Simple Way to Cover Gray Hair

Updated on January 05, 2013
J.F. asks from Milledgeville, GA
11 answers

I'm only in my early thirties, but already have noticeable gray hair. (My hair is black so it shows.) Is there a way to cover it other than committing to dye and highlights for the rest of my life? I really don't want the hassle or expense, but I'm afraid I may have no choice.

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

I like Natural Instincts hair color. Very easy to use. I started in my mid-thirties. I've done it at a salon, but honestly the expense of that is crazy. I'll color my hair maybe every 3 months at a cost of $7-9 per color. Find a shade you like and stock up when they're on sale. :)

2 moms found this helpful
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T.W.

answers from Syracuse on

I had a friend that used a Nice & Easy or something similar on her dark brown almost black hair. She has quite a bit of gray. She used a shade that was just a tad lighter than her natural color, it ended up looking nice and the gray hairs ended up looking like highlights. She used a demi-permanent hair color which washes out after 20 shampoos, I think using a non permanent color to start with is a great way to try it out to see if you like it.

Lot's of people suggest going to Sally's so I'd try that.

Just wanted to add that my husband thinks it looks nice when women let their hair gray naturally. I still spend $$ to get highlights a few times a year...I have a few grays myself.

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J.K.

answers from Kalamazoo on

You can blend it with semi permanent color, or get subtle highlites to blend it, ombre (lighter ends and natural looking hilites) is in right now which requires much less touch ups but will still blend your grey. Most salons offer free consultations, go in and talk with a stylist about your options, price and how much upkeep it would require.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

The ion brand is great. You only mix what you need. So my tube & the developer last quite a while since I only need to cover a small section.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.V.

answers from San Francisco on

I have a friend in her late 30's early 40's who recently decided to let her gray show naturally. Her other color was jet black (natural). Her gray is all around her forehead and she looks like a skunk. She like's it, so that's the way it should be.

I have colored for a few years now and the products that are out there are pretty good. You don't have to spend $60 - $100 + in a salon (unless you can afford)....Coloring at home is easy and takes less then one hour. If you have really long hair, it might take a little more time.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I get the mix-as-you-go hair dyes from Sally. Ion is my brand. I mix only as much as I need - no need to waste a whole bottle from the box stores to cover just small areas. (ok, my areas aren't really small anymore.) Best thing is they have samples there and can help you find the color closest to your natural color, which allows you to just hit the roots every 4-6 weeks. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.F.

answers from Boston on

I am thinking of just shaving my head!!! but then I would be totally white! I have or had nice brown hair. My husband hates the grey well white when it grows. I just dye it every few weeks or so. Come to think if it he is all greay and does not dye his...why should I have to dye mine. lol

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Wear a hat!!??!! ;-))

Okay I know silly. Home color is really easy.

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J.C.

answers from New York on

Nope - sorry. And it's only going to get worse!

Try some of the below suggestions to take care of it yourself. I've found that as I' haven gotten more grey, my hair has gotten lighter so that it blends better. Now, I go to the salon every 5-6 weeks. More in the summer due to ponytails. It's expensive but what can I do.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

There's always the option of not trying to cover it up. Grays shouldn't make you feel "old".

I have a friend who started graying in her 20's. She's got olive skin, blue eyes, and dark hair. Frankly, when she quit trying to cover the gray, she had the most beautiful salt and pepper hair I've ever seen. There's no way to buy that in a bottle.

She is now completely white and it looks so great with her eyes and skin color. She has gorgeous, healthy hair to start with, so it looks amazing.

I'm blonde. I don't even try to avoid my grays. I welcome them!
My hair looks bright and shiny and highlighted. And it's free!

I don't have advice on covering the grays. I just know that people who do have to keep up with it quite a bit because they tend to get roots in reverse.

Best wishes.

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