Brands like Manic Panic, Arctic Fox, and Vivid Hair Color offer a wide range of vibrant colors and are known for being gentler on the hair. Vegetable-Based Dyes: Products like Herbatint or Naturtint use natural ingredients and are less likely to cause damage.
Renaissance henna and indigo (hendigo) are 100% pure and natural hair dyes; they are inherently organic, and amongst the best chemical free hair dye you can find. They do not contain any added ingredients.
Applying henna to your mane is a simple and perhaps the most popular herbal method for covering grey. This technique effectively conceals grey while adding natural bounce and shine to your hair. Simply combine henna powder and castor oil and allow the oil to absorb the henna's color.
Using Coffee to Color and Cover Gray Hairs
Coffee works great if you're looking to go darker, cover gray hairs, or add dimension to dark tresses. Simply brew a strong coffee (espresso works well), let it cool, and then mix one cup with a couple cups of leave-in conditioner and 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds.
Alternative: Plant-based dyes like henna, indigo, or cassia offer color without harsh chemicals, though they may not provide permanent results.
What hair dye brands should I avoid? Brands that frequently use harmful chemicals include Clairol Nice'N Easy, Garnier Nutrisse, Revlon Colorsilk, and L'Oreal Preference. These products often contain ingredients like ammonia and PPD, which are associated with health risks.
The best hair dye for grey hair if you're brunette
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.
The two best ways to dye your hair brown naturally involve using henna or coffee. Whichever method you use, spread the dye onto your hair using your fingers after you've mixed it, making sure it covers each strand thoroughly.
If your hair is brown, you may need to bleach it more than once before you apply the grey dye. It's important you get your hair as light as possible before you attempt to turn it grey – this will help ensure a more even tone and vibrant, all-over colour.
Damage-free shades
As we said before, semi-permanent color is ammonia-free, which means it only tints the surface of strands without impacting the inner cortex.
Brightened-up colors, such as golden blonde, can work wonders when applied to the money pieces around your face. Likewise, rich colors—like chestnut or caramel brown—can create a shadow effect throughout that feigns depth and thickness.
"If you really want to reduce your exposure to harsh ingredients the safest way, color-depositing conditioners and masks are best," Patton said. These dyes don't require a developer, so they're relatively gentle.
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.
Root sprays and root powders offer a quick and temporary way to cover up gray hairs: simply choose a shade that matches your natural color and apply to the roots. They're both great options for those moments when new gray growth just barely starts to appear or you need a quick fix between dye jobs.
Though semi-permanent hair color can still contain PPD, there are many on the market that are safe and void of PPD, like the L'Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color. This ammonia- and peroxide-free option gradually fades after a handful of washes, but packs serious color impact.
Phyto Phytocolor Permanent Hair Color
An ammonia-free formula that contains plant-derived pigments and oils like jojoba and coconut oil, Phyto was the winner of the GH Beauty Lab's most recent at-home hair color test.
Wella has long been a salon industry standard, providing a wide range of hair color options.