Frequently Asked Questions
What hair color works best on gray hair?
“Gray hair tends to be more coarse and porous, so look for formulas labeled as ‘gray coverage’ or ‘rich coverage,’” says Esposito. “Demi-permanent hair dyes are great for first-timers or those who want less commitment, while permanent formulas are ideal for high-percentage gray.” In terms of color, Maccaro suggests looking for hues described as “neutral,” “natural,” or “natural gold.” These colors, she says, have flattering results on most skin tones and “help counteract the starkness of the gray.”
Is it better to go darker or lighter with gray hair?
“It depends on skin tone, but in general, going a bit lighter or warmer can soften features and create a more natural blend with grays as they grow in,” Esposito says. “Super dark shades may draw attention to regrowth. A soft medium brown, warm blonde, or even golden caramel tone often blends grays more seamlessly and ages more gracefully.”
Maccaro adds a tip for home-color rookies. “If you’re new to color, choose a shade that’s one level lighter than your natural color or your desired tone,” she instructs. “This gives you more wiggle room to adjust and avoids the ‘box dye went too dark’ look.”
Meet the experts
- Jen Atkin, a stylist and founder of Ouai based in Seattle
- Vito Esposito, founder and head stylist of Vito Esposito based in Beverly Hills, California
- Abby Haliti, a colorist and founder of Abby Haliti Color Studio based in New York City
- Jennifer Korab, a New Jersey-based hairstylist and founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa based in Hillsborough, New Jersey
- Kristina Maccaro, educator, colorist, and owner of Love Lane Salon based in Jersey City, New Jersey
- Jamee Mahmood, a hairstylist and owner of Square Roots Salon based in Bellevue, Washington
- Jackson Simmonds, a master colorist and stylist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best hair colors for gray hair, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists who test and recommend moisturizers almost every day. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Read more about hair-color options and treatments to keep your color vibrant for as long as possible
