Revealed: The Best Way to Cover Grey on Dark Hair

The Best Color to Cover Grey Roots on Dark Hair

The colour you choose to cover gray hair depends on how much grey there is, and what type of result your client wants. For those who have a lower volume of greys or are looking for a more low maintenance result, consider using a demi-permanent colour, like Color Touch. This will allow you to achieve 50-70% grey coverage, and it will ‘stain’ salt ’n’ pepper roots before gradually fading, without leaving a demarcation line.

Illumina Color is also a go-to for its light-reflective finish, as it lends hair a multi-dimensional effect that looks entirely natural. However, for a high percentage of grey and when full coverage is desired, a permanent colour is best, as it offers long-lasting, pure pigment. That’s why we often turn to Koleston Perfect to swipe away silver regrowth, which gives your clients up to 100% grey coverage in a spectrum of glossy shades. Looking for ideas on which hues to choose? Discover our guide to the best colours to cover grey hair, featuring warm browns and subtle lowlights.

How to Cover Grey Roots on Dark or Brunette Hair

1. Mix the Perfect Formula

It goes without saying that every good colour creation starts with the perfect formula. How you mix it will all come down to the level of grey you’re working with…

For up to 30% grey: Find a shade that matches your client’s mid-lengths or the darkest part of their regrowth, and add 6% Welloxon Perfect. This should be enough to disguise wispy greys through the temples and roots.

For 30-50% grey: You’ll still want to add 6% Welloxon Perfect to your client’s desired Koleston Perfect hue. Try mixing in 1/3 Pure Naturals (the /0 shades) too, which will increase grey coverage.

For more than 50% grey: This is where your client might want to achieve the highest coverage. Add the 6% Welloxon Perfect, but go for 1/2 Pure Naturals whipped up with your client’s shade. For dark hair with a red tinge – think mahogany or burgundy – add 1/2 Rich Naturals (the /00 shades) instead, which will help to maintain the depth and richness of a red.

2. Saturate the Roots

‘Easy does it’ isn’t your mantra here. Don’t be afraid to saturate the roots with colour, using a large tint brush to reach every layer and really cover those greys. For clients who are ultra-conscious of silver strands, you can even go back in halfway through developing, adding a little more formula to any particularly stubborn roots.

3. Check Developing Colour

While it might sound obvious, keeping an eye on developing colour is a must. The last thing you want to do is rinse out a tint before it’s had the chance to work its magic. Typically, colour needs 15-25 minutes with heat and 40 minutes without, but you can extend the development if the hair is resistant, keeping in mind that the maximum development time is 40 minutes. To check how it’s going, use the end of a tail comb to gently slide colour off a section of the roots, then look for any lightness peeking through. If you spot it, the colour still needs more time.

4. Get a Little Gloss

This doesn’t technically cover the roots, but hair that’s going grey tends to be a little drier, which can result in a dull, lackluster finish from root to tip. If your client wants to go for a glow, suggest following up root cover-up with a glossing service, which will subtly enhance their colour and give their locks a high-shine boost.

To see these tips in action, watch the below video, featuring Wella Professionals Colour Expert, Meiju Thornley. She takes you through advice on mixing your formula and ensuring colour develops flawlessly.

Image Credit: @solaciesalon | @sydniiee