Image: MomJunction Design Team
While some like to flaunt their silver and gray hair strands, others like to cover them using colors, highlights, lowlights, and balayage. Coloring grays can be tricky as the texture of gray hair seems dry and brittle. And it might be even more challenging if your natural hair color is blonde. Fret not, as we review these independently chosen products and suggest the best blonde hair colors to cover gray in this article. Whether you want to even out the color, provide root touch-ups, or flaunt the desired hair color, there’s a product for you. So, keep reading to learn more about the best blonde hair colors for your gray strands.
Top Picks
11 Best Blonde Hair Colors In 2024
1. Best For Instant Cover-Up: L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up
The L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up might just be the instant solution you are looking for to deal with your gray stands. This high-performance hair color for gray hair from the global beauty brand is specially formulated to cover up the gray strands within seconds. The lightweight formula leaves no sticky residue on your scalp and hair and is ammonia- and peroxide-free. It also works well on chemically treated hair. Check out this unbiased review video to learn more about the easy-to-use hair color.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Quick-fix solution
- Smudge-free
- Water-resistant
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
- Some may not like the smell
"This one almost always comes to my rescue when I need that last-minute quick fix for an event. It effectively covers my roots and blends well with my natural hair color."
Quick tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The whopping 7,457 positive reviews on Amazon reflect the superior quality of this product.
2. Best Nourishing: Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme
Nourish your hair while covering up the grays. The Garnier Nutrisse nourishing color creme is formulated with color boost technology and infused with avocado, shea, and olive oils to give your strands the special treatment they deserve. The blend of these oils penetrates deep into the hair fibers, conditioning and nourishing your hair, and preparing them to look picture-perfect. This at-home hair color provides adequate gray coverage, making it one of the best professional-grade hair colors to cover gray. Take a look at this video by one of the reviewers to learn more about the color creme.
Pros
- Makes hair soft and shiny
- Long-lasting color
- Offers 100% gray coverage
- Rich creme formula
- Smells great
Cons
- May not be extra-light as claimed
"The vibrant and natural blonde finish that this hair dye offers has helped me garner quite a few compliments in my circle. Its thickened formula ensures easy application, and the conditioner makes my hair smooth. I would be sticking to this."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 4,554 satisfied customers on Amazon have said good things about the product.
3. Best Water-Resistant: Color Wow Root Cover Up
Camouflage your gray strands with the Color Wow Root Cover Up blonde color. This peroxide-free root touch-up powder instantly covers up the grays, fills in the gaps, and makes your hair appear fuller. The root cover-up color also effectively refreshes highlights. Further, the advanced formula’s water-resistant feature allows you to swim without worrying about smudging or fading. Click this in-depth review video to learn how to apply this hair color.
Pros
- Available in eight blendable shades
- Mess-free
- Wax- and dye-free
- Sweat-resistant
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Brush could have been a tad thicker
"Discovering a reliable root cover-up can be quite a task, but I am lucky I found this one. I was particularly looking for a product that offers root cover-up between salon visits, and this one is perfect. It mixes effectively and gives me a natural appearance."
Quick tipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has garnered more than 4,281 positive reviews on Amazon.
L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up Best For Instant Cover-Up | Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme Best Nourishing | Color Wow Root Cover Up Best Water-Resistant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Light to Medium Blonde | 100 Extra-Light Natural Blonde (Chamomile) | Dark Blonde |
| Dimensions | 1.5 x 1.5 x 5.51 inches | 2.46 x 6.5 x 6.25 inches | 2.13 x 0.6 x 4.9 inches |
| Weight | 2 Ounces | 15.43 Ounces | 0.07 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 7,457 | 4,554 | 4,281 |
| Price | $7 | $16.93 | $24.15 |
4. Best Long-Lasting: Revlon New Total Color
If you are on the hunt for a hair color that lasts long, the Revlon New Total Color is for you. The dermatologist-tested formula offers 100% coverage, lasts up to six weeks, and is gentle on your scalp and hair. Infused with hemp seed oil, this hair-revitalizing formula keeps your hair soft and nourished without damaging the hair strands. Further, the lightning agents and the potent ingredients in the hair color give your hair a glossy, salon-quality finish.
Pros
- Available in 16 shades
- Easy-to-apply formula
- Free of parabens, phthalates, silicones, and sulfates
- Mineral-oil-free
- Gluten-free
- Vegan formula
Cons
- May have a thick consistency
"This one boasts minimal odor and is easy to apply. It covers my grays and also adds shine. Its conditioning benefit is a bonus—it has made my hair smooth. And I love that the formula is vegan."
5. Best For Adding Volume: Sevich Hair Shadow Powder
Here’s a tried-and-tested formula for quick hair touch-ups when you are in a hurry or invited to an impromptu party. The Sevich Hair Shadow Powder is carefully formulated with beeswax and vegetable oil to provide instant gray coverage and add volume to your hair. It also helps fill in the gaps and makes your hairline appear neat. This professional-grade set further includes a mirror and puff for easy application, and the travel-friendly packaging allows you to carry the shadow powder in your purse.
Pros
- Available in 12 shades
- Wind- and Sweat-proof
- Preservative-free
- Peroxide- and sulfate-free
- Easy to wash with regular shampoos
Cons
- Shades may be slightly different from those advertised
"I have recently started using hair color and came across this powder. It covered the white roots and thinning areas as expected. The color is easy to apply and doesn't transfer easily. I use it for my eyebrows too."
6. Best Plant-Based: Naturtint Permanent Hair Color Gel
Moisturize your hair while covering the gray strands with the Naturtint Permanent Hair Color gel. This hair gel is enriched with plant-based nourishing ingredients such as meadowfoam seed oil, shea butter, and oleic acid from olives, which moisturize your hair while also adding shine, making your hair coloring experience more fulfilling. The gel-based dye is the perfect solution for blondes going gray as it provides 100% gray coverage and makes the hair strands look natural.
Pros
- Available in 35 shades
- Made with top-notch ingredients
- Conditions the hair
- USDA-certified
- Ammonia- and paraben-free
- Vegan formula
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May not be long-lasting
"I like the gentle formula of this dye with its pleasant fragrance. It is ideal for regular use and offers a natural finish. I would recommend a patch test for those with sensitive skin."
Quick tip7. Best For Chemically Treated Hair: Clairol Nice’n Easy Hair Dye
Cover gray hair and get the perfect shade with a natural-looking finish with the Clairol Nice’n Easy hair dye. This high-performance hair color helps you flaunt your blonde tresses by offering adequate gray coverage. The dye is formulated with Color Blend technology to offer you three salon tones and highlights. You can rely on its proven efficacy to last up to eight weeks, providing impressive results on chemically-treated hair. The color kit includes a color blend formula, CC plus color seal conditioner, color blend activator, and gloves.
Pros
- Long-lasting color
- Natural-looking
- Gentle on the hair and scalp
- Comes with clear instructions
Cons
- May not offer 100% coverage as claimed
"This color offers good shine and coverage and is the perfect replacement for my previous hair shade. It complements my original hair tone and gives it a vibrant look. I also love that the conditioner infused into it works for my hair."
8. Best Fade-Resistant: Wella Color Charm Permanent Liquid Hair Color
Condition your hair and cover up gray with the Wella Color Charm permanent liquid hair color. This hair color is scientifically formulated with Liquifuse technology for achieving a vibrant color and long-lasting results with enhanced beauty. In addition, the liquid hair color adds shine to your hair and offers coverage for even tricky grays. Besides, the liquid form ensures consistent and mess-free application.
Pros
- Available in 68 shades
- Deep conditioning
- Fade-resistant
- Long-lasting
- Mild fragrance
- Suitable for chemically-treated hair
Cons
- May be a darker shade than expected
"I love experimenting with colors to cover my gray hair. So, I tried this shade and was glad at how well it complemented my natural hair tone. The smell is a bit intense, but it does not linger after washing."
9. Best For All Hair Types: Style Edit Blonde Perfection Root Touch-Up
Conceal your gray roots instantly with the Style Edit Blonde Perfection Root Touch-Up. The set features a sponge applicator for mess-free application with a single swipe, making your color application experience seamless. The powder has unique binding agents that lock the color into the hair strands to make them appear shiny, and thus, can provide exceptional results. Moreover, the mineral-infused binding powder fills the gaps seamlessly, making you appear flawless.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Easy and safe to apply
- Convenient cover opener
- Mirror and a sponge included
Cons
- Small quantity
"After experimenting with different hair colors, I finally decided on this one. I could apply it with confidence, and the sponge application helps reduce mess. It is an excellent option for use in between salon appointments."
10. Best For Quick Touch-Ups: Cover Your Gray Fill In Powder
Cover Your Gray Fill In Powder helps you cover up your grays in minutes and flaunt beautiful hair, be it a party or a casual outing. Moreover, it is also effective at filling thinning areas and making your hair look thicker and fuller while offering complete coverage of grays. And what’s more, no one can say that you have it on as the natural shade blends in seamlessly with your hair color, making it one of the best products trusted by customers for a natural appearance.
Pros
- Helps promote hair growth and prevent hair loss
- Great for quick touch-ups
- Rejuvenates hair
- Stays until you wash it out
- No smell
Cons
- Some might not find the brush effective
- A deeper filler case, and it would have been excellent
11. Best For In-Between Salon Visits: Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch-Up Spray
Cover up the gray roots with the Touch-Up spray by Rita Hazan. This spray offers temporary gray coverage with its expertly crafted signature formula. It helps cover the grays within seconds and lasts until one shampoo. The concealer is formulated to work on any hair type, even chemically treated hair, without altering the hair texture or strands. This salon-quality formula is also safe for relaxers or chemical straightening.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Stain-resistant
- Water- and transfer-resistant
- Ammonia- and peroxide-free
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- May be slightly thick and sticky
"As a regular user of hair shades, I can firmly say this works exceptionally for root coverage and adds volume to thin hair. I also loved its staying power, which lasted through several washes. However, I felt the nozzle could be more precise to encourage precise application."
How To Choose The Right Blonde Hair Color To Cover Gray?
When picking a suitable hair color to cover gray, consider the following factors.
- Ammonia:Ammonia-free formulas are gentle on the hair and scalp. However, if you want to achieve more lift and make your hair look voluminous and appealing, choosing an ammonia-based color is the way to go.
- Permanent or temporary: A permanent hair color is an ideal pick if you want to minimize frequent touch-ups, while a temporary hair color needs reapplication and may not last long. However, the temporary, demi, or semi-permanent hair colors offer instant visible results and are best for use in the time between salon visits.
- Conditioning or nourishing ingredients: Most hair color options provide excellent coverage, but unfortunately, some might damage the hair. So, consider hair colors formulated with nourishing or moisturizing agents to keep your hair hydrated, shiny, and soft.
- No harmful chemicals: Harmful chemicals such as parabens, peroxide, and sulfates might alter the texture of natural as well as color-treated hair. So, choose hair colors that are free of nasty chemicals.
, a professional hairdresser and hair colorist, says, “Many people choose to cover their grays with a blonde hair color. You will find several color options in the market, but I recommend using toners and non-ammonia products and seeking the advice of a professional if you’re considering a permanent change. You could also experiment with a washable hair color to see if you like the effect before using a permanent hair color.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I bleach my hair without over-damaging it?
Bleaching is a process that tends to damage the hair cuticle by lightening the natural color and pigment of the hair, and creating a protein loss in hair. However, you can minimize the occurrence of damaged hair to some extent by seeing a professional who knows how to bleach the hair without over-damaging it. They also tone the hair, which makes the bleached hair look healthy.
Follow an at-home hair coloring regime with gentle shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for bleached hair. Also, maintain at least a six-week gap between each lightning session.
2. How long does blonde hair dye last?
Unlike other hair dyes, blonde hair dye imparts a long-lasting hair color – it is less likely to fade and lasts for a minimum of six to eight weeks. However, blonde hair may change the shade over time and pick up unwanted tones due to sun exposure or other external environments.
3. How do I maintain my blonde shade?
To keep your hair blonde, try to wash your hair as sparingly as possible and use a blonde shampoo to avoid unwanted tones. Purple-pigmented shampoos are the best pick to control brassiness. You can also pamper the blonde tresses with a weekly nourishing hair mask, and if you like to use styling tools on your blonde hair, add a heat protection spray to your styling routine.
4. What shade of blonde should I choose?
The right blonde shade adds to your overall appearance, complementing your skin tone and making your eyes look brighter. To achieve this, you should choose a blonde that enhances your skin complexion and consider the skin undertone. Earthy blonde shades are suitable for warm skin tones, whereas ashy, lighter shades work for cool skin tones. If you have a fair complexion, most blonde shades should suit you. However, if you have a dark skin tone, go for a lighter color that is one or two shades lighter than your hair color.
5. What is the difference between ash blonde and pearl blonde?
Although both shades have violet and blue base tones, the color intensity is a major difference between them. The ash-blonde shades are cool and result in shades ranging from silver to gray, whereas pearl blonde belongs to warm tones and delivers a platinum shade to the hair.
The Bottom Line
Coloring gray hair strands is a conventional practice. However, blonde hair with grays needs additional attention. So, it is a good idea to invest in the best blonde hair color to cover gray. The hair colors listed here are available in liquid, gel, or powder form. They help provide good gray coverage without staining or smudging. One of our best picks, the L’Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up features a lightweight formula suitable for various hair types. For nourishing and conditioning benefits, we suggest the Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme. To make the task even quicker for you, consider the Color Wow Root Cover Up. Suitable for people on the go, it comes in a powder form and offers water-resistant coverage and volume. From caramel blonde and honey blonde to platinum blonde and golden blonde shades, choose a shade that works for you. When choosing a blonde hair color for gray hair strands, avoid those that contain harsh chemicals and pick those that are easy to apply and nourish and condition your hair.
Infographic: How To Use A Root Touch-Up Color Spray?
Root touch-up hair dye sprays are convenient and effective solutions for camouflaging regrowth and gray hairs between salon visits. With their easy-to-use spray application, these products provide quick and temporary color touch-ups, helping to maintain a seamless, last-minute, refreshed look. Explore the infographic below to discover how to properly use a touch-up hair color spray.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Recommended Links
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Why Trust MomJunction?
The author of this article, Poulami Nag, is a makeup enthusiast and loves to review fashion, skincare, makeup, and hair care products. She goes through user feedback on various platforms and provides her readers with well-researched articles. For this article on the best blonde hair colors to cover gray strands, Poulami has compared several products that are tested by users and considered various online reviews. She has also explained the features of each product and highlighted their pros and cons to let you choose the right product.
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