9 Best Semi-Permanent Hair Dyes to Cover Gray

Gray hairs are a part of life. Most people get them due to aging, while others get them due to stress or genetics. People have to pick the right hair color for their silver hair, as the composition and chemical reactions that happen with gray hair are starkly different than those with blonde, brown, or red hair.

Luckily, there are many different semi-permanent hair colors worth exploring to meet a person’s needs. Here are the top 9 semi-permanent hair colors that will cover your grey hair.

1. dpHUE

dpHUE is a high-end brand with various options for people who have gray hair and want to be covered. Their Gloss+ products are semi-permanent hair colors that many of their customers love. It comes in 12 natural shades and won an award from Bazaar in 2022. This brand prides itself on being color-safe, paraben-free, and free of certain sulfates.

Pros

• dpHUE Gloss+ is a great product for those with minimal gray hair.
• This product is almost similar to a colored conditioner because it takes the hair’s natural color around it and enhances it.
• For those with curly or textured hair, this product should have minimal effects on their curl pattern and should not damage the hair.
• It also has an incredibly easy application process that can be done shortly after a shower.

Cons

• The color does not permanently change gray hair.
• It is something that would need to be touched up repeatedly.
• It also might not change as much as the rest of a person’s hair upon application, which can make your hair look off.
• dpHUE suggests using one of their Roots packages instead.

2. Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection Advanced Gray Solutions

Pros

• This collection of products promises twice the power of coverage for twice as long as other products.
• It is considered gentle enough to use after other chemically based treatments such as a perm.
• They also advertise this product as one that works for up to 12 washes.

Cons

• The fact there are only nine shades available can be a big issue for some people.
• People looking to match the rest of their natural color might struggle to find the right hue, even as a natural blonde or brunette.

3. Garnier Nutrisse Color Reviver

Pros

• Apply this product every two weeks.
• They only have a few shades, but they have been manufactured to be safe to mix.
• The company promotes mixing shades to find the proper hue.
• It is also a great addition to permanently colored hair a few weeks after it has been colored.
• It is known to improve the vibrancy and keep the brassiness of some hair colors.

Cons

• The time a person leaves the product on the hair can influence the shade drastically.
• They also recommend going with a permanent hair color to cover the roots.
• I have personally used their permanent products and loved the outcome.
• It is kind to my curly hair and comes in various natural tones.

4. oVertone

Pros

• oVertone is a brand that is known for leading the color-depositing conditioner trend.
• They offer a variety of colors for people of all hair types and shades, including brown and oily hair.
• It softens hair, and many say it is even better than going to a salon or coloring it.
• This is especially true for people who want to try unnatural colors or add a different undertone with minimal damage.

Cons

• The product adds pigment to the hair rather than altering it.
• This means that it can work wonderfully or poorly, depending on how a person’s hair takes the color.
• It can be unfortunate for those who try it and find their grays completely reject it.
• It also can be a pricier purchase.

5. L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Rescue Gray Coverage

Pros

• It has an easy applicator that makes applying the hair color evenly easier.
• It promises 100% gray coverage and has a large variety of shades to match the rest of the hair.
• It only takes 10 minutes for it to process before being rinsed out. Some people say it works better than some salons do.

Cons

• Customers find that this product needs additional work and is not as effective as it claims to be. Others find that it works perfectly!
• This product has a wide gap of possible reactions to the color, and it seems the company is having a problem putting the right hair color in the right box.
• It also doesn’t advertise whether or not it is semi-permanent or permanent, which is problematic.

6. Iroiro

Pros

• This company has a variety of hair colors, both natural and unnatural.
• Customers say the product lasts around 6-12 washes and can last several months if you use the right kinds of hair products and cold water.
• The colors are vibrant and only cost-efficient.

Cons

• The company doesn’t acknowledge gray hair and how well its product covers it.
• It would be reasonable to say that it could take to the hair and blend it nicely with the rest.
• The company recommends going to a professional to get your hair colored.
• Most of these other products are marketed “as easy” and possible to apply at home, but they urge against it.

7. Artic Fox

Pros

• This company advertises its products as do-it-yourself and even suggests mixing shades to get the perfect color.
• They have never heard of colors and shades, including lime green or blue jeans.
• People love the semi-permanent nature of the colors, which allows people a more creative way to color their hair.

Cons

• This product is known to work best with lightened hair.
• This can mean that gray streaks come off as bright streaks of the shade or color picked.
• Getting a pastel version of an orange or red can be startling and unappealing for some.

8. Just for Men

Pros

• Their gray coverage kits are made for men who want to have a more blended color shift to their hair.
• The applicator is a comb, so they can brush in the dye, leave it for 5 minutes, wash it out, and be good for up to 8 weeks.
• It also doesn’t need to be mixed.

Cons

• It also is advertised only to cover some of the hair.
• This is meant to give men a salt-and-pepper look, not full coverage.
• It also only comes in 4 shades, so any guys with blonde or red hair are out of luck.

9. Manic Panic

Pros

• The variety of their catalog is impressive!
• They have seven lines of color and diluters. A person is bound to find exactly what they need.
• The hair color is conditioned and doesn’t have harsh chemicals, even in unnatural shades.
• The hair color tends to stay pretty similar regardless of how light the base is, so gray hair would likely look similar to the rest of the hair.

Cons

• Not everyone wants to color their hair unnatural, as even natural shades can look a little bright.
• The brand’s overall marketing might scare many people, as it is advertised to younger clients who want to color their hair without it being permanent.
• These nine options are the best semi-permanent gray hair colors on the market.
• Now that people are thoroughly aware of their options they can confidently color their hair at home or the salon.