The 10 Best Hair Colors for Gray Hair That Look Totally Natural

The Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Creme hair color for gray hair comes backed by experts and reviewers alike. This formula promises to cover up your silver strands for a natural, sleek and shiny look thanks to the moisturizing oils it’s infused with.

“My favorite at-home hair color is the Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Creme,” says Nikki Lee, Celebrity Hair Colorist and spokesperson for Garnier USA. “What I love about this box hair dye is that it offers 100 percent gray coverage for all hair types, and they have options for just about every hair color.”

The system comes with your hair color and developer and a fruit oil ampoule that is poured directly in the mix. You’ll also get an after-color conditioner enriched with avocado, shea, olive, argan, and coconut oil that’ll leave your hair feeling soft and silky.

One reviewer praises this color’s ability to cover up silver strands, writing, “The color is great for your roots and seems to last longer on grays than others.” Another loves the coverage and feeling after the treatment, saying it offers ”true 100 percent gray coverage and leaves my hair strong and silky.”

We also love that this hair color is vegan-friendly and Leaping Bunny Certified, so it’s guaranteed cruelty-free.

Normally $18

Naturatint Permanent Hair Color is one of the most highly-rated among paraben- and ammonia-free gray hair colors, and it may be ideal for those with allergies to certain ingredients.

Made with natural ingredients like oleic acid from olives, meadowfoam seed oil, and shea butter it’ll cover up all your grays without harsh chemicals or fragrances. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free.

There are 28 shade options to choose from, and users rave about the excellent gray coverage and salon quality. One says, “So far, I am very impressed. I purchased the blue black. I have hair dye allergies so I was really apprehensive to try this, but I was pleasantly surprised. There is no odor at all so no burning eyes. I did not have any skin sensitivity this far — no itching or burning like I usually experience. The color is amazing.” Another writes, “Covers the gray and does not stink! Softens my hair and lasts longer than other natural products!”

Getting ready for a night out, only to find some gray roots peeking through? Cover them quickly with the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up Gray Concealer Spray. This temporary fix sprays directly onto your gray strands for coverage that’ll last all day.

Voted number 1 on Amazon in hair mascaras and root touch-ups and garnering over 60,000 reviews, this product is loved by those who use it. One reviewer raves, “I love this product. It effectively covers gray hairs that threaten to make you older than you are. It’s easy to use, goes on quickly, and the coverage looks natural.”

This spray-on hair color is ammonia- and peroxide-free, and it washes out easily with shampoo. Just spray and go!

When you’re in need of a quick fix, reach for the KISS Root Touch Up 2-in-1 Cover & Conceal Kit, equipped with both a touch-up wand and stick for fast application that gets you out the door looking fabulous.

The two included applicators make getting the perfect coverage easy: For touching up areas around the face, you’ll want to use the mascara wand, which makes it less likely that you’ll end up smearing the color on your skin. For larger areas, use the touch-up stick for complete root coverage.

“My favorite product for grays right now is the KISS Root Touch Up Stick & Wand. It’s the quickest, easiest and healthiest cover up especially for those who shampoo daily,” Smith says. “What I like most is the color tones. Some of the other color touch-ups may have too many red hues or green hues. KISS is always on target for the color you choose: If it says Dark Brown, it won’t have green in it.”

This temporary hair color is water-resistant, smudge proof, and easily washes out with shampoo. It’s guaranteed to look natural and last all day without flaking, and the formula is infused with jojoba oil for a shiny end result.

Normally $17

Why waste a whole box of hair dye when you’ve just got some grays to cover? If you’re between salon visits and just need to touch up your roots at home, add Clairol Root Touch-Up Permanent Hair Dye to your cart.

Voted number two in root touch-up products on Amazon, this permanent solution is just what you need to get you through until your next hair appointment. The best part is, even though this is a permanent hair dye, it only takes 10 minutes to process and will totally cover your grays.

The process is simple: All you have to do is apply the color with the included brush to your silver roots, wait ten minutes and rinse.

With over 20,000 reviews on Amazon, this product is a fan favorite among people looking for gray hair coverage. One reviewer writes, “This is the first at-home hair coloring product that has worked for me. I have tried one or two other products before that didn’t cover my grays. This coverage is excellent!”

Another raves, “This is a great product for those times when you don’t want to go get your roots done. It blends seamlessly, and it doesn’t burn your skin or scalp. I’m not ready to go gray, so until that day, I will be using root touchup between salon visits.”

Normally $22

If you’re looking for a gray hair dye without harsh chemicals that can harm your strands, reach for Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel. With 41 color options to choose from and a gentle, ammonia-free formulation, this box hair dye is everything you need to keep your hair looking naturally beautiful.

Herbatint hair dye is made with organic herbal extracts (including aloe vera, meadowfoam, white birch, echinacea and rhubarb) designed to protect and nourish your hair and scalp through the coloring process. These extracts also enhance the vibrance of the color, preserve color intensity and help provide long-lasting coverage for gray hair.

Not to mention, it’s a great at-home hair dye to choose if you have sensitive skin: The Herbatint formula has been clinically and dermatologically tested, and it doesn’t contain the harsh chemicals or fragrances found in other box dyes.

We also love the brand’s dedication to eco-consciousness. Herbatint Gel Color is not tested on animals and is suitable for vegans, and even the packaging is made of totally recyclable uncoated paper. In order to reduce plastic waste, the box doesn’t include disposable cups, brushes, or capes.

Reviewers swear by the Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel, saying, “I’m so glad I tried Herbatint, I used 6C dark ash blonde on my black roots, it gives a natural dark brown color and covers gray[s] 100 percent. It is gentle on [my] scalp and the smell is mild. I love it and will continue purchasing.” Another writes, “I have used this product for over 15 years, only doing the roots to cover gray/silver that comes with being past 40. My results have been very good.”

Normally $8

If you get your hair relaxed or permed, it’s important to choose a hair color that won’t damage your strands or ruin your look. Dark and Lovely’s Fade Resist Rich Conditioning Hair Color is designed to help protect your hair through the coloring process.

With nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and argan oil, this moisturizing, ammonia-free hair color makes treated and natural hair looking shiny, healthy, and beautiful. The ammonia-free hair color formula helps protect your hair from damage while the included conditioner, made with shea, avocado and olive nourishes your strands from root to tip.

With over 14,000 reviews on Amazon, this product is a favorite among those who use it for covering and blending gray hair. One reviewer raves, “I’ve used Dark and Lovely before but haven’t tried it in a while. This covered my gray hair, especially on the edges, completely! Some other dyes that I’ve used just darkened the gray a little. But this dye covered it perfectly.”

Another writes, “Use to cover gray roots and this is the only I use that takes well in my hair.”

Normally $12

This gray hair color from Schwarzkopf was specifically formulated for covering up those silver strands for the long haul. The super-conditioning formula comes with a pre-color serum that protects brittle or thinning hair from damage and helps you achieve even coloring. The color itself and conditioning formula is also infused with Schwarzkopf’s K-Bond Plex, a keratin formula that helps seal the hair shaft for hair that looks glossy, shiny, and healthy.

“My favorite at home hair dye is Schwarzkopf Keratin Color. I was blown away by the salon quality and performance the first time I used it,” says Gutkin. “There was 100 percent gray coverage and the shine was so impressive. What also makes this line so unique is the pre-serum treatment is great for your hair health and makes sure all of the color is covering your hair evenly from root to end.”

Reviewers say Schwarzkopf Keratin Color has stood the test of time. One writes, “I’ve been coloring my hair black for 20 years and this is my most favorite hair color I’ve ever found . . . Doesn’t damage my hair.” Another raves, “I have used Schwarzkopf hair color for many years now. Always good results- rich color, conditioned and soft hair. Color has never faded. Will continue to use!”