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.
Neutral shades like soft blonde, mushroom brown, light copper, and caramel blonde balayage are the easiest to blend gray into (and maintain over time without wanting to shave your hair off).
Use a Primer: Some brands offer color primers that can be applied to grey hair before dyeing. This can help the dye adhere better and reduce unwanted tones. Adjust Processing Time: Apply the dye to your roots first and leave it on for a shorter time before applying it to the rest of your hair.
Balayage: For more lived-in color that naturally blends with your grays and base color, balayageis the way to go. This hand-painted highlighting technique yields a natural-looking gradient effect and can help subtly “connect” your gray roots to the rest of your hue.
Our favorite color-depositing conditioner is the dpHue Gloss+ thanks to its wide range of shades, easy application, and ability to soften and hydrate hair. For a clear gloss that adds shine to any hair color, we recommend the Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Sheer.
Brown hair colors for gray hair are the sweet spot for gray coverage if your natural shade is medium blonde to dark brown. They are also ideal if you're gray all over.
“The good news is, although some gray hair is more difficult and more resistant to hair color, the technology around the products used to color hair now is amazing,” says Adam Reed, hairstylist and founder of Arkive Headcare. Amy Fish, a colorist at London-based salon Larry King, agrees.
Your hair is damaged.
Brittle, split, and dry hair won't take hair dye the same way healthy hair does. If your hair is damaged, the dye's chemicals will penetrate the hair cuticles differently, and you may end up with patchy or faded color.
“Permanent hair dyes are generally the most effective for covering gray hair, as they penetrate the hair shaft more deeply, ensuring longer-lasting and more comprehensive coverage.”
According to hair biology experts and styling experts alike, grey hair is more resistant to color than younger hair because of its texture. The relative lack of natural oils in the hair compared to younger hair make it a rougher surface that tends to reject the color being applied, especially around the roots.
Gray hair tends to be resistant and typically takes longer to grab hold of the hair. Since there is no pigment, there is no need to lift. You just need to open the cuticle enough to deposit the color. If you feel you can get full coverage using a 10 or 15 volume then by all means use a lower volume.
Use a shampoo and conditioner that is specialised for hair colour. Frequent shampoo use and washing can strip away the natural oils and hair colour. As a general rule of thumb, simply wash your hair less frequently. Go for every other day, or every third day, or even once a week.
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.
Start by applying the darker dye to the roots up until an inch or so down. Then, use the lighter shade for the rest of your hair. The great news is that your stubborn greys are very easy to cover as the colour is not too far removed from the grey.
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.
Doesn't cover gray, but does tint it to blend with natural color. Not permanent at all.
If you're using semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair color, you'll need a developer with a lower volume, between 3 and 20 Vol. If you're using a permanent hair color, you'll need a developer with a higher volume. This is usually between 20 and 30 Vol.
Based on all these factors, the color could last anywhere from two-to-three shampoos to six weeks or longer.”