Gray hair is an inevitability for a lot of people. It’s just a part of aging that we get signs like wrinkles, sagging skin, and gray hair, amongst many others. For some, choosing to age gracefully is preferred. Little to no interference when it comes to preventing these signs from showing. And that’s a powerful statement! Everyone ages, right? Why should anyone be ashamed of showing the beauty in it?
However, it is also a valid choice to ward off these signs of aging for as long as possible. After all, a more youthful appearance can boost confidence and present a more vibrant appearance. If you’re not quite ready to rock those gray locks yet, we have some great options for you to play around with. Here are some of the best hair color ideas for gray hair.
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Is it better to go lighter or darker with gray hair?
Going lighter or darker will usually depend on your desired look, your natural hair color, and the amount of gray hair you have. For example, it’s usually better for those who have lighter hair to maintain a lighter color to avoid a muddy quality. But for those who have naturally dark locks, refreshing the roots with a darker color is a good way to cover regrowth without having to touch the rest of the hair.
If you wish to blend your hair color with gray hair, it’s better to go lighter. But for those who want complete coverage, going dark is a better option.
Highlights
Highlights are a coloring technique that takes various pieces of hair and lightens them while keeping the remaining hair darker. This gives a sunkissed look full of depth.
This is a good way to blend your grays in because the highlighted bits will have to be bleached to achieve the effect. Having the hair not be all one color and having lots of lighter pieces will also help the gray hair blend in better.
Ash Blonde
Ash blonde is very on-trend right now and one of the best color choices to hide gray hair. Unlike warmer tones of blonde highlights, the cooler, ashier quality of this color will make it look almost gray. This means that when your gray hair grows in, it’ll blend in with the ash blonde and give the appearance of highlights.
Caramel
If you prefer a warmer look that goes well with any skin tone, caramel highlights are the way to go. This is a timeless classic that will suit anyone. While warmer than an ash color, caramel highlights can still blend in with gray hairs because of its light blonde bits.
Balayage
A balayage is very similar to highlights in the way that it takes various pieces and lightens them. However, the technique and overall finished look are a bit different. Rather than have even coverage throughout the hair with lighter pieces, a balayage looks almost like a waterfall and will have lighter pieces that start at the root while other pieces will only be lightened from the middle or even just the ends of the hair. The ends are also a lot more saturated with lighter bits.
An ash blonde or caramel balayage will give a similar effect to highlights in the way that it allows the gray hairs to blend in with the lighter pieces.
Fun Colors
You’ve decided to color your hair now, so why not have a little fun with it? There are a few fun colors that you can try out and still have it blend in with your gray hairs.
Silver
This one’s a bit on the nose but still definitely a goody. Silver hair is quite chic and high fashion. You can do a full head of silver or opt for a balayage or highlights with some darker pieces. Once your grays start growing in, they will practically be undetectable.
Lavender
Lavender is a good unconventional color to choose if you still want to blend your gray hair. It’s a light, soft color that blends in nicely once your gray hair starts to grow.
Pastel Pink
Pink is always a fun and flattering color. Pastel pink is a good way to go if you want your regrowth to blend in with your color. It’s light enough to go well with the gray hairs growing in. This color also fades quite nicely as it starts to wash out.
Sky Blue
Sky blue is a beautiful light color that can also suit most skin tones. The light, cooler tones of this color will help it blend in with gray hair. Watch out, though! Blue is a very tough color to get out of the hair. You’ve got to be committed!
Hair Color Shampoo
Hair color or hair dye shampoo is a good way to save some extra bucks and a lot of time. If you want to go darker and don’t want to go to the salon every week, a hair color shampoo is a way to go.
Grays grow out quickly and if you want to go dark, it can be very hard to maintain the look. With a hair color shampoo, you can quickly touch up your roots on hair-washing day.
What type of hair color covers gray hair best?
Gray hairs are a lot different than the rest of your hair. They are de-pigmented, coarse, and undernourished. This is because the follicles of these hairs are dormant or not functioning properly, resulting in gray hairs that have a hard time absorbing nutrition.
This means that gray hair is a lot harder to color and cover than normal hair. The best type of color to use on gray is permanent color. This is because the permanent color doesn’t just deposit color on the surface but also penetrates the hair. This will ensure full coverage even on gray hairs.
Don’t forget to care for your gray hair!
As established, gray hairs are coarse, dry, and undernourished which makes them a lot more vulnerable to damage especially when coloring. Make sure to combat this by using nourishing products aside from your regular cleansing and styling routine.
Hair Mask
A hair mask is a great way to repair your hair regularly after typical wear and tear. You can use a hair mask 1-2 times a week to restore moisture, shine, and strength in your hair.
Protein Treatment
A protein treatment is highly recommended after coloring hair. Coloring can be a very damaging process and your hair will require a lot of TLC. Getting a protein treatment coats the damaged cuticle and patches up the holes with a protective layer of keratin. Not only will this help strengthen and repair the hair, but it also gives a shiny and smooth finish.
Deep Conditioner
Deep conditioners are needed once in a while to restore much-needed moisture in the hair. This is an incredibly concentrated moisturizing treatment that’s suited for dry, undernourished gray hair. Do a deep condition every week or 2 weeks depending on your hair’s needs.
Going Gray Is Okay!
Selecting and experimenting with different colors to go with your gray hairs is a great way to boost confidence, enhance your appearance, and have a little fun with it. You may not be quite ready yet to rock those natural grays but remember that going gray is a-okay! It simply means that you are entering another chapter in life and that’s an amazing accomplishment.
