FAQ
What hair color is most effective for gray hair?
“Gray hair tends to be coarse and porous, so look for formulas labeled ‘grey cover’ or ‘rich cover,'” Esposito says. “Demi-permanent hair dyes are great for first-timers or those who don’t want to put in too much effort, while permanent formulas are best if you have a high percentage of gray hair.” In terms of color, McCullough suggests looking for shades that are described as “neutral,” “natural,” or “natural gold.” These colors look good on most skin tones and “help counteract the harshness of gray,” she says.
Is it better to make gray hair darker or lighter?
“It depends on your skin tone, but in general, going a little lighter or warmer will soften your facial features and create a more natural blend with the gray as you grow out,” says Esposito. “Very dark shades can draw attention to your revitalization. Soft medium browns, warm blondes, and even golden caramel tones often blend grays more seamlessly and age more gracefully.”
Maccaro adds some tips for rookies in their home colors. “If you’re new to coloring, choose a shade one level lighter than your natural color or desired tone,” she instructs. “This gives you even more room for adjustment and avoids the ‘box dye was too dark’ look. ”
meet an expert
Jen Atkin, stylist and founder of Ouai, based in Seattle Vito Esposito, founder and head stylist of Vito Esposito, based in Beverly Hills, California Abby Harrity, colorist, founder of Abby Harrity Color Studio, based in New York City Jennifer Collab, hair stylist based in New Jersey, Hillsbo, NJ Christina McCullough, founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa, based in Los Angeles; Jamie Mahmoud, educator, colorist and owner of Love Lane Salon, based in Jersey City, New Jersey; hair stylist and owner of Square Roots Salon, based in Bellevue, Washington; Jackson Simmons, master colorist and stylist based in New York City.
How to test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We check ingredients, scrutinize brand claims and, when appropriate, research peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing every product included in each review, we rely on experts in fields such as dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine to help vet ingredients and formulations.
For our list of the best hair colors for gray hair, we considered each product’s performance across five key categories: product ingredients and effectiveness, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product experience. All products have been judged to be outstanding in each category by our editorial team of in-house writers, editors, and contributors. We also receive special care from board-certified dermatologists who test and recommend moisturizers almost daily. For more information about our reporting and testing process, please visit our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
Beautiful items are purchased individually. You might be looking for a face cream to combat stubborn dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine. You may simply be looking around for the latest products to hit the hair market. No matter what you’re looking for or what your personal needs and concerns are, Allure wants to guarantee you’ll love everything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors, in addition to the wide range of external testers and industry experts we regularly engage, is essential to achieving that goal.
After all, can you really say that a skin care product is “best” for people over 50 if your testers only solicited opinions from people who haven’t yet turned 30? Can you honestly think that a high-end diffuser that has never been tested on curls is worth your hard-earned money? We are proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin colors, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds. That means you can get a fair review of every beauty product in your beauty closet.
Read more about hair color options and treatments to keep your hair color vibrant for as long as possible
