What's Special about Grey Eyes? Why So Attractive?

15.12.2023 | Lydia | TTDeye Care

Grey eyes, or gray eyes, with their captivating and enigmatic allure, have long been a subject of fascination. Representing a mere 3% of the world's population, grey eyes stand out as a rarity that sparks curiosity.

In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of grey eye color, exploring how they are inherited, comparing them to blue eyes, unraveling the rarity behind their existence, examining the various shades they manifest, and discovering interesting facts about individuals who possess this distinctive eye color.

How Are Grey Eyes Inherited?

Grey eyes, like other eye colors, are determined by genetics. The color of our eyes is influenced by the amount and type of pigments in the iris. In the case of grey eyes, the color is a result of a lack of pigmentation combined with scattering of light.

🧬 Genetics of Grey Eyes

The inheritance of eye color involves complex interactions between multiple genes. While the specifics are intricate, it's generally understood that variations in the OCA2 and HERC2 genes play a crucial role in determining eye color.

Experts are still discussing how grey eyes are inherited, but most evidence suggests it involves a mix of dominant and recessive genes influencing their development.

Attractive grey eyes

Grey Eyes vs Blue Eyes

Grey eyes are often mistaken for blue eyes, and it's no surprise given their similar appearance. However, these two eye colors have distinct characteristics.

🆚 Pigmentation Differences

Blue eyes have a blue hue due to the Rayleigh scattering of light, similar to how the sky appears blue. In contrast, grey eyes lack this intense scattering, resulting in a more muted, subtle shade.

🆚 Versatility in Appearance

Since the front layer of the iris has less melanin than the back layer, grey eyes change based on lighting and surroundings. They can appear blue, green, or even have a touch of hazel, contributing to their mystique and attractiveness.

Grey Eyes vs Blue Eyes

How Rare Are Grey Eyes?

Grey eyes are undeniably rare, making up a small percentage of the global population. Approximately 3% of people worldwide have grey eye color. This rarity adds to the allure and intrigue surrounding grey eyes.

What Do Grey Eyes Look Like?

Here we will take a closer look at the various hues that make up the world of grey eyes, from the subtle greenish tones to the deep and mysterious dark greys.

1. Dark Grey Eyes

Dark grey eyes often border on charcoal or deep slate hues, and have a sense of mystery and intensity. In various lighting, dark grey eyes may appear almost black.

2. Light Grey Eyes

Light grey eyes exhibit a crystal-clear or silvery appearance. This lighter shade gives the eyes a subtle and ethereal quality, reminding them of shimmering moonlight. The softness of light grey eyes can evoke a sense of innocence and gentleness.

3. Grey Green Eyes

Greenish grey eyes blend the cool neutrality of grey with a hint of earthy green. This shade creates a unique and enchanting gaze that can appear particularly striking in different lighting conditions.

4. Blue Grey Eyes

Blue grey eyes can range from a delicate, almost icy hue to a deeper, more pronounced blue. This combination adds a touch of coolness and enchantment to the eyes.

5. Grey Hazel Eyes

Grey-hazel eyes showcase a mix of grey and hazel tones. The interplay between these colors creates eyes that appear dynamic and ever-changing. In different lighting and environments, grey-hazel eyes may shift between grey and hazel.

Different shades of grey eyes

Fun Facts about People with Grey Eyes

Now discover some interesting facts about grey-eyed people.

1. Grey ranks as the second rarest natural eye color globally, following green, and is present in 3% of the world's population.

2. There's a common misconception that grey eyes are mostly found in individuals of European descent.

3. Grey eyes are common in the Middle East/West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, and among the Algerian Shawia people of the Aurès Mountains in Northwest Africa.

4. People with grey eyes tend to be sensitive to sunlight due to their lower melanin levels.

5. Individuals with gray eyes might consume more beverages.

6. The ancient Greeks linked gray eyes with wisdom.

7. Newborns often start with gray or blue eyes that may change over time.

Newborns with grey eyes

8. According to science, grey eyes are neither recessive nor dominant.

9. Grey eyes reflect a person's mood, with shifts influenced by how their pupils narrow or widen, altering the colors in the iris.

10. Celebrities like Pink, Jared Leto, and Clint Eastwood, who have grey eyes, contribute to the popularity of this eye color in mainstream culture.

Can You Get Natural Grey Eyes with Grey Contact Lenses?

The desire to change or enhance eye color has led to the creation of colored contact lenses, including grey variants. Grey contact lenses can provide a temporary change. With advances in technology, it is possible to achieve natural grey eyes through TTDeye's lenses!

👁️‍🗨️ Natural Grey Eye Contacts without a Limbal Ring

A limbal ring is a dark circle around the iris and contact lenses with limbal rings have the power to enlarge the eyes.

🛒 TTDeye Polar Lights Grey | 1 Year

🛒 TTDeye HD Grey | 1 Year

🛒 TTDeye Polar Lights Blue-Grey | 1 Year

Grey Eye Contacts without a Limbal Ring

👁️‍🗨️ Grey Contact Lenses with a Limbal Ring

The two grey contacts we recommend below feature limbal rings that can subtly enlarge your eyes.

🛒 TTDeye Himalaya Grey | 1 Year

🛒 TTDeye Real Crystal | 1 Year

🛒 TTDeye Trinity Grey | 1 Year

Grey Contact Lenses with a Limbal Ring

Conclusion

In summary, grey eyes, making up just 3% of the world's population, are a rare and captivating genetic marvel. Explored for their unique inheritance and diverse shades, these eyes hold a mystique that goes beyond their scarcity. TTDeye's grey contact lenses offer a temporary way to embrace this unique eye color. Just try it!