In this case, silver.

And for brunettes, silver can be used as a bold contrast against darker shades.

Another way to achieve silver is with a double process app.

Side view of curled hair with silver-toned balayage

@wellahairuki/ Instagram

This is when the bleach is applied directly to your scalp."

Meet the Experts

Below, find 34 silver balayage hairstyles that are as good as gold.

For an icier final product, light hair is preferred, which might involve bleaching beforehand.

Side view of smoky silver balayage hair with brunette roots

@manegirljilly/ Instagram

And it’s always a good idea to usecolor-safe shampoo and conditioner.

Smoky

@manegirljilly/ Instagram

Natural brunette?

Here, the silvery-steel-colored wefts blend in perfectly.

Back view of icy silver balayage curled hair with warm and cool undertones

@hairbybrittanydonalyn/ Instagram

Silver tones work best on hair that doesn’t have preexisting color, Paglionico notes.

Blended Brown

@wellahair/ Instagram

You don’t have to dive right into something daring.

Keep things subtle, like with this mushroom brown blended with silver balayage.

Side view of mushroom brunette hair with silver-toned balayage

@wellahair/ Instagram

Take your usual blonde to the next level with simple silvery highlights combined with multifaceted lowlights.

Tousled Layers

@hairbycecii/ Instagram

Planning to make the chop?

We have a soft spot for tousled,layered short stylesto begin withespecially when there’s silver involved.

Back view of blonde hair with silvery balayage highlights

*@chelsiecreates_/ Instagram*

Afro Dreams

This silver afro is what natural hair dreams are made of.

If you look closely, a reverse ombre technique comes off as at work.

The striking color of the roots complements the icy vibes perfectly, too.

Back view of cool-toned brunette hair with silver balayage highlights

@lisahaircolor/ Instagram

(Especially with those tousled, touchable layers).

“Every shade other than a light blonde must be pre-lightened,” she says.

Byrdie Tip

Silver looks best with neutral and cool undertones or fair and olive skin tones.

Back view of blonde hair with silver babylights

@hannahmckay_hair/ Instagram

Blunt Ends

The only thing more striking than this color is the ultra-blunt ends.

(How satisfying is this?)

It’s proof that asuper-blunt cutwill make a cool shade shine even more.

Side view of layered blonde hair with platinum silver balayage

@hairbycecii/ Instagram

“you could combine silver with any pastel color.

It also looks stunning with champagne or pearl blonde tones,” Paglionico says.

This melted look combines shades of quartz and amethyst, too, for an eye-catching, gemstone-inspired final product.

Woman with cool-toned brunette hair with blonde and silver balayage

*@thehairbabe_/ Instagram*

Cool Curls

Feeling a little intimidated?

It’s okay to ease into it.

Gorgeous Blend

Natural brunettes, this trend wasmadefor you.

Woman with brunette natural curls with silver-blonde highlights

@curlseccentric/ Instagram

The contrast between the natural roots and the front highlights just makes them stand out even more.

Natural Roots

@hairbyclaudiaj/ Instagram

Smudged roots, blonde shafts, and silvery ends?

Sign us up any day of the week.

Woman with blonde hair and silver-toned balayage

@ashcardyhair/ Instagram

Blonde Mix

The perfect way to take a dyed blonde ‘do up a notch?

Say hello to subtle hints of silver.

This is especially important if you want to create special tones likegray."

Woman with cool-toned brown hair with subtle silver balayage

@iamlouisen/ Instagram

Purple and gray blend so naturally together, and these silver strands are surely the star.

The black natural color peeking through thegrayadds dimension to the shade as a whole.

Take this dark brown base, for example.

Woman with silver-toned balayage ombre hair with dark roots and blonde ends

*@justpeachyhair_/ Instagram*

The addition of silveryash brownhighlights adds depth to the color as a whole.

Begin with an ash brown at your roots before following through withash blonde.

A touch of silver at the ends completes the smoky balayage combination.

Woman with medium-length silver balayage hair

@lvstylesllc/ Instagram

Back view of medium-length silver balayage hair with dark roots

@hannahmckay_hair/ Instagram

Back view of mid-length brown to blonde ombre hair with ashy silver balayage highlights

@mosavizanerooz/ Instagram

Back view of purple-toned silver balayage hair

@on.point_beauty/ Instagram

Woman with naturally curly dark hair with scattered silver highlights

@wellahair/ Instagram

Back view of silver blonde balayage hair with pastel purple accents

@hairstylesbyrosy/ Instagram

Woman with brunette hair with silver face-framing balayage highlights

@hairbykatelynmarie/ Instagram

Woman with cool blonde balayage hair with natural dark roots

@hairbyclaudiaj/ Instagram

Back view of woman with silver-toned blonde balayage with dark roots

@lisahaircolor/ Instagram

Back view of wavy hair with half-up braid, hair wrap, and purple to silver ombre balayage

@alfredo_lewis

Short Box Braids Gray

@bestboxbraids

Back view of long, curled dark brown hair with silvery ash brown highlights

@silverorchidsalon

ash brown to silver ombré

Back-side view of wavy hair with purple to silver ombre balayage

@alfredo_lewis