How to Hide Gray Hair On Brunettes

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May 20, 2024 by Better Not Younger

Celebrating your unique beauty is a transformative journey that can elevate your confidence, and here, at Better Not Younger, we honor your choices, whether it's to show off your gray hair or decide to color it.

That's why in this guide, we provide solutions for brunettes seeking to conceal their gray hair, offering both natural and professional alternatives to help you feel your most beautiful self throughout your hair color experience.

Understanding Grey Hair

Hair gets its color from melanin, a pigment produced by melanocytes in the hair follicle. As we age, these melanocyte factories slow down production, gradually lightening hair color. Eventually, the hair follicle may stop producing melanin altogether, resulting in the growth of gray hair.

For brunettes, gray hair might appear ashy or salt-and-pepper, sometimes appearing more noticeable than on lighter hair colors.

This process is natural and unavoidable, but understanding this science empowers us to make informed decisions.

Natural Approaches to Hide Gray Hair for Brunettes

While gray hair is a natural part of aging, some brunettes prefer to camouflage it and that's just fine. Here are various natural strategies to consider:

Natural Hair Dyes: Henna, a plant-based dye, can add richness and depth to brown hair, effectively camouflaging grays. However, remember that henna can affect how future chemical dyes interact with your hair. Always consult a hairstylist before using henna if you plan to use traditional hair coloring later.

Coffee Infusion: For a DIY remedy, a cool coffee rinse can enhance hair color. The caffeine creates a depth that conceals gray strands. Simply brew a strong pot of coffee, let it cool, and pour it over your hair after shampooing. Rinse thoroughly.
Sage and Rosemary Elixir: This aromatic blend not only camouflages gray hair but also leaves your locks smelling fresh. Boil fresh sage and rosemary leaves in water, let it cool, then strain it. Apply the herbal elixir to your hair after washing and rinsing. Please note that grays may not be camouflaged the same way. for everyone.
Nourishing Your Hair: Since healthy hair is less likely to break or become dry, it will better conceal gray strands. This is because breakage and dryness can make gray hair appear more coarse and noticeable. Deep conditioning treatments like Better Not Younger’s Restorative Butter Masque, replenish lost moisture and promote shine, making your hair look healthier and disguising grays.
Strategic Styling: Playing with different hairstyles can help achieve a more lived-in, textured look. A messy bun or a textured braid can effectively camouflage grays at the roots. To enhance these styles, consider using Better Not Younger’s Wake Up Call Thickening Hairspray. It’s a great tool for adding body and hold to your strategic styles.
Diet and Lifestyle: While there's no guaranteed method, keeping a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, iron, and biotin can contribute to overall hair health, potentially promoting stronger, more vibrant hair.

Covering Gray Hair for Brunettes: Professional Techniques

Salon solutions offer a wider range of options for concealing grays compared to natural remedies. Here's a breakdown of popular techniques:

Strategic Highlights and Lowlights: A skilled colorist can use lowlights, slightly darker than your natural hair color, to blend with existing grays. Or, strategically placed highlights to add vibrancy and distract the eye from the grays.

Extra Tip: When choosing highlights, warmth can be your best friend, opt for warmer tones that complement your natural brunette shade. This creates a cohesive look and prevents grays from appearing stark. Consider highlights with a hint of gold or copper to add warmth and counteract cool tones in grays

Balayage for a Natural Look: This hand-painting technique creates subtle highlights that blend seamlessly with your natural hair color. It requires less frequent touch-ups and offers a natural, sun-kissed look.

Full Hair Color: Choose a gentle, ammonia-free color that matches your natural shade or goes a shade or two darker. Consider a semi-permanent color for a less damaging option with a gradual fade, making touch-ups easier.

Maintaining Your Grey Coverage

Touch-ups: Schedule regular appointments with your stylist to address regrowth and keep the consistent color.

Color-Safe Routine: Use color-safe products, specifically formulated to protect color-treated hair and prevent fading.

Heat Protectant: Heat can be a formidable adversary to your hair, causing damage and making grays more noticeable. To combat this, it’s advisable to consider using the Better Not Younger’s Heat Protection & Taming Spray. This product not only shields your hair from heat damage but also tames frizz, making your hair look vibrant.

Now you know how to hide gray hair if you are a brunette! Embrace it or use the methods above to achieve your desired look. The most important thing is to feel confident and comfortable in your own skin (and hair)!