For those whose hair is adorned, for better or worse, with silver strands, learning how to cover gray hair without dye is akin to a magic trick. Said mastery is universally useful, as grays tend to crop up quickly, making it reasonable to become your own colorist between salon appointments.
“I’ve noticed it takes about four to six weeks for grays to start making their way back after coloring,” says hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos, a favorite of the likes of Amal Clooney, Gwyneth Paltrow, and the Kardashians. And while some may welcome such regular touch-up appointments, others would do well to explore the art of obscuring gray hair sans dye—or even using a touch of at-home color should the need arise.
Gray coverage comes down to strategic camouflage, specialized hair products and natural remedies aiming to quiet the shine that comes with white, silver, and gray strands without detracting from your natural (or carefully chosen) hair shade. As these options are applied to the root and close to hair follicles, keeping scalp health in mind is essential—overuse of buildable sprays and powders can mess with your biome, leading to hair loss or general irritation and dullness. In short, the trick is concealing sans damage to hair or existing color.
Here, the best ways to cover gray hair from the comfort of your home.
Try a Root Concealer Spray
Root concealer sprays provide a user-friendly option, the aerosols functioning similar to the dry shampoos we’ve all come to rely on. Oribe Airbrush Root Touch-Up Spray offers oil-absorbing benefits with its boost of color, R+Co’s Bright Shadows Root Touch-Up Spray is a highly blendable option that amplifies shine.
And of course, there are the expert-approved faves. “I love the Rita Hazan Root Concealer Spray for a quick and efficient touch up in between hair appointments,” says Giannetos. “You can spray it right onto the hair in-between washes and it’ll cover up your grays as if you just went to the salon!” Meanwhile, hairstylist Annagjid Kee Taylor’s go-to can be found at your local drugstore. “The L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up is an affordable option that will help you temporarily mask gray hairs coming in,” she says.
Reach for a Root Touch-Up Powder
More meticulous coverage is achievable with the the help of a root touch-up powder, essentially a packed palette designed to be brushed over gray strands. Dust John Frieda Root Blur Colour Blending Concealer over problem areas—the brand’s multi-tonal palettes are ideal for color matching and is a great option for blonde hair—or reach for Color Wow Root Coverup Powder for coverage that enhances the look of thinning hairlines, too.
