Simple tips to cover gray hair everyone should know
6 min read
From red carpet celebs to social media influencers, there are lots of people embracing their natural grays boldly and beautifully. But if you’re not ready to take that step, a color refresh could be what you need to cover your grays and feel comfortable and confident. We’ll share how your hair texture and type can impact gray coverage, how to pick the right color to cover gray hair, and tips for application and post-color haircare.
Start at the root: How texture affects hair color
Hair texture and type can have a big impact on how well your grays take to hair color. Fine hair tends to absorb color more quickly, so be careful not to leave color on too long. Try using a hair color to cover gray that’s formulated for fine or resistant grays.
Coarse hair, on the other hand, is more resistant to color so it might take longer for it to penetrate the strands and completely cover your grays. Coarse gray hair is also more noticeable, so a richer pigmented color can provide more natural-looking coverage.
If your hair type is wavy, curly, or coily, the natural oils in your hair can make it hard for color to distribute evenly. Make sure you take your time when applying hair color to cover gray hair.
Meet your match: Best hair colors to cover gray
When it comes to finding the ideal shade to cover your gray, your best bet is one that blends seamlessly with the rest of your hair color; ideally no more than one or two shades lighter or darker. If you’re new to dyeing your hair or want something low maintenance, opt for a single color.
If you’re looking for a bit more dimension, consider using complementary shades. For example, a slightly lighter shade on your roots and a slightly darker shade through the lengths of your hair.
Just like with makeup or skincare, skin tone influences what colors work best for you. Warm skin tones with yellow or golden undertones are complemented by colors like golden blonde, caramel, copper, honey, and toasty brown. Cool skin tones with pink or blue undertones look best with shades like ash blonde, platinum, cool brown, and black. Neutral skin tones can go either way, and it can be fun to experiment to see what looks best.
In terms of the type of hair color to cover gray, it’s good to know your options. Demi-permanent hair color offers gray blending and a subtle color change that gradually fades, which is great if you have dark hair and want to avoid harsh grow-out lines or just don’t want to commit to covering your grays long-term. Permanent hair color, on the other hand, offers full, complete gray coverage.
Take a strand: Cover gray hair on your own
If you prefer to color your hair at home or want to do touchups between salon appointments, here are some tips to keep your hair healthy and your roots covered.
Use the right tools. Most boxed dyes come with an applicator bottle, but a color brush (like a paint brush for your hair) offers more control and less mess. And, of course, don’t forget to wear gloves.
Test first. A strand test on a small, hidden section of hair can give you a preview of the color and coverage and help you spot any potential allergic reactions.
Break things up. Before you start coloring, use clips to section your hair into manageable parts. This helps ensure you don't miss any spots and that the color is applied evenly all over. When coloring the back of your head, pairing a handheld mirror with your regular bathroom mirror offers a clearer view.
Dry your hair. For maximum color absorption and vibrant, even coverage, ensure your hair is completely dry before you apply hair color to cover gray.
Start at the roots. If you’re coloring all your hair, start with the roots. It’s where gray growth starts to show first and also allows the color to process longer up top without over-processing the ends.
Cleanse and condition. Rinse hair with cold water first until the water runs clear. Follow up with color-protecting shampoo and conditioner to seal the hair cuticle, lock in the color, and leave your hair soft and shiny.
Touch up as needed. If you notice any spots where the gray coverage isn’t balanced, apply a small amount of the remaining hair color to the areas and process for a shorter amount of time than the initial application.
Blend away patchiness. If you end up with certain sections darker or lighter than others, blend them by applying a semi-permanent gloss or toner. This can help even out the color and give your hair a more cohesive look.
Lock in shine: Keep color-treated hair vibrant
Changing your hair color is just the beginning—now it’s time to show your strands some love! Want to keep your color vibrant and your locks looking lush? Just keep reading...
Use color-safe products. Products formulated specifically for color-treated hair can help keep your grays covered longer. Additionally, a color-depositing conditioner once a week can keep your color fresh.
Go easy on the heat.Tools like straighteners, blow dryers, and curling irons can potentially cause early fading. Limit how often you use them, and when you do, apply a heat-protecting spray or serum beforehand to minimize damage.
Shield from the sun. Overexposure to the sun can cause hair colors for gray hair to fade or even change tone. Use a hat or hair products that contain UV filters.
Protect from chemicals. Chlorine in swimming pools and salty sea water can be hard on colored hair, often causing it to fade. Before a swim session, wet your hair with clean water and apply a leave-in conditioner. Don’t forget your swimming cap.
Fight frizz. Humidity can sometimes cause colored hair to frizz or lose its style. Anti-frizz serums or hairsprays can keep your tresses looking sleek.
Avoid overwashing. Washing your hair too often can strip away the color and the natural oils that keep your hair healthy. Aim to wash two to three times a week max.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should you cover your gray hair, blend it, or embrace it as it is?
Gray hair color coverage is always a personal choice. There's no right answer to the blend vs cover vs embrace gray hair debate. Go for what best suits your daily routine, style preferences, and commitment to maintenance.
How do you do a root touch-up between full hair-color appointments?
Root touch-ups at home for gray hair color coverage can be managed with the right products. Opt for gray root cover up powders, sprays, or gray root concealers. These are generally applied around the hairline or parting for temporary coverage.
How do you transition from dyed hair to natural gray gracefully?
Gray hair color coverage doesn't mean you can never transition naturally to gray. Many gradually reduce full-color applications while simultaneously trimming previously dyed sections. To keep the process less noticeable, opt for root blending products or softer grow-out lines.
How do you choose a hair color shade that covers gray with a natural-looking result?
For natural looking gray hair color coverage, opt for a hair color shade for grays that blends closely with your existing depth. Extremely dark or light shades may create unwanted sharp contrast. Many prefer multi-tonal shades for a softer look.
How can highlights or lowlights help blend gray naturally without solid color coverage?
Highlights tend to create softer gray hair color coverage by blending gray strands more naturally. Lowlights for gray hair mostly add a darker dimension between lighter sections. Combined, they may bring down the need for solid all-over color coverage.
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