Gray hair and products that cater to gray hair (and we LOVE a new beauty product) is having a main character moment right now. What was once considered a dreaded sign of aging has now become one of the biggest beauty trends of the year, and while we'd always recommend seeing a professional for any color change, achieving perfect, sterling silver locks can also be as easy as a trip to the drugstore.
Meet Our Experts: Tyraah Hopper, licensed hairstylist and professional colorist, Tara Potocki, licensed cosmetologist and professional hair colorist, Sam Griffith, colorist at Blast Blow Dry Bar in Austin, Texas
Whether you’re looking for a whole new look or have decided to officially embrace your natural color, “going gray” can be pretty stunning. If you're ready for glistening silver locks, read ahead to shop the best gray hair dyes, according to professional colorists, and then stick around for some expert tips on how to dye your hair gray at home.
1
Best For Temporary Coloring
Color Depositing Mask, Platinum Moroccanoil
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2
Best Scent
Semi Permanent Hair Dye Good Dye Young
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3
Best For Longevity
MyRefresh Color Depositing Conditioner mydentity
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4
Best For Permanent Color
Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color L'Oréal Paris
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5
Best For Dark Hair
Haircare Color Depositing Conditioner oVertone
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1
Best For Temporary Coloring
Moroccanoil
Color Depositing Mask, Platinum
2
Best Scent
Good Dye Young
Semi Permanent Hair Dye
3
Best For Longevity
mydentity
MyRefresh Color Depositing Conditioner
4
Best For Permanent Color
L'Oréal Paris
Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color
5
Best For Dark Hair
oVertone
Haircare Color Depositing Conditioner
6
Best For Vibrant Color
XMONDO
Color Slate Grey Hair Healing Semi Permanent Color
7
Best Temporary Dye
Clairol
Color Crave Temporary Hair Color Makeup
8
Best Budget
Arctic Fox
Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye
9
Best For Toning
Madison Reed
Color Reviving Gloss
10
Best For Maintaining Color Vibrancy
Keracolor
Clenditioner SILVER Hair Dye
11
Best For Natural Ingredients
KISS
Tintation Semi-Permanent Hair Color Treatment
12
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I dye my hair gray without bleach?
There are a few things you should know about dyeing your hair any color before you go at it. With gray in particular, in order to see maximum at-home results with vibrant color, your starting hair needs to be light blonde or professionally bleached.
“To achieve silver or gray, your hair needs to be platinum blonde or already a natural silvery gray,” says Potocki. If you have dark hair, it’s best to consult with a professional colorist because at-home bleaching can be dangerous.
How can I dye my hair gray at home?
Before you go all in, make sure you do a patch test. “A lot of dyes that you buy over the counter are not professional grade and you don’t know how your hair is going to react because not all dyes are the same,” says Hopper. “Always try dyeing a small piece of hair first to make sure it doesn’t damage the integrity of your hair, and that you actually like the color.”
Once your hair canvas is the correct tone, you’re going to need gloves, a mixing bowl, a brush to apply the product, and your desired dye. “Make sure you thoroughly read your home color hair instructions,” adds Potocki. “Following manufacturer instructions and being sure to know the processing time [for your desired product] is what will give you the best results.”
From there, section your hair into four parts. “Color is not shampoo, so do not just rub it around,” stresses Hopper. “Section your hair evenly and apply the color to each part to get maximum results and strong tones.”
How can I maintain my gray hair?
After coloring and achieving your desired results, use a shampoo or gloss formulated for gray or silver hair between washes like Jhirmack Silver Brightening Purple Shampoo or Oribe Silverati Shampoo. It's also best to touch up every couple of weeks to maintain vibrancy.
Also, remember that hair dye's main purpose is to stain, so make sure to apply in a protected area near your sink or in the shower, says Griffith. “Always use warm water when rising extra color down the sink [to protect from staining or color residue].”
For additional protection, use a barrier like Vaseline on the skin to avoid staining, and use towels or clothing you're comfortable getting dirty and/or ruined, he adds.
Andi Breitowich Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill.