Be careful not to leave the dye in your hair for any longer than the instructions indicate. This is because it will keep getting darker with time. If you are wanting to get highlights or lowlights, talk to a professional about what shades would work best with your natural color. If your hair is 100% grey, you can dye it any color you like! Grey is your natural hair color now, so choose whatever color you think looks best on you.
Semi-permanent dye doesn’t completely cover grey hair in the same way that permanent dye does. Instead, it works to blend the grey with your natural hair color. This dye stains the grey hairs to make them appear highlighted against your natural color. Although semi-permanent dye doesn’t last as long as demi-permanent dye, it does give your hair a richer and shinier color. [3] X Research source
Demi-permanent dye tends to last twice as long as semi-permanent dye. This is because it has a stronger hydrogen peroxide concentration which opens the hair cuticles to inject the color.
Dyeing your hair at home is less expensive; however, getting your hair dyed by an expert at a salon is more likely to result in a look that you are happy with. This is because professionals will be able to determine the right color and type of dye for your hair. [6] X Research source Unlike semi-permanent or demi-permanent hair dyes, permanent dyes contain ammonia which allows the dye to penetrate deeply into your hair cuticles. Permanent dye is a good next step after semi or demi-permanent dye no longer gives you the coverage that you want. [7] X Research source
You can get your roots touched up at a salon; however, because it is a treatment that will need to be done regularly, it is more cost-effective to do it at home. If you went to a salon originally but want to do touch-ups at home, make sure you get the formula for your color before you leave the salon. Your stylist will blend a shade just for you, so you’ll need to know how to replicate that color if you want your roots to match the rest of your hair. You can purchase dye treatments that are specifically designed for touching up the roots. Alternatively, you can use just a small amount of your regular hair dye.
Changing your parting helps to cover grey hair most effectively when you don’t have many greys and your hair is still mostly your natural color.
Avoid hairstyles such as ponytails which expose new growth as this is where grey hair will be the most obvious. [11] X Research source
Color sprays, color mousses, and hair chalk all provide similar temporary coverage. You can wash them out with one wash. These products can be purchased from drugstores or online. They will last until you next wash or wet your hair. This is an ideal solution if you only have a couple of grey hairs and you don’t want to dye your hair. Regular eyelash mascara also works well as a quick fix for grey hairs if you don’t have anything else. Pick a color that closely matches your natural color and run the brush down each individual grey hair that you want to cover. [13] X Research source
You can purchase henna at a drugstore, beauty supply store, or online. Henna starts to fade naturally after approximately 4 months. It is only able to stain your hair a few different shades of reddish-brown, and the intensity of these are determined by how long you leave it in for. Henna is a suitable alternative to hair dye for people who have have sensitivities or allergies towards the chemicals in regular dye.
Choosing to cover up your grey hair or choosing to let it grow out is a decision that should be based entirely off how you feel. Do what feels right for you. [15] X Research source
