Need some hair advice.  I want to do a project that will require grey hair, and beard.  Authentic is always best in my opinion, but I'd like to have multiple solutions to implement.

Can a grey wig get it done, and where do you get something that doesn't look like a bad costume?

What's the best way to get hair grey, or white, but looking more aged is the goal, not like a platinum look.

My hair and beard are growing for a few months, and have a few months to grow while I work on my body, but if it's not long enough, is a weave the answer?  Can weaves be applied to beards too?

Thoughts and suggestions to any or all parts are welcome...
Thanks

Edit:  2/13, dye it is, how do I acheive this color?

Honestly, I'd recommend hiring a professional FX makeup artist. Old age makeup looks particularly bad when done by an amateur. It can take years to get skilled enough to pull off a convincing old age makeup. You'd probably end up spending less money by hiring a mua (versus buying all the products you'd need) and certainly would get a more convincing result. When old age makeup is poorly done, it can look pretty comical.

If you want to make something spectacular, this wig making book is really great. It has an entire chapter on beards and other facial hair - http://www.amazon.com/Wig-Making-Stylin … nd+styling

or you could check out theatrical makeup books and learn how to add loose hair (called crepe hair - http://www.mehron.com/Crepe_Hair_p/120.htm) with spirit gum to your natural beard. There are a bunch of youtube videos for this too. I think that would be more convincing than putting a bunch of creme makeup into your beard.

There are some wig stores that have some pretty realistic, non-costuming looking wigs. Also sometimes they look girly but with a bit of Pump-it-Up hairspray, a comb and the wig on a head and stand you can make it look however. I've turned a Reba McIntyre style wig into a Conan O'Brien style wig. Just takes practice. Take it from the drag queen.

I think I'm leaning towards dye, I have 2" of beard, and 4" of hair, it's only going to get longer with time.  The hair can be long, or short, think Gerard Butler in "300".  His hair was shorter, and dark for that role, but the shorter length works for this theme too.  I'm seriously contemplating dying it now to see if I like the results, allowing plenty of time to come up with variations.  If nothing else it will make a good conversation starter "Hey, who's the new old guy in the break room?"

If you were in the UK I'd advise you which wig rental companies to go to in order to hire beard and wig. I don't know where in the US you can find similar, but truly you will struggle to achieve any level of authenticity with paint. It kills the shine of natural hair. If you want just a tiny hint then you can buy the Illustrator hair paint kit which works to a point, but I'd use it more to blend the edges of your own hair/eyebrows/etc in with some better wigs.

You need a true knotted lace wig. Made with human hair. And since you've not done this before, you'd need a competent hair person to fit it for you. Is there any way you can just photoshop this one? It may actually be cheaper..

Where does this frosty look come from?

You need a professional to do what you described in words, but this picture can be achieved by brushing makeup through the hair with a toothbrush and dental picks. Try Mehron's liquid hair and body paint or a creme based makeup by a theatrical company.