Download Article
Temporarily make your hair grey or white for a costume
Download Article
If you need to get gray hair for a costume, don’t panic—you don’t have to dye your hair. There are a ton of simple, effective ways to temporarily color your hair, including white powder, greasepaint, temporary hairspray, hair chalk, and hair wax. In this article, we’ll walk you through each method step-by-step so you have realistic looking gray hair for your costume.
How to Make DIY Gray Hair
For a simple method, sprinkle baby powder or white powder makeup over your hair and work it into the roots. Applying hair chalk or colored hair wax are other easy solutions—just follow the instructions on the package. Or, apply a bit of white greasepaint or temporary hair spray from a costume store.
Steps
-
Dip a sponge or brush in white powder. Applying white powder to your hair is a great way to achieve temporary gray hair or a salt-and-pepper look. Purchase loose white face powder , baby powder, talcum powder , cornstarch, or any other white powder that is safe to use around your hair and face. Pour the powder into a bowl and dip a makeup sponge or brush into it. [1] X Research source- If you want something that lasts longer, use powder hair dye according to the package’s instructions.
-
Brush the powder along your temples. Lightly brush the sponge or brush on the hair along your temples to begin graying your hair. Work the powder from the roots of your hair up, especially around the hair that frames your face. This will give it a more realistic appearance. Reapply the powder as needed to ensure you get full coverage and your desired color. [2] X Research source- Even though the powder is white, the natural color of your hair will come through to make your hair look like it’s gray.
- If you want a subtly older look, brushing the powder on the temples is usually enough, as people tend to go gray first around the temples.
- Make sure to avoid getting powder on your face. Brush away powder with a wet cloth if you get it on your forehead or neck.
Advertisement -
Sprinkle the powder onto your hair. If you want a dramatic, all-over white look, lean back over a sink and sprinkle a pinch of powder over your hair. Drape a towel around your shoulders, as this can be messy. [3] X Research source Use your fingers to work the powder through your hair, starting at the top of your head and spreading the powder down your hair shaft. -
Spray your hair with hairspray. Once you have finished working the powder through your hair and are satisfied with the look, spray your hair liberally with hairspray . This will set the powder and ensure it stays in place for your costume. It should wash out after thoroughly shampooing your hair.
Advertisement
-
Dip a toothbrush in white or gray greasepaint. Purchase professional-grade white or gray greasepaint makeup , which is often used in clowning and can be found at Halloween or costume specialty stores. Dip a toothbrush in the greasepaint and rub it in to cover the brush in paint. [4] X Research source- Greasepaint has better staying power than powder and is less messy to apply. However, if you have long hair and are applying it all over, it will likely feel heavier and stiffer than powder.
- White or grey greasepaint can work, depending on the shade of grey you want. If you use a light hand, your natural hair color will come through so that it will likely look grey even if you use white.
-
Brush the greasepaint through your hair. Use the toothbrush to work the greasepaint into your hair. Brush it on the same way you would apply the powder, starting at your hairline around your temples and forehead, then brushing out to the rest of your head. Use a light hand and work in layers, as too much greasepaint in one spot can look blotchy. [5] X Research source -
Use a hairbrush to cover your entire head. If you want a dramatic, all-over grey effect, smear a thin layer of greasepaint onto the tips of a hairbrush. Brush the paint through your hair until you get the desired effect. It should stay in place for your costume and wash out after you shampoo your hair. [6] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Brush your hair with a wide-toothed comb. Use a wide-toothed comb to brush all of your hair out, removing any snags or tangles. Then, comb down a section of hair at the side of your face, stopping midway down the hair shaft. Combing out your hair separates all the strands so that you can spray your hair more evenly. [7] X Research source- If you have short hair, you don’t need to comb through your hair.
-
Spray gray hairspray at the top of your hair. Still holding the comb in your hair, lightly and evenly spray the top of the section of hair you’re combing with gray or silver hairspray . If you have short hair, simply spray your entire head evenly with the hairspray, building it up in layers if you want a more dramatic effect. [8] X Research source- Find temporary gray or silver spray color at most beauty stores and Halloween stores.
- Silver spray is usually more common, but it may have a metallic effect. Check the packaging or consult a store associate before purchasing a temporary silver hairspray.
- Hairspray is very effective at coloring your hair, but it may make your hair stiff depending on how much you use.
-
Comb and spray the rest of your hair. Once you’ve sprayed the top of the strand you’re combing, run the comb down your hair shaft and spray to the tips of your hair. Repeat the spraying process on your whole head. If necessary, use a mirror for the back of your head, and apply the spray until you are satisfied with the look. The spray should come out in one wash. [9] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Wet your hair and the hair chalk. Purchase gray or silver hair chalk at a beauty supply store and dip the tip of the chalk in water, following the instructions on the package. Then, use a spray bottle filled with water to spray and dampen your hair. [10] X Research source- Hair chalk is very strongly pigmented, much more so than sidewalk chalk or artist pastel chalk.
-
Rub the chalk through a section of your hair. Brush your hair to separate all the strands, then separate a strand of your hair and hold it away from your face by the tips. Starting at the roots of your hair, rub the dampened tip of the hair chalk downward to coat and color the section of your hair. [11] X Research source -
Color the rest of your hair the same way. Repeat the process of holding a section of your hair and coloring it with the chalk until you’ve achieved your desired look. You may need to re-dampen the tip of the chalk several times if you have long hair. [12] X Research source -
Set the chalk with heat. Once you’ve finished coating your head, wait for about one minute, then blow-dry your hair to set the color for the day. If you want to keep the color for a few days, use a hair straightener or curler on the gray parts to encourage the color to last longer. [13] X Research source -
Spray your hair with hairspray. Hair chalk has the tendency to rub off on your clothes, so spritz your hair all over with hairspray to make sure it stays in place. The hair chalk should come out after 1 or 2 shampoos. [14] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Wash your hair. While hair wax can be applied to dry hair, it’s usually recommended to wash your hair first, as clean hair typically cooperates better. Leave your hair slightly damp to make the process easier. [15] X Research source -
Apply a pea-sized amount of hair wax. Purchase white or silver hair wax online or from a beauty store. Use your fingers to dip out a pea-sized amount and begin working it through your hair in sections. Colored hair wax can be very vibrant, so it’s best to start with a small amount and add more as needed. [16] X Research source- Hair wax works well for coloring short hair or facial hair.
-
Comb or twist your hair to style it. Use your fingers to twist your hair to achieve your desired look, and use a comb to rake through your hair and ensure the wax is distributed evenly. Style your hair as desired. [17] X Research source -
Dry your hair with a hairdryer. Colored hair wax can transfer to your clothes and other surfaces, so let it dry completely to ensure it stays in place. While you can air-dry your hair, it’s usually more efficient to use a hairdryer. You’ll know it’s dry when you can touch it and the color doesn’t come off on your hands. The product should wash out completely after one wash. [18] X Research source
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- You can also use a gray wig or clip-in extensions.Thanks
- If you don’t mind the gray color lasting a few weeks, you can use semi-permanent hair dye. This works best on blond or bleached hair.Thanks
- These methods work great if you want to dress as an elderly person for Halloween or for theater productions.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://cosplayadvice.com/6-ways-to-make-your-hair-white-or-gray-for-a-costume/
- ↑ https://cosplayadvice.com/6-ways-to-make-your-hair-white-or-gray-for-a-costume/
- ↑ https://cosplayadvice.com/6-ways-to-make-your-hair-white-or-gray-for-a-costume/
- ↑ http://www.communitytheater.org/how_to/spray.htm
- ↑ http://www.communitytheater.org/how_to/spray.htm
- ↑ http://www.communitytheater.org/how_to/spray.htm
- ↑ https://youtu.be/wJ857ceKylA?t=64
- ↑ https://youtu.be/wJ857ceKylA?t=76
- ↑ https://hairextensionmagazine.com/5-temporary-ways-to-change-your-hair-color-for-halloween/
- ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/hair/advice/a17044/hair-chalking/
- ↑ https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/hair-chalk-recipe-and-application-tutorial/
- ↑ https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/hair-chalk-recipe-and-application-tutorial/
- ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/hair/advice/a17044/hair-chalking/
- ↑ https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/hair-chalk-recipe-and-application-tutorial/
- ↑ https://cosplayadvice.com/6-ways-to-make-your-hair-white-or-gray-for-a-costume/
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/a42121863/hair-color-wax/
- ↑ https://cosplayadvice.com/6-ways-to-make-your-hair-white-or-gray-for-a-costume/
- ↑ https://www.glam.com/1168869/what-to-know-about-using-hair-color-wax-for-a-temporary-color-boost/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To make your hair look gray for a costume, try using talcum powder or cornstarch. First, dip a sponge or brush into the powder. Brush the hair along your temples first, since this is typically where people start to go gray. Then, work from your roots down for a more realistic look. Once the powder is on, spray your hair with hairspray to set the look. You can also use gray greasepaint to make your hair look gray. Just dip a toothbrush into the greasepaint and brush it through your hair. To learn how to use hair chalk, keep reading!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 852,858 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Comprehensive instructions helped. I didn't have to look anywhere else for ideas on how to pull off this technique. Thanks!" ..." more
Advertisement
"Comprehensive instructions helped. I didn't have to look anywhere else for ideas on how to pull off this technique. Thanks!"
..."
more
"I was looking how to make my hair grey and this article helped."
