The 15 Best Hair Colors To Cover Gray Hair In 2024
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Yvey Valcin is a celebrated master stylist based in Seattle, WA, and was one of the highest rated stylists at the flagship Gene Juarez salon in Seattle. He is known for his superior cutting technique and has styled for top editorial and fashion events, such as New York and Paris Fashion Week.
Read full bio of Yvey Valcin
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.
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Experience: 11 yearsRamona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
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Gray hair can be a challenge to color. Be that as it may, with the best permanent hair color for gray hair, you can cover the strands immaculately. Durable hair dyes are able to penetrate deep into hair strands and transform gray hair into natural-looking colored tresses. Regardless of whether you’re 20 years of age with a few light strands or 60 years of age with complete silver hair, the following are 15 amazing hair dye shades to transform your silver hair with. I curated this list after consulting celebrated master hairstylist Yvey Valcin. Varying from brilliant brown to silver-blonde and variants of red, these shades are totally worth exploring and testing for gray hair coverage!
In This Article
Why Is Gray Hair Hard To Cover?
As your hair ages and becomes white, the texture of your hair shaft changes as well. Gray hair is more prone to dryness, rough ends, and brittleness. It has a coarser texture making it difficult for the dye to penetrate the hair. Because of this, semi- or demi-permanent hair dyes might not provide full gray coverage or hide gray hair well. These dyes will fade away easily or not even cover gray color at all in the first place. Permanent hair dyes enter the cortex to color the hair from within, which provides better color coverage that lasts longer too.
15 Best Hair Color Shades To Cover Your Gray Hair In 2024
Note: If you have any allergies, sensitive scalp or hair loss issue, consult a dermatologist before using any of these hair coloring products. Perform a patch test on the back of your neck or on your forearm to check for irritation, allergies, redness, burning sensation, or swelling. If any adverse reactions are noticed, please consult a doctor before further use. Now, when you know the precautions, scroll down further to know the best hair colors for gray hair.
1. Best Gentle Formula:Revlon Colorsilk – Medium Brown
Revlon’s Colorsilk permanent hair dye provides long-lasting coverage. Its formula contains keratin and silk amino acids which nourish the hair while also adding color to it. It uses Revlon’s exclusive 3D color gel technology to provide a rich, natural, and multi-dimensional hair color for gray hair with increased shine. It comes in 41 different shades of easy to use hair color for gray hair at home. It does not have any harsh odors and covers grays effortlessly, providing glossy and long-lasting color. It comes in a non-drip, liquid-gel consistency and provides multi-tonal color from the roots to the tips, delivering improved definition and dimension for your hair color. This one can surely be the best gray hair blending hair color!
Shade: Medium Brown
Medium brown is neither too dark nor too light which makes it a good color to cover gray hair. It’s not too dark, which might provide a stark contrast to any new gray roots. Coloring your hair to a medium brown gives it a naturally younger appearance. It may even outline your face shape. Check out this video for a brief review of the product and to learn more from the tester’s experience.
Pros
- 3D color technology
- Multi-tonal color
- Ammonia-free
- Non-drip
- Liquid-gel consistency
- Easy to use
- Natural color
- Good smell
Cons
- May cause reactions due to PPD
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 35,680 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.
2. Best Ammonia-Free:Garnier Olia – Medium Rose Gold
Garnier Olia is a permanent, oil-powered, and ammonia-free hair color for gray hair kit. It contains an exclusive 60% oil blend with natural flower oils. It has a no-drip cream texture formula. It provides 100% natural gray coverage with long-lasting color and visibly healthier hair. It can be used as a root coverage touch-up hair color for gray hair or to enhance your natural hair shade as well. It offers 34 shades from blonde to rose gold and is not tested on animals. It contains avocado, olive, and shea oil that nourishes and hydrates the hair. This hair dye removes any roughness or dullness from hair, making it silky and three times shinier and stronger. It comes with an easy-to-apply applicator brush, and the color effortlessly blends your blonde or light brown locks with your gray hair. It also has a pleasant sensorial fragrance.
Shade: Medium Rose Gold
If you have very light blonde shade or light brown natural hair, but now your grays are overtaking them, color your hair medium rose gold. The color blends gray hair with blonde or light brown locks. It leaves you with a lovely but deep rose gold hue. If you want a detailed review of the product, make sure to take a look at this hair care enthusiast’s video to learn more from the reviewer’s experience.
Pros
- No-drip texture
- Long-lasting color
- Easy to blend with other colors
- Ammonia-free
- No harsh odor
Cons
- Contains SLS, EDTA, and added fragrance
"The hair dye gives me soft hair apart from very good gray coverage. It is gentle on both the hair and skin. It offers a radiant finish and is easy to use at home. It also makes my hair silkier and more manageable."
3. Best Shine-Enhancing Formula:Garnier Olia – Medium Pearl Blonde
Made with an exclusive 60% oil blend of natural flower oils, Garnier Olia makes hair healthier with stronger color. It is a permanent, oil-powered, and ammonia-free hair colorant. Its non-drip formula provides full natural gray coverage with long-lasting color. Spanning from blonde to rose gold, this hair dye offers a wide range of 34 colors and there is no animal testing involved. It is formulated with avocado, olive, and shea oil which replenish your hair strands to make them shinier and healthier. This hair dye makes hair silkier and stronger by removing any roughness or dullness in hair. It can be used to color hair, for root touch-ups, or to enhance your natural hair shade. Anna Peterson, a seasoned wellness and beauty professional and the creator of Salon Route says, “Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of blondes walk through my salon doors, but this particular hue stands out. What I love about Garnier Olia is the oil-based formula. It leaves the hair feeling nourished, not stripped. It’s like a color treatment and hair mask in one. It is especially great for clients looking to refresh their blonde hair without the harshness of ammonia.”
Shade: Medium Pearl Blonde
It is specially designed with a combination of natural and golden tones. This color brightens the skin tone. It covers gray hair completely. It provides a smooth transition from colored hair to natural-color growing roots. It suits anyone with light blonde to light brown natural hair.
Elizabeth, a blogger, says, “I was extremely impressed with this product’s ability to lighten my dark hair. When you wash it out of your hair, it will feel dry and tangled as is with any hair color, but the conditioner provided is amazing and will hydrate your hair better than before you dyed it. Best part of this product is I still have some conditioner left over to use the next time I wash my hair (i).”
Pros
- Non-drip
- Cream texture
- Covers even stubborn gray hair
- Mild smell
Cons
- Contains alcohol, added perfume, and resorcinol
Revlon Colorsilk - Medium Brown Best Gentle Formula | Garnier Olia - Medium Rose Gold Best Ammonia-Free | Garnier Olia - Medium Pearl Blonde Best Shine-Enhancing Formula | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | 41 Medium Brown | 8.22 | 9 |
| Dimensions | 3.44 x 1.94 x 6.13 inches | 2.75 x 3.5 x 6.5 inches | 2.75 x 3.5 x 6.5 inches |
| Weight | 6.4 Ounces | 7.2 Ounces. | 7.2 Ounces |
| Number of Items | - | 1 | 1 |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 35,680 | 12,701 | 69 |
| Price | $8.58 | $17.6 | $14.99 |
4. Best Vegan:Naturetint Permanent Hair Color Gel- Light Chestnut Brown
The Naturetint Permanent Hair Color Gel is a cruelty-free hair color for gray hair that contains enriching ingredients like oleic acid taken from olives and meadowfoam seed oil. These ingredients nourish and moisturize hair, making it soft and shiny. It provides 100% gray coverage with long-lasting, vibrant, and deep-hydration hair color. It comes in a gel-based texture and is ideal for oily, dry, and normal hair types. It is vegan and is a dermatologist-tested hair color for gray hair. It is gentle on hair and is quite a great option for gray hair color for sensitive scalp. Anna Peterson adds, “I personally lean toward plant-based products, and this one’s a gem. I’ve recommended Naturetint to clients with sensitive scalps and those keen on a more natural lifestyle. The color payoff is rich and long-lasting. It has a true chestnut tone that beautifully complements most skin tones.” One box covers up to shoulder-length hair.
Shade: Light Chestnut Brown
Best described as a light brown shade with a golden shine, light chestnut brown is great for full coverage of gray hair. It accentuates facial features without harshening the outline of your face. You can also check this YouTube review to know more about the results and this tester’s experience after using this dermatologically tested product.
Pros
- Ideal for oily, dry and normal hair types
- Dermatologist-tested
- No parabens
- No ammonia
- No artificial fragrance
- No resorcinol
- No heavy metals
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Gentle on scalp
Cons
- Contains alcohol
- Contains hydrogen peroxide and sulfate
Pro Tip5. Best Gray Coverage:L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme – Light Brown
The L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme provides full gray coverage with triple protection. The triple protection system seals, replenishes, and conditions hair. It even covers stubborn gray hair or gray regrowth. It leaves you with rich shades and radiant colored hair. Its pre-color treatment made with ceramide protects color-treated ends from color build-up. This hair dye is made with ceramide, pro-keratin complex, and collagen which leaves hair nourished and healthier. It comes in non-drip formula and in 38 different shades ranging from ash blonde to jet black. According to Anna Peterson, “This color is known for its longevity and richness. It comes with a protective serum that strengthens the hair post-coloring.”
Shade: Light Brown
A lighter color of brown covers grays easily without being too dark to create a contrast with light roots. The light brown shade reduces the appearance of fine lines. Light brown also brings out gray, blue, and green eyes. It enhances the green in hazel eyes.
A beauty blogger, Via Singh, writes, “I have tried a few hair colors earlier. But since I tried L’Oreal Excellence Creme I have never used any other hair color EVER. It comes with hair protection which is great. While coloring it does not drip or become messy. This is the best hair color to cover gray hair as well as the best hair color if you want to change the color of your natural mane (ii).”
Pros
- No red tint
- Good color deposit
- No stubborn grays
- Soft, smooth and shinier hair
Cons
- Contains added fragrance
- Contains alcohol and propylene glycol
- Contains ammonium and laureth
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 5,458 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
6. Best Non-Drip Formula:L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme – Dark Ash Brown
Made with a non-drip, triple protection system, The L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme seals, conditions and replenishes hair strands. It provides complete gray coverage, which colors even stubborn gray hair. It is formulated with ceramide, pro-keratin complex and collagen, transforming hair to make it vibrant, nourished, and healthier. It comes with a pre-color treatment formula, containing ceramide, which protects color-treated ends from color build-up. It offers a wide variety of 38 shades ranging from blonde to black hair colors.
Shade: Dark Ash Brown
If your natural hair color was dark brown or black, this shade is perfect if you want dark hair. Since gray hair is light, coloring your hair black or very dark brown might not look very natural. Instead opt for this dark ash hair color for gray hair. It colors your hair dark brown with a caramel-ish shine.
Pros
- Non-drip formula
- Triple protection system
- Consistent application
- Easy to use
- Good gray coverage
Cons
- Contains added fragrance
- Contains alcohol and propylene glycol
- Contains ammonium and laureth
"I've experienced good coverage and durability with this hair color. It works equally well on virgin hair and processed strands. It's a staple for my gray hair care kit. It's a good choice for a home dye solution."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 24,189 Amazon acclaimed reviews, this product is sure to find a place in everyone’s shopping bag.
7. Best For Dry Hair:Soft-Sheen Carson Dark And Lovely – Jet Black
The Soft-Sheen Carson Dark and Lovely permanent hair dye offer 100% gray coverage and is quite a great conditioning hair color for gray hair. It protects relaxed and natural hair. Anna Peterson adds, “This dye is specially designed for textured hair. It conditions and provides a rich, jet-black hue to the hair.” It is infused with shea, avocado, and olive fruit oils that leave hair intensely nourished from the roots to the ends. It also contains nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and argan oil which protects hair from dryness. It has a non-drip, liquid-gel formula. Hair becomes shinier and silkier after use, with rich color that lasts up to 8 weeks long. It provides hair with vibrant and fade-resistant color and shine. It uses an exclusive moisture-seal technology for increased conditioning to protect natural and relaxed hair.
Shade: Jet Black
If you want to go bold, cover your gray hair strands with jet black. It brings out your face shape and sharpens your features especially your cheekbones, jawline, and eyes.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Good gray coverage
- Ideal for relaxed and natural hair
- Non-drip
- Liquid-gel formula
- Exclusive moisture-seal technology
- Fade-resistant
Cons
- Contains alcohol and added fragrance and color
- Contains palm oil known to cause allergic reactions
"The dye delivers even color distribution and softens my hair. It is perfect for my gray hair coverage and lasts for more than eight weeks. It has a gentle formula, enriched with nourishing oils that hydrate my strands. It's a good choice that offers healthy-looking hair after use."
Pro Tip8. Best Natural Formula:Tints Of Nature, Simply Healthier Hair Color – Natural Medium Brown
The Tints Of Nature contains 95% of naturally-derived ingredients including over 75% of certified organic elements. This dermatologist-tested formula intensely nourishes the hair and makes it soft while offering full coverage of gray hair strands. It comes in 24 different colors with a range of shades in brown, black, red, and blonde. This vegan hair color for gray hair strengthens the hair fibers and hydrates hair while naturally locking in added color. Anna Peterson adds, “It is an organic and cruelty-free product that minimizes hair damage and ensures vibrant, long-lasting color.”
Shade: Natural Medium Brown
Nothing covers grays like a lovely natural medium brown shade. This color gives your hair a natural feel and look. The medium brown doesn’t bring too much of a contrast to your gray roots. The medium brown shade softens any harsh lines, giving you a more youthful appearance.
Pros
- 95% naturally-derived ingredients
- No ammonia
- No parabens
- No DEA
- No resorcinol
- No silicones
- No propylene glycol
- Vegan
- Dermatologist-tested
- Good color deposit
- Mild odor
Cons
- Contains hydrogen peroxide, urea, and alcohol
Pro Tip9. Best Moisturizing Formula:Garnier Nutrisee Ultra Coverage – Deep Light Golden Brown
Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Coverage is great for coloring even stubborn gray hair. It provides rich and permanent color coverage. It is made with avocado, olive, and shea oils that make hair healthier while nourishing it. This triple-oil-blend locks in moisture to hydrate hair. Shoumya Chowdhury, a certified trichologist and the CEO of Know World Now, says, “The Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Coverage in Deep Light Golden Brown is a standout choice. It is a nourishing formula, ideal for dry hair.” It comes in a rich, non-drip cream textured formula which spreads evenly. It uses Coverplus ™ technology. This means that deep and neutral brown pigments are used to color hair to provide maximum coverage. This moisturizing hair color for gray hair gives a flawless look and is not tested on animals!
Shade: Deep Light Golden Brown
This deep light golden brown shade is that perfect, in-demand, sun-kissed brown hair color. It’s an intense brown shade with a lovely sun golden shine. It works well with gray highlights and hair color as well. Anastasios Moulios, the founder of Beardlong and an expert hairstylist has used this on numerous clients. He adds, “I’ve observed its exceptional coverage, especially on stubborn grays. The Deep Light Golden Brown shade not only covers but adds a youthful radiance to the hair.”
Pros
- Triple-oil-blend
- Coverplus ™ technology
- Non-drip
- Cream texture
- Pleasing smell
Cons
- Contains alcohol and propylene glycol
- Contains added fragrance
"I like how this hair color conceals grays and restores a bright appearance in my hair. It gives a rich color covering the grays and a silky finish that lasts over a month. It's a good choice for at-home hair transformations."
10. Best For Chemically-Treated Hair:Wella ColorCharm Permanent Liquid Hair Color for Gray Coverage
Choose Wella ColorCharm Permanent Liquid Hair Color for a vibrant and dazzling shade. This professional-grade formula is infused with Liquifuse technology, which securely bonds the color molecules to your strands and helps the color persist for a long time. When combined with a hair developer, this liquid hair color creates a long-lasting effect and doesn’t fade quickly. You will get up to 100% gray coverage with only one application.
Shade: 6A Dark Ash Blonde.
This shade comprises blue pigments that are intended to neutralize) brassy orange tones. If you want light, ash-brown results, this is the color for you.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Provides incredible shine
- Easy to use
- Liquid-gel formula
- Fade-resistant
- Gentle fragrance
Cons
- Contains ammonia and laureth.
"This product offers good coverage to my grays and the color holds for a long time. It has a floral scent that lingers around for a while even after washing. It gives a rich, natural look that is easy to achieve."
11. Best Vibrant Color:L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme – Light Auburn
The L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme is made with a triple protection system containing ceramide, pro-keratin complex, and collagen. Apart from providing full gray coverage, the triple protection system fortifies and nourishes hair and provides it with intensive moisturization. This hair creme enriches hair with rich and vibrant color. It comes with a pre-color treatment that prevents color build-up at hair ends. Ranging from blonde to black, this hair dye offers 38 different shades so you can attain your desired hair shade. It is made with a non-drip formula.
Shade: Light Auburn
The best way to cover grays is to not use extremely dark shades. If you add some vibrance, consider a brilliant light auburn color. No matter your eye color, this light auburn shade will make them pop. It also enhances your facial features.
Pros
- Triple protection system
- Good color deposit
- Full gray coverage
- Easy to apply
- Natural looking color
- Blends well
- Cost effective
Cons
- Contains added fragrance
- Contains alcohol and propylene glycol
- Contains ammonium and laureth
"I've been coloring my hair at home with this kit for its ease of use. It covers my grays, and the toner enhances the color without any brassy undertones. The results are beautiful and last for weeks."
12. Best Nourishing Formula:Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme – Light Golden Brown
Garnier’s Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme is a great hair color for mature hair and is made with color-boosting technology. It contains a blend of three fruit oils- avocado, olive, and shea oils, which provide even and permanent hair color. These three oils lock in moisture to make hair soft and intensely nourished. It has a rich, non-drip color cream formula that is not tested on animals. It can be used to color hair, root touch-ups, or enhance natural hair color. The creme texture easily spreads evenly throughout the hair, from the roots to the tips. Also, it provides long-lasting hair color with intense hydration and imparts increased gloss to deliver visible results.
Shade: Light Golden Brown
This is a light brown shade with a blonde shine. It softens the appearance of fine lines on your face. It gives you a youthful appearance. The light brown shade is a perfect blend of light and dark, without being too intense.
Pros
- Easy application
- Triple fruit oil blend
- Non-drip
- Cream texture
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Contains added fragrance
- Fades easily
- Contains alcohol and propylene glycol
"I like how well this product conceals grays and looks vibrant even after weeks. It does wonders for my hair, leaving it soft without any post-wash bleeding. This is a good option for those who appreciate enjoyable scents and hair-friendly oils in their dye."
13. Best Easy-To-Use:Revlon Colorsilk – Dark Ash Blonde
Formulated with keratin and silk amino acids, Revlon’s Colorsilk permanent hair dye is a long-lasting hair color for gray or white hair coverage. It is made with an exclusive 3D color gel advanced technology that gives hair a natural, multi-dimensional, rich tone paired with enhanced hair shine. It does not contain ammonia or harsh odors. It comes in 41 different colors that provide hair with multi-tonal color coverage from the roots to the tips. This dark ash shade is gentle on hair and scalp and enhances hair color definition and adds dimension. It is formed with a non-drip formula and has a liquid-gel consistency.
Shade: Dark Ash Blonde
This deep blonde shade gives your gray hair a more intense and cooler-toned blonde hue with a subtle brown hint. Even if you miss covering some gray locks here and there, this shade makes it work. Also, this hair color gives shiny and natural-looking hair.
Pros
- Non-drip
- Liquid gel consistency
- 3D color technology
- Multi-tonal color
- Easy to use
- Natural color
- Ammonia-free
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Contains PPD
"This gives me a gentler coloring experience with its ammonia-free formula. I like the excellent gray coverage and how soft it leaves my hair. It is easy to use and is not messy."
14. Best Value Added Set:L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme – Reddish Blonde
Made with collagen, ceramide, and pro-keratin complex, the Excellence Creme edition from L’Oreal Paris colors replenishes and fortifies hair. It is formulated with a triple protection system that colors even the most stubborn gray hair to give you radiant and rich-colored tresses. This hair color with gray hair-specific formula comes in a range of 38 vibrant shades and is made in a non-drip design. It contains a pre-color treatment formula made with ceramide that prevents any color build-up at hair ends. This golden with red hair color for gray hair mix can help for a fabulous coverage!
Pros
- Easy application
- Triple protection system
- Good color deposit
- Full gray coverage
- Natural looking color
- Blends well
- Cost effective
Cons
- Contains alcohol, ammonium and laureth
"I found this product very easy to use. It made my hair soft, with a natural feel. It also covered my grays and maintained the vibrancy for nearly two months. It did not damage my hair either."
15. Best Long-Lasting:Clairol Nice’N Easy – Medium Cool Blonde
The Clairol Nice’N Easy permanent hair dye provides natural and vibrant color made with a blend of tones and is quite a best hair tint for natural-looking hair highlighting. The cream contains conditioning ingredients that soften hair and add shine. It provides 100% gray coverage that lasts up to 8 weeks. It is ideal for chemically-treated hair. It comes in a wide variety of 50 different shades. This conditioning formula is gentle on the hair and scalp and protects the hair’s texture. It contains an exclusive molecule ME plus, which reduces the risk of an allergic reaction. The kit comes with a color-activating lotion, permanent color creme, and the colorseal conditioner.
Note: If you have any known allergies, check with a dermatologist before using this hair dye.
Shade: Medium Cool Blonde
This is a cool-toned blonde shade with a metallic or silver-ish shine. Even if gray roots start showing within a few weeks, this color will blend well with them. It brings out eye colors. Anastasios Moulios says, “This product has been a go-to for many of my blonde clients. Its ability to blend seamlessly with natural hair while covering grays is truly commendable. The cool undertones also help in neutralizing any brassiness.”
Pros
- Ideal for chemically-treated hair
- Exclusive ME plus molecule
- Fresh floral scent
- Non-drip formula
- Good color deposit
Cons
- Contains alcohol
- Contains added fragrance, propylene glycol, and EDTA
"This delivers color accuracy and long-lasting results to my hair. It has a non-toxic scent and leaves the hair with a smooth, shiny texture. It looks natural and vibrant on the hair and lasts for a good while."
Deciding to dye your hair is always a brave choice! Some colors cover your natural hair color better, while others make your tresses appear vibrant and unique. Take a look at this guide to know more about the several pointers that you need to consider while purchasing new shades and colors for gray hair.
What To Consider When Buying Hair Color Shades To Cover Your Gray Hair
- Nourishing Formula
This is the most important factor, regardless of your skin tone or hair texture. If you have very dry, brittle, or damaged hair, you need to find a color that will nourish the strands and help them grow strong.
- Natural-looking Finish
When choosing your new shades to cover graying hair, it is important that you choose a natural-looking hair color for gray hair that suits your skin tone. If you have a cool undertone, you can opt for golden blonde, copper red, and honey brown shades. For a neutral skin tone, choose muted shades such as different browns, burgundy, and mahogany. For warm undertones, choose shades like ivory, ash, or mocha brown.
- User-friendly
The color performance you choose should be non-dripping, easy to apply, and non-staining. The color should be easy to wash out of your clothes and skin in just one wash cycle.
- Chemical-free formula
Try to opt for ammonia-free formula since ammonia damages gray hair cuticles while making your hair dry and brittle. Ammonia also causes burning in the eyes and irritation to some people. Ammonia-free colors don’t damage gray hair and give you softer, shinier, and brighter tresses. If you have sensitive skin on the scalp, always go for allergy-tested or dermatologist-tested formulas to prevent any potential skin reactions.
- Long-lasting
Pick a color that would not fade away. Most shades have a simple formula that is designed to last up to eight weeks helping you with lasting hair goals. Some of the more expensive brands may have a higher percentage of gold or platinum hair color for gray hair in their formula which would help you keep your color looking fresh for a longer period of time.
- Eye Color Preference
To accentuate your personality, you can also choose the hair color according to the color of your eyes. For blue-colored eyes, caramel and golden-toned blonde hair color for gray hair may help make your eyes appear brighter. Red goes perfectly with green and gray-colored eyes.
Here are some tips on how to cover your gray hair properly!
How To Cover Your Gray Hair The Right Way
1. Time And Commitment: Don’t be in a hurry when coloring your hair. Take your time. Keep a timer in hand. Also, keep checking your hair once you’ve dyed it. Check your hair every 15 minutes to see if you’ve achieved the color you want.
Coloring your hair takes commitment. Gray hair is stubborn to color, so you have to use permanent hair dye for the color to set it. The color will last for two months; so be sure of the color you pick!
2. Method And Technique: Since you are coloring your hair at home, remember – practice makes perfect. There are different techniques you can use to color your hair. You could use a brush to achieve a specific style or use your hand so it looks natural on gray hair. You can use foil to separate each layer. Practicing these techniques will allow you to choose the one that works best for you.
3. Picking The Hair Color: You need to keep your skin tone and hair type in mind when picking a hair color and dye. If you have warm-toned skin, then you should choose warm-toned hair color for gray hair. But if you have cool-toned skin, then you need cool-toned colors. People with neutral skin tones can work with both warm and cool-toned hair color for gray hair.
Choose your hair dye based on your hair type and issue. Some hair dyes specifically cater to hair that has been chemically treated, while others are specially made for natural and relaxed hair.
4. Hair Prep: Prepare your hair before and after you dye it. Oil your hair regularly to make it strong. Use hair masks and protein serums to strengthen your hair. This way, when you use bleach, your hair will not weakened to the point of falling out or breaking. Use shower filters to prevent any unwanted minerals or chemicals in the water from fading out the hair color.
5. The Right Products: After you have colored your hair, use products that cater to color-treated hair. These color-treated hair products (shampoos, conditioners, serums, hairsprays, etc.) have ingredients that prevent the color from fading away easily. To be sure of which products work for you, get gray hair color options recommended by stylists or professionals.
6. Light It Up: When coloring your hair, make sure the room you are in is completely lit up. Put on all the lights in the room so that you clearly see the color you are achieving. Also, color your hair in the daytime, so you can check how the color will look in natural light too. There will be a slight difference in how the hair color will look in natural light vs. artificial light.
7. Patch Test: Hair dyes contain chemicals and ingredients that may cause adverse or allergic reactions. Always perform a patch test before completely applying the hair dye on your hair. Apply a little bit of the dye on the back of your neck or forearm. Wait to see if any redness, swelling, burning or irritation occurs. If it does, consult a dermatologist before you proceed any further.
8. Protection From Dye: Wear old clothes when dyeing your hair to prevent staining your good clothes. Use gloves when applying the dye to prevent stains on your skin. Protect the surfaces, walls, and flooring where you are coloring your hair. Also, cover the skin close to your hairline with petroleum jelly. This prevents any color from staining your skin.
9. Keep All Your Tools Ready: Make sure you have everything you need before you start coloring your hair. Have a checklist to make sure you have a brush, applicator, bowl, cloth, gloves, clips, foil, etc. This prevents any need for you to keep getting up, which may mess up the application.
10. Healthy Hair: Bleached hair may look dull and be damaged even after you apply color. Strengthen your hair by following a few tips. Oil your hair with warm oil an hour before you wash your hair. Also, use serums, nourishing masks, and packs to strengthen your hair. Use keratin and color-treated products to fortify hair. Avoid using heat and other chemical treatments on your hair.
11. Retouching: You’ll have to touch-up your hair every few weeks to keep the color fresh. There are semi-permanent hair colors for gray hair, and organic dyes to keep your hair color fresh and your hair healthier.
How Often Should You Do A Touch-Up?
It depends on how quickly the hair color fades from your hair and how fast your roots grow out. Normally, you should go for touch-ups every 4-5 weeks. Some hair types are more prone to color fading prone while others are fade-resistant. The same applies to some hair dyes. Some brand dyes last longer than others. There are products that can increase your hair color’s lifespan and vibrancy. However, you will definitely have to get a touch-up after a maximum of 7-8 weeks.
Infographic: Tips To Pick The Right Hair Color Shade To Cover Gray Hair
Covering your grays can be effortless if you have the best hair color shade in your basket. But, before investing in one, you should consider a few things so that you don’t have dry, brittle, and faded hair color. Check out the infographic below to pick the right hair color to enhance your look. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Some like to flaunt their gray hair, while others don’t. If you prefer covering your grays, you know how challenging it is to find a gentle hair color that will protect your hair’s texture and not make it rough and brittle. Several testers’ experiences and reviews have stated that what one needs is a hair color that offers full coverage and lasts long, like the products mentioned in this article. The Revlon Colorsilk in Medium Brown is one of our top picks for its ammonia-free formula and natural-looking shade. The Garnier Olia in Medium Pearl Blonde offers a vibrant, glossy pearl blonde with enhanced shine, while the L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme ensures easy application and reliable gray coverage with its rich, ash brown shade. Using a fade-resistant hair color for gray hair will make your hair look natural and shiny. Choose from these stunning different shades to keep your hair looking bright and elegant. Get the best salon-quality hair color to cover your grays with these vibrant hair colors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to go lighter or darker to cover gray hair?
A darker dye is required from the roots to a few inches below. However, a slightly lighter shade can be used for the rest of it.
What’s the best professional hair color for gray hair?
Use natural shades that have ‘N’ or ‘0’ markings for selecting professional-grade hair color for gray hair. Clairol Nice’N Easy has received very good reviews on this front.
What is the best temporary hair color for gray hair?
The Clairol Natural Instincts hair color is known for its commendable coverage and effectiveness on gray hair.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The writer of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti, is passionate about all things hair, be it finding new styles or trying out new products to care for different hair types. She scanned through many review forums to find the best hair color shades for covering gray hair. She selected these products based on color pigmentation, consistency, and the absence of harsh elements.
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
(i) Berry Beautiful Life
https://berrybeautifullife.com/2013/09/garnier-olia-medium-blonde.html
(ii) Gloss And Glitters
https://glossnglitters.com/loreal-paris-excellence-creme-permanent-hair-color-review/
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