Insight

The 10 Best Hair Colors for Gray Hair That Look Totally Natural

Posted on by yun
18
Dec

Achieving and maintaining fabulous, evenly-toned hair between salon visits can be a formidable task, particularly when confronted with the presence of grays. The pursuit of the perfect hair color entails navigating various factors such as coverage effectiveness, achieving a natural appearance, utilizing non-damaging formulas, and ensuring longevity in color retention.

Understanding the nuances of coloring gray hair is crucial in selecting the most suitable products for individual needs. Gray hair, known for its coarse texture and closed cuticle, poses unique challenges during the coloring process. Experts advise applying color strategically, with a focus on the hairline, to allow for optimal processing time.

The selection of the best hair color involves a delicate balance between concealing grays effectively, maintaining a natural look, and ensuring the health of the hair. The products recommended in this guide not only provide optimal gray coverage but also come fortified with nourishing ingredients such as keratin, ceramides, and natural oils to protect and enhance the overall health of the hair.

In this ever-expanding landscape of hair color options, finding the perfect solution for individual preferences becomes an empowering journey. The recommended products, with their diverse formulations and features, offer a personalized approach to tackling the challenges of coloring gray hair at home. With these insights, achieving vibrant, salon-worthy hair in the comfort of one’s home becomes an attainable and enjoyable experience.

1. Why is Gray Hair Hard to Cover?

Gray hair presents unique challenges due to its coarse texture and closed cuticle, making it resistant to color penetration. Additionally, the absence of natural color in gray hair poses difficulties in providing a foundation for new color to adhere. To address this, experts suggest applying color around the hairline first, allowing it to process longer for better results.

2. Best Hair Dye for Gray Hair

For comprehensive coverage, permanent hair color is recommended over semi- or demi-permanent dyes, which may not cover grays adequately. Among the top choices is L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color. It offers 100% gray coverage, easy application, and a nourishing formula with ingredients like keratin, ceramides, and glycerin.

This product has garnered acclaim, being ranked 1 in hair color on Amazon with over 56,000 reviews. Users praise its efficacy, with one reviewer noting, “I am 61 years old with a LOT of gray hair. I am using it at home every 3 weeks, and love it! This is my [holy grail].”

3. To Highlight or Cover Gray Hair?

The decision to highlight or color depends on the end goal. Lighteners and highlighters soften hair and open the cuticle, suitable for gray blending. Opting for a color with excellent gray coverage in a light shade can bring tone back into the hair.

4. Lighter or Darker to Cover Gray Hair?

Choosing neutral or ash tones is advised to maintain a natural look, as darker colors may result in a distinct line of demarcation as grays grow out.

5. Safest Dye for Gray Hair

Gray hair, often finer and more brittle, requires careful consideration of ingredients. Avoiding peroxide in gray hair color is recommended to prevent unnecessary damage, especially for those with brittle grays.

Licensed cosmetologist Janel Sealy Smith emphasizes, “Always check if peroxide is used in your gray hair color… Some grays grow brittle, and peroxide may cause added unnecessary damage.”

6. How Often to Color Gray Hair?

Individual hair growth rates determine the frequency of coloring. On average, coloring every 4 to 6 weeks is suggested. To minimize damage, products containing ingredients like keratin or root touch-up options can be used between full treatments.

Wendy Gutkin, lead stylist for Schwarzkopf Color, provides a general guideline, stating, “Color hair as often as you need it. Everyone has hair that grows at different speeds and has different amounts of gray… It is safe to say that 4 to 6 weeks is the average time suggested between colors.”

7. Best Hair Colors for Gray Hair: Top Picks

1. Best Overall: L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color

  • Pros: 100% gray coverage, easy application, fortified with protective ingredients.
  • Cons: Contains ammonia, color may fade earlier for some, strong smell.

2. Best Moisturizing: Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Ultra Creme

  • Pros: Available in various shades, cruelty-free, vegan formula.
  • Cons: May require longer sit time for gray hair.

3. Best Ammonia-Free: Naturtint Permanent Hair Color

  • Pros: Paraben- and ammonia-free, made with natural ingredients, vegan and cruelty-free.
  • Cons: May not last as long as other box dyes.

4. Best Root Concealer Spray: L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up Gray Concealer Spray

  • Pros: Quick, temporary coverage, ammonia- and peroxide-free.
  • Cons: Only lasts between shampoos, fast and strong spray, protect skin during application.

5. Best Root Touch-Up Stick: KISS Root Touch Up 2-in-1 Cover & Conceal Kit

  • Pros: Quick, temporary coverage, two application options, water-resistant, infused with jojoba oil.
  • Cons: Coverage is temporary, may take long to dry, may stain clothing.

6. Best Permanent Root Touch-Up: Clairol Root Touch-Up Permanent Hair Dye

  • Pros: Quick, simple process, 22 color options, 100% gray coverage.
  • Cons: Only enough product for root coverage.

7. Best Natural: Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel

  • Pros: Natural herbal ingredients, ammonia- and paraben-free, cruelty-free, vegan.
  • Cons: No included cup, brush, or cape, color options may not cover all grays.

8. Best for Relaxed or Permed Hair: Softsheen Dark and Lovely Fade Resist Rich Conditioning Hair Color

  • Pros: Ideal for relaxed or permed hair, ammonia-free, nourishing formula.
  • Cons: May not last as long as other dyes.

9. Best for Brittle or Thinning Hair: Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color Cream

  • Pros: Long-lasting, 100% gray coverage, pre-color serum for protection, keratin-infused conditioner.
  • Cons: Slightly pricier, color may be darker than expected.

10. Best for Easy Application: Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color

  • Pros: Ammonia-free, keratin-infused formula, 100% gray coverage.
  • Cons: May not last as long as other box dyes.

Conclusion

Choosing the best hair color for gray hair involves a balance between coverage, safety, and convenience. Understanding the unique characteristics of gray hair and selecting the right product based on individual preferences and needs can result in a vibrant and natural-looking mane between salon visits. The plethora of options available ensures that there’s a suitable choice for every individual, offering a personalized and effective solution to the challenges of coloring gray hair at home.

yun