Gray hair dyes (English)

The appearance of the first gray hair is often perceived as a personal tragedy. And not only by women, but also by men. And although noble gray hair periodically becomes fashionable, most people prefer to fight it. Single hairs are usually pulled out, and when the process is activated, they are painted over. And then it turns out that this is not so easy to do.

Gray hair structure

Only professional gray hair dye can cover a large amount of gray hair efficiently the first time. An unprofessional one often applies unevenly and is quickly washed off, creating the effect of faded strands. We asked experienced hairdressers why this happens. It turned out that the problem was in the altered structure of the gray hair.

The human hair shaft contains coloring pigments secreted by special cells - melanocytes. For a number of reasons, they may slow down or stop working altogether. Severe stress, hormonal imbalance and even taking certain medications can affect this process. And hair deprived of pigment becomes transparent. It reflects light and appears white to us.

Pigment-free areas in the hair body remain hollow, and the hair itself acquires a porous structure. It would seem that the coloring process should be simplified. But the paint is quickly washed off - it cannot stay in enlarged pores for long. This is why early gray hair is so difficult to reliably cover.

In addition, over time, the hair itself acquires a glassy structure - it becomes more rigid, as if covered with a hardened crust. It is difficult for the pigment to penetrate through it, and it remains only on the surface, as when tinting.

Scientists still don’t really know why this happens. But hairdressers have long understood that coarse gray hair must first be loosened.

Professional benefits

If a small amount of gray hair can be easily dealt with with regular toning or natural dyes, then a large amount of gray hair can be dealt with only with professional products.

Some manufacturers even have separate lines labeled “for gray hair.” The paints in it differ slightly in composition, since they take into account changes in their structure:

they have a high content of coloring pigment (sometimes up to 40%);
they are enriched with natural oils and vitamin supplements that make hair more elastic;
they often contain high-tech components that allow the dye to penetrate deeper;
The fixative necessarily contains substances that “seal” the pores in the hair shaft.

In addition, professionals use a special technology for coloring gray hair, which makes the process much more effective.

How to cover gray hair

Sooner or later, all women will face the question of which hair dye is best for covering gray hair. And everyone will have their own answer to this question, since choosing a brand and shade for yourself is not easy, so you often have to try several products.

Everything affects: the structure and condition of the hair, the amount of gray hair, your favorite palette and much more.

Ammonia-free dyes will not last long on graying hair. They can be used for intensive toning if there is little gray hair, but you will have to repeat the procedure at least once a month. Please note that they contain peroxide and will still damage your hair. Therefore, most women opt for permanent paints.

Natural remedies

If gray hair is not too dense and is less than 25%, then you can do without the use of permanent dyes. It is worth trying natural dyes, which not only will not harm your hair, but can also strengthen it, make it thicker and shinier.

Among them, henna and basma come first, which must be mixed to obtain beautiful shades - from light chestnut to dark chocolate. In this case, it is advisable to add olive or burdock oil to the mixture, otherwise the hair dries out and becomes brittle.

Henna and basma have significant disadvantages: they are quickly washed off, and after using them you have to wait at least a month before painting with ammonia paint.

You can darken gray hair by using strong herbal infusions: rosemary, sage, green walnut peel. They rinse clean curls and leave for 20-30 minutes. If you repeat the procedure at least every other day, then after a month you get very good results.

You can give gray hair a golden hue or disguise the yellowness that often appears in former smokers by using a similar chamomile decoction.

Household paints

It is difficult to say for sure which dye for gray hair is the most effective at home. Every woman has her own preferences. But the ranking of the most popular household paints is most often topped by the following:

"Londa." The main Londacolor palette provides deep, even color and perfectly covers gray hair.
L'Oreal. The best way to cover gray hair is with the “Preference” series, which not only gives a deep, rich shade, but also protects the hair from severe damage.
"Rowan". One of the most inexpensive and durable household paints, which perfectly covers even a large amount of gray hair, thanks to the high pigment content. The only significant drawback of this dye is that it dries out the hair a lot.
"Garnier". The Nutris Cream line from this popular manufacturer copes perfectly with gray hair. It has a soft creamy consistency, which allows you to color every hair with the highest quality.
"Palette". The most popular household paint from the Schwarzkopf company. It is better to color light gray hair with the “Color Naturals” series, the palette of which is dominated by natural shades: light brown, brown.

Important! When choosing a color, you need to remember that red lasts very poorly on gray hair and quickly fades, while black looks unnatural and adds age. For blondes, we can recommend golden and light brown shades, and for brunettes, chestnut or dark chocolate.

Professional products

Using professional lines at home is quite risky. But for gray hair, the risk is completely justified, since these dyes allow you to get the best results.

When painting monochrome, usually no problems or difficulties arise. The main thing is to carefully study the instructions and strictly follow the proportions of dilution of the dye and its exposure time.

Among the best dyes for gray hair, the rating is headed by the following professional dyes:

Matrix. Enriched with natural ingredients, the dye from the Dream Age Socolor Beauty line from Matrix can cope with even a large amount of gray hair. The product is designed so that preliminary prepigmentation is not required. It only needs to be diluted with an activator and applied to the strands. Convenient for home use.
Estel. The domestic manufacturer Estel has not only household, but also professional paints. And for graying hair there is a separate palette - Deluxe Silver, in which natural shades predominate, allowing a woman to rejuvenate her image by several years and completely hide gray hair.
Schwarzkopff. This company, a recognized leader in the production of professional and household hair dyes, offers in its Igora Royal line a whole palette of super-resistant shades specifically for gray hair. After using them, the color is uniform, and the hair becomes smooth and elastic again.

Important! It is strictly not recommended to use professional paints for complex painting techniques at home.

Secrets of coloring

To color gray hair better, professional hairdressers use slightly modified technology. These little secrets can be used at home, so that the result is no worse than in the salon:

Before starting coloring, a etching is done: a wash or 3% oxidizing agent is applied to the gray areas, which are left for 15-20 minutes.
If there is more than 50% gray hair, pre-pigmentation is needed. Half of the required amount of dye (depending on the length of the hair) is diluted with clean water in a ratio of 1:2 and applied to the hair.
After 15 minutes, staining can be done. The remaining paint is diluted with an oxidizing agent from 6 to 12% and evenly distributed over the strands.
Permanent paint should be applied first to the middle part of the strand, then to the ends and only finally to the roots. This way you can achieve uniform coloring along the length.
After the dye is washed off, be sure to apply a fixing balm to your hair and leave it on for at least 10 minutes.

These little tricks make the usual home coloring process somewhat more complicated. But it is thanks to them that you will not have to repeat it more often than usual. With this technology, the hair will no longer be too stiff, and after styling, the hairstyle will last longer.

Home care

How long the dye will last on gray hair largely depends on proper home care. It is imperative to maintain the brightness of the shade with the help of tinting balms. They will also help to disguise the growing roots, which are especially noticeable when painted in a dark color.

Shampoos and balms with a laminating effect are well suited for gray hair. If it is possible to do salon biolamination, even better.

After this procedure, the elasticity of the hair returns and it acquires a beautiful shine. Each hair is covered with a protective film that prevents the coloring pigment from being washed out too quickly.

Gray hair requires nutrition and hydration. To do this, you need to pamper them with masks twice a week. Whether these are professional remedies or folk recipes does not really matter. If you do not deal with the dryness of your curls, which intensifies after using permanent dyes, they will begin to break.

Various paints are used to cover gray hair. Products containing ammonia are considered the most effective.

The appearance of gray hair in humans is not always associated with age and the aging process of a person. The reasons for their appearance include emotional overload and various diseases. You can hide gray hair from prying eyes by dyeing your hair. For this, it is recommended to use professional hair dyes. They are used in combination with balms and healing masks.

Features of dyes for gray hair

The structure of gray hair differs from normal hair due to increased porosity. You can get rid of gray hair caused by various diseases. To do this, you need to undergo a course of treatment. It is impossible to get rid of age-related gray hair. This change in hair color is associated with the loss of natural pigment, which cannot be restored.

Gray hair coverage associated with certain difficulties.

Not every dye can handle coloring such hair. For them, use products containing at least:

Only professional paints can deal with gray hair 100%. Gentle dyes that do not contain ammonia are unable to evenly cover gray hair along the entire length of the hair. Conventional foundation paints contain weak oxidizing agents. The selection of dye depends on the type and thickness of hair.

To color hair with a moderate amount of gray hair, tinted shampoos and gels are used. These are not the most stable dyes intended for daily home hair care.

IN composition of home coloring products Hydrogen peroxide is included in gray hair. Demi-permanent dyes have average color fastness. Permanent dyes have the highest durability.

What colors are best for gray hair?

To dye gray hair, dyes of various colors and shades are used. There are a number of factors that you need to pay attention to when choosing them. Among them:

Age. The older a person is, the lighter he should choose to color his hair. This makes the appearance more youthful.
The sphere of human activity. Business people and government officials prefer not to use flashy colors to color their hair.

The most common colors for dyeing gray hair are blonde and ash.

When choosing a dye, the natural color of a person’s hair is always taken into account.

Most popular brands

The degree of effectiveness of products intended for hair coloring is indicated on the product packaging. The numbers are applied to it: 60%, 70% and 100%. Paints that do not contain ammonia wash off quickly. Among the commonly used dyes for gray hair are:

Matrix Dream Age SocolorBeauty.
Igora Royal Absolutes "Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Absolutes".

Matrix Dream Age SocolorBeauty

One of the best dyes for gray hair, which contains a small amount of ammonia, ceramide and camelina oil. It belongs to professional gentle products, the cost of which is affordable for a wide range of buyers. The Matrix Dream Age SocolorBeauty palette consists of 17 shades.

The product colors gray hair 100% and gives curls softness and manageability, as well as a multi-dimensional, multi-reflective color. For hair coloring "Matrix Dream Age SocolorBeauty" combined with cream oxidant "Matrix Socolor.beauty Dream" in a 1:1 ratio. The composition is applied evenly along the entire length of the hair and left on it for 20-45 minutes. After which the paint can be washed off.

Igora Royal Absolutes "Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Absolutes"

The use of paint is recommended for mature women with age-related gray hair. The cosmetic product contains vitamin B7. Its action is aimed at preserving the natural coloring pigment in the hair and ensuring its reliable protection from external factors.

"Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Absolutes" has a high cost. It is compensated by the high quality of the product and a wide range of color palettes. It includes 15 shades. When applying, the paint does not need to be mixed with other products. It is 100% effective in covering gray hair.

Estel De Luxe Silver

The effectiveness rate for coloring gray hair is 70%. The paint palette includes 7 dark colors and 150 tones. The product contains a large amount of ammonia. The paint is intended for professional use. After dyeing, a hair restoration procedure is carried out.

Estelle dye is applied to dry hair along its entire length. for 45 minutes. When re-dying, the product is applied only to the roots and left for no more than 35 minutes.

L'oreal Professionnel Color Supreme

Expensive professional gentle cosmetic product. It contains ammonia and Densilium-R, which strengthens the hair roots and restores their structure.

The product contains ammonia and a complex of vitamins.

London Color

The paint has 40 shades and is sold together with a special one. It has a gentle effect. Londa paint contains keratin and natural wax. The dye is applied to the entire length of the hair and left for 30-40 minutes. After this, the dye is washed off and a balm is applied to the hair. The coloring effect is 100%.

The problem of “metal” in strands is known to any of you, because for many representatives of the fair sex it appears quite early. But don't worry - the best dye for gray hair will help you hide the problem.

How to choose a good paint?

When choosing a product for gray hair, be sure to consider these important points:

Stick to permanent dyes. Considering the specific characteristics of gray hair, gentle products are indispensable;
Pay attention to the effectiveness of gray coverage indicated on the package (60, 70, 100%);
Avoid colors that are too bright or too dark – rely on the shade of your natural hair;
Give preference to paints with caring ingredients.

Advice! If you have any doubts about the quality of the paint or the success of the entire procedure, consult with a specialist. This also applies to those with damaged hair.

Review of popular brands

What is the best hair dye? To answer this question, we decided to create a rating of the most effective means. It covers a fairly large number of dyes - from household and cheap to expensive and professional.

Persistent professional dye from a Russian manufacturer with a low amount of ammonia. It contains natural substances, including cocoa butter, which nourishes the hair from the inside and makes the strands shiny and soft. It features a varied palette - 100 beautiful shades + 6 color enhancers. Gives hair an even and rich shade. Among the disadvantages is the rapid loss of shine.

"Loreal Professionnel Color Supreme"

This product will cost a very serious amount, but believe me, the purchase is completely justified. The effectiveness of this paint is at a very high level - it works even in cases where gray hair has affected more than 80% of the hair. "Loreal Professionnel Color Supreme" contains Densilium-R, a special substance that strengthens the roots, thickens the strands and restores their structure.

Professional dye for gray hair, developed in Holland, is divided into 3 subtypes - permanent, gentle and for SPA dyeing. The Keune palette is very large - 107 different tones (80 main and 5 mixtones). What is important is that the end result always corresponds to what is stated on the packaging. The dye has an unobtrusive odor, does not irritate the epidermis and contains silk proteins, which make the strands softer.

Permanent cream paint “Palet” is another popular and budget option. It covers gray hair well, has a unique “color protection” complex, and provides lasting results for 2 months. Includes 32 different tones, from which you can easily choose what you need. “Palette” contains three types of dyes - for light, semi-permanent and permanent coloring.

As for the disadvantages, these include the lack of balm, a strong smell and the negative effect of the composition on the hair - it becomes brittle and over-dried. To avoid these moments, take care of your hair using special cosmetics - masks, balms, serums. They also note the fact that one tube is often not enough to color the entire length.

"Preference Recital L'Oreal"

Very high quality paint, the price of which is about 250 rubles. For this money you get not only uniform coloring, but also comprehensive care during the entire procedure. After dyeing, the hair becomes vibrant and shiny.

"Estel De Luxe" from Unicosmetics

This is a professional Russian brand that has managed to win millions of fans over the short period of its existence. It masks gray hair well, is gentle on hair and offers a very large palette to choose from. Gives colored hair shine, brightness and silkiness. "Estelle" has a creamy texture - it does not spread and spreads evenly over the entire length. The unique composition is also pleasing - the dye contains a shimmering pigment and a nutritional emulsion based on chitosan, vitamins and chestnut extract. The disadvantages include an unpleasant ammonia smell and the ability to dry out hair.

Good paint made in France, belonging to the gentle line. It has a unique formula - a minimum of chemicals + natural ingredients that create an invisible protective shell on the strands. The color range includes 66 fashionable colors - from natural to exclusive.

A professional dye produced in Germany, designed for permanent coloring of graying hair. Thanks to the special formula, it does not spread at all and evenly saturates the entire length, so it is ideal for painting the house. In terms of the number of tones, “Igora Royal” takes first place. The presence of mixtons is also pleasing, allowing you to create unique combinations. The paint has a pleasant fruity aroma - there is absolutely no pungent odor. It contains useful vitamins and other caring substances.

"Wella Koleston Perfect"

Without exaggeration, this durable dye can be called the embodiment of impeccable German quality. A special line for gray hair is preferred by both professional stylists and ordinary women. In the palette you will find natural and unusual shades. Wella Koleston Perfect ammonia-free hair dye does not dry out your hair and gives it a rich shine. Unfortunately, some tones fade slightly over time.

Rowan by Acme Color

Permanent paint with rowan extract can easily be called the most affordable. Its average price is 100 rubles, but the result will be rich, bright and incredibly durable. The palette includes 30 different tones. The only drawback of "Rowan" is the strong ammonia smell, which does not dissipate throughout the entire staining procedure.

"Matrix SoColor" is an American-made permanent dye for gray hair, the main advantage of which is the patented "ColorGrip" technology. It is very popular and gives the hair a bright and intense shade. It applies very easily, evenly saturates the entire length, retains color for a long time, adapts to the pigment of the strands, which ensures an excellent result. The paint formula contains nourishing ingredients that restore damaged structure. Cons – slightly dries out ends, contains ammonia.

Professional ammonia paint from a famous Italian brand guarantees full coloring in 100 beautiful tones. Its undoubted advantage is its high durability. In the composition you will find nourishing ingredients that even out the structure of porous hair. Unfortunately, the consistency of this product is not thick.

"Londa Color Permanent"

Don't know which hair dye is best for gray hair? Pay attention to the salon creamy product from “Londa Color” (Germany). The color does not wash off for about 8 weeks, and the oxidizing emulsion has a positive effect on the uniformity of the composition and provides excellent results. The dye tints gray hair and revitalizes hair. It contains lipids and natural waxes that provide high-quality care and neutralize the effects of chemicals. An important advantage of London Color is its affordable price. The downside is that there is a small selection of shades.

A popular dye with a rich palette (35 stylish shades), developed in the best traditions of nano-molecular technologies. It contains vitamins H, E, A and B3, which provide powerful protection against negative influences. It colors very softly, which will certainly appeal to those with sensitive epidermis. It dries out the strands a little and has a pungent odor.

Tips to help you choose a dye for gray hair:

Which professional hair dye covers gray hair best? Good hairdressers are happy to recommend Farmavita dyes - this Italian brand is extremely popular in the hairdressing community. Created on the basis of plant extracts, nourishing oils and medicinal herbs, they carefully color hair in natural and deep tones. “Farmavita” has a creamy texture, does not flow at all and evenly permeates the entire length.

The advantages include an affordable price and a low percentage of ammonia. Among the disadvantages, we note the drying effect and rapid fading of color.

Russian permanent with a low ammonia content. The color palette consists of 80 basic tones, 6 mixtones and 12 shades for blondes. Gives a very long-lasting color, but dries the strands a little and does not contain additional caring additives.

Good liquid paint made in France. Gives a very lasting effect, 100% masks gray hair, pleases with a variety of colors (45 current shades). In the kit you will find a balm based on natural ingredients to restore the damaged structure. Loreal Preference paint has a thick consistency, but it smells quite unpleasant.

Garnier Color Naturals

A very high-quality product, which is based on three ingredients - olive oil, avocado oil and shea butter. Thanks to its thick consistency, Garnier Color Naturals does not run and is easy to apply. It smells quite nice, gives bright shades without unnecessary yellowness. The color fully corresponds to the dried one.

Gentle paint from Schwarzkopf&Henkel (Germany) is intended for independent use. Contains natural ingredients that have a positive effect on hair health. We are talking about wheat proteins, B vitamins and aloe vera. The palette contains 20 tones.

Attention! "Syoss" can only be used on previously undyed gray hair.

The product of Russian-French cooperation will help change your image without harming your hair. Fully corresponds to the declared palette. It has good durability, does not fade for a long time and does not wash out, and perfectly masks gray hair. Contains active ingredients (arginine and amla oil), thanks to which the strands become incredibly soft. And most importantly, Faberlic Krasa does not contain PDD, a harmful chemical that often leads to allergies. Unfortunately, the paint has a strong odor, and its tube is not very convenient.

"Casting Creme Gloss L'Oreal"

The unique formula of the dye without ammonia completely eliminates gray color, does not sting the skin and does not cause irritation. The palette has 28 colors. The smell is pleasant, the texture is thick enough to ensure easy application. The package contains a balm based on royal jelly. It is used sparingly - one tube is more than enough for medium-length hair. The color comes out brilliantly.

It boasts a wide range of colors, allowing you to implement the most daring experiments. It has a gentle effect, gives the hair a beautiful shade, preserves its structure, gives shine and gloss. The smell is light and pleasant.

Important! Natural shades sometimes have a greenish undertone, so it is very important to mix the pigments correctly.

Perhaps this is one of the best dyes for gray hair. The new development of the French company L'Oreal has a patented formula consisting of the Incel molecule, the Revel Color color development system and the microcationic polymer Ionen G. Thanks to them, the dye does not destroy the structure and is not washed out for a long time. The creamy texture ensures easy application without smudges. The palette contains both bright and restrained tones.

Professional French paint without ammonia from the world famous brand “Loreal” has no pungent odor and includes a palette of luxurious shades. It is based on monoethanolamine, a unique dye that allows you to cover gray hair and even out the overall tone. "Inoa" does not upset the lipid balance and does not dry out the strands. Among the paint components there are protective substances that prevent the development of allergies and irritation of the epidermis.

This Finnish remedy is very common in the professional sphere. It copes very effectively with gray hair, providing not only high-quality coloring, but also intensive care. Waxes (beeswax and arctic cranberry), included in the base of the product, give shine to the strands and nourish them from the inside.

Important! Cutrin contains no ammonia, silicones or preservatives.

The famous Japanese dye has truly unique qualities - it simultaneously protects the hair and ensures its uniform coloring. "Lebel Materia" contains a small dose of peroxide and ammonia, which did not prevent it from becoming one of the best for coloring gray hair. It contains lipids and phytosterols, which are involved in the deep renewal of the structure of the strands, as well as a considerable amount of color pigments that contribute to long-lasting coloring.

Unfortunately, there are no ready-made shades in the palette - you have to mix the base colors. For this reason, Lebel Materia is not very convenient to use at home.

"Anthocyanin Second Edition"

Professional dyes for coloring graying strands cannot do without “Anthocyanin Second Edition”, a new dye with an incredibly bright palette and a laminating effect. This cosmetic product is based on plant extracts that promote deep coloring. The product delights with a light aroma and gives shine to the strands. Unfortunately, it is difficult to wash off the skin.

This rating is completed by ammonia-free ionic paint of American origin. Her palette consists of copper, ash and natural colors. There is no ammonia in the composition - the procedure involves a wave of the long infrared spectrum, which lifts the scales, letting pigment into them.

Rules for coloring gray hair

To use dye without harming your hair, remember these few rules:

Determine the number of gray strands. If there are more than 50%, you need to select the proportions in the ratio 1:1.5 (oxygen/paint). At 70% gray hair, the proportions are distributed in a 1:1 ratio;

Analyze their distribution. If the gray hair comes through evenly and does not exceed 50%, feel free to use paints marked “for covering up to 50%.” If it appears in islands, use products without ammonia;
Set the character of the gray hair and the stiffness of the strands. For coloring glassy hair, the proportions are 2:1. Women with soft hair can choose a 1:1 ratio. They need to take a dye one tone lighter than desired;
The dyeing procedure should begin from the back of the head - this area has the lowest temperature;
For several days before the procedure, do not use shampoo and conditioner;
Decide on a color. It is most difficult to cover gray hair on dark hair, because it has a denser structure. That is why brown-haired women and brunettes should choose shades from the natural range (close to their native color). In almost all paints they are designated by a number - 0, 4.0, 5.0, etc. Those who want to change the color need to choose tones located clockwise. In this case, you will protect yourself from unpredictable results.

By following these recommendations, you will never be faced with the question: “Why doesn’t the dye stick to gray hair?”

See also: How to dye gray hair at home (video)

Gray hair dyes