5 Sneaky Ways To Cover Grays Without A Trip To Your Colorist
Gray hair is one of those hues you either love or hate. Many embrace a full head of grays like the silver fox they are, while others will shell out big bucks to cover ‘em up annually — and both are completely normal in our beauty book. Love your natural color? Embrace it! Not down with root stripes? Cover them!
Basically, anything goes when it comes to how you treat your grays, but simply put: they do come naturally as we get older. “The pigment cells in your hair start to die as you age, which in turn, causes there to be less color in the hair,” explains Chase Kusero, celebrity colorist and co-founder of IGK Hair Care.
And if that’s something you’re just not into, that’s ok. Along with the gray hair hacks ahead, Kusero advises stocking up on moisture-packed products, which can help when you’re going gray. “Gray hair craves moisture, so I recommend nourishing, moisturizing products that hair can drink up while also controlling frizz,” he says.
Below, here are five more ways to deal with grays.
Why Does Hair Turn Gray?
“The cause of gray hair is a very controversial topic,” explains Briana Dunning, curl queen, celebrity hairstylist, and founder of Unsubscribe, a line of hair care products designed for post-workout locks. “We know that genetics definitely play a role in graying, but other factors like smoking and stress are hotly debated. Nutrient deficiencies also play a role in graying, so it’s important to have a healthy microbiome, that way you are absorbing all the nutrients available from your diet.”
@hermela_solomon Both my parents are silver foxes, so it’s bound to happen 🙈😍 #greyhair #naturalhair #hair #curlyhair #foryou ♬ original sound – Saint Hoax
What Should You Never Do to Gray Hairs?
According to Beyoncé’s colorist Rita Hazan, the #1 no-no to dealing with grays is to pluck or pull them out. “It’s not true that seven more grow back, but the more you pull them out, the less the hair can grow back,” she says. “And you may find yourself with a thinning hairline or a bald spot.”
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Is There Anything You Can Do to Prevent Grays?
“The texture of the gray can change and become more coarse over time,” shares Dunning. So make sure to condition well and add scalp massaging into your routine. “This increases blood flow and nutrients to the follicles, which will make your hair healthier, could potentially affect graying, as well as improve texture.”
How to Cover Grays
1. Spray it Away: While Hazan is quick to point out that covering grays is usually on a case-by-case basis, you can use demi/semi-permanent color for minimal grays, highlights to camouflage grays, or you can do permanent color to completely cover the gray. When you need a quick fix for a big event, reach for her Rita Hazan Root Concealer, $12, to temporarily cover your grays in between salon visits. “A little goes a long way, and the color is buildable,” she shares. Spray the can 8-12 inches away from the roots, or try this trick: Use the end of a tail comb to cover the scalp, then spray. This way, the scalp stays clean with no product by using the comb.
@chrisappletonhair 🚨 Hair Hack Essential🚨For any one that wants to cover up there roots or blend there highlights @colorwow.hair ♬ original sound – Chrisappleton1
2. Paint on a Powder: Celebrity stylist and Color Wow ambassador, Kendall Dorsey, helps style famous manes like Rihanna and Saweetie’s, so he’s no stranger to camera-ready coiffures. To keep grays hidden, he recommends applying Color Wow Root Cover Up, $34.50, a reflective mineral powder that instantly covers grays and fills in sparse areas. “I blot it onto grays 5-6 times, patting it in, then use an anti-humidity spray (like Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, $28) to lock it in.”
3. Focus on the Fringe: Looking for a way to cover pesky grays that doesn’t involve daily root touchups? Dunning suggests a style swap. “The best styling solution for grays is almost always a fringe (i.e. bangs) of some sort — this hides them really well!” But if the idea of fringe makes you cringe, there’s also root mascara, which is more foolproof than a spray. “For curly or kinky hair types, the trick is to apply in small sections where you part so that when the hair moves around, it’s coated from all sides. We love No Gray Quick Fix Color Touch-up Systems, $7, a drugstore-friendly pick with an easy 3-comb applicator and loads of positive reviews.
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4. Mask Up: Masks are another great way to keep gray at bay. “Our new Color Depositing Mask, $29, are the perfect way to keep your color fresh while also deeply moisturizing for softer, shinier hair,” says Kusero. “They work even better on gray hair — the lighter the hair, the more vibrant the shade will present.” Bonus: This conditioning hair mask is available in 18 semi-permanent IGK shades, from natural to fun, just in time for Halloween.
5. Go Purple: For anyone who thinks purple products are just for blondes, think again. “Purple isn’t just for blondes; it can also be used on gray hair and is great to neutralize any unwanted brass,” adds Kusero. Check out IGK’s new L.A. Blonde Purple Toning Spray, $29, that busts brass, brightens, and provides 450°F heat protection.
Do you love to embrace your grays or keep them hidden? Let us know in the comments below.
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