If your mind jumps to a dreary, dishwater color when you think of gray hair, it's time to reconsider going gray. Attaining an enviable shade of chic shimmery platinum, smoky gunmetal or stylish silvery blue might be just a bottle of hair dye away!
Whether you're a Gen Z-er who wants to mix up your look by going prematurely silver or you're someone who simply wants to make a seamless transition to gray hair for the first time, there are plenty of options for going silver at home. Just keep in mind that for the ultimate color payoff, many silver dyes require starting with light-colored or bleached hair — which means you will likely want to proceed with caution if your hair isn't already one of those shades.
Who are gray hair dyes best for?
"Light blonde, platinum or natural gray hair are the ideal shades to start with before dyeing hair silver," says Jennifer Korab, a celebrity hair stylist and colorist. "If you have dark hair — brown or even black — I would recommend getting a consultation with a professional, as darker hair requires more steps and can be a little tricky to achieve." That being said, there are products out there that will work if you have brunette or black hair, you just may need to put in the time and work to get your desired shade.
How do you transition to gray (and keep it fresh)?
Many colorists get asked how to transition to gray if you've been coloring your hair for years. Korab advises "to either let your natural hair grow out fully or see a salon professional who can guide you in the right direction." While going gray or silver can be fun and a welcome change, it does require some maintenance and upkeep. Korab suggests touching it up about every four weeks and consistently using a shampoo formulated for silver or gray hair, like Oribe Silverati Shampoo or Redken Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo.
How we test at-home hair color
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests at-home hair color, both in our Labs and by sending out blinded products to our consumer testing panel. When we test hair dye in the Lab, we dye uniform hair swatches with different dyes and see how well each covers stray grays. Of course, we also want to see how long each dye lasts, so we put them through 20 wash and dry cycles and 10 hours of UVA light exposure. We also have real consumers test out at-home hair color and report back on different factors like ease of use, gray coverage, color richness and uniformity to make sure the color holds up (and that it doesn't damage hair!).
Below, we've compiled the best permanent, semi-permanent and temporary at-home gray and silver hair dyes based on GH Lab testing and online favorites with rave reviews. Before you shop, make sure you know the basics of dyeing hair at home and consider keeping a bottle of purple shampoo on hand to take care of your newly gray hair.
Our top picks
1
Best Overall Gray Hair Dye
Superior Preference in Soft Silver Blonde
Long-lasting
Top Lab-tested formula
L'oréal Paris Superior Preference has previously tested tops in our at-home hair studies for traditional shades, so we're confident that their silvery blonde shade will hold up to the test. This color is perfect for anyone who's on the fence about going full gray — it falls right between ashy blonde and gray, so you can try a cooler tone out for size.
2
Best Value Gray Hair Dye
Semi-Permanent Haircolor in Titanium
Good bargain
Won't strip or damage strands
This semi-permanent (and budget-friendly) formula from Adore won't strip your hair—it doesn't contain alcohol, peroxide or ammonia. Plus, it doesn't have a chemical-y scent that lingers. "It smells good, lasts almost three to four weeks without retouching and doesn't stain anything," one Amazon reviewer shares.
3
Best Permanent Gray Hair Dye
Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Smokey Silver
Multi-dimensional color payoff
Conditioning
This multi-faceted smokey hue is anything but dull — it looks cool, shimmery, and dimensional. "This product is unlike any other I've used," says one reviewer. "The color is unique and my shiny hair feels thick and luxurious."
4
Best Permanent Silver Hair Dye
7SP-HM Silver Pearl Permanent Creme Hair Color
Nourishes hair
Leaves hair soft and shiny
Does fade but "fades beautifully"
Thanks to hyaluronic acid, argan oil, pequi oil, and additional botanicals, Ion's formula nourishes and strengthens hair while it colors. One reviewer shares that the color "silver pearl is awesome," while another calls it a "dream color," adding that "this is the color I have been trying to get." Bonus: it's easy to use and has great coverage.
5
Best Natural Gray Hair Dye
Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye
Good-for-you formula
Pleasant scent
For best results, hair should already be platinum or pre-lightened.
With no peroxide, ammonia, ethyl alcohol, PPD or other harmful chemicals, Arctic Fox's hair color is as natural as hair dyes come. The vegan formula is gentle and conditions hair. But in addition to its great ingredient (and no-no list), it's super easy to apply and the color lasts. "I love this product," shares one reviewer. "It smells amazing, is easy to apply (no drips) and is still vibrant after three weeks."
6
Best Gray Hair Dye for Dark Hair
Vibrant Silver Coloring Conditioner
Conditioning and non-damaging
Takes on even dark brown
This ultra-hydrating conditioner is perfect if your tresses need some TLC. It deposits bright silver color without using harsh ingredients like ammonia, and instead relying on nourishing ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil, and coconut oil. "This product did what an expensive salon couldn't achieve," raves one reviewer. "I love my grey hair!" Other reviewers say that it's helped them transition their graying dark hair to fully gray without any awkward in-between stages.
7
Best Gray Hair Dye for Light Hair
Metallic Permanent Hair Color in Metallic Silver
Bright silver payoff
Won't show up on darker hair
This shade is a bright, light, almost-platinum silver. Like many gray hair dyes, this works best if you start out with bleached or light hair — it may have a tough time showing up on darker hues. On light hair, this color shows up brilliantly. "Nothing seemed to work or hold the silver color that I was looking for until I tried this product," says one reviewer.
8
Best Semi-Permanent Gray Hair Dye
Dark Star Grey Hair Dye
Deep color payoff
Mixable
May wash out quickly
Fans of vibrant hair colors have been turning to Manic Panic for years — and for good reason. This brand knows how to pull off non-traditional colors. This purple-toned gray shade looks good on everyone. "This dye is amazing, gave me a dark smoky purple on my level 10 hair and washed out to a more natural looking gray," says one reviewer. "It left me with absolutely no green or teal tones.
9
Best Temporary Gray Hair Dye
Color Crave Temporary Hair Color Makeup in Shimmering Platinum
Easy to use
Low commitment
Looking to go gray, but only for a day? This hair makeup has you covered. A sponge applicator that allows you to use as much (or as little) color as you want to make using this product a breeze. Reviewers say this gives them a ton of controllable color payoff. Make sure you don't skip the blow-drying step to set the color — this will ensure you don't get any silver streaks on your clothes.
10
Best Gray Hair Tint
Unicorn Hair Tint in Gargoyle
Deep, smoky color
Conditioning and non-damaging
May wash out quickly
This gunmetal gray shade is perfect for transitioning to natural gray hair. Unlike some of the other shades, this is a hair tint, not a dye: It deposits a sheen of color that blends seamlessly into hair instead of permanently changing the hair. "This is the best blend of color tones to produce a deep gray," says one reviewer. It's got violet, smoke blue, and seemingly some sort of brown tones in it, and it's amazing."
11
Best Gradual Gray Hair Dye
Clenditioner Color Depositing Conditioner Colorwash in Silver
Cleanses, conditions, and dyes hair
Easy to use
This 3-in-1 product streamlines the coloring process: It's a cleansing conditioner that deposits color. "After making the transition from regularly coloring my hair to letting it go silver, I was still visiting the salon every six weeks for toner to keep it looking vibrant," says one reviewer. "I tried this product in the silver color, and no more salon! Your hair is clean, beautifully colored, and silky smooth after using."
Katie BerohnKatie Berohn is the Beauty Assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group.
Dori PriceFreelance Beauty EditorDori Price is a Boston-born, New York City-based freelance writer, editor and beauty, style, and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day as a freelance beauty editor.
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