Skip to Content
HomeHair Color

5 Effective Ways to Dye Hair Grey Without Bleach

Why wait for your hair to turn grey all on its own while you could be dyeing hair grey without bleach and discovering a fun new style? Anyone looking to hop on board with this trendy new look knows that you can achieve it without using all sorts of expensive dyes and harmful bleach.

Below you’ll find suggestions and tips that make it possible to achieve grey hair without the risk of chemicals or bleach.

Is It Even Possible to Dye Hair Grey Without Bleach?

Dye Grey Hair without Bleach

For everyone who is looking to hop on board with this new trend, you’re in luck! It is, in fact, possible to do without bleach! With the right products and techniques, all hair colors and textures can go grey. However, some hair may react differently while dying.

For any brunettes, this process might take longer for you than for your lighter haired friends. Unfortunately, this is especially challenging when trying to figure out how to dye hair grey without bleach. Because brunette hair is much darker, it will take longer to get the results you want without using harmful chemicals like bleach and harsh dyes.

Everyone with naturally lighter hair will luckily have a much shorter and more straightforward process when looking to try out this fun new grey trend. Lighter hair is easier to change without the need for harsh chemicals or dyes. 

How to Dye Hair Grey Without Bleach

Here are five effective methods of coloring hair without bleach.

Alternative Sprays And Dyes

Dye Grey Hair with Sprays

Some of the more popular options are your classic dyes and sprays. Many of these helpful products you can find locally without having to follow a strict salon schedule and can cost you much less in the long run when dyeing hair without bleach.

For everyone with darker hair interested in trying out the grey hair trend, this might be an excellent option for you to try. These alternative sprays, creams, and dyes all vary in application, as some may require more work than others! 

Some creams are as low effort and maintenance as merely opening the pot and applying the substance to your hair, and some other box dyes require some time and effort to help maintain the perfect look. Many of these solutions don’t have bleach or other harmful additives that will damage your hair’s health and texture.

Chamomile Tea

Dye Hair Grey without Bleach

Looks can be deceiving; chamomile tea can be so much more than just a soothing tea. In addition to being a great tasting drink, chamomile tea also contains chemicals that aid with the lightening process. You can go two to three shades lighter by applying chamomile tea to your mane.

Using this solution takes only a few simple steps. It involves steeping at least five tea bags into cups of hot water until it cools. Then either soak your hair directly in the steeped solution or work it into your shower and shampoo routine. 

Allowing the hair to dry naturally without any added heat is a vital part of this process. For the desired results you want, it is also important to repeat these steps every few days until you reach a color that works best. For someone with a naturally lighter toned hair color, this might be the perfect solution for you, and may not take that long at all!

Honey Oil And Lemon Spray

Both of these methods are pretty common and very effective if you’re figuring out how to dye hair grey without bleach. Using a mixture of lemon juice and water and adding that into your shower and shampoo regimen can lighten your hair color over time. 

Another effective method using lemon is to spray and apply the mixture directly to your hair and then sit out in the sun, letting nature do its work. 

Honey and other essential oils can also be just the trick when looking to dye your hair grey in a more natural way. Often, just like with lemon, in these mixtures, you add honey, coconut, and other essential oils into a blend and apply directly to the hair. 

You should be careful when applying these blends to the hair directly without adequately washing them in. Undiluted or improper application can mess with your roots and damage your hair. Even when you are coloring hair without bleach, it is still essential to ensure that you treat your hair gently.

DIY Hair Masks

Grey Diy Hair Mask

DIY masks are not only just for your face! Now your hair can get all of the soothing treatment that it needs with a fun and helpful DIY mask. The great benefit of these is that they can be made and completed in the comfort of your own home. 

There are lots of different hair masks that you can find. Just like the other dyes and solutions, some may be more work-intensive than others. When considering using a hair mask, it is also essential to consider your hair’s texture. Some of these masks are only designed for specific hair types. Some also may be less effective if you have darker color hair as well. 

Keratin Conditioners

Just like with the alternative sprays and dyes, keratin conditioners offer you a way to get that fantastic grey color while taking care of your hair at the same time.

These types of conditioners can color your hair and treat it simultaneously, allowing for a more finished and sophisticated look. These are great products for people who are primarily concerned with chemicals and bleach usage. There are many conditioners in the market that are safe and relatively cost-effective.

While there are many different types of these conditioners out there, it is essential to remember that these are not permanent solutions and only contain temporary dye. Those using this type of hair dyeing method will have to be vigilant about the upkeep. If you are looking for a more semi-permanent solution, this choice may not be the best one for you.

FAQs

How light does my hair have to be to dye it grey?

If you’re using a semi-permanent dye or a permanent dye, it’s best if your hair is light blond or bleached. If you’re using temporary hair color, it really doesn’t matter what your underlying, natural hair color is. 

What hair color is suitable for dyeing grey without bleach?

If you have light hair color, you can easily color it dark gray using either semi-permanent or permanent dye without issue. If your hair is a medium color or dark color, you can use a temporary dark silver or gray color which is like paint that covers the natural color of your tresses. 

What is the best way to go grey without looking old?

Adding cool blond highlights to gray hair can disguise hair that’s graying naturally. Also, you don’t have to touch up highlights as frequently as you would a complete coloring job.

Alternatively, you can try gray blending, which is adding lowlights of a darker color and silver highlights to enhance your salt and pepper look.

Can blonde hair be dyed grey without bleaching?

Yes, you can dye it dark gray.

Can you bleach your grey hair?

Yes, you can, but because gray hair is more fragile than hair that contains melanin and lacks the same amount of sebum as hair that naturally has color. So it isn’t recommended. 

No matter what your hair may look like now, you can easily hop on board this fun and stylish new trend. Any of these methods will be sure to help you find a way to rock your fun grey locks.

In addition to all of these fun new tips, finding and maintaining the right products to help your hair keep its cool new look will be another critical step.

While it may look different for everyone, depending on your original hair color and texture, it is important to find a healthy way to achieve the look you desire without sacrificing your hair’s health! Luckily for you, no matter what hair comes from your head, there is a shade of grey out there that’s right for everyone.