Going grey can be an intimidating change for many people. While some embrace their natural greys with pride, others prefer to cover up the signs of aging that grey hairs represent. If you fall into the latter camp and are looking to conceal your greys, using a brown hair dye is a great option. But with so many shades of brown hair color to choose from, how do you know which one is best for covering greys?
When choosing a brown hair dye for covering greys, there are a few key factors to consider:
Complementing Your Natural Hair Color
First and foremost, you’ll want to select a brown shade that complements your natural hair color. This will create a seamless, natural-looking result as the dye grows out. Are you naturally a brunette? Opt for a rich chocolate brown. Blonde? Go for a lighter caramel brown. Redhead? Try an auburn brown. The most foolproof way to choose a shade is by holding strands of your untreated hair next to swatches of different brown hair dyes at the beauty supply store. Go with the one that best matches.
Warm vs Cool Undertones
Another important consideration is whether your natural hair has warm or cool undertones. Warm shades have hints of gold, red, or yellow, while cool shades lean towards blue, violet, or ash. Choosing a brown dye with undertones that match your natural color will prevent the dreaded brassy or muddied results that can occur from mismatching undertones. If you aren’t sure of your undertones, look at the veins on your wrist – green indicates warm, blue means cool.
Percentage of Grey Hair
The amount of grey hair you have will also impact your shade selection. Light greying requires only a demi-permanent glaze or subtle all-over color to blend away the grey. For moderate greying, a permanent single-process color is better to provide more opaque coverage. If you have 50% or more grey hair, use a permanent color with a grey coverage booster additive to ensure full, even results.
Age Appropriate
While covering your greys, it’s still important to choose an age-appropriate shade of brown. Going too dark or warm can look unnatural. Stick to a shade that is no more than one to two shades lighter or darker than your former color to look natural. Err on the side of lighter and ashier for a sophisticated look.
Skin Tone Considerations
The right shade of brown can beautifully complement your skin tone. Use these guidelines:
– Fair skin: Honey or ash brown
– Olive skin: Chestnut or chocolate brown
– Dark skin: Espresso or blackened brown
Cooler ash brown shades work well for pink undertones, while golden browns flatter yellow undertones.
Hair Texture
Lighter brown shades better disguise coarser grey hair, while darker shades blend seamlessly on finer greys. Straight hair shows grey more readily than curly or wavy, so opt for a rich brown to provide the most camouflage. Very tightly coiled grey hair responds best to blackened browns.
Personal Preference
While all these factors impact your ideal shade selection, personal preference is key. You want a color you feel confident and attractive in. Do you gravitate towards warmer caramel brown tones? Love the sophistication of ash brown? Embrace your favorite shade.
Best Brown Hair Dye Brands for Grey Coverage
Use a demi-permanent or permanent hair color formulated specifically for covering grey to get the best results. Here are top brands to look for:
| Brand | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Clairol | – Natural Instincts – contains antioxidants & keratin |
| L’Oreal | – Excellence Creme – long lasting grey coverage |
| Schwarzkopf | – Color Ultime – liquid gel cream formula |
| Revlon | – Colorsilk – ammonia-free permanent color |
| Madison Reed | – Bond Building Brown – gentle on hair |
How Light To Go
Wondering how light of a brown you can get away with for covering grey hair? Generally, you can go up to two shades lighter than your natural level before greys start to peek through. This chart provides a guide:
| Natural Hair Level | Lightest Brown Shade For Covering Grey |
|---|---|
| Level 1-2 Black | Dark Brown |
| Level 3-4 Dark Brown | Medium Brown |
| Level 5 Brown | Light Brown |
| Level 6 Dark Blonde | Medium Blonde |
| Level 7-10 Blonde | Beige Blonde |
Application Tips for Best Grey Coverage
Follow these pro tips to get the most flawless, natural-looking grey coverage from your brown hair dye:
– Exfoliate and shampoo hair 24 hours before coloring to remove any product buildup that could create an uneven result.
– Use a clarifying shampoo 1-2 weeks prior to strip away styling product residue and ensure the hair shaft is clear for maximum dye absorption and grey coverage.
– Apply petroleum jelly along hairline and ears to prevent skin staining.
– Section hair cleanly into four quadrants and apply color in a systematic sequence from roots to ends to ensure every strand is saturated.
– Process for the full recommended development time to allow the color to fully deposit.
– Rinse with cool water and follow with a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to lock in color and shine.
Maintenance
To keep grey coverage looking fresh between salon visits:
– Use a tinted shampoo or glaze product to refresh color and gloss in between dye applications.
– Apply root touch-up sprays as needed to conceal new grey growth.
– Get a gloss treatment every 4-6 weeks to enhance shine and blend away grey roots.
– Use blue or violet shampoos to neutralize brassy tones.
Conclusion
Disguising grey hair with the right shade of brown color is an art and a science. While considering your natural color, skin tone, hair texture and amount of greys is key, also be sure to select a shade that makes you look and feel your best. With the right prep, application and maintenance, you can keep your secret and rock gorgeously rich, natural-looking brown locks.
