Best hair color for gray coverage - Garnier Best hair color for gray coverage - Garnier

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Hair Colors for Complete Gray Coverage

We’ve got some great news for anyone out there chanting “No way I’m going gray!” While losing your natural hair color is a predictable (and exasperating) part of aging, you can’t altogether stop the invasion of wiry white hairs. But you can easily achieve 100% gray coverage at home, even if you’ve never dyed your locks before. And since all dyes and shades are not created equally, we’re here to help you find the best hair color to cover gray hair, which ones flatter your complexion, and pro tips to make the gray coverage process a piece of cake.

Tips for Coloring Gray Hair at Home

Gray hair tends to be coarser and drier, so keep these special considerations in mind to get the best gray coverage results:

The best tips for coloring hair at home - Garnier

  • Always do a strand test and a 48-hour allergy patch test before coloring.
  • For very resistant grays, leave color on up to the maximum time directed (never exceed 45 minutes).
  • Focus color first on areas with the most visible grays (temples, part line) for even, complete coverage.
  • Use permanent color (especially if you have more than 50% gray). See our at-home coloring guide for the best tips.
  • Choose a shade that’s one or two shades lighter than your natural color.
  • Don’t overdo it. Read our recommendations on how often to color your hair.

Blonde Hair Colors for Gray Hair

Blonde hair color for gray coverage is a gentler transition, especially if you are mostly gray. Look for a shade that works with your skin tone.

Blonde Highlights
Blonde Highlights
Light Blonde
Light Blonde
Ash Blonde
Ash Blonde
01
Blonde Highlights
Blonde highlights create a clever optical illusion because they’re almost as light as your gray hairs. Try Nutrisse Ultra Color – Ultra Light Cool Blonde for an easy fix.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA COLOR
LB1 - Ultra Light Cool Blonde
LB1 - Ultra Light Cool Blonde
02
Blonde Highlights
Blonde highlights are the perfect way to totally cover up and blend in your gray hair. Plus, Olia is ammonia-free and contains nourishing fruit oils.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA COLOR
LB2 - Ultra Light Natural Blonde
LB2 - Ultra Light Natural Blonde
03
Light Blonde
All-over light blonde is a great option if your original hair color is on the fair side. Ultra Light Cool Blonde or Ultra Light Natural Blonde will do the trick.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA COLOR
LB1 - Ultra Light Cool Blonde
LB1 - Ultra Light Cool Blonde
04
Light Blonde
Warm things up and get great gray coverage with Ultra Crème Medium Natural Blonde 80. For a slightly darker shade, opt for Ultra Crème Dark Natural Blonde 70.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA COLOR
LB2 - Ultra Light Natural Blonde
LB2 - Ultra Light Natural Blonde
05
Ash Blonde
Warm things up and get great gray coverage with Ultra Crème Medium Natural Blonde 80, or for a slightly darker shade opt for Ultra Crème Dark Natural Blonde 70.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA CRÈME
80 - Medium Natural Blonde
80 - Medium Natural Blonde
06
Ash Blonde
Dark neutral blonde is a prime choice for gray coverage because it looks natural and works with most skin tones.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA CRÈME
51 - Medium Ash Brown
51 - Medium Ash Brown

Brown Hair Colors for Gray Hair

If your natural shade is medium blonde to dark brown, all shades of brown hair color for gray hair hit the sweet spot for full coverage. They are also ideal if you’re gray all over.

Hazelnut Hair Color
Walnut Brown Hair Color
Chestnut Brown Hair Color
Chestnut Brown Hair Color
Chestnut Brown Hair Color
01
Hazelnut Hair Color
Choose Nutrisse Ultra Coverage Spiced Hazelnut if your natural color is medium blonde to medium brown.
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ULTRA COVERAGE
600 - Deep Light Natural Brown
600 - Deep Light Natural Brown
02
Walnut Brown Hair Color
Rich and versatile Glazed Walnut provides gray coverage for heads that used to be light to dark brown.
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ULTRA COVERAGE
500 - Deep Medium Natural Brown
500 - Deep Medium Natural Brown
03
Chestnut Brown Hair Color
Whether you have a full head of grays or your natural color is light brown to dark brown, Ultra Coverage Deep Medium Natural Brown 500 is a great choice. For extra warm, golden tones go for Ultra Crème Medium Golden Brown 53.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA CRÈME
53 - Medium Golden Brown
53 - Medium Golden Brown
04
Chestnut Brown Hair Color
Go for this warm chestnut with golden red undertones if your original color is light brown to black.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA CRÈME
40 - Dark Brown
40 - Dark Brown
05
Chestnut Brown Hair Color
As warm brunette shades go, this ashy brown is on the cool side and complements fairer skin nicely.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA CRÈME
50 - Medium Natural Brown
50 - Medium Natural Brown

Red Hair Colors for Gray Hair

If you’ve always wanted to be a redhead, now’s your chance! While we recommend avoiding the really red shades (they can turn pink on gray hair), a deep red hair color for gray hair can work wonders.

Auburn Hair Color
Auburn Hair Color
Cinnamon Hair Color
01
Auburn Hair Color
Auburn is a red that leans towards rich brown. Try Light Intense Auburn or Medium Intense Auburn for radiant color.
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OLIA
4.60 - Dark Intense Auburn
4.60 - Dark Intense Auburn
02
Auburn Hair Color
A cooler shade blending red and brown, auburn is flattering for most skin tones from neutral to cool.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA COLOR
R3 - Light Intense Auburn Hair Dye
R3 - Light Intense Auburn Hair Dye
03
Cinnamon Hair Color
Always wanted to be a redhead? Ultra Crème Rich Auburn not only adds flattering reddish tones but nourishes as it dyes, as well as providing 100% gray coverage.
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NUTRISSE ULTRA CRÈME
56 - Rich Auburn
56 - Rich Auburn

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HAIR COLOR FOR GRAY COVERAGE FAQS

How often should you color gray hair?
You should color gray hair every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain full coverage, especially if the shade you choose contrasts a lot from your natural color. This all-over color will keep your chosen shade fresh and vibrant.

How often should I touch up my roots for gray coverage?
You should touch up your roots every 3 to 4 weeks as new growth appears. At-home root touchups are perfect for renewing vibrancy between all-over color treatments, plus they’re quick and easy with targeted products like Color Retouch.

Is it better to go lighter or darker when covering gray hair?
It’s better to go lighter when covering gray hair because these shades more naturally blend with grays and blur the line between dyed hair and regrowth. But if you’re willing to do more frequent touch-ups, darker shades are a nice choice for bolder coverage.

My gray hair is really stubborn and dye-resistant. How can I get better coverage?
If your gray hair is stubbornly dye-resistant, you can get better coverage by leaving the dye in a little longer than the directions say—but never exceed 45 minutes total. This way, it can penetrate thicker gray hairs and reach the inner cortex for lasting color.

How can I make my hair color last longer and prevent grays from showing so fast?
You can make your hair color last longer and prevent grays from showing so fast by always using sulfate-free color-safe shampoo and conditioner like Color Shield to extend vibrancy. You should also avoid hot styling tools, hot water, and hot days in the sun (get out that hat!). Additionally, try a weekly color-depositing mask designed for grays.

I have a sensitive scalp. Are there gentle or natural hair color options that cover grays?
If you have a sensitive scalp, there are definitely gentle and more natural hair color options that cover grays. Look for dye kits made for sensitive skin and ammonia-free formulas like nourishing Olia hair color infused with 60% flower oils. And never skip the patch test!