In early July, L’Oréal Professionnel hosted a press conference and exclusive panel discussion in Paris featuring acclaimed French Philosopher Sophie Galabru to explore a cultural shift that’s redefining one of the salon industry’s most important service categories: grey hair.

During the discussion, Galabru explored how women are increasingly moving away from traditional overall grey coverage in favor of more natural, personalized color results. In tandem, L’Oréal Professionnel officially French Blending; a new professional color service designed to seamlessly integrate grey hair for a multidimensional, low-maintenance result.  

In the conversation, Galabru explored a number of topics, including:

• The evolving perception of aging in modern society
• Why women are redefining their relationship with grey hair
• The shift from ‘covering’ to ‘blending’
• How beauty rituals are becoming more personalized and less prescriptive
• The emotional connection between identity, confidence, and hair color
• And, what these changing attitudes mean for salons and colorists

Following the event, Galabru and L’Oréal Professionnel Colorist and Paris Global Artist Pierrick Beringer sat down with SALON TODAY to answer a few of our questions:

SALON TODAY: What cultural shift are you seeing today in the way women perceive their grey hair?

Galabru: “In Western countries, particularly across Europe and the United States, we are witnessing a significant shift in how women view their grey hair. For decades, grey hair was seen as a visible sign of aging that had to be concealed at all costs. Female beauty was closely associated with youth, making it difficult for women to feel attractive or confident while showing visible signs of aging.

“Today, grey hair is increasingly seen as a natural characteristic that women can choose to embrace, enhance, or reinterpret. The fundamental change is that the conversation is no longer about covering grey hair at any cost but about giving women the freedom to decide how much coverage they want and how they wish to express their personal style.

“Some women will continue coloring their hair to recreate the shade they had in their younger years. Others will choose to reveal their grey hair gradually, while many are embracing techniques such as grey blending, which create a softer, more natural-looking transition. This evolution reflects a broader vision of beauty, one that is more personal, individual, and centered on self-expression rather than conformity to a single beauty ideal.”

ST: What are the main drivers behind this shift?

Galabru: “Consumer expectations have evolved considerably. Women are increasingly looking for solutions that reflect not only their personality but also their lifestyle. Time has become a valuable resource, and many women are seeking beauty routines that are less demanding and easier to maintain. As a result, they are gravitating towards more natural, long-lasting, and lower-maintenance alternatives to traditional full-coverage color services that require frequent touch-ups.

“This shift has been accelerated by two major forces.

“First, social media has played a pivotal role in normalizing grey hair by giving visibility to women who choose to embrace it. Movements such as #GoingGrey have helped remove the stigma surrounding the transition to grey or white hair. Women openly share their journeys, explaining their desire to move away from constant coloring, artificial beauty standards, and the ongoing maintenance that comes with them. They find encouragement and support from other women who are making similar choices.

“These communities advocate for freedom from restrictive beauty expectations and encourage women to embrace authenticity, cultivate their own style, and adopt an appearance that genuinely reflects their life experience and personality.

“Second, celebrities and actresses who confidently wear their natural grey hair, whether in advertising campaigns, on red carpets, or during interviews, have further fueled this cultural shift. Their visibility creates both admiration and identification. Seeing well-known women confidently challenge traditional beauty standards and embrace this freedom empowers others to feel they can do the same.”

ST: As more women embrace their grey hair, how can this strengthen the relationship of trust between clients and their beauty professionals?

Galabru: “Beyond delivering a technical service, hair professionals and colorists in particular are increasingly becoming trusted beauty advisors who guide each client through a personalized beauty journey.

“When a hairdresser takes the time to understand a client's expectations, lifestyle, and personal preferences, they can recommend the solution that best suits her, whether that means maintaining her color, beginning the transition to grey, or enhancing her natural grey hair. This approach builds a relationship based on listening, expertise, and trust.

“Hair carries powerful emotional significance. It is deeply connected to femininity, beauty, identity, and self-expression. As a result, hairdressers play a role that goes far beyond technical expertise: they also provide emotional support and reassurance during what can be a highly personal transformation.

“This personalized approach strengthens long-term loyalty. Clients are no longer returning simply for a color service; they come back for tailored guidance, evolving professional advice, and the confidence that their stylist understands and supports their unique vision of beauty.”

SALON TODAY: Many salon professionals and owners might see their customers embracing grey as a loss of future revenue, but how can they respond to this shift through new service offerings and customization? 

Beringer: “I don’t believe that embracing grey hair leads to a loss in revenue. Clients don't necessarily want to stop visiting the salon; they simply want a different way to manage and enhance their grey hair. This actually presents an opportunity to create new, more personalized services around grey blending, light, dimension, or neutralization. We are no longer systematically trying to cover up greys, but rather working with what is already there.”

ST: How are beauty rituals becoming more personalized? How does that help elevate the professionalism of the industry’s pros?

Beringer: “Today, clients are less and less interested in standardized solutions. Services and results must adapt to their hair, lifestyle, desires, and maintenance routine. This level of personalization puts the professional's expertise back at the center of the experience: their role is no longer just to apply a technique or a product, but to observe, understand, and build a truly tailor-made solution.”

ST: How can salons gain a market advantage by promoting their grey blending services?

Beringer: “French Blending can become a genuine signature service for a salon. It requires real expertise in diagnostics, color theory, and color placement. By communicating more about this expertise using real results and showing different approaches tailored to each client, salons can differentiate themselves and attract clients looking for a more modern, customized alternative to classic grey coverage.”