If you’re used to hearing much more about how to cover your greys than how to transition to grey hair, you’re not alone. But as some of our favourite celebrities (Diane Keaton, Andie MacDowell, and Salma Hayek, to name a few) have demonstrated, there’s a distinct kind of cool that only comes from fully embracing grey hair.

Whether you started noticing grey streaks recently or you’ve been colouring them for years and want a lower-maintenance look, there’s no right or wrong time to transition to grey hair. The most important thing is that you feel excited about experimenting with grey, the same way you would about a big haircut or any other colour transformation.

Plus, since all hair colours eventually go grey with age, you know it’s a universally flattering choice from the start. Below, we asked expert hairstylists and colourists how to transition to grey hair seamlessly – and feel great about it every step of the way.

How should you start your transition to grey hair?

“The first step is to get clear on your end goal,” says Sean Michael, stylist and owner of Salon Beau in Andover, Massachusetts. “Do you want a full grey transformation, a blended grow-out, or to softly introduce natural silver tones over time?”

Once you have a clear idea of the look you’re after—and a camera roll full of inspiration shots, ideally—Sean advises booking a consultation with a colourist to map out your path to grey.

Once you’re ready to kick off your new colour journey, experimenting with streaks rather than a full-head colour change can help you ease in. “Most people benefit from adding cool-toned highlights or lowlights to blur the line between existing colour and new growth, which creates a softer, more intentional transition,” Sean says.

Jackie Seabrooke, hair artist at Kristen Ess, offers similar advice: “I would recommend getting strategic highlights and lowlights to diffuse and break up the hard grey line of demarcation that you so often see,” she says. “If you are someone with really dark hair, you can also lighten your overall base colour to have a more blended grow out.”

Is the journey to grey different for different hair types?

Another factor to consider early in your grey hair journey is how your specific hair type will respond. Lots of people experience texture changes when their hair starts greying: “Many people notice grey hair feels coarser, drier, or even curlier,” Sean says. “This happens because the follicles produce less sebum (natural oils) and sometimes change shape as melanin production slows down.”

If you’ve always had straight, smooth hair, you may notice that your natural greys feel more wiry, or even wavy or kinky, Jackie says. On the other hand, naturally curly hair might take on different curl patterns as more greys start growing in. “Curly or textured hair reflects light differently, and grey curls can look especially beautiful when kept hydrated and defined,” Sean says.

Your hair’s natural density and volume will also affect the way it looks when transitioning to grey. “Fine hair shows new growth quickly, so subtle blending techniques like baby lights help create a softer, more natural look,” Sean says. “Thick or coarse hair can disguise grey more easily, so you can grow it out gradually or add highlights for a seamless blend.”

Christian Vierig/Getty Images

How should your hair routine change when shifting to grey?

Since grey hair is naturally drier and more porous, you’ll want to add some heavy-duty hydrating products to your routine during your colour shift. Sean recommends hydrating masks and leave-in conditioners that will restore moisture.