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).
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.
Permanent or demi-permanent dyes are better suited for grey hair as they provide longer-lasting coverage compared to semi-permanent dyes. But semi-permanent dyes are better for a quick fix. These can be used to add a pop of colour to your hair. Grey hair tends to be brittle and drier than normal 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.
Is it better to go lighter or darker to cover grey hair? As for your permanent colour kit choice, for the best grey coverage, Josh recommends choosing a shade close to your natural root colour (that's the colour between the greys.) "Make sure to never stray more than two shades away from this,” says Josh.
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.
Cool-leaning colors in light to dark shades like platinum, ash, beige, and medium blonde are especially well-suited for gray blending.
Deep Brunettes and Black
If you're aiming for minimal fading, you can't go wrong with dark brown or black shades. These deep hues tend to hold onto their richness for a longer period. Imagine them as a sturdy fortress—once those color molecules are in there, they're less likely to slip out quickly.
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.
Pigment loss occurs naturally in hair as we age. Along with the changes in pigmentation, grey hairs can also undergo structural changes Grey hair is often also coarser. The outer cuticle layer of greys can be more tightly packed and layered, making them resistant to colour absorption.
Light Blonde
Ultra Light Cool Blonde or Ultra Light Natural Blonde will do the trick.
Wella products are trusted by experts all over the world, whether it's their Koleston Perfect range for rich, vibrant colors or the Illumina Colour series for brilliant results. Redken is well-known for its cutting-edge hair color processes and wide selection of colors.
Cool shades like ash blonde and mushroom brown are among the best hair colors to hide grays, since the cool tones won't clash with your silvery streaks.
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.
Are Lowlights or Highlights Better for Grey Hair? If you are looking for a low-impact, natural effect then lowlights are a safer way to color grey hair. Your stylist uses foils to apply the color so it doesn't lie directly on your scalp. That means less exposure to chemicals and fewer potential allergic reactions.
Gray Hair Returns in Less than Two Weeks
If your client can't seem to keep their gray hair or roots covered for long, it may be time to discontinue using hair dye. Going to the salon every two weeks for treatment is too often, and along with all the damage it can do to their hair, it can also be expensive over time.
For best gray coverage, use NN (Intense Neutral). NN shades are extra pigment packed to eliminate the most resistant grays.
Along with a drop in melanin production, grey hair produces less sebum – the natural oil that keeps it soft and supple. As its texture changes, your hair might feel more dry, coarse, or wiry. This means it won't absorb hair dye like it used to.
Ash Brown. We always recommend cool, ashy hues for brunettes seeking low-maintenance hair color to camouflage gray hair. That's because gray and ash tones are in the same color family. This allows your grays to blend seamlessly into your final look instead of sticking out like a sore thumb.
If they have not been previously coloring I typically suggest a colored demi-gloss treatment like View that will increase shine and camouflage the gray. Alternatively, I will suggest some strategically placed highlights/lowlights to blend the grays and diffuse their appearance.