Salon jobs and home-based hair care products don’t effectively solve persistent gray hair. It’s common to get unexpected results, such as hair appearing patchy and stark. In the worst-case scenario, dyes might fail to color your gray hair. But with the best professional hair color to cover gray hair, you can stain even the most persistent gray hair.
Their quality is much better than home-based dyes that most people use, and they camouflage gray hair better. Here are some of the best professional hair colors to use if you have gray hair.
What to Consider When Buying Best Professional Hair Color to Cover Gray Hair
When buying the best professional hair color to cover gray hair, you can include several points in your checklist.
- Gray Coverage
Hair color is manufactured to cover all the grey strands of hair on your head. They are more effective than the dyes that fail to camouflage the stubborn strands of gray hair. We advise you to buy those claiming full gray coverage to fix this issue.
Hair dyes package a quick pre-treatment to make gray hair more absorbent to color. However, don’t be tricked into buying these additional inclusions, as they are also not effective in solving gray hair.
- The Color
It’s a no-brainer that the color of the dye is a significant factor. We suggest you pick a color you’re comfortable with for the long term since it’s unadvised to use hair color frequently. Frequent use of dyes is unhealthy, and the effects are worse for mature gray hair as they are mostly dry.
Different hair shades bring out different looks, and thus, choose between warm shades for a summery look and cool shades. Also, consider whether the color blends with the grays or covers all the grays. Finally, opt for cool and ashy tones for hair color to camouflage gray hair. You can experiment with colors but always pay attention to your hair’s natural color.
- The Brand
The best professional hair color brand should be trustworthy and reputable. We recommend purchasing products from a salon or brand you have used before or which you trust.
- Ingredients
The best professional hair color to cover gray hair shouldn’t be harmful to your hair. Most hair dyes have ammonia, a chemical that destroys the hair cuticle. As much as ammonia is highly effective in coloring your hair permanently, it also has serious side effects. According to Avant Gard, using ammonia on your hair damages the cuticle, thereby compromising the integrity of the hair structure.
Instead, buy professional hair colors with shea butter and keratin that nourish and strengthen your hair. Despite this being a chemical process, your hair will become smooth and silky.
- Time Frame
Consider the duration you intend to wear that color. Permanent colors are the best for prolonged use as they don’t fade. On the other hand, temporary colors are easy to wash off and are ideal for trying out various colors.
Is It Better to go Lighter or Darker to Cover Gray Hair?
According to Ugly Duckling, the best option is colors that are a bit lighter than your natural hair color. It is best to go for at least two shades above your natural hair. For instance, if your hair color is brown, you should go for dark blonde or blonde. This is because it becomes easier to cover grey hair with lighter colors. Furthermore, you get a natural and younger appearance with softer hair.
What to Avoid Before the Coloring Process
Now that we’ve talked about what to do when preparing for coloring let’s go through what not to do. Observe the following to get the best results:
- Keep away from shampoos with sulfate.
- Don’t use chemicals.
- Avoid scratching your scalp.
- Don’t use products such as rubber bands as they stretch your hair.
- Don’t wear hair extensions.
Getting Ready for Hair Coloring
Visiting the salon to cover your grays with new hair color is quite the feeling. Moreover, your appearance and confidence levels skyrocket. But, despite the excitement, you have to prepare your hair to be healthy and perfect. Here are some tips to get your hair ready for conditioning.
- Condition your hair with hot oil treatment three days in advance. Your hair will take in color more efficiently with a hot oil treatment.
- On the day of color, leave your hair unwashed to retain the essential oils that help in the intake of color.
- Wash your hair with a detoxing shampoo to eliminate any accumulating products.
- As mentioned earlier, pick a slighter lighter shade than your hair. You might get bad outcomes if you choose the wrong color, even with the best stylist.
- Finally, remember you don’t always get what you see in the hair dye advertisements or packaging.
Tips to Correct DIY Hair Color Mistakes
Are you having trouble fixing mistakes in your hair coloring? Follow these tips to rectify your hair and make it look more natural.
- According to Garnier, you have to wash off the color soon to fix hair ruins in highly dark hair color. If you shampoo daily and leave it for three minutes, you can bleed the color. Use a shampoo that’s not advised for colored hair to wash off faster.
- Wear a hair mask at least twice a week to prevent pigments from spreading throughout the hair.
Which Is Better-Permanent, Semi-permanent, or Demi-Permanent Color?
The best option depends on the duration you intend your color to last. As the name suggests, permanent colors last new hair growth appears, while semi-permanent and demi-permanent colors bleed after a while.
- Permanent Color
Permanent color raises the hair cuticles to allow the pigments to enter the hair shaft and remain there. Thus, it would be a great option if you’re comfortable wearing that color permanently. They are also recommendable if you hate the hassle of coloring your hair often or aren’t interested in trying out new shades.
On the flip side, there will be a sharp contrast in hair color when gray hair growth starts to appear. However, a root retouch can fix this problem.
- Semi-Permanent and Demi-Permanent Colors
These colors wash out after a while and are best for experimenting with different shades. You’re safer if you prefer temporary dye since they aren’t harmful to your hair. However, they are pretty different.
Semi-permanent dye typically withstands three to six washes. Also, you can apply it weekly since it doesn’t penetrate your hair. Semi-permanent hair color doesn’t lighten your natural appearance since it doesn’t contain peroxides found in permanent and demi-permanent hair colors. So, you can only use them to darken your hair. For instance, if you are a honey blonde, you can color your hair brunette.
On the other hand, Demi-permanent dyes withstand twenty washes. Like permanent dyes, you should retouch them after six to eight weeks. Demi-permanent hair cannot lighten your natural appearance, but it penetrates your hair and thus lasts longer than semi-permanent hair color.
Best Professional Hair To Cover Gray for Brunettes
According to Livinggorgeous, Clairol perfect 10 by Nice’ n Easy is the best professional hair color to cover gray for brunettes. This dye has a medium brown shade that guarantees to cover your gray hair completely. Of course, you aren’t limited to this color, but it’s the go-to color if you’re a brunette with gray hair. Worry less about the dye not being enough for your hair because one package has two shades.
You should observe instant changes in hair color after applying this hair color. However, even if you go out in the sun, the color will still be vibrant with a uniform tone. More importantly, this hair color remains on your hair for up to 60 days, thus saving you coloring inconveniences.
This hair color comes with all required tools, such as a comb applicator. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying it for the best results.
How Often Should You Recolor Your Hair
According to Healthline, the soonest you should recolor hair is after six to eight weeks. However, note that some hair types fade faster while others are more resistant to bleeding. Different dyes also have different resistances to bleeding depending on their brand and lifespan of colors.
Within the first six weeks, you can use some hair products that prolong the lifespan of your hair color. But they aren’t a permanent solution, and you’ll have to recolor your hair after eight weeks. Coloring also applies to those with permanent hair colors since hair growth is inevitable, and strands of gray hair might appear.
How To Apply Hair Color Appropriately
Follow our tips below to cover your gray hair successfully.
Applying Hair Color Appropriately in 6 Easy Steps
Allocate Enough Time
Drop everything you’re doing and set aside enough time for this activity. Once you color your hair, you need to set a timer for checking the hair. Check your hair at fifteen-minute intervals to observe whether you’ve obtained the desired shade. Be patient, as you might require time to cover the stubborn gray hair.
Method and Technique
There are several hair coloring techniques at your disposal. For instance, you can style your hair with a brush in specific ways. Alternatively, you can use your hand to obtain a natural look. With practice, you’ll figure out the best technique for you.
Hair Preparation
Strengthen your hair by constantly oiling it and using hair masks and protein serums. As a result, the bleach won’t weaken or cause your hair to fall off. Use shower filters to eliminate any minerals in the water that cause the hair color to fade.
Light The Room
Ensure the room you will be coloring your hair in is well lit to see the progress. It’s also better to color during the day as you will see the actual final color in natural light. The artificial color illuminates the hair differently at night and might produce false results.
Patch Test
Always test the dye before dying all the hair to observe the results. In most cases, hair dyes will react differently depending on their chemicals and ingredients. Apply some hair color to the back of your arm and check for any signs of redness or irritations. If you do, halt the process and visit a dermatologist.
Check Your Hair
Finally, proceed to color your hair provided there are no signs. Watch this video on how to color your hair for a better visual explanation and avoid common mistakes.
Supply:
- Timer
- Hair dye
Best Professional Hair Color to Cover Gray
The following are the best hair colors to camouflage gray hair:
#1. Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal Permanent Color
Best Dye for Intense Color
- 100% gray hair coverage
- High color retention
- Intensely vibrant colors
- Uniform color equalization
- Water
- Cetearyl alcohol
- Glyceryl stearate
- Uniform distribution even on porous hair
- Softens and smoothens your hair
- It’s available in 110 vibrant colors
- Colors are vibrant and are true-to-swatch
- Doesn’t pack with a developer
#2. L’Oreal Professional Semi-Permanent Dia Richesse
Best Hair Dye for Healthy Hair
- Suitable for max 70% gray hair
- Lightens hair by 1.5 shades
- Natural-looking shades
- Great for dark hair
- Six weeks lifespan
- Glycol distearate
- Propylene glycol
- Lauric acid
- Has no ammonia
- Easy to use
- Enhances natural color
- None
#3. Clairol Natural Instincts
Best Hair Dye for Gray Hair
- Semi-permanent
- Enhances color
- Blends away grays
- 38 shades
- Coconut oil
- Aloe Vera
- Hexylene glycol
- Different hair colors for all
- Available in permanent, semi-permanent and demi-permanent
- Natural look
- Easy to apply
- It doesn’t contain ammonia
- A thin and runny mixture.
- It doesn’t have 100% gray coverage.
#4. Arctic Fox Vegan And Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
Best Dye for Pre-lightened Hair
- Semi-permanent
- Has 22 shades
- Patch test necessary before coloring
- A highly pigmented turquoise shade
- Vivid on pre-lightened hair
- Ammonia free
- Peroxide free
- Water
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Glycerine
- It’s completely vegan
- It’s cruelty-free with no ammonia
- Hydrating and long-lasting
- Delivers an elegant hair color
- No harmful chemicals
- Its consistency is slightly thick
- Fades quickly
- Stains a lot
#5. L’Oreal Majirel Lonene G Incell Permanent Crème Color
Best Dye for Strengthening Hair
- Propylene glycol free
- Paraben-free
- Has lonene and Incell technology
- Irritant free
- Propylene glycol free
- Paraben-free
- Has lonene and Incell technology
- Irritant free
- Strengthens and reinforces hair
- Has good hair coverage
- Fade-resistant color with several shades
- Color is true-to-patch
- Contains ammonia
#6. WELLA Color Charm Paints Semi-Permanent Hair Color
- Propylene glycol
- Steareth-2
- It’s rich in color depth
- The scent is mild but nice
- Has low ammonia levels
- Delivers a natural gray hair coverage
- It’s highly mixable without a developer
- Quick to fade
- Sometimes fails to produce results
#7. Clairol Professional Flare Me Hair Color
- Omega gloss
- Bold color
- Seven jewel-toned colors
- Water
- Propylene glycol
- Sodium hydroxide
- Conditions the hair to feel smooth
- Requires no pre-lightening
- Tone fades beautifully
- 100% gray coverage
- The final color isn’t consistent
- Not suitable for dark hair
- Fades quickly
#8. Wella Koleston Perfect Permanent Crème Hair Color
- ME+ technology
- Maximum of five lighter levels
- Fragrance
- Water
- Ammonium hydroxide
- Natural-looking hair color
- Nice scent
- Long-lasting
- Instructions aren’t clear
- The final color is inconsistent
- Contains ammonia
#9. L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Color
- Ammonium Hydroxide
- Cetearyl alcohol
- Propylene glycol
- Conditions hair after coloring it
- Nourishes and strengthens hair
- It’s thick and thus less messy
- Delivers a vibrant color in grays
- It might be darker than expected
- Your hair might dry out
- Has ammonia
#10. Revlon ColorSilk Beautiful Color
- UV defense
- Ammonia-free
- 100% gray coverage
- Water
- Fragrance
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- It covers the whole gray strand
- Rich in keratin and silk amino-acids
- Added colors with 3D color technology
- Has no ammonia
- It has a pungent smell
- Slight red tone
#11. Elgon Moda And Styling Hair Color
- Lactic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Highly pigmented to give vibrant colors
- Dermatologically approved
- Softens hair with a silk protein
- Fade-resistant due to a hydrophobic barrier
- It doesn’t come with a developer.
#12. John Frieda Precision Foam Color
- Benzyl alcohol
- Cetearyl alcohol
- Sodium Hydroxide
- It’s easy to apply
- Conditioner hydrates hair
- Long-lasting coverage to grays
- Made with a vegan formula
- It has a pleasant smell
- One box doesn’t fit long hair
- Causes hair to dry
#13. Zotos Age Beautiful Anti-Aging Haircolor, Permanent Liqui-Crème Hair Colo
- Water
- Propylene glycol
- Ammonium hydroxide
- It has a lovely scent
- Has nourishments to strengthen gray hair
- Promotes healthy hair and scalp
- It’s easy to apply
- One pack might be inadequate
- It might be a shade darker
#14. Pravana ChromaSilk Crème Hair Color
- Water
- Cetyl alcohol
- Cetearyl alcohol
- It has no irritating chemicals
- Has 100% gray hair coverage
- Nourishes hair with keratin
- It contains low amounts of ammonia
- The final color might be unexpected.
- Fades faster
#15. Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Crème
- Fruit oil ampoule
- Non-drip formula
- Easy to use
- Triple oils-avocado, olive, shear
- Water
- Cetearyl alcohol
- Ammonium-hydroxide
- Easy application
- Non-drip
- Cream texture
- Fades quickly
- Has ammonia and propylene glycol
- Has fragrant additives
FAQs About Hair Dye for Gray Hair
Which Hair Dye is Best for Grey Coverage?
L’Oréal Excellence Crème is the best hair color for stubborn gray coverage and is available in many tones. Excellence cream is available in 44 permanent shades, whether light blonde or black. It gives an even natural camouflage to all your stubborn gray hair. Moreover, you enjoy protection and conditioning for up to eight weeks from its collagen. Redo the color when new growth appears.
Why Does My Gray Hair Not Take Color?
The texture of gray hair causes it to take lesser color than younger hair. This resistance stems from gray hair having more inferior natural oils than more youthful hair, making it rough in texture. As a result, less color penetrates the hair, especially at the roots.
The amount of natural oil we produce gradually declines as we get older. Our scalp, in turn, becomes less oily, and our hair becomes rougher. This rough hair doesn’t allow the intake of color. Gray hair also acts independently and might not cooperate with hair dyes.
Is It Better to Go for Ammonia or Ammonia Free Hair Color?
You should use ammonia-free hair color. There are several reasons to choose ammonia-free hair color instead of ammonia hair color. For instance, ammonia hair color contains ammonia which causes itchiness of the scalp, whereas ammonia-free hair color doesn’t cause an itchy scalp.
Ammonia-free hair color also promotes healthy hair. Ammonia offsets your hair’s pH balance and causes protein loss and dehydration of your hair. Thus, opt for ammonia-free gray coverage hair color to protect your hair.
Finally, ammonia products usually have a pungent smell because the small-sized ammonia molecules stay on the hair for a short while after application. This foul smell might irritate the eyes or cause difficulties in breathing. On the other hand, Ammonia-free hair products don’t have a pungent smell.
Is There Any Long-lasting Ammonia-free Dye?
Permanent ammonia-free dye indeed exists. However, different brands offer different features and types of permanence. Initially, ammonia-free hair colors quickly faded, which put off many people. The hair color wasn’t getting into the hair cortex, and thus ammonia-free products were considered semi-permanent hair dye.
Conclusion
Coloring gray hair can be pretty challenging as they tend to be stubborn. However, with professional hair colors, the task becomes easy. Unlike the common homemade dyes, these products guarantee you success in coloring your hair.
We’ve gone over many hair colors, but you don’t have to try out all of them. Clairol Natural Instincts is an honorable mention because it’s excellent for all hair types. Furthermore, it doesn’t contain ammonia and thus does not irritate even as hair growth continues. Practice hair coloring techniques, and with no time, you’ll master the methods. If you change your mind and still prefer having gray hair, I can suggest you check our guide for the best shampoo to suit your needs.
