Which volume is best for gray hair?

Author: Noelia Aufderhar  |  Last update: Saturday, August 9, 2025

Always Use a 20 Volume Developer 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.

Is 10 vol or 20 vol better for gray coverage?

Most color lines recommend using 20 volume for maximum gray coverage, but some will also recommend using 10 volume. Check with the color line you're using to see what is recommended. They may have a specific line made just for gray coverage, and these usually have a little more ammonia present.

What volume to use for grey hair?

Grey needs at least a 10 volume and sometimes a 20 volume developer because grey hair is stubborn at opening up to accept color. It's coarser and the cuticle can be more tightly closed, making a 20vol necessary to open it more.

Does 20 vol cover grey hair?

Developer Volume: - 20 Volume Developer: This is the most common choice for covering gray hair. It provides enough lift to cover gray while allowing the color to deposit effectively.

Is it better to go darker or lighter with grey hair?

Darker will always cover gray better .

How to Cover Gray Hair in 1 Step | The Best Product to Cover Grays & Roots

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.

What hair color hides grey best?

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.

What is the 50 50 50 rule for gray hair?

The mean age of senile graying for Caucasians (whites) is mid-30s; for Asians of the late 30's; and for Africans of mid-40s. There is a practical declaration which states that at the age of 50, 50% of the population has 50% gray hair (rule of thumb) [4] . The gray of age varies according to race and ethnicity. ...

Can you use 30 vol on grey hair?

One of the most common uses for a 30 volume developer is covering grey hair. The strength of the developer allows the dye to fully penetrate the grey hair, ensuring complete coverage.

Why won't my gray hair hold color?

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.

Does grey hair look better short or long?

Get the Right Cut

Rock a great cut with lots of style and texture, and get a trim every 6-8 weeks. Women who are 100% gray often wear their hair short. But consider long layers. They can be beautiful and add movement to healthy, bouncy hair.

Does level 10 developer lift?

10 volume will slightly open the cuticle and allow for moderate penetration of color molecules. Similar to 5 volume, 10 volume can be used with permanent color lines for depositing color, however, it will not offer much grey coverage or lift.

How do I get the perfect grey hair?

To fully achieve a gorgeous shade of grey, you'll need to first bleach your hair and then dye it. Make sure that you're really committed to your new colour before you start. If you're not quite sure whether you're ready for the long haul, give silver locks a test drive with our Colorista Spray 1-Day Colour in grey.

What volume is mostly used for grey coverage?

The standard developer for gray coverage is 20 Volume; however, 30 Volume and 40 Volume can also be used if the percentage of gray is low and additional lift is needed to achieve the desired result.

What happens if I use 20 developer instead of 10?

Using a 20-volume developer instead of a 10-volume developer will result in a greater lift and a lighter color outcome. The higher hydrogen peroxide content helps open the hair cuticle more, allowing the color to penetrate deeper and lighten your natural shade.

Will 15 vol cover grey?

✅ Here are some other ways to cover grey: 👉🏼 PERMANENT COLOR WITH 10 VOL: sometimes 20 volume exposes too much warmth or gives too much lift. Try 10 or even 15 volume! (In most cases, unless the grey is reallllyyyy super resistant, I can get grey coverage with 10 or 15 vol).

What volume is best for grey hair?

Always Use a 20 Volume Developer

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.

What volume developer is best for grey coverage?

20 volume developer is also a good option if you're looking to cover up some gray hair. It won't lighten your hair, but it will help to deepen the color and make it last longer.

Will 20 vol damage my hair?

Using too much 20 volume developer can lead to over-processing, which means that the hair cuticles can get damaged, leaving the hair looking dull, dry, and brittle. Plus, the color won't turn out the way you want it to, and you might even end up with a funky, uneven color that looks like a tie-dye gone wrong.

How do I make my grey hair less noticeable?

6 Different Ways to Hide Your Gray Hair
  1. 1) Balayage. Balayage involves hand-painting color onto the hair in a sweeping motion to create a natural, sun-kissed effect. ...
  2. 2) Highlights. ...
  3. 3) Balayage Highlights. ...
  4. 4) Lived-in Colour. ...
  5. 5) Foiliyage. ...
  6. 6) Babylights.

What is grey magic for hair?

Gray Magic adds concentrate red and yellow with wetting agents to replace the lost color pigment and moisture, to 'lock-in' hair color. When added to shampoos or conditioners, will prevent fading and oxidtation for tinted red or warm colors (10 drops per ounce of shampoo or conditioner).

How do salons transition to gray hair?

To avoid a harsh line of demarcation, you can head to the salon and have your colorist use the root smudging technique to blend your natural gray roots with the lengths of your hair. This will allow for a gradual transition between hues as your hair continues to grow.

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.

How do you not look washed out with gray hair?

So use a luminizing, moisturizing foundation, and apply powder only where you absolutely need it, says New York City makeup artist Mally Roncal.
  1. Wear blush. It makes every complexion more vibrant, says Roncal. ...
  2. Line your lips. ...
  3. Pick a rich lipcolor. ...
  4. Brighten up your eyes. ...
  5. Forget basic black. ...
  6. Pay attention to your brows.

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