7 Tips on How to Hide Gray Hair

Regardless of your age, gray hair can make an appearance in your mane. Despite the recent rise in the popularity of shades of gray strands, not everyone is ready to embrace those silver streaks. If you’re wondering how to get rid of gray hair, the best place to start is with hair color. Whether that’s with a trip to the salon, an at-home hair color kit or a root touch-up spray, there are many different options available — ranging from temporary to permanent hair dye — when it comes to gray coverage. 

If you want to learn how to cover up your gray hair at home, we’re here to help.  Read on to find seven tips to help you cover gray hair, including the best hair color to cover gray hair, the best permanent hair dye for gray hair and other DIY solutions.

1. Cover It With Root Spray

If you regularly dye your grays and you’re in need of a quick fix between colorings, reach for a root cover-up spray like L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up to conceal larger areas of grays until there’s time for a more permanent solution. Just spray onto new growth and partly through the length of the hair to blend in the color with the rest of your hair and effectively hide gray roots. This quick and easy spray dries in a flash and doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue. The best part is the color will wash right out when you shampoo your hair.

 

2. Conceal Grays With a Touch-up Pen

For disguising those first few grays that start to pop up, you'll want a product that offers precise coverage, as opposed to one that'll cover a large area. That's where a root cover-up pen comes in. The L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Precision Pen features a unique precision brush that allows for easy, smooth application on any hair type or texture. Simply rotate the pen to dispense the product, then lightly dab the brush onto dry gray hair using swift strokes. Wait a minute for the product to dry, and you're good to go.

 

3. Try Out a New Part or Hairstyle

Hiding gray hairs can be as simple as trying out a different hairstyle. Depending on where your gray strands are located, switch up your hair part to conceal your grays. If your grays are at the center of your crown, try switching to a deep side part. If your grays are on the sides of your hairline, switch to a middle part so your face-framing hair can conceal it. It may not be a permanent solution, but if it buys time until you find one, then it can be a big help.

Crown braids are another great way to hide grays because it blends them with the rest of your hair. If you have a side part, you can create a braid across your forehead at the hairline. If you have a middle part, you can create a braid on each side, pulling your hair back to create a half-up hairdo.

4. Opt for Permanent Root Coverage

When you just need to refresh your roots, you can use a permanent hair dye to target those incoming grays. A dedicated permanent root color kit, like the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Root Rescue 10 Minute Root Hair Coloring Kit will do the trick and won't wash out with your shampoo. The brush applicator makes application quick and easy, delivering color that lasts for up to four weeks.

 

5. Use DIY Hair Dye for Gray Hair

When you discover your first gray hair, your first thought might be to run to the bathroom pluck it. Instead, we recommend putting your tweezers down and dying your hair. Luckily, there are permanent hair color kits that are perfect for making those salt and pepper pieces in your hair disappear without you ever having to leave your home. Take your pick from some of the best hair dyes for gray hair: 

 

L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Cool Supreme Permanent Gray Coverage Hair Color

The kit includes hair color, a gentle purple shampoo, and an anti-brass purple conditioner for complete gray coverage. If you’re a natural brunette, this kit is the best way to cover gray on dark hair because it offers gray coverage for up to eight weeks. 

 

L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color

This dye is formulated with a pro-keratin complex that will protect your hair — including stubborn grays — as it colors it. If you’re not sure how to pick your color, go lighter because it’s better for blending and concealing grays. The best blonde hair color to cover gray hair is something light and ashy, like the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Light Ash Blonde. It will match the silvery gray tones, resulting in a bright, vibrant and dimensional hair color. 

L’Oréal Paris Excellence Age Perfect

This pick is specifically developed to color mature, gray hair. Opt for a lighter shade, like Medium Natural Blonde or Light Natural Blonde and the result will look like a multi-dimensional color full of highlights.

 

L’Oréal Paris Men Expert One-Twist Hair Color

Hair dye for men is often overlooked, but this easy-to-use dye has a mess-free application and takes as little as 10 minutes from start to finish. Just twist the applicator, shake, and apply the dye to your hair. Leave it on for five minutes, rinse and you’ll have the perfect gray coverage for men.

6. Add Highlights

Highlights are great for blending grays with the rest of your hair and it doesn’t add too much maintenance to your routine. You can head to the salon, or add highlights to your hair at home with the L’Oréal Paris Féria Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System Bleach. You can stop there or further color the lightened pieces with L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color.

If you have light hair, go for blonde highlights in shades, like platinum, ash blonde and icy blonde. If you have dark hair, go for highlights that will add dimension, like caramel, light brown and gold. 

7. Give Grays Some Glitz

Hiding grays can also be fun. If you don’t have the time (or desire) to color your hair, look to hair accessories to detract from grays. A jeweled hair clip or headband can conceal your roots and graying strands while adding a touch of glam to your look. A cute hat can also be a great accessory that doubles as a quick way to conceal grays.

Next: The Best Way to Cover Grays on Dark Hair

 

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn