What is the bane of gray-headed people’s existence? The gray around their hairline! We often see people pondering how to cover gray hair around the hairline.
This is because it is categorically the most stubborn of all gray strands. Even professional hair colorists struggle with these silver strands.
In this article, we will look at ways to cover gray hair around the hairline with colorist tips, as well as alternate approaches to cover those snarky silver strands.
How to Hide Gray Hair at the Hairline
Gray-headedness has been around since the beginning of mankind. Covering them up is as old as the Egyptians, who used henna. Below are the different ways to cover gray hair around the hairline.
#1. Henna
Henna is a more natural approach to covering gray hair that historians say Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, used. It is made from dried leaves from the henna shrub.
To cover stubborn gray hair like those found around the hairline, it is recommended to add black tea leaves, coffee, lemon juice, and other herbal ingredients to your henna mixture.
Otherwise, if henna is used without these additives, your gray could turn orange.
How To Apply:
- 1-2 tablespoons of black tea leaves already boiled
- 2-3 tablespoons of natural henna powder
- 2-3 cups of water
- ½ tablespoons of lemon juice
- Non-metal mixing bowl
Definitely wear an old T-shirt as Henna stains. Also, wear gloves for the same reasons. Put petroleum jelly around your hairline and ears to make sure you don’t get that staining halo around your hair on your skin.
You need to soak this mixture for 8 hours overnight. Where your most gray hair is, use the perm end paper trick (see pro tip #2 below) around the hairline.
Then bag your hair in a plastic hair baggie. Process from 30 to 50 minutes if you are more than 50% gray.
After you process it, rinse the henna completely out. Then follow with a deep conditioner. Wait a couple of days to wash.
#2. Traditional Salon Color
Salons all use different brands of color. Some will stick with one brand, like Aveda Lifestyle salons where they only use Aveda colors, or Paul Mitchell salons where they only use Paul Mitchell colors.
But most salons have one to three lines to choose from. Certain stylists may like a certain color and only use that one.
Whichever hair color brand your stylist uses, ask if they have one specific for gray hair. Some companies have developed certain color pigments to be able to break through that tough outer shell that gray hair has.
| Pro Tip #1: If you see a halo effect on the client’s hair because the color couldn’t completely color the gray, mix your color so there is more pigment than the developer. Example: 1.5 part color to 1 part developer. |
| Pro Tip #2: Another trick of the trade is to put perm end wraps on those wispy strands that don’t lay down along your hairline. Capture them with the perm wrap paper, and then put more color on top of it. This will ensure they get proper saturation. |
How To Apply:
- Mix 1.5 color tube with developer
- Use an applicator brush and apply the color
- Use the perm end paper trick and secure those hairline hair strands to the rest of the hair that’s colored and then put more color over the perm end paper.
- Wait for the full processing time. Color for gray hair can be left on for 50 minutes.
- Make sure to use a disposable shower cap to cover your hair while processing. This will prevent the color from drying out.
- Rinse and condition. Wait a day to shampoo, for the best gray coverage.
Take the same precautions as with the henna procedure. Wear an old T-shirt and use old towels. Wear gloves and start where you have the most gray.
#3. Root Concealer Spray
When you color your hair, especially with a dark color, your roots grow back. It can feel like they are shining a light right on your regrowth for everyone to see.
Many people who color their hair all one color complain about how quickly they can see their gray, especially around the hairline.
It can seem like the hair around the hairline comes in quicker than all the rest of your hair. It’s more noticeable because it’s in the front. That’s why these root concealer sprays are a Godsend!
You just match your color with the appropriate spray and when those stubborn silvers start to poke out you can spray them to cover them.
How To Apply:
- Make sure your hair is clean, dry, and styled.
- Take the spray and shake the bottle. After shaking, spray it about 2-3 inches away from the scalp.
- Use a back and forth motion and layer on until the gray is fully covered
- To get those hair strands in the hairline that like to be wild, take your comb and brush gently back capturing those hair strands, and spray with the root spray.
So that you don’t stain your skin by the hairline I’d suggest putting some plastic wrap on your forehead and around the sides. Or put petroleum jelly around the hairline being careful not to cover any of the hairline hair.
The root concealer is great to keep with you especially when traveling. Have you ever gone to bed thinking your color still looks great? Then wake up and a bunch of gray decided to grow overnight?
This is where having the root concealer spray can help you out of those jams.
#4. Hair Mascara
Another non-permanent fix for those who want to cover gray hair without dyeing. You can cover the grays around the hairline with a hair mascara.
This looks just like the mascara for your eyes but is formulated to cover your hair in between hair appointments.
What I love about this procedure is, you can get a precise application. This is especially important when covering up gray hair around the hairline.
It’s easy to carry with you. Have you ever noticed how once you get into your car in the sunlight, all the imperfections you thought you covered up are still noticeable? The hair mascara is perfect for these occasions.
How To Apply:
- Make sure your hair is clean, dry and styled.
- Start as close to the roots as possible.
- Gently brush the mascara wand using light upward strokes around the hairline.
- To avoid too much product tap the mascara wand on the side of a surface to expel any clumps of color.
- When doing the rest of the hair you’ll want to use a downward stroke to blend with the rest of the hair.
Hair mascara comes in many colors. Which one do you choose?
Look up reviews on the product line. Some only have dark colors, while others have more blonde colors. They even have wild colors if you want to spice up your hair temporarily.
#5. Headband or Headwrap
If you don’t want to try anything to put on your hair but still want your hairline covered you can always use a head wrap or headband.
For the headband, you’d want a wider one to cover the hairlines and not push it back very far at all. You’d again want a wider fabric for the headwrap so that you can cover the roots where the gray is showing.
There are wraps for your whole head or just a band, depending on your desired look.
| Pro Tip: If you have a smaller head, use Bobby pins in the nape of the neck to secure the wrap in place. As well as, behind the ears. |
How To Apply:
- Brush your hair free of any tangles.
- Tip your head upside down and put the wrap or band on.
- When you flip upright, take a comb and brush the hair behind the wrap or band straight back. With curly hair just piece the curls in place behind the band.
- Spray with good hold hairspray and go.
- To Sum Up Hairline Coverups
So now you have a few suggestions on how to cover gray hair around your hairline. Gray is a natural process, but for those who aren’t ready to let it go gray, there are options.
No matter which one you try, read reviews on the product itself. There are definitely better-made products and less-quality ones. Make sure to get the better-made ones.
Now you’ve got the tools to rock your hair. Cover up those grays and show the world how ready you are for whatever comes next.
Nobody needs to know that you’re covering your grays. It’s between you and your hairstylist, and they are sworn to secrecy.