Pro tips for covering grey hair at home
It's an inevitable fact of life that our hair will begin to lose its natural vibrancy and start greying with age. Some people are happy to accept this sign of maturity, but for others it leaves them wondering how they can combat the emergence of silvery strands at home. We have assembled a range of different ideas on the subject to help out.
Root spray
A relatively new addition to the market, root touch up sprays have branched out now to offer a more varied range of colour tones, making it easier to find one that suits. Most are less than ten pounds and, as such, are a fairly affordable, quick fix solution for anyone whose greys are just starting to pop through at the roots. Also useful if you have dyed your hair and it is growing out a little.
Accessorise
If you’re not quite ready to take the plunge with a permanent product, accessorising is a really fun, easy and cheap way to divert attention from any emerging gun metal tones, especially at the roots. Think headband, bandana or even a silk scarf, depending on your environment and coordinate with favourite outfits. The latter two have the added benefit of protecting your hair as well, especially outdoors.
Home colour kits
The first thing to say about this is to make sure you do your research thoroughly before selecting the right brand for you. Read reviews and don’t take chances as it could end up costing you a whole heap more to correct if you get it wrong. Here are some of our top tips:
- Use a slightly darker shade at the roots and then a shade closer to your natural colour from around an inch further down. This gives a more natural effect.
- Ensure you protect your ears and hairline from drips and seepage by using a stain guard product or similar barrier.
- Use a permanent dye as opposed to a semi-permanent one as it will be more effective in covering the greys and last much longer.
- Make sure you fully soak the roots and use enough of the product to eradicate even the most stubborn grey strands and avoid any unevenness.
Natural methods for home grey hair colouring
If you're not willing to use a box dye or colour kit at home then you could consider one of the multitudes of natural methods out there. They may not be as effective long term but they can certainly help to delay the greying process.
Henna
The most popular natural method of colouring your hair, henna, comes in a number of warm shades, from light and bright to very dark. It also conditions and reinvigorates your locks. Kits come with full instructions but, as with all things, make sure you test it in an inconspicuous area first to work out how long you need to leave it in to get the desired hue.
Black tea
This involves boiling two teaspoons of black tea in a cup of water and then steeping for a few minutes and then allowing to cool. After it has cooled you can apply it to your hair, leaving it in for at least an hour, rinsing it off with cool water. Don’t shampoo after rinsing and repeat the process every couple of weeks.
Sage
It is believed that sage helps to restore natural hues and hold back the emergence of greying hair. For this, you’ll need to take a good handful of sage leaves, boil them in approximately 2 cups of water and allow to steep for a few minutes, as with the black tea wash. Once cooled, rinse through your hair, making sure it’s well and truly saturated and leave it in for two hours, washing with a sulphate free shampoo afterwards.
Potato peel rinse
Starch helps to add pigmentation to hair, helping to hide the greys. Boil the peelings from 5-6 potatoes in water until it becomes thick and starchy. Allow to cool then strain and collect the liquid in a jug or big cup. Wash and condition your hair as usual and then pour the peel solution over and through your hair. Don’t rinse afterwards.
