How to color stubborn gray roots?

Author: Dr. Janie Greenholt  |  Last update: Thursday, August 7, 2025

We've got you covered – literally – with 10 pro-approved tricks for coloring resistant grey.
  1. Use a Permanent Colour. ...
  2. Add a Dose of Pure Naturals. ...
  3. Choose the Right Developer. ...
  4. Saturate Stubborn Silver Strays. ...
  5. Start With the Most Resistant Patches. ...
  6. Develop Colour Under Heat. ...
  7. Get Inspired by Formulas.

How do you dye stubborn grey roots?

To catch any stubborn greys, “Do little dots all the way along your hairline, and then rub the colour in,” advises Josh. “It's really hard to colour the back of your own hair,” Josh admits, “but one tip is to start at the top of your head, and work backwards, all the way down to the nape of the neck.”

Why won't my grey roots color?

Most color is held onto the cuticle with the pigment that is in the hair. With grey the cuticle doesn't have pigment anymore so there's nothing the color can hold on to making them more resistant to color. Especially non permanent!

What do you do when grey hair won't hold color?

Go Lighter Through the Ends

Usually, the root area grabs color less easily, while dry ends can really soak it up. That means, if you're using an intense pigment to cover up gray regrowth, you may want to use a lighter formula for the mid-lengths and ends, so the hair here doesn't end up darker than the roots.

What is the best color to cover stubborn gray hair?

The best hair color to cover gray varies depending on individual preferences and natural hair tones, but some standout options include ash brown, which blends seamlessly with gray hair due to its ash undertones, and auburn, a vibrant choice for brunettes that offers good coverage with minimal maintenance.

How to Color Stubborn Gray Hair

Is it better to go lighter or darker to cover gray hair?

Pick a lighter hair colour

A lighter colour will then look better. Your hair follicles produce less pigment as you're turning older. If there's no more pigment being produced in the hair follicles, your hair turns pigmentless.

What hair dye covers grey the longest?

L'Oreal Excellence Crème Resistant Gray hair color has patented 'Gray Seeking Dyes' that penetrate gray hair to deliver extra concentrated, long-lasting color that ensures coverage of the most resistant gray hair.

Why is my hair dye not sticking to my grey hair?

Add heat. Adding some heat to your roots area while the colour is processing will lift the outer cuticle layer and boost colour absorption. Use your hairdrier to add heat for 1-2 minutes at the roots and then pop a shower cap over your colour while your colour is processing.

What colors should you avoid with gray hair?

The Colors to Avoid with Gray Hair

Here are a few to steer clear of: Muddy Neutrals: Beige, taupe, and other muted tones can make your skin look washed out and ashy. Earthy Yellows and Oranges: These warm tones clash with the coolness of gray hair and can make your complexion look sallow.

Why is hair dye not taking to my roots?

Similar to the orangey issue above, when your regrowth ends up a shade lighter than the rest of your hair, it is typically because virgin hair reacts differently to dye than previously colored strands. The latter is more porous than regrowth and thus quicker to absorb color molecules.

How to pretreat gray hair before coloring?

Pre-pigmenting and pre-softening

Pickle your hair first to open up the hair cuticles. You can make the grey hair wet with the developer with a brush or a comb. After ten minutes, apply the tint mixed with water to these areas. Let this sit for ten minutes as well and then apply the dye as you're used to.

Can B12 reverse gray hair?

Premature graying may be reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation only if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause. If you are graying due to other factors, such as genetics, zinc deficiency, and medications, your gray hair cannot be reversed.

Why do my grey roots show so quickly?

The speed of greying is in our genetics, they tell us. It's just a case of contrast, says Josh Wood. "The lighter you are, the more the grey blends in," Josh explains. "But when you've got a darker head of hair with a streak of grey in it, it looks very black and white, like piano keys," says Josh.

How long to leave hair color on stubborn gray hair?

increase the hair color's processing time

When dealing with stubborn grays, try leaving the color in for 40 to 45 minutes. The extra processing time can help! Be sure to set your timer once you've finished your full application. Rinsing out your color too soon may cause uneven color or only partial coverage.

What is the best color to hide grey roots?

You won't be surprised to hear that you should be covering the grey with brown dye, but the best hair dye for grey hair here is a medium-light shade, even if you are naturally very dark, as this will complement your naturally paling skin.

Why is gray hair so difficult to color?

Sometimes it is because the hair has been coated with silicone that is not water soluble. However, MOST of the time it is because grey hair is extremely hard hair. It has many more layers of cuticle than pigmented hair, and those cuticle layers or very tightly packed down.

What should you not do with gray hair?

Hair products with alcohol are a no-no for gray hair. As gray hair already struggles in keeping moisture and adding alcohol to your hair will only dry out even more and make it look even wirier.

What does purple shampoo do to grey hair?

Purple shampoo has been used for decades by hairdressers, mostly to help tone and neutralize blonde and gray hair, getting rid of brassy or yellow tones for an overall more cool-toned look.

What is the best color to blend with gray hair?

Cool-leaning colors in light to dark shades like platinum, ash, beige, and medium blonde are especially well-suited for gray blending.

Why won't my gray roots hold color?

Grey Hair has lost all its Natural pigment, leaving little for your Hair Colour pigment to grab onto or build off. Your nearly Lighter base will cause your Hair to look Lighter and/or Golden, even brassie.

What hair color brand covers gray the best?

Choosing the Right Hair Dye For Gray Coverage
  • L'Oréal Professionnel's Hair Touch-Up Root Concealers change the game when it comes to handling lighter strands. ...
  • To sum it up, L'Oréal's Hair Touch-Up Root Concealers are a total lifesaver.

How to make grey hair hold color?

8 Ways to Make Hair Color Last Longer on Gray Hair
  1. First, Choose a Full Coverage Color. ...
  2. Protect Color with a Shade-Saving Shampoo. ...
  3. Hydrate and Shield Hair with Conditioners and Masks. ...
  4. Give Hair Pre- and Post-Swim Care. ...
  5. Fit a Water Filter on the Showerhead. ...
  6. Try a Color-Depositing Conditioner.

Which type of hair color can cover 100% of gray hair?

Light Blonde

Ultra Light Cool Blonde or Ultra Light Natural Blonde will do the trick.

What is grey blending?

Grey blending is a subtle way of handling your greying hair. It is an approach that blends the grey with colours similar to your natural hair tone. It's an option that allows you to embrace and enhance your greying hair, rather than hiding it. Your natural hair colour is the inspiration for the final effect.

Is it better to highlight or color gray hair?

The best coloring technique for gray hair ultimately depends on your desired look and how much coverage you want. We suggest opting for an all-over color service to fully mask every gray hair on your head with a uniform shade. However, highlighting may be better if your goal is seamlessly blending your grays.

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