How to Cover Grey Roots on Highlighted Hair

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Experimenting with different hair colors and highlights can be a lot of fun, but it can be frustrating to see grey roots grow in to your new hair. While many people are embracing their grey or silver hair, it’s natural to want to cover it up! Depending on your hair type and the length of your regrowth, you can cover grey roots on highlighted hair at home by redoing your highlights or using a gloss. There are a few natural ways to cover grey roots without dyeing your hair as well.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Applying Permanent Dye to Roots

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  1. 1
    Choose the right dye color for your roots. Pick a dye that’s close to your current hair color. A dye 2 to 3 shades lighter or darker than your current color will look best. When choosing between 2 shades, stick with the lighter color, which can be easier to correct if needed. [1]
    • For example, if your hair is a dark brown, then stick with a shade that is a similar color dark brown.
  2. 2
    Use a permanent dye for lasting coverage. A semi-permanent or demi-permanent dye will wash out slowly over time, and these types of dyes won’t completely cover your grey hairs. Instead, semi- and demi-permanent dyes help the grey hairs to blend in. They can also leave a yellow tint on grey hair as the color fades. It’s best to use a permanent dye to cover your roots. [2]
    • If you do end up with a yellow tint to your grey hairs, use a purple shampoo to help remove it.
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  3. 3
    Mix the dye with developer according to the instructions in your kit. Mix the hair dye and developer together in a small disposable bowl. An applicator brush can help you apply dye to your roots more precisely than the bottle included in your kit. [3]
    • Use disposable gloves when handling your dye.
    • If you only have a few small areas with grey hairs, then you can use a clean toothbrush or mascara wand to apply the dye.
    • If you’re applying dye near your temples or forehead, coat your hairline, ears and neck with petroleum jelly before applying the dye. It will protect your skin from dye stains.
  4. 4
    Use the brush to apply the dye to your roots with short, gentle strokes. Part your hair into a few smaller sections before you get started to ensure better coverage. Carefully sweep your brush or wand dipped in dye along your roots. Take care not to apply dye past your regrowth line, where your grey hair meets your colored hair. This can cause a discolored line. [4]
  5. 5
    Follow your dye kit’s instructions for setting and rinsing your hair. Put on a plastic shower cap to prevent the dye from dripping or staining anything while you wait. You’ll need to leave the dye in your hair for about 20 to 30 minutes. After that, you’ll rinse out your hair with warm water. Dye kits usually come with conditioner that you’ll apply after rinsing. Make sure to rinse out the conditioner with cool water to seal the hair cuticle.
    • If you have leftover dye, dispose of it according to the kit’s instructions. The chemicals break down over time and might affect your hair differently.
  6. 6
    Touch up your roots every 4 to 8 weeks with permanent dye. How often you touch up your roots depends on how grey your hair is. The more grey hair you have, the more often you’ll need to dye it. [5]
    • You can refresh your hair all over 3 to 4 times per year with highlights and lowlights. Doing this every so often ensures that your roots and length blends together naturally.
  7. 7
    Redo your highlights if you can’t touch up your roots. If it’s been too long between color appointments, your roots may have grown out too long for just a touch up. If you’ve already highlighted your hair using a dye kit at home, you can redo them yourself using a kit, or go to a salon professional to have them redone. [6]
    • If you have dark hair, consider getting lowlights to camouflage grey hairs instead. Lowlights will cover greys in dark hair in a more subtle way.
  8. 8
    Keep highlights fresh with color-preserving shampoo and conditioner. To preserve your highlights, use shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for color-treated hair. [7] They’re more gentle than regular shampoo and conditioners, and won’t strip your hair of color. [8]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Covering Grey Roots with Quick Fixes

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  1. 1
    Hide sparse grey hairs with an application of hair gloss. Grey hair tends to be coarse and dry, so applying a hair gloss can smooth all your strands and help grey roots blend in. This is a great option if you only have a few grey hairs. Choose a tinted gloss to correct your highlights, or a clear gloss to add shine. [9]
  2. 2
    Use a root concealer for a temporary fix. Grey root concealers come in spray, stick, or powder form. Apply a root concealer to your roots and let it dry or set if needed. Many concealers last about a day, or until your next shampoo. It’s a handy fix that works in a pinch. [10]
  3. 3
    Touch up roots easily with a hair mascara. Choose a color that’s closest to your natural or base hair color. The wand will look just like a mascara wand used for your eyelashes. Brush the wand from the root to where your regrowth ends, let it dry for a few minutes, then comb your hair to get rid of any excess. [11]
    • You can apply hair mascara from root to tip if you want to experiment with new highlight colors. [12]
  4. 4
    Hide grey hairs with a bun hairstyle if you’re in a hurry. If you don’t have time to use a root concealer, hide your roots by putting long hair in a topknot or a half up topknot. Pull all or half of your hair into a bun and secure it with an elastic or bobby pins. This can hide greys on your crown or around a part.
    • This is a good style to pair with a hair mascara. You can cover any visible greys along the hairline after your hair is up in the bun and you won’t have to worry about the rest.
  5. 5
    Conceal greys in shorter hair with a scarf or headband. If you have a middle or side part in your short hair, sweep your hair back and place a headband about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from your hairline. You can use a folded scarf as a headband or turban, too.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I cover my roots in between highlights?
    April Ferri
    Professional Hair Stylist
    April Ferri is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Co-Owner of Widows Peak Salon, a hair salon based in Los Angeles, California. With over ten years of experience, April specializes in hair coloring and enhancing and transforming natural tones into vibrant shades for beautiful and low maintenance hair. Her work has been featured in Voyage LA Magazine, and she has worked as a stylist for LA Fashion Week.
    April Ferri
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    You can use an at-home dye kit to recolor your hair. Just section off your hair and avoid overlapping any of the color.
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      Tips

      • Ask a salon colorist for advice on covering your grey roots. They can help you choose the best method to cover grey roots depending on your hair length, hair texture, and how often you want to maintain it.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.liveabout.com/how-can-i-cover-my-gray-hair-346933
      2. ↑ https://www.liveabout.com/how-can-i-cover-my-gray-hair-346933
      3. ↑ https://www.liveabout.com/how-can-i-cover-my-gray-hair-346933
      4. ↑ https://www.allure.com/story/three-easy-ways-to-cover-gray-hair
      5. ↑ https://www.liveabout.com/how-can-i-cover-my-gray-hair-346933
      6. ↑ https://www.allure.com/story/how-to-highlight-your-own-hair
      7. ↑ April Ferri. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 8 December 2020.
      8. ↑ https://www.allure.com/story/three-easy-ways-to-cover-gray-hair
      9. ↑ https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/hair-color/gray-hair-coverage/blending-gray-hair-with-highlights-and-lowlights.aspx
      1. ↑ https://www.newbeauty.com/slideshow/2527-best-root-touch-up-hair-color-products/8/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/Ieb2NjsyeX8?t=75
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/mwjAl74j2y0?t=44

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