How to Disguise Gray Hair

Sooner or later, like it or not, if you live long enough you will end up with gray hairs infiltrating themselves into your main hair color. Some people are luckier than others and their genes fend off the invaders until they are quite old or they have blond hair and the grays aren’t as noticeable. But no matter how old you are when you notice the gray hairs, they are generally unwanted arrivals. Fortunately, you can make them less noticeable.

Instructions

1. Look closely at where your gray hair is appearing. Occasionally you can disguise it just by changing the direction of your cut or style. A simple change like going from no bangs to bangs can sometimes help hide it for awhile. If not and you are considering making this a do-it-yourself process, study hair color products available at the store. To cover the gray hairs but not change your natural color, look for a shade closest to your natural color. Decide on a temporary, semi-permanent or permanent product . Take heed of the disclaimers on the packaging that indicate that the colors are not always exactly as pictured. For example, dark colors sometimes give you results that are much darker than pictured. Another option is to use a highlighting or streaking kit to add lighter highlights throughout your hair to hide the gray.

2. Call a salon and schedule a free consultation with a stylist. Discuss the various options and prices for services suggested and ask questions about the different solutions, including how often you will need to have your color maintenance appointments. The salon may suggest using foils to add light blond highlights or streaks strategically placed to camouflage where your gray hairs are coming in. This process allows them to clearly identify and cover the gray. The benefit of foil highlights is that as more gray arrives they just add more blond where it's needed and the progression from your natural color to a light shade of blond is accomplished over time instead of in a dramatic shift. Also they can add lowlights to maintain a contrast. Consultations are generally, but not always, free. Ask if there is a charge when you schedule the appointment.

3. Decide what the best color solution is for you. If you use temporary hair color all over it fades away over a specific number of shampoos but you have no root lines to deal with. Semi-permanent color is similar but lasts a little longer with a more residual color remaining on the hair. Permanent color will give you obvious roots to contend with, particularly with darker colors. This is the option that can leave you looking like a skunk if you part your hair and it is time for a root touch-up; but again for do-it yourselfers there are new root touch-up products available to help handle this. Highlights, lowlights and streaking are the best choices for disguising gray hair, but these are also likely to be the most difficult techniques to do yourself and the most costly to have professionally done.

4. Check your budget to determine if it will allow you to have your hair professionally colored as often as recommended to maintain the appearance. If you can afford this process make an appointment with a stylist; if not, decide on your best do-it-yourself option. If you choose the option of doing your own color and this is the first time you are using a hair color product, it is a good idea to choose a product with a help line in case you have questions or you run into an unexpected result like a greenish tint on your new blond highlights. Rather than wigging out or buying a wig, call the help line for suggestions. They will generally give you several options that you can try to repair your unwanted results.

Tips & Warnings

• Warning: Use of hair color products can cause adverse allergic reactions. You should do all recommended color swatch testing recommended and read and follow all the information included with the product you choose to use before proceeding with the process.