At a Glance
- Vivid color reflects, long lasting shine
- Visibly improved hair condition and softness
- Low ammonia, pleasant floral fragrance
- High quality professional hair coloring system
- Easy step-by-step instructions
- 3 oz tube of direct dye - no developer needed
- Feria Is Multi-Faceted Permanent Hair Color: Known for shimmering color and edgy colors, Feria permanent hair dye kits...
- Multi-Tonal, Shimmering Feria Hair Color: With 50 plus bold shades ranging from deepest black hair dye to platinum blonde and...
- L'Oreal Permanent Hair Color: L'Oreal Paris Hair Color comes in multiple formulations and styles to deliver long-lasting...
For most people, the thought of having grey hair is something associated with getting old. That is, until recent times, when “granny hair” has become the height of fashion – and if you don’t believe me, read on!
It only took a few stars to spark the silver fox trend. Celebrities like Kate Moss, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian have set silver and grey hair colors on center stage. Top fashion designers like John Paul Gaultier and the renowned house of Chanel have even used grey haired models in some of their catwalk shows.
So if you want to join the league of ladies who have chosen to go elegantly grey, what’s the best way to make sure you achieve the shining silver starlet look and avoid grumpy granny grey? We explore the issues around home coloring for grey hair and reveal our picks for the best grey hair dye.
Softly, Softly? or All the Way?
You don’t have to jump into grey hair feet first – there are ways of achieving fantastic looks which involve having just a hint of grey. One option, for example, is to go for a very light, icy blonde color and combine with a silver toner for a more subtle look.
Alternatively, you could go the whole hog and jump right into full-on silver grey – it is very dramatic and can be extremely elegant and sophisticated. Take a look at this video compilation of celebrity silver surfers:
If you like the idea of sliver grey locks but you aren’t sure whether it will suit you, it might be a good idea to try out a non-permanent color first.
Does It Work on Previously Colored Hair?
One of the most important factors in whether or not grey hair dye works well is what color your hair is currently.
Whether natural or dyed, if your hair is darker than very light blonde, you will need to pre-lighten your hair before using grey hair dye.
A word of warning, however; pre-lightening treatment can be particularly harsh on your hair, so it is very important to choose a good quality pre-lightening product from a reputable supplier and to follow the directions exactly.
If you have colored your hair extensively in the past, it’s important to be extra careful when pre-lightening and coloring your hair grey. If the condition of your hair has already been compromised by recent or extensive coloring and other treatments, this is something to bear in mind.
Steps to Becoming a Silver Fox
When coloring hair at home, most manufacturers of hair color products recommend that you do not change your hair color to a dramatically different color than your own.
As grey is clearly radically different from most natural hair colors, unless you have very light blonde hair, there’s a strong possibility that a grey hair color won’t work.
You might need to be patient to achieve the silvery star look while preserving the condition of your hair. It may take more than one pre-lightening treatment to get your hair light enough to go grey, particularly if you have dark hair.
If you do need to pre-lighten more than once, it’s best to leave time between treatments. Some people suggest at least week, but it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific product you are using.
If necessary, contact the manufacturer directly for advice – many hair product manufacturers have customer helplines – or consult a hairdresser for advice.
It’s also a good idea to also give your hair a rest between pre-lightening and coloring.
Using Grey Hair Dye
Once you have achieved a very light shade of blonde, it’s time to move on to the process of applying your grey hair color.
It’s very important with grey hair color to do a strand test first. This will help to make sure your hair doesn’t react badly to the color, and help you to gauge how long you need to leave the hair color in for. Don’t be tempted to skip this step!
Make sure you have some uninterrupted time set aside and a good space to work in. A freestanding or wall-mounted mirror is a good idea to help you make sure you don’t miss any areas.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly before you start, then make sure you have everything you need to hand.
Things to Consider
All over single color grey can look harsh for some people. People with dark eyes and eyebrows, and warmer skin tones, for example, might want to consider having more of the grey in the mid-lengths and ends of their hair, leaving the roots darker to blend in with your overall coloring – more of an ombre effect.
Another option might be to try grey highlights. As with all highlights, you can choose how dense or sparse you want them to be. Highlighting in slices can be a dramatic way to use grey.
Very fine highlights, however, can make the hair look ashen colored and miss the point of the bold statement people often want to make by going silver or grey.
Lightening your hair to this extent can weaken it, so make sure you hair is in good condition before you start. Consider some conditioning and strengthening treatments to make sure you hair stays in good condition.
Look out for hair care products specifically for gray colored hair; many manufacturers offer “silver toned” products to help maintain your color for as long as possible.
With many types of grey hair color, the longer you leave the color in contact with your hair, the more blue the resulting color will be.
Precautions for Use
It is possible to have an allergic reaction or irritation caused by hair color. If you experience any discomfort, particularly intense burning while coloring your hair, wash the hair color off immediately and seek professional advice.
While historically many people thought hair coloring was a no-go during pregnancy, research shows only a small amount of the chemicals are absorbed. Experts currently think that dyeing hair during pregnancy does not present a high risk of harming your baby (source) though in my opinion it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What Is the Best Grey Hair Dye?
With so many different products available, selecting the right grey hair dye for you can be tough. We have chosen five popular permanent products to review in order to give you the heads up on the best grey hair dye.
There are a variety of different shades of grey (maybe even as many as fifty!) available, and it’s important to remember that the color you end up with will depend on how you use the product and your existing hair color.
L'Oréal Paris
Feria Pastels There is no doubting the reputation of L’Oreal in the health and beauty market; they have been a trusted brand for decades. Users loved the blended tones achieved with this hair color – this product gives an interesting silvery grey lavender hue – and found that the color generally lasted well without fading. Some users noted that the color was too blue for their liking, and a few were disappointed as the color didn’t take in their hair. Most people were very happy with the results, however, and liked the convenience that comes with a hair color kit.
Dcash Master
Permanent Hair Cream This product is a color kit which comes with a color developer. People who pre-lightened their hair were generally impressed with the results and happy with this product, which leaves hair feeling soft and manageable. People with shoulder length hair or longer found they needed two kits to cover their locks well, and some people commented that their color result was more a very light lavender blonde rather than grey. A few users reported that the color faded quickly with a few washes, but in general people liked this product and were satisfied with the results.
Sparks
Long Lasting Bright Hair Color This hair dye is popular with users as it produces a very vibrant bright grey color. It should be applied to pre-lightened hair, and the color is fade resistant and long lasting. People reported that their hair felt healthy and well-conditioned following use. Many people commented on the range of shades available – there is also a purple-grey available, as well as many other colors. Some users were disappointed to find that the color didn’t take as well as they expected but most people were satisfied with this product.
Ugly Duckling LA
Professional Hair Color Users were very impressed with this product, which is enriched with argan oil and results in a smooth glossy finish. Most people loved the vivid color, found their hair was well hydrated, and also liked the fragrance of this hair color. Some users found that the color faded or washed out soon after application, and some people commented that it was too expensive. In general, however, most people were very satisfied and thought this hair dye was worth the cost.
Berina
Permanent hair dye color cream The majority of people really liked this hair color from Berina; they found it easy to apply producing a beautiful silver grey color. That said, some people reported a blue or pink hue, while others found that the color didn’t work on their hair. Users reported needing to use at least two tubes for hair that’s shoulder length or longer. Some people reported that the instructions that come with the product were not in English, and some people experienced a long wait when ordering online. In general, though, people with happy with the product and found it left hair feeling soft and in good condition.
our #1 rated
Pros
Complete color kit includes color
developer and intensive conditioner
Multi-faceted color
Light reflector boost to make hair shimmer
Deep conditioning
Pleasant scent
Cons
May be too blue for some people
This product didn’t work for some users
our #2 rated
Pros
Color kit includes color and developer
Metallic blonde color
Gentle on hair
Leaves hair feeling soft
Pleasant scent
Cons
Some user found the color faded quickly
our #3 rated
Pros
2.9 fluid ounce tube
Made in US
Ammonia free
No developer needed
Suitable for vegans
Not tested on animals
Cons
Some users found this product didn’t color their hair
our #4 rated
Pros
3 fluid ounce tube
Vibrant color
Low ammonia
Enriched with argan oil
Not tested on animals
Pleasant fragrance
Cons
Some users found that the color faded or washed out
our #5 rated
Pros
2 fluid ounce tube
Vibrant silver grey color
Leaves hair feeling soft
Subtle fragrance
Cons
Some users found the product didn’t color their hair
Produced in/distributed from Thailand
Our Choice for the Best Grey Hair Dye
Out of the five products we reviewed, our overall favorite was the L’Oréal Paris Feria Pastels Hair Color Sapphire Smoke. People liked the convenience of having everything they needed to color their hair in one kit, and users were generally very impressed with the results, especially the shimmery effect of the multi-faceted tones.
Many people commented on the good condition of their hair after coloring and using the intensive conditioner supplied in the kit. Users felt confident using a well-known and respected brand, and thought this hair color kit was good value for money.
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