How to Cover Gray Hair

Co-authored by Matt King

Last Updated: November 2, 2022 References

Getting grey hair can be frustrating and trying to cover it up can prove just as difficult. Dyeing grey hair is the most popular option and you can choose from semi-permanent, demi-permanent, and permanent hair dye to do so. Alternatively, you can use other methods to cover up your grey hair such as choosing a different hairstyle, using hair mascara, or trying out henna.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Dyeing Your Hair

1
Choose a shade as close to your natural hair color as possible. While it may be tempting to pick a darker tone to ensure that the grey hairs will be covered, the aim of using dye to cover greys is to make it look as though you haven’t dyed your hair at all. Ask your hairstylist what shade would suit your hair best, or if you are dying your hair at home, get a friend to help you determine the shade that best matches your natural color.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Be careful not to leave the dye in your hair for any longer than the instructions indicate. This is because it will keep getting darker with time.
- If you are wanting to get highlights or lowlights, talk to a professional about what shades would work best with your natural color.
- If your hair is 100% grey, you can dye it any color you like! Grey is your natural hair color now, so choose whatever color you think looks best on you.
2
Use semi-permanent dye if your hair is 20-25% grey. Semi-permanent dye is ideal if you are just starting to go grey. It lasts for 8-12 washes, which means that if you don’t like the color you have chosen, it can easily be changed. You can dye your hair with semi-permanent dye either at a salon or at home.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Semi-permanent dye doesn’t completely cover grey hair in the same way that permanent dye does. Instead, it works to blend the grey with your natural hair color. This dye stains the grey hairs to make them appear highlighted against your natural color.
- Although semi-permanent dye doesn’t last as long as demi-permanent dye, it does give your hair a richer and shinier color.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Use demi-permanent dye if your hair is less than 50% grey. If you want to explore your options for covering your hair, then demi-permanent dye is a great option. It lasts up to 24 washes and is less expensive than permanent dye. Get your hair dyed at a local hair salon or purchase demi-permanent dye to get it done at home.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Demi-permanent dye tends to last twice as long as semi-permanent dye. This is because it has a stronger hydrogen peroxide concentration which opens the hair cuticles to inject the color.
4
Choose a permanent dye for the best coverage. Either dye your hair at home or get it done professionally at a salon. Permanent dye won’t wash out of your hair like demi or semi-permanent dyes, which means that you only need to add more dye as your roots grow out.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Dyeing your hair at home is less expensive; however, getting your hair dyed by an expert at a salon is more likely to result in a look that you are happy with. This is because professionals will be able to determine the right color and type of dye for your hair.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- Unlike semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair dyes, permanent dyes contain ammonia which allows the dye to penetrate deeply into your hair cuticles. Permanent dye is a good next step after semi or demi-permanent dye no longer gives you the coverage that you want.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
5
Dye your roots as they grow out every 3-6 weeks. Pick the same color that has been used for the rest of your hair. Use the brush that is provided with the dye and follow the directions on the label carefully. Apply the dye to the root area of your hair where you notice the greys. There is no need to dye all of your hair.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- You can get your roots touched up at a salon; however, because it is a treatment that will need to be done regularly, it is more cost-effective to do it at home.
- If you went to a salon originally but want to do touch-ups at home, make sure you get the formula for your color before you leave the salon. Your stylist will blend a shade just for you, so you'll need to know how to replicate that color if you want your roots to match the rest of your hair.
- You can purchase dye treatments that are specifically designed for touching up the roots. Alternatively, you can use just a small amount of your regular hair dye.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Other Alternatives

1
Part your hair on the side that has fewer greys. If your grey hair tends to grow on the top and middle of your head, then parting your hair in the middle will expose the worst of your grey hair. Try parting your hair slightly more towards the left or the right side to see if that helps to cover your greys.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Changing your parting helps to cover grey hair most effectively when you don't have many greys and your hair is still mostly your natural color.
2
Pick a new hairstyle that covers your roots for a quick fix. Hairstyles such as braids or top knots are ideal as they cover your roots and don’t involve a parting. This is a quick way to cover up grey roots in between dyes.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Avoid hairstyles such as ponytails which expose new growth as this is where grey hair will be the most obvious.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
3
Use a hair mascara if you want to cover only a few grey hairs. Hair mascara is a temporary solution to covering grey hair. Start at the roots and carefully brush it down through your hair. This is done in the same way that you use regular mascara on your eyelashes. ^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Color sprays, color mousses, and hair chalk all provide similar temporary coverage. You can wash them out with one wash.
- These products can be purchased from drugstores or online. They will last until you next wash or wet your hair.
- This is an ideal solution if you only have a couple of grey hairs and you don’t want to dye your hair.
- Regular eyelash mascara also works well as a quick fix for grey hairs if you don’t have anything else. Pick a color that closely matches your natural color and run the brush down each individual grey hair that you want to cover.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
4
Use henna to naturally stain your hair reddish-brown. Mix together the henna powder with water and then set it aside for 10-12 hours. Apply the henna to your hair, starting at the roots and working your way towards the tips. Wait for 1-4 hours and then wash the henna out with cold water.
- You can purchase henna at a drugstore, beauty supply store, or online.
- Henna starts to fade naturally after approximately 4 months. It is only able to stain your hair a few different shades of reddish-brown, and the intensity of these are determined by how long you leave it in for.
- Henna is a suitable alternative to hair dye for people who have have sensitivities or allergies towards the chemicals in regular dye.
5
Embrace your grey hair to avoid the pressure of keeping it hidden. Although many men and women choose to cover up their grey hair, ultimately it is a personal decision and you don’t have to hide it if you don’t want to. Grey hair is becoming a fashion statement, with many celebrities choosing to embrace their natural beauty as they age. Try not covering up your grey hair for a while and see how you feel. It may make you feel more confident than ever!^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Choosing to cover up your grey hair or choosing to let it grow out is a decision that should be based entirely off how you feel. Do what feels right for you.^{[15]
  X
  Research source}

Warnings

While dyeing your hair at home is more cost-effective than going to a salon, getting your hair dyed by a professional is more likely to give you a result that you are comfortable with. If you make any mistakes when dying your hair, don’t try to fix it yourself as this could make it worse. Visit your local hair salon for advice.^{[16]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Don’t pluck out your grey hairs. Once the hair grows back it will be more noticeable because it will stand straight, rather than blending in, for a few months.^{[17]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0