Braid
For thick density on any face shape, the four strand braid has a woven look and copes with thick hair that a three strand braid cannot hold. Styling is a smoothing cream and a blow-dry before braiding. The cut is a blunt perimeter at mid back on dry hair with internal layers to remove bulk; four sections are braided over and under. Trim every ten weeks and gloss every eight.
22. Gray Waves Under a Braided Crown
For medium density on an oval or long face, a braided crown over loose waves keeps the top neat while the length stays soft. Styling is a one inch iron through the length, brushed out afterward. The cut is long layers from the cheekbone on dry hair; a section from each temple is braided around the back of the crown and pinned. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
23. Gentle Loose Braid for Women Over 70
For fine to medium density on any face shape past 70, a loose three strand braid should begin low and pull gently. Styling is a light cream on the ends so white hair does not frizz. The cut is a blunt perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair with two long face layers kept, and the braid starts at the nape with wide sections. Trim every ten weeks and violet shampoo weekly.
24. Mohawk-Style Braid for Older Women
For medium to thick density on a round or square face, the mohawk braid is a Dutch braid down the center with the sides kept smooth. Prep is a mousse and a smooth blow-dry. The cut is long layers from the chin on dry hair; a center section is parted off and braided under from hairline to nape, with the sides pinned underneath. Trim every ten weeks.
25. Gray-Hair Braided Side Sweep
For medium density on an oval or heart shaped face, the braided side sweep is a French braid along the hairline that finishes behind one ear. Styling is a round brush blow-dry with the rest left down. The cut is collarbone length with soft layers on dry hair; the braid runs from the heavy side of the part across the forehead and pins behind the ear. Trim every eight weeks.
If you’re curious, read pixie hairstyles for older women over 60 and short hairstyles for women over 60 with grey hair.
Older women braided hairstyles need texture at the roots before the braid will hold, since silver hair runs slippery or wiry. FYI, a braided side sweep along the hairline finishing behind one ear keeps its shape on a round-brush finish. That root grip is what stops the braid from sliding loose by lunch.
