What color of paint to choose for gray hair – and other unexpected questions about gray hair

Although gray hair is a normal aspect of aging, many questions arise. While some see it as an opportunity to embrace a brand-new appearance, others are concerned about how to keep their current style. The hardest thing to decide on is what color to dye your hair to go with those silver strands. Is it better to go lighter, darker, or to embrace the gray completely? Many people have to make these choices as the transition draws near.

However, the inquiries don’t end there. What about the texture alterations that graying hair frequently brings about? Or how should your hair be taken care of to maintain its best appearance? It can feel more difficult than expected to manage gray hair because of these unforeseen circumstances.

We’ll address some of the most frequently asked questions regarding gray hair in this post, including care recommendations and color options, so you can feel comfortable accepting this new stage of your hair journey.

Intro

Gray hair doesn’t just appear with aging; a variety of circumstances can add up to "the silver of life experience." This may be due to a genetic predisposition or extreme stress in youth. It’s interesting to note that hair type has an impact on both the color and timing of gray hair.

At the age of 14, I began to go gray, and now that I’m 37, I constantly need to paint over my thick gray hair. It felt like nothing could handle it at times. The issue can be resolved with ease: schedule a consultation with a skilled colorist, and the stylist will select the optimal option for your hair type. Is it fascinating to pry into the business dealings of experts? Continue reading after that. You’ll discover today how experts select a color, kind of coloring, and paint that covers gray hair "from start to finish."

What type of coloring is best suited for gray hair

Selecting the type of coloring is crucial before determining what paint color is best for gray hair in a given situation. Choose the kind and quantity of gray hair in order to accomplish this.

Three varieties of gray hair exist:

  • regular — gray hair is no different in structure from hair that has not yet lost its color pigment;
  • bristly — the structure of the hair changes, which complicates the penetration of dye into the layers of the cuticle;
  • glassy — gray hair becomes stiff, difficult to color.

In theory, coloring gray hair can be challenging because graying hair loses melanin, or its natural pigment, and becomes brittle and stiff. However, coloring gray hair is just like coloring any other type of hair. Dealing with glassy and bristly gray hair is challenging.

According to the expert, there are three techniques used in professional coloristics to paint over "problematic" gray hair:

This is, in general, the process of the hair cuticle being loosened to allow the artificial pigment to penetrate the hair more easily. Pure hair is treated with an oxidizer and left for the necessary amount of time. After that, we use a towel to "pull off" the extra oxidizer and apply the dye formula.

We use less oxidizer and more dye to get a bristly mixture. As a result, the composition has a pH that is more alkaline, better opens the cuticle, and has more pigment. This raises the likelihood that gray hair will be heavily painted over for the first time.

The process is carried out right before coloring in order to incorporate an artificial pigment into the hair structure that complements the lighting background. The colorist dilutes a cream dye with water to make it one tone lighter than the desired shade. An oxidizer does not need to be added! Apply the composition evenly to the hair’s trouble spots. After 15 minutes, comb through the hair and use a towel to wipe away any extra paint. This is the standard staining process, but it’s already the shade that you want.

The quantity of gray hair:

  • For abundant (up to 100%) gray hair It is recommended to stain one tone (for example, a total blond), since relief staining techniques can complicate the task of the colorist and grow worse-the transition of color between the roots and the main length is more noticeable;
  • for moderate (up to 50–75%) gray hair Ideal Balayazh, Eirtach, Shatush, Valine highlighting and other relief staining techniques that perfectly camouflage gray strands and do not violate the harmony of the image even when the basic zone is growing;
  • for the first (up to 25%) gray hair Any techniques are suitable, including plain tinting. Besammiac dye toner camouflages the rare silver glare shining in the total mass of hair. But the shade should be from a dark palette: dark brown, chestnut or black.

Experts at SalonSecret provide a life hack. Natural beauty enthusiasts aim for gray hair growth rather than coloring it, but this requires extra care. For instance, stylists advise using care products with purple pigments in the composition to neutralize yellowish gray hair that appears to have absorbed the unclean air of a large city.

Professional brands offer a variety of products that not only eliminate undesirable yellow tones from hair but also impart a fashionable silvery hint to light blondes and gray hair, like So Silver from Matrix. Hair receives complete care from shampoo, conditioner, nourishing toning mask, and spray, which provide it with nutrition, hydration, and defense against breakage when combing.

Similar qualities but with a distinct personality can be found in L’Oréal Professionnel’s Silver range. Ceramides and babassu oil will take care of the softness and shine of hair.

What color of paint is suitable for gray hair

Women who have already experienced gray hair are aware that it completely alters everything. Our favorite shades and go-to dyeing methods can start to work against us. Almost all colorists will identify a natural warm palette as the shade of hair color that looks better on gray hair and fades more slowly. Does this imply that ladies with gray hair can only accessorize in shades of golden chestnut, creamy beige, and wheat blondes? No, "better" does not imply "there is only one way to do it."

Many nuances need to be considered in order to ensure a perfect color match, including age, skin tone, and the original tone of the strands. What colors of hair dye will therefore be most effective in permanently removing gray hair?

Light shades

You are very fortunate if you had light hair originally. Firstly, gray hair can be easily camouflaged without dense coloring, and secondly, it stays almost invisible for a considerable amount of time against light backgrounds.

There are two guidelines that colorists follow when selecting light shades:

  • bleaching gives more opportunities — colorists no longer consider bleached hair gray, because it has lost its pigment and turned into a perfect canvas for cold, pastel and bright shades;
  • complex coloring is preferable — if the amount of gray hair allows, ask the hairdresser to choose a fashionable relief technique for you . You can touch up the roots less often, and the hairstyle with it looks even more voluminous.

Having a lot of gray hair is a great way to turn blonde. When is the best time to transition from dark? Examine the subtle variations of pearl-golden and neutral golden-ash tones on light mocha, a light brown foundation.

Dark shades

Staying within their color range is what SalonSecret’s knowledgeable team advises brunettes and brown-haired women with minimal gray hair to do. However, there are a few subtleties.

  • It is advisable to refuse a dull dark color. The contrast with the growing root zone will be too sharp, and the shade itself can visually add extra years, emphasizing fine wrinkles.
  • Prepigmentation saves brunettes in ten cases out of ten. When the root zone turns out to be too light or red, the hairdresser will start by saturating the hair with pigment. To do this, you will need a dark shade of a special dye for gray hair and the desired shade of a standard professional dye.

This is fascinating! The hair is typically thinner along the growth line (temples, upper forehead), and the pigment is easily absorbed by them. Here, colorists use a lighter coloring composition and apply it for a shorter period of time to prevent overly intense and uneven pigmentation.

Whether you want to cover up or blend the gray, it’s crucial to choose hair color for gray hair that complements your skin tone and natural gray tones. There are plenty of options to fit a variety of tastes and styles, from delicate blondes to striking hues like red. It’s clear that embracing gray hair entails more than just picking the perfect shade of dye when unexpected questions about it, like how it alters hair texture and what care regimens work best, come up.

Top 9 professional dyes for coloring gray hair according to SalonSecret

Colorists select a dye after deciding on the color and kind of coloring. Why this matters is as follows:

  • not every dye can cope with your type of gray hair;
  • ratings and reviews on the Internet do not give a complete understanding of which hair dye best colors gray hair – one line can have several products with different effects;
  • some dyes that work well on natural hair can give unwanted shades on gray hair;
  • after unsuccessful gray hair coloring, there is a great temptation to simply dye black , so as not to see all this. Stop! Don"t rush. Getting out of black is a real challenge even for an experienced colorist.

Expert lines have resources for any challenging situation. More accurately, there are no challenging cases for qualified colorists. The expert receives training and becomes familiar with all the features of the dye before beginning to work with it. Our specialists gave their recommendations.

INOA from L"Oréal Professionnel: up to 100% gray hair

Permanent ammonia-free dye gently treats sensitive hair and scalp while effectively covering gray hair. Pigment is delivered directly to the hair fiber via oil-based technology. Because the new generation of INOA doesn’t contain waxes, it’s now even simpler to mix and distribute the composition.

Main collection SoColor Pre-Bonded from Matrix: up to 100% gray hair

The base and pigment are already combined in SoColor tubes, making it easier to apply chic cold tones to gray hair. The strengthening bonder in the formula helps to preserve the strands’ quality and radiant health throughout the coloring process.

Majirel Cool Cover from L’Oréal Professionnel: up to 100% gray hair

A whole range of intensely cold colors, from ash blonde to icy brown. The dye helps to restore the structure of your hair while giving you a rich, long-lasting shade.

Collection for covering gray hair SoColor Pre-Bonded from Matrix: up to 100% gray hair

All the benefits of a traditional dye SoColor, plus an added bonus of a high pigment concentration. Paints over persistently abundant gray hair effectively.

Majirouge from L’Oréal Professionnel: up to 100% gray hair

Rich copper and red hues that are incredibly durable. The dye completely covers gray hair, deeply moisturizes hair, and adds a brilliant shine to the color.

Collection of bright saturated shades SoColor Pre-Bonded by Matrix: up to 50% gray hair

Don’t let gray hair make you give up on vibrant colors! Rich red, orange orange, deep burgundy, ash-jade blond, and deep ash shade are among the palette’s hues.

Dia Richesse by L’Oréal Professionnel: up to 70% gray hair

Light gray hair can be painted over with semi-permanent dye to achieve a natural, elegant look. Any shade in the palette can have its tone adjusted by the colorist.

Majiblond by L’Oréal Professionnel: up to 30% gray hair

For lovers of the blond variety and young women with light gray hair. It is a stable, glossy, and pure shade. The active ingredients found in all dyes are what give Majirel’s hair its beautiful appearance. Ionen G polymer and lipid component of Incell.

Hair Touch Up by L’Oréal Professionnel: concealer for the root zone

It’s not quite a dye, but it works well for root zone home correction. Four concealer shades—dark blonde, light brown, brown, and black—come in handy between coloring sessions. They carefully blend in with the primary shade of hair, instantly camouflaging the regrown gray hair in the root zone. The next time you wash your hair, use regular shampoo to remove the concealer.

Question Answer
What color of paint works best for covering gray hair? Neutral shades like soft brown or blonde blend well and hide gray hair effectively. For a bold look, vibrant colors like red can also work.
Should I go for permanent or semi-permanent dye? Permanent dye offers longer-lasting results, but semi-permanent is less damaging and fades gradually, making it ideal if you"re unsure about the color.
Can I highlight gray hair instead of covering it? Yes, highlights can enhance the natural gray, creating a stylish, blended look without completely hiding the gray hair.
How often should I dye my gray hair? It depends on how fast your hair grows, but generally, touch-ups are needed every 4-6 weeks to keep gray roots in check.
Is gray hair more difficult to dye? Yes, gray hair can be more resistant to color, so using a dye specifically designed for gray hair is a good idea.

The ideal color for gray hair depends on your desired look, skin tone, and personal style. The important thing is to figure out what makes you feel good about yourself and at ease, whether that means embracing your natural gray, going for a bold shade, or adding highlights.

Don’t be scared to try new things. You can experiment with new colors and styles that you might have avoided in the past with gray hair. There are many different options, ranging from deep browns and reds to pastels and silvers.

In the end, gray hair is just a new phase in your hair journey, and you should manage it in a way that best suits your personal style. Remain adaptable and never forget that being beautiful is about feeling amazing about your own skin, or hair!

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Ekaterina Zhukova

Professional stylist and makeup artist, I have extensive experience in the fashion industry. Specialization - wedding and evening hairstyles that emphasize natural beauty and elegance. In my work I adhere to the principle - attention to every detail creates the perfect look.

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