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Lately, the prevailing mentality regarding gray hair has shifted. How to cover gray hair (at least drastically) is not the biggest concern most have. See, no longer are gray hairs seen as a symptom of neglect or looking unkempt; now, gray hair is often seen as a chic statement of its own. To that end, many people are embracing them and letting their natural grays grow out completely. Just take a look at celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Julia Fox, and Andie MacDowell to see what we mean.
Of course, many prefer not to let our gray hairs show. No judgment here—to each their own! Luckily, learning how to cover gray hair has never been easier. There are more options for covering grays without resorting to harsh permanent dyes or time-intensive highlights than ever before.
Read on for a breakdown of how to cover gray hair without causing damage or leaving a harsh line of new growth at the roots—from temporary at-home fixes to longer-lasting ways to blend those white hairs.
Key Takeaways
- There are many ways to hide gray hair without having to dye it permanently. You can turn to root sprays and powders for a root touch-up, color-depositing gloss treatments, and semipermanent dyes that wash out easily.
- You can also turn to styling tricks and hair accessories to cover gray roots.
Root sprays and root powders
Root sprays and root powders offer a quick and temporary way to cover up gray hairs: Simply choose a shade that matches your natural color and apply to the roots. They’re both great options for those moments when new gray growth just barely starts to appear or you need a quick fix between dye jobs. They work much like undereye concealers—but for your hair, obviously. They are available in a range of shades and formulations.
Because root sprays and root powders are completely temporary, they will usually wash out after just one shampoo. And though they can sometimes be messy to apply, most formulations are relatively fuss-free. Better yet, many people love them because they have the added benefit of creating fullness at the roots or filling in the look of thinning hair.
Semipermanent hair color
While permanent dyes penetrate the hair shaft and make it more porous, semipermanent dyes cover the outer layer of the hair strand without altering natural pigmentation or the use of bleaching agents. They are sort of similar to nail polish: They cover the surface with color, but wear off over time without leaving a trace—and without affecting the quality of the base.
They are also available in a range of options, from conditioner-like glosses that can be used in the shower to kits that are applied to dry hair and left to sit before being rinsed.
For best results, choose formulations that offer vibrant color and follow the package directions to help achieve natural, long-lasting intensity. Keep in mind that most semipermanent dyes will only tint the hair, offering a diffused coverage of grays that can last between 4 and 12 washes or up to six weeks.
Many people prefer the results—especially thanks to the gentle, diffused coverage that adds shine while blurring the appearance of grays. Semipermanent hair color is also a great way to experiment with different tones since the results won’t last forever.
Demi-permanent hair color
For a longer-lasting result, try a demi-permanent hair color, which is considered a halfway point between semipermanent and permanent hair color. Demi-permanent hair color works by penetrating the outer cuticle of hair strands because it contains ammonia-free developer that opens the hair shaft before depositing the color. This allows the color to last longer than semipermanent colors, while reducing the damage typical of permanent options since it does not penetrate the entire hair shaft.
Demi-permanents also offer more coverage, hiding up to 70% of grays. They usually last up to 28 shampoos or six weeks before fading away.
Styling Tips for Covering Gray Hair
Gray-hair coverage is pretty simple if you style your hair correctly. Celebrity hairstylist Evanie Frausto recommends shifting your part away from the most visible areas. “Side parts or subtle zig-zag parts work really well,” says Frausto. He also recommends adding lift with a texturizing or volumizing spray; this will give your hair natural movement to disguise grays.
Or you can grab your hair accessory of choice to strategically cover those gray roots (and it’s one of the more scalp-friendly options out there). He suggests using a headband, bandana, scarf, or decorative clips to achieve a polished look while hiding gray hair.
Gloss Treatments
One turns to glossing treatments to boost your natural shine and hair color. But as far as gray hacks are concerned, they also come in handy when looking for temporary gray coverage. “Glossing treatments are a great way to add shine while softening the appearance of grays,” says Frausto. He recommends something like the Redken Shades EQ, which he says deposits a touch of pigment that blends the grays seamlessly to look like natural highlights.
Gray Blending Techniques
Frausto also recommends incorporating highlights or lowlights to diffuse the gray colors in your hair. The gray blending technique is a strategic mix of highlights and lowlights to blend in those grays with your natural hair color. Celebrity colorist and co-owner of Crane hair salon Cass Kaeding once told Vogue that this technique gets you a softer line of demarcation when your roots start to grow out and gives you some dimension throughout. While it doesn’t hide your grays completely, it is a more natural-looking way to make them less noticeable.
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