How to Hide Gray Hairs on Brunette: Expert Beauty Guide

Published February 28, 2024

The gift of aging causes changes in our physical appearance. Fine lines and wrinkles start to form. Our skin loses its bounce. We lost some of our facial volume. We appear much more mature. We look much more sophisticated. They all tell how we lived a rich life. 

But one more change comes in, found in our hair turning gray. Indeed, gray hairs are no big deal. But, some people choose to mask them to appear more youthful. It’s also expected to want to hide them if it makes you more confident. Also, feel your best. 

In this article, we’ll list all the effective ways to hide gray hairs on brunettes. It can be tricky due to the contrast between the two shades. Yet, it’s not challenging, as we’ve asked the best experts in all things hair. Let’s waste no more time and get started. 

What Causes Gray Hair in the First Place?

There’s no definitive age for when you’ll start showing gray strands. Yet, studies show that the average onset of it is in the mid to late forties. Some people, however, experience premature graying. 

Graying happens because melanin-producing cells operating at the hair follicle’s base begin to render less and less melanin. Melanin is the pigment that is behind our hair’s color. Specifically, eumelanin for dark shades. Pheomelanin for lighter and redder shades. 

The lack of melanin gives a gray, silver, or white hue. It often blends in with our natural shade to give a gray blender color. These gray tresses can be bright and reflective. They can also yield a more muted tone, giving a mousy appearance. 

As graying is linked to aging, it’s no wonder many people seek to cover them. Yet, recent trends are normalizing gray hair. Contrary to popular belief, it can also give a fresh and fabulous look. 

All the Ways on How To Hide Gray Hairs on Brunette

1. Blend gray hair with highlights. 

The top option for dealing with gray hair on brunettes is heading to the salon for some highlights. For this, use a mixture of highlighting and low lighting techniques to blend in new shades with your natural hair shade and the existing gray tresses. 

For brunettes, highlights and lowlights can help to add dimension. Both work well, especially for those “mousy” gray types that need more contrast. Both give a face-framing effect and are oh-so on-trend. 

2. Use an all-over hair color.

Suppose blending your gray with highlights is not your cup of tea. You can cover your gray hair entirely with an all-over hair color instead. If you want to go low maintenance, go with a shade that’s not too much darker than your gray hairs. This solution involves monthly trips to the salon for root touch-ups. It is so you can beautifully cover your gray regrowth. 

You can also consider “breaking the base” if you have naturally dark hair. It is done with color from half to one shade lighter than your natural shade and blending lighter toward the end. This all-over coloring technique will cut your hair’s salt and pepper coloring. What it will give is a combined ombre style. It is all while softening the dark hair at the roots. 

3. Balayage

Balayage involves hand painting hue onto the braids in a sweeping motion. It creates a natural, sun-kissed effect. It can help blend in gray hairs seamlessly when applied to a dark base. It can craft a soft gradient effect that looks as pretty as effortless. 

It is also low maintenance. The color will grow out naturally. There’s also no harsh line of regrowth. It is ideal for brunettes who desire dimension and movement to their crowning glory. And it is all while masking their gray hairs. 

4. Balayage highlights

You can also combine the best of both words to mask your gray hairs. Balayage highlights combine the soft, hand-painted effect of balayage with strategically placed highlights. It calls for a gorgeous, multidimensional look. 

It is perfect for brunettes who want moderate contrast in their hair. The technique  does not drastically alter their hair color. The color is also low maintenance and will grow out gracefully. 

5. Lived in color

Lived in color is a newer trend that has accumulated fame in recent years. This method creates a low-maintenance, natural-looking effect that is perfect for those with busy lifestyles. 

The color is laid to mimic how hair naturally fades in the sun. It renders a soft gradient from dark to light. It is ideal for brunettes who want to conceal gray tresses without frequent touch-ups. Lived in color is also a more understated look. It gives some dimension and depth to your crowning glory. Yet, it will not commit you to a drastic transformation. 

6. Foilyage

Foilyage can be considered the same as balayage. Yet, with the added use of foils. This technique is for more intense, defined color contrast. It is ideal for brunettes eyeing a more dramatic, high-contrast effect but can also aid in hiding gray hairs in the process. 

Foilyage grows out gracefully. It also has no harsh line of demarcation. Best of all, it works for all hair lengths and textures. 

7. Babylights

Baby lights are ultra-fine highlights that mimic natural hair color. It makes for a soft butterfly effect. This method demands a lot of attention to detail. It is because each strand of hair is carefully highlighted. 

Baby lights can help conceal gray hair since the light hue merges with white hair. It makes them less noticeable. It works well for those who want a subtle, natural-looking effect. It brightens up their face and hair. 

How To Hide Gray Hair on Brunettes: The Quick Ways

Enough with all the trips to the salon. We’ve also laid some tips for a quick gray hair hiding. Here are some simple at-home styling and masking techniques you can try. These tips are also a great way to test your newly gray hair. You can see what the growth process for it will be like. 

1. Switch up your part.

This tip is the ideal example of simplicity with a significant impact. Try changing up your hair part to see if it masks any gray. It works well for anyone who only has a few strands or seems to be targeted in one area. As a bonus, parting your hair in a new direction is also an easy way to introduce extra volume. 

2. Headband

Hairline grays are no biggie for a headband. If your gray comes in evenly from the root, a thick headband covering your hairline is a beautiful way to keep it hidden. It also keeps your mane away from your face. 

3. Pull your hair up.

Pulling your hair up into a topknot. This quick hairstyle can help conceal stray grays within the rest of your locks. 

4. Tinting spray

If your gray tresses have moved beyond strategic hairstyles for headbands’ capacity to hide them, this next tip is for you. Try a temporary tinting spray. It will coat the hair follicle and give temporary coverage. 

5. Delay your gray

One relatively new option for your gray hair struggles is to slow down the process. GRO AGELESS Gray Delay Hair Supplement is crafted to help preserve the natural pigment of your mane. It has a proprietary blend of B vitamins, Fo-ti, selenium, calcium, and copper, among others. It aids in preserving melanin while adding collagen-rich shine. It also supports healthier hair roots. 

Best Hair Colors on Graying Brunettes

1. Butterscotch 
2. Light auburn 
3. Ash brown 
4. Golden brown
5. Caramel swirl 
6. Smoky mocha
7. Silver fox
8. Espresso Delight
9. Ashen rose
10. Maple glaze