Before reaching out for the permanent or semi-permanent hair dye, let’s first find out which colour base matches your colour best.
Warm tones such as golden, caramel, or chestnut shades are a flattering choice if your skin has peachy or golden undertones, or if your natural hair colour is medium brown to dark blonde.
Cool bases like ash blonde or ash brown work best if you have cooler or rosy undertones in your skin. They neutralise brassiness and yellow tones often present in greys, creating a chic, modern finish.
Neutral shades strike the perfect balance between warm and cool, making them ideal for most skin tones and natural hair colours. These shades tend to give the most seamless, natural-looking coverage, perfect if you’re seeking timeless results.
Unsure which tone to use to cover grey hair? Consult our handy table to find the most suitable colour base:
|
Tone |
Code |
Effect |
|
Cool |
.1 → Ash tones |
Use these to neutralise warmth and brassiness, especially on blonde-grey or light brown hair. |
|
Warm |
.3 → Golden tones |
Golden bases cover greys with a soft, radiant finish, adding warmth to brown or caramel hair. |
|
Natural |
Often .0 → Neutral tones |
Neutral bases give balanced grey coverage, creating a natural look that suits all skin tones. |
If you have more than 40% of grey or white hair, colouring your hair using a permanent hair dye is your best option. These formulas work by penetrating deeper into the hair shaft, ensuring long-lasting grey hair coverage and a more even result.
Some of our best permanent dyes for grey hair include:
● L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème – this is our go-to permanent line, with caring formulas including Hyaluronic Acid and Pro-Keratin that provide up to 100% grey coverage.
● L’Oréal Paris Préférence – a great option for those wanting long-lasting, fade-defying colour that covers up to 100% of greys whilst giving shine that can last for up to 8 weeks*.
Only have a few grey or white hairs poking through? In that case, a semi-permanent colour can be a softer alternative to full permanent dye. Rather than altering the hair structure as deeply, These formulas coat the outside of the strand, blending away greys while adding shine and tone.
Within the L’Oréal Paris range, Casting Crème Gloss is the a great semi-permanent option. It’s ammonia-free, blends first greys, and comes in a wide palette of shades.
Now that you know whether to go for permanent or semi-permanent dye, it’s time to choose the best dye to cover grey hair.
Looking for one of the best colours to cover greys? Many agree blonde hair colours work well at disguising whites and greys. In fact, hair professionals often note that the popularity of blonde hair increases with the appearance of grey hairs.
“Among the shades that work to disguise greys are champagne, platinum, or beige, which help prolong the touch-up. They can be used all over the hair or as highlights, which also disguises greys and rejuvenates" – Ivan Martins, professional hairdresser
If you’re looking for permanent blonde hair dyes for grey hair, we recommend:
● Excellence Crème 9.1 Light Ash Blonde for a cool, clean finish that neutralises brassiness
● Excellence Pure Blondes 01 Supreme Lightest Natural Blonde for a bright, natural-looking blonde with up to 100% grey coverage.
If you’re a natural blonde with just a few white or greys, then these semi-permanent blonde hair dyes can help camouflage:
● Casting Crème Gloss 801 Satin Blonde for a soft, iridescent tone
● Casting Crème Gloss 700 Dark Blonde for a neutral finish that blends first greys seamlessly.
Pro Tip: Try champagne, platinum, or beige blonde mèches throughout your hair or opt for block highlights for a brighter, bolder look. Keep your blonde or blonde-grey hair looking fresh by using our
For natural brunettes or those who prefer deeper shades, choosing the right undertone makes all the difference. Cool-toned browns help neutralise unwanted warmth in grey strands, while warm or neutral brunettes can soften and brighten the complexion for a more natural-looking finish.
Opt for permanent brown hair dyes for grey hairs if you want to achieve full-coverage:
● Excellence Crème Brown 4U offers a classic, balanced brunette shade that gives seamless, natural grey coverage.
● Excellence Crème 4.11 Ultra Ash Brown gives a cool-toned brunette hue that neutralises unwanted warmth in greys.
If you have a few whites only, try our semi-permanent brunette colours:
● Casting Crème Gloss 535 Chocolate for a rich, glossy brown with warm undertones.
● Casting Crème Gloss 5102 Cool Mocha for a cooler brunette finish that blends scattered greys naturally.
Pro Tip: Professionals recommend adding subtle lowlights or face-framing highlights to create dimension – this helps blend grey hairs while giving brunette shades extra depth.
Grey or white hairs can be a great canvas for experimenting with bold colour. Because lighter strands take on pigment more easily, vivid reds and coppers show up with striking intensity while blending greys seamlessly.
"Intense tones cover greys better due to their strong pigmentation. Bright reds like copper disguise white hairs increasing the time between touch-ups." – Ivan Martins, professional hairdresser
For full coverage of grey hairs, opt for permanent bright colours like:
● Excellence Crème 5.6 Natural Rich Auburn Red for a warm, vibrant red that gives depth and radiance.
● Excellence Crème 8UR Universal Light Copper for a fiery copper-red with long-lasting coverage.
Alternatively, try our semi-permanent bold colours to cover white hairs:
● Casting Crème Gloss 550 Mahogany for a glossy dark red-brown that blends scattered greys.
● Casting Crème Gloss 360 Black Cherry for a vivid, plum-red finish that enhances brightness.
Pro Tip: Red shades tend to fade faster, so wash hair with cool water and use a colour-protect shampoo or mask to help lock in vibrancy between applications
Choosing a colour is an important step when figuring out how to cover grey hair. After all, you want to be sure the colour you choose will look exactly how you imagined, right? To help you, L'Oréal Paris created the virtual colour try on, an online platform that helps you simulate how each colour will look on you.
Try the virtual try on now and choose the best hair colour to cover grey hairs!
