Covering Gray Hairs For The First Time? Hairstylists Say These Are The Easiest Tricks (2024)

Finding a stray gray hair or two is an inevitable part of getting older. Here's why: Cells in your hair follicles called melanocytes produce the pigment that gives our hair its color and, as you get older, these melanocytes gradually slow down and eventually stop working altogether, explains Hannah Kopelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Kopelman Hair Restoration. The result: Silver strands.

Now, you could follow in the footsteps of celebrities who've transitioned to gray hair like Andie MacDowell, Helen Mirren, and Christie Brinkley or you could cover them up at home. The latter option may be appealing because dealing with grays can be...complicated. “The texture of gray hair is often coarser, more brittle, and less pliable than pigmented hair,” Dr. Kopelman says, noting that gray hair can be dry due to lack of oil production and losing its natural protection against UV rays, causing further deterioration of hair quality. “These changes make gray hair harder to manage, frizzier, and sometimes more prone to breakage.”

Meet the experts: Hannah Kopelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Kopelman Hair Restoration. Dean Banowetz is a celebrity hairstylist. Sarah Potempa, is a celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of The Beachwaver Co. Christian Parla is a master stylist and co-founder of That’s It Salon. Kim Kimble is a celebrity hairstylist. Justin McKay is a master stylist and co-founder of That’s It Salon. Chiara Scudieri is the founder and creative director of I.C.O.N. Products.

If you want to go the cover-up route, there is no shortage of solutions. From permanent hair dyes to root sprays, the method you choose to cover your gray hairs all depends on the result you want to achieve, according to celebrity hairstylist, Dean Banowetz. “You can also style the hair in a way that hides the gray,” adds Sarah Potempa, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of The Beachwaver Co. “There are actually many ways, ranging from temporary to more permanent solutions.

Ready to make that gray go away? Here’s everything hair experts recommend.

1. Use a root touch-up

Root touch-up sprays and powders are all great options to apply to your gray roots in between hair appointments, or if you want coverage without long-term commitment. They're also an effective solution if you're in a hurry or want to cover gray hairs quickly. “These are great for grays that appear in specific areas, like along the hairline or roots,” says Christian Parla, master stylist and co-founder of That’s It Salon in Miami, Florida.

Parla is a fan of the L'Oréal Paris Root Cover Up Concealer Spray, in particular. “It's formulated to blend seamlessly with your existing color, and it's easy to apply,” he adds. “Many of my clients who prefer DIY maintenance between salon visits have found this method to be highly effective, particularly for short-term gray coverage.”

Celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble recommends Clairol’s Permanent Root Touch-Up. “I’ve personally used this to cover my own grays," she says. "It’s quick and hassle-free!" To use a root touch-up spray, the first thing you need to do is make sure your hair is clean. Then, part the hair and spray close to the root. Follow up by using a brush or comb to evenly distribute it. Pick out a shade lighter than your natural hair color for touch-up sprays since it will blend the grays easily.

2. Apply a hair gloss

As the name suggests, a hair gloss is a non-permanent hair dye that slightly adjusts the color of your hair while adding shine. These are formulas that “tone down the appearance of gray hair and enhance your natural color without permanent changes,” says Banowetz.

Hair glosses are considered a pick-me-up for your hair that can add shine, but Parla cautions that they don't cover grays as effectively as other permanent solutions. You'll also need to reapply them every few weeks, says Justin McKay, master stylist at That’s It Salon. “If you have gray hair, you can expect a gloss to smooth out rough texture and mute brassiness,” he adds.

You'll typically apply your gloss from roots to ends after washing your hair with shampoo. Leave it on for the recommended time—usually 20-30 minutes—and rinse.

3. Use a permanent hair dye

Of course, dyeing your hair permanently is also an option. “This is for people who are ready to maintain their color regularly with scheduled touch-ups,” says Parla. The good news here is you don't necessarily have to visit a professional to get the job done (though it's usually recommended).

While Parla and McKay don't recommend using box dye from the store (it can be harsh on gray hair, leading to dryness or damage), they note that if you are dyeing your hair at home, you should pick a lighter shade, as it'll be easier to blend the grays.

"Lighter shades create a more harmonious blend, softening the contrast between your natural color and the incoming silver strands," says McKay. "Darker shades can create a more obvious line of regrowth, which means more frequent touch-ups and the potential for noticeable fading." If anything, you can consult with a professional to pick out the exact shade.

The easiest way to apply color at home is with a bottle applicator—just create partings from front to back, lightly squeezing a line of color along each part, says McKay. “Use the bottle nozzle to slice through your next section and repeat,” he explains. “Depending on how much root regrowth you have, you can press the color into each section with your finger to ensure even coverage across the roots for a more seamless finish.”

4. Get highlights

According to Parla, getting highlights is a great way to break up large sections of gray hairs in order to make them less noticeable. Plus, they require less maintenance than a complete color change and aren't as harsh on your hair. “This technique focuses on enhancing natural grays by blending them with lighter highlights, especially around the T-section, which is the top and front part of the head, and hairline,” he says. “It minimizes the use of harsh chemicals over the entire head of hair, reducing damage while still creating a polished, sophisticated look.”

Kimble recommends using a lighter color to blend the gray in and make it look more natural. “It's important to only cover the areas that need it to maintain the integrity of your highlights,” she says. “If you're simply looking to darken the roots, limit the application to just that section."

Highlights are traditionally done by wrapping the section of hair to be highlighted in foil, but for gray blending, the balayage method can also be used. “Balyage is a freehand technique that highlights smaller sections of hair, creating a soft transition between your natural hair and the grays, making regrowth less noticeable,” Banowetz says. The key difference between the two is that foils create bold, uniform highlights while balayage blends the gray hair, says McKay. “This technique can give gray hair a natural, dimensional look, subtly weaving it into your color story rather than drawing harsh lines of demarcation.”

Whatever you choose, make sure you're visiting a professional colorist—our experts don't recommend highlighting at home. "It can be hard to apply color on your own head and not get it on the mid-shaft or ends of the hair,” Friese says.

5. Try a color-depositing shampoo or conditioner

If you don't want to commit to all-over color or highlights, Banowetz recommends using color-depositing shampoos and conditioners, like the Overtone Rich Black Healthy Color Duo or the dpHUE Color Boosting Gloss. “These don’t contain harsh chemicals and can gradually deposit color over time,” he says. “For a natural effect, choose a shade slightly lighter than your natural hair color—it’s less harsh and makes the grow-out phase softer.”