Certain harsh chemicals in popular box dyes have given many stylists pause. Common concerns include: Ammonia - This mixing agent lifts cuticles to deposit colour but is quite drying over time. Peroxide - High volumes like 30+ developer cause more damage to delicate hair.
Porosity: Grey hair can be less porous than colored hair, which means it may not absorb dye as effectively. This can lead to uneven color or a quicker fade.
The level of chemicals in box dye is a much higher concentration than those used in salons due to the ``one size fits all'' nature of the mixture. This usually means that it's more drying and damaging in general for your hair.
Use semi-permanent dye. There is no developer involved and just dye the strands that are grey. It's so non toxic that I can leave it in my hair without washing it out and it doesn't burn or damage. I use a baby toothbrush because I don't have a lot either and just target the area and my natural hair color is dark.
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!
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).
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.
Root Touch-Up Powders, Sprays, Tinted Dry Shampoos, Concealer Sticks and Crayons. Root touch-up powders and sprays are some of the easiest and fastest ways to cover grey roots without any commitment. These products deposit temporary color onto your roots, blending seamlessly with your natural hair.
While box dyes are cheaper upfront, they can end up costing more in the long run due to the potential need for corrective treatments. Salon dyes are more expensive initially, but they offer better results, longer-lasting color, and less damage, making them a worthwhile investment for many people.
Comparing Permanent, Semi-Permanent, and Demi-Permanent Hair Dyes. Permanent hair color has the greatest potential for hair damage due to the chemistry involved and should be done most cautiously. Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide combine to open up the hair's cuticle to reach the internal structure and make a color change ...
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.
How often should I dye my hair to cover grey hair? This depends on how quickly your hair grows, but often is between 4-8 weeks. If you're only just starting to grey, it may not be time to begin permanently colouring your hair.
Don't Mix with Professional Color
Because box dye has generalized ingredients, there's no telling how it will react to dye that's mixed specifically for your hair. If you have any professional color on your head, even if it's grown out, avoid the box dye completely.
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.
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.
“There are many ways that you can transition your hair [to gray],” says Whitney, “including having your hair dyed to match your roots, adding lowlights or highlights to help with the line of demarcation [i.e., the line where your pigment meets the grays], cutting your hair short or simply letting your natural hair ...
The Best Low-Maintenance Hair Colors for Gray Hair
Dimensional Brown: brunette shades that contain a mix of undertones will provide a beautiful dimensional result. It gives the added benefit of making the regrowth of gray hair look less noticeable than using a highly saturated uniform shade.
How to Hide Gray Hair With Hair Dye. If you only have a few grays coming through, celebrity hairstylist Rita Hazan recommends "camouflaging" the gray with some strategic highlights. "You can blend your grays into lighter highlights," Hazan tells POPSUGAR. "I would say those cover 10 to 15 percent of 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.
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.
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.