Hair Color
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07.12.2021
7 of the Best Colors to Cover Gray Hair
When it comes to gray hair, there’s no wrong or right; your clients can embrace those shimmering silver strands or seamlessly blend their roots away with your help. You’ve got the techniques down, leaving you with only one thing to consider: what are the best colors to cover gray hair?
Now, your client may want to just go with their natural hue, asking you to match it through the roots to get grays under wraps – all without undergoing a major transformation. However, if they’re looking for a fresh, new shade that comes with the bonus of covering grays, keep scrolling for the very best camouflaging colors, from platinum to golden brown…
1. Blonde Highlights
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There are three reasons we recommend blonde highlights when covering grays. First up, the difference between blonde and silver shades is subtle, so gray roots won’t appear as visible – even if it’s been six to eight weeks since your client’s last appointment. The second reason is because highlights and babylights allow you to tactically target gray patches, meaning you’re able to hone in on and treat the most stubborn stray strands. Finally, highlights (and lowlights, too) soften the root area, reducing the demarcation line you might see with an all-over dye. That said, bright blonde ‘lights on dark hair can emphasise the look of grays, which is why the next technique may be a better option for brunettes…
2. Subtle Lowlights
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If your clients are not looking for an all-over color switch and you don’t want to take locks lighter, adding a few subtle lowlights can disguise low-level graying while lending a volume boost. It all comes down to clever placement, with you carefully picking out gray strands, then painting them in a shade that’s two or three levels deeper than the base. Just be aware that gray regrowth contrasts against brown lowlights, which means you should feather toner at the roots to create a softer baseline.
3. Soft Silver
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You’re ticking two boxes here; you’re covering grays by getting them blended away, but you’re also leaning into the natural graying process by working a silver mane. The result? If your client’s roots are coming in entirely gray, you’ll get the subtlest regrowth going. Plus, silver shades remain on trend, so you’re nailing one of this year’s hottest looks. If you go down this route, take a peek at your client’s natural gray pattern first. This will help you figure out a shade of silver and an application technique that works for your client. For example, if your client has a mix of icy white and charcoal strands through the temples, you can match this multi-tonal effect through the lengths.
4. Ice Blonde
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For grays that are on the lighter side (think white or pale silver), an icy blonde hair transformation guarantees stray roots are virtually undetectable. Best for those with existing cool undertones, this shade will create a seamless blend – though it may take a couple of lifting sessions to reach the perfect hue. Set expectations with your clients and prepare them to schedule two or three appointments to reach a frosty sheen. It’ll be worth it when their hair shimmers, and those gray roots can only be spotted with a magnifying glass.
5. Warm Brown
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Real talk: only around 2% of us are truly natural blondes, while black or dark brown hair makes up over 75% of the world’s population. That means, for the majority, grays create a clear contrast against our natural color, with silvers sparkling brighter on a brunette base versus a blonde. However, that doesn’t mean you should be ditching browns and reaching for the bleach; if your client is a die-hard dark brunette, all you need to do is opt for a warmer undertone. Ash brown or cool black shades can make us look a little more tired as we get older, while golden brown or chocolate brown hues help your complexion glow. What more could you ask for from a hair color?
6. Radiant Red
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It’s a myth that redheads don’t go gray. Red hair often fades lighter as it loses its pigment over time, so if you want to get your client back to their brightest and boldest, a mahogany or cool copper shade could be your new go-to. If you opt for mahogany, be sure to apply it all-over, which will ensure you catch every last gray and get hair looking ultra-radiant. To work with your client’s grays, try copper highlights, which can be applied over the top of white pieces or intertwined in between them.
7. Gloss in Any Shade
Image Credit: @shaunaformanhair
It’s true that gray hair can feel a little wiry. This is because, as we age, the oil glands in our scalp produce less sebum, causing strands to become coarser and drier. For this reason, gray hair tends to look slightly dull, which means – even if you’re sticking with a natural salt ‘n’ pepper look – a Pure Glossing Service can be the perfect pick-me-up to help you get that glow back. Unlike a usual color appointment, this technique uses just a small level of toner to enhance your existing shade, mimicking the effect of a shiny topcoat. Best of all, it’s a quick fix that can be completed in the space of a lunchbreak, so your client can be in and out of the salon in under an hour when lackluster locks need a boost.