If you aren’t quite ready to let gray hair appear naturally, various solutions are available to cover them up. From non-committal one-off highlights to custom color boxes tailored just for you, the top products for covering gray are long-lasting and produce salon-worthy results. Make sure you use a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner designed specifically for silver or grey hair to ensure its health between salon visits.
Ashy Silver Babylights
If you want a softer approach than full-on bleach, ask your colorist for foil highlights with ashy silver strands – this technique will create even strands of gray on dark brown or black base color bases. This stunning ashy silver hue looks lovely on both long and short cuts alike, from long locks to chic short cuts like pixie or bob haircuts. The cool-toned neutral will complement any skin tone and can even help ease into natural grey tones gradually; just be sure to schedule regular root touch-ups and use purple shampoo against brassiness!
Cool-Toned Smoky Grey
Brightly-hued locks may be popular now but may wash out certain complexions. That is why the smokey gray hair color is an appealing option for brunettes or anyone wanting to incorporate 2023 trends without fully committing to vibrant hues. This light, smoky grey hair color blends cool ash tones with subtle silver highlights for a gorgeous greige aesthetic. Shay Mitchell wears it effortlessly, as its dusty hue looks natural against her dark brown strands and perfectly compliments her olive skin tone. Additionally, babylights painted throughout add depth without making her locks appear heavy or strident.
Chunky Ribbon Highlights
This bold look will turn heads regardless of your age or stage in life. Deep ribbon highlights work well on all hair textures ranging from dark blonde to black and can instantly complement your skin tone, offering instant flattery for features. Instead of the heavy, chunky highlights seen during the 1990s, which resembled zebra stripes, these face-framing ribbons seamlessly integrate with your natural color for a more subdued appearance. Ask your colorist to apply thin or thick ribbons according to your personal taste. Caramel highlights add dimension and depth to any hairstyle’s chin-length bob or shoulder-length variation, providing a sophisticated take on the popular chunky highlight trend embraced by celebrities like Kelly Clarkson.
Cool-Toned Smoky Grey Balayage
If vivid hair colors are too much for you, consider opting for smoky grey instead. With its softer version of this trend, this look adds a moody hue that works well across complexions. Request that your stylist blend silver, grey, and pewter shades into cool-toned neutral strands using the balayage technique. Icy grey and metallic silver tones combine beautifully with beige-blonde highlights for a stunning sun-kissed effect. A popular option among brunettes, smoky grey balayage provides an elegant and subtle style that’s easy to maintain. Combine light grey shades, rose-blonde tones, and pewter hues for an effortlessly sophisticated style that requires minimal upkeep.
Cool-Toned Smoky Grey Balayage with Lowlights
If you’re ready to embrace your natural graying but aren’t quite ready for full-on silver hair coloring, grey balayage with a smoky brown base is a lovely solution. This cool-toned hue blends easily with existing brunette locks, while subtle lowlights add just the right amount of dimension and dimension to your locks. Instead of bleaching all your strands, consult your stylist about root melting or foil techniques to achieve this smoky grey ombre look. Its natural fade will gradually reveal itself, while its minimal brassiness prevents over-processing and overheating. This style pairs well with layered bob cuts and works on all skin tones.
Warm-Toned Smoky Grey Balayage
Silver grey balayage adds a subtle, natural-looking gradation of lightness to a dark base color for an exquisite effect that works beautifully on all skin tones. Unlike traditional foil highlights, this technique blends lighter hues for an incandescent glow reminiscent of sun-kissed skin tones. Cool-toned ash-brown balayage is an elegant solution for brunettes looking to camouflage gray hair without appearing stark. This look blends lowlights and baby lights into an understated cool grey hue, which pairs beautifully with wavy shoulder-length bobs with side parts and beautiful side parts. Cool grey balayage with a hint of pink is an elegant solution for anyone who desires a soft, silvery hue. Easy to maintain, this shade suits almost all skin tones perfectly.
