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Even if you're using semi-permanent hair color to transition to gray, it won't happen with a quick snap of your fingers.
The transition begins when you notice your first stray white strand sticking out of your head of colored hair. With time, the silver hairs will continue to grow and multiply. Eventually, you'll get to a point where you'll have to make a choice: either wait until your roots fully grow out and cover up the demarcation line with box dye or root concealer, or transition to full-on gray hair.
For anyone who's growing out their hair to fully go gray, you may want to consider dyeing your remaining colored hair to match the silver shade that's growing out of your roots. We spoke to two color experts, Sunnie Brook and Priscilla Valles, to talk about how to transition to gray hair using semi-permanent hair dye — starting with why you want to do it below.
Meet the expert
- Sunnie Brook is a celebrity hairstylist and Biolage brand ambassador. Brook has more than twenty years of professional experience.
- Priscilla Valles is a celebrity hairstylist and Clairol color partner. Valles has worked with clients like Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid, and Hailey Bieber.
Benefits of Transitioning to Gray
"If you color your hair, it can lower your maintenance, save you time, and maybe give you a sense of freedom in your beauty routine," said Brook. "It can also change your complexion and compliment features in a new way."
Another bonus? Gray hairs are naturally voluminous.
"Natural gray hair strands are usually thicker and coarser than hair that has pigment in it, so you'll notice your hair will feel thicker as gray hair grows out," said Valles.
Transitioning to Gray Hair at the Salon
Brook recommended asking your colorist to switch to using a semi-permanent dye on your hair.
"My clients that want to transition to wearing their 'sparkles' more visibly, I suggest switching from a permanent color to a semi-permanent," said Brook. "This will still give you some coverage with a softer grow-out line. It is not full coverage, but delivers pigment onto the strand and will help them grow out their sparkles."
With hair that has a fair amount of grays, Brook suggested asking for threaded highlights for a more natural blend between the colored and silver strands.
"For those clients not sure if they are ready to grow out their gray, sometimes we will start the grow-out process underneath," Brook explained. "We will keep blending the area around the hairline and parts that are most visible, but, underneath, we will let those areas grow out."
Dyeing your hair blonde is another option. Valles said to try an ashy shade.
"If your hair color is light, the contrast of your silver roots will be less noticeable when they grow out," Valles added.
Dyeing Your Hair Gray at Home
Transitioning to gray hair at home, with a box of hair dye, is possible — with the right products. Below, we rounded up three, from dyeing your hair to touch-ups and even maintenance.
Clairol Natural Instinct
Courtesy of Clairol/Walgreens
Instead of using a permanent box dye, look for a formula that's demi-permanent — like Clairol Natural Instinct, which is formulated with nourishing coconut oil and aloe vera.
"The demi-permanent color doesn't cover 100 percent of grays like a permanent color does so your hair will look more blended, but it won't have the harsh root line where you're growing it out," Valles explained. "You can use it as your hair grows out, and it will fully wash out once your hair has grown enough to fully embrace the gray. No need to avoid coloring while it grows!)"
When choosing a box dye, Brook said to stick with your natural or current hair color.
"You want to avoid ashy color or warm tones and pick a neutral — especially if you are retouching the roots," Brook said. "This area of hair should look neutral and a little bit darker than the rest of your hair for a more natural blend."
Color Wow Root Cover-Up
Courtesy of Color Wow/Target
If you aren't up for messing with dye on your own or ready for a professional to permanently color your hair, a temporary root touch-up product like Color Wow's Root Cover-Up can soften the demarcation line between your silver roots and the rest of your hair.
Another important factor to consider is that gray hair is more high maintenance.
"You will have to color your hair about every four weeks to refresh your gray color," Valles shared. "If you're sporting a natural semi-permanent color until your gray fully grows out, after about two weeks, you will begin to get a shadow of a root."
Luckily, if you don't feel like dyeing your hair often, there are always temporary root concealers.
Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo
Courtesy of Matrix/Ulta
You can also wash your hair with a purple shampoo to cut brassiness and brighten your grays. Brook is a fan of Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo.
How to Care for Your Newly Gray Hair
Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner
Courtesy of Mizani/Sephora
On top of adjusting to having gray hair, you'll also have to tweak your hair care routine. Gray hair typically tends to be more dry and coarse, and the products you use should reflect this change in texture.
A hydrating leave-in conditioner will soften the hair cuticles and boost shine, which will make your silver tones sparkle. Mizani's spray works across all hair types and offers heat and frizz protection too.
Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo with Centaury
Courtesy of Klorane/Dermstore
While purple shampoo is great to use once or twice a week to cut out warm, brassy tones, your daily shampoo should brighten your gray hair and prevent it from getting yellow. This Klorane formula checks off both boxes, plus it adds body to dry, coarse hair.
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