10 Best Gray Hair Dyes for Shiny Silver Strands
Embrace your gray with our top at-home hair color picks.
Tested by Chiara ButlerBeauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst
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One good thing to come out of the pandemic: lots of ladies have decided to lean into their gray hair instead of concealing it. We're not knocking changing your color (whether for fun, a new look or gray coverage) but if you are ready to say hello to silver, we've got you covered.
So, what’s the best way to dye your hair silver or gray? "Light blonde, platinum or natural gray hair are the ideal shades to start with before dyeing hair silver," says Jennifer Korab, a colorist in Hillsborough, New Jersey. "If you have dark hair — brown or black — I would recommend getting a consultation with a professional, as darker hair requires more steps and can be a little tricky to achieve." While there are products out there that can work if you have brunette or black hair, you may need to put in the time and work to get your desired shade.
Keep reading for the best gray and silver hair dyes (including permanent and semi-permanent at-home picks) based on Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab testing and top reviewed products.
L'Oréal Paris Superior Preference in Soft Silver Blonde
Pros
- Top-tested formula in our Lab
- Long-lasting
- Affordable
Cons
- Works better on light hair
Formula: Permanent | Number of shades: 40, 1 gray/silver | Includes: Color cream, color gel, conditioner
L'Oréal Paris Superior Preference has previously performed well in GH Beauty Lab at-home hair color testing. Its soft silver color is perfect for anyone 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. "I've had issues with resistant grays, and this seems to be the only brand that actually covers them," an online shopper wrote. Given its light-colored tone, the gray hair dye works better on lighter hair colors.
Revlon ColorSilk Permanent Hair Color in 82B Silver Blonde
Pros
- Budget friendly
- Easy to use
- Left hair soft and shiny
Cons
- Not enough product in box for some
Formula: Permanent | Number of shades: 37, 1 gray/silver | Includes: Ammonia-free colorant, developer, conditioner, gloves
A GH Beauty Award winner, Revlon's budget-friendly dye worked just as well (if not better) as its more pricey competitors. It ranked highly in Lab testing for ease of use and for leaving hair shiny, silky and smooth — 94% of testers agreed. Plus, it had a light, not overpowering scent. "My hair felt really nice after rinsing and styling and was rejuvenated looking," one tester shared. "It was easily applied and did not smell bad," added another. FYI: You may need more than one box if you have long or thick strands; a few testers commented that there wasn't enough product in the package.
Pros
- Color blends well
- Deposits a pretty hue
Cons
- Pigment fades with frequent washes
Formula: Semi-Permanent | Number of shades: 43, 4 gray/silver | Includes: Hair color cream treatment
Lunar Tides' gunmetal gray shade is perfect for transitioning to natural gray hair. It deposits a sheen of color that blends seamlessly into hair instead of permanently changing it. A GH staffer appreciated that it lacked any pungent scent. Online shoppers complimented on its intense pigment and vibrancy. Though, we recommend following up with a color-depositing conditioner to keep color intact longer.
L'Oréal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Smokey Silver
Pros
- Multi-dimensional color payoff
- True gray
Cons
- May need two boxes for complete coverage
Formula: Permanent | Number of shades: 41, 1 gray/silver | Includes: Color cream, developer cream, shine serum, conditioner, gloves
Ready to commit to the grays? This multi-faceted smokey hue is anything but dull — it looks cool, shimmery and dimensional. "I need two to cover my head, but it's perfect," said one reviewer. "All the ones I've tried, both permanent and semi-permanent, are the wrong shade and/or don't stick. Too blue, too purple, too green, too ashy." Another added: "It's a perfect steel gray color."
ion 7SP-HM Silver Pearl Permanent Creme Hair Color
Pros
- Nourishes hair
- Leaves hair soft and shiny
Cons
- Does fade but "fades beautifully"
Formula: Permanent | Number of shades: 47, 3 gray/silver | Includes: Hair color cream
Thanks to hyaluronic acid, argan oil, pequi oil and additional botanicals, Ion's formula nourishes hair while it colors. One reviewer said that the color "silver pearl is awesome," while another called it a "dream color," adding that "this is the color I have been trying to get." Bonus: Its cream formula helped make application and coverage easier, according to shoppers.
ARCTIC FOX Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye
Pros
- Vegan formula
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- For best results, hair should already be platinum or pre-lightened
Formula: Semi-Permanent | Number of shades: 34, 1 gray/silver | Includes: Ammonia-free hair color cream
Formulated without ammonia, peroxide and other chemicals, Arctic Fox's vegan hair color is gentle and conditions hair, leaving behind color that lasts, per reviewers. "[Never] going back!" said one. "It smells amazing, is easy to apply (no drips) and is still vibrant after three weeks." It's worth noting, however, that the semi-permanent dye works best on light or bleached hair.
OVERTONE Color Depositing Conditioner in Vibrant Silver
Pros
- Conditioning and non-damaging
- Even takes on dark brown
Cons
- Reviewers purchased the separate shampoo to lessen fading time
Formula: Semi-Permanent | Number of shades: 35, 2 gray/silver | Includes: Ammonia-free color-depositing conditioner
Overtone gives thirsty hair a bit of TLC while coloring. Its conditioner deposits bright silver color without using ammonia and contains nourishing ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil and coconut oil. GH Institute Associate Director Emma Seymour is a fan of Overtone and an online shopper said it helped them transition their colored hair to full gray. "Brass is gone. [The color] blended with my new silver[s] beautifully," they wrote after trying Overtone. Many reviewers topped it off with the matching shampoo to help prevent fading.
RELATED: Best Conditioners for Dry Hair
Got2B Metallic Permanent Hair Color in Metallic Silver
Pros
- Bright silver payoff
- Holds color well
Cons
- Won't show up on darker hair
Formula: Permanent | Number of shades: 4, 3 gray/silver | Includes: Color cream, applicator bottle with developer, color after treatment, gloves
This shade is a bright, light — almost platinum — silver. Like many gray hair dyes, this works best if you start with bleached or light hair (it may have a tough time showing up on darker hues). On light-haired shoppers, this color showed up brilliantly. "Nothing seemed to work or hold the silver color that I was looking for until I tried this product," said one reviewer.
Keracolor Color + Clenditioner in Silver
Pros
- Cleanses, conditions and dyes hair
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Skews blue
Formula: Semi-Permanent | Number of shades: 23, 2 gray/silver | Includes: Color-depositing conditioner
Streamline the coloring process with an effective 3-in-1 conditioner: 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," said 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." If you're looking for a deep gray color, just note that some shoppers found it had a blueish tint.
RELATED: Best Conditioners
Schwarzkopf Chroma ID Bonding Color Mask
Pros
- Hydrates hair
- Can be used on both virgin and color-treated hair
Cons
- Has a strong chemical smell
Formula: Semi-Permanent | Number of shades: 14, 2 gray/silver | Includes: Color mask
For a soft silver shade, "I like to use Schwarzkopf Chroma ID in 9.5-1," says Brendnetta Ashley, hair stylist and colorist in California. "It’s the perfect gray tone and since it's a mask, it hydrates hair while adding tone." This cream mask is a semi-permanent formula that lasts up to 12 washes. While come haircolor formulas can be dulling and drying, this one utilizes bonding technology, keratin and panthenol to seal the outer cuticle and add shine. You may want to steer clear if you are scent sensitive; a few online reviewers noted the strong chemical-y smell.
RELATED: Best Hair Masks
How we test at-home hair color
The GH 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!).
What to look for when shopping for the best gray hair dye
There are three main factors to consider when choosing a DIY gray hair color:
✔️ Type of hair dye: "Consider whether you want a permanent hair dye that will last until your hair grows out, a demi permanent dye or a more temporary color from a color-depositing conditioner," advises GH Beauty Lab's Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler.
✔️ Current hair color: As mentioned above, gray hair dye typically works better on lighter hair colors. "If you have darker hair and want to go gray, this may be better done in the salon as it requires more steps," says Ashley.
✔️ Desired color tone: Gray or silver hair comes in many shades with various undertones including ash blonde, blue, purple or pink. "Consider what tone of gray you want, but remember there can be a range of shade outcomes depending on your base color," says Butler.
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.
Make sure you know the basics of dyeing hair at home and consider keeping a bottle of shampoo formulated for colored hair on hand to take care of your newly gray hair.
What is the difference between silver and gray hair color?
"Gray hair is an often a mix of black and white hairs and is usually more matte and subdued," says Ashley. "Silver is more reflective of light lavender undertones and is usually achieved with hair colors done in the salon."
Can you dye hair silver or gray without bleaching it?
"If your natural hair is darker than the tone of gray you want to achieve, then you will not be able to achieve the gray color you want without bleaching it first," says Butler. "If your hair is already light gray or light blonde then you could dye it gray without bleaching it depending on the tone of gray you want to achieve."
Both Butler and Ashley recommend consulting your stylist to determine the best route for your hair, especially if you are starting with a darker shade or are trying to avoid bleach.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
ELLE Beauty Editor Katie Berohn originally wrote this guide as a beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping. She frequently worked on our top-tested product roundups, collaborating with the GH Beauty Lab's scientists and chemists to best inform our guides.
Contributing Editor Dori Price regularly updates this piece with the most relevant picks, both from online reviews and from our in-Lab experts. She has over 18 years of experience researching and writing haircare and hairstyling stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals such as hairstylists, hair colorists and trichologists.
GH Beauty Lab's Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler helped with the most recent update by sharing new product picks, shopping tips and information about gray hair dye. In the Lab, she regularly conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products.
Katie Berohn is the Beauty Assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her Master’s Degree at NYU’s Graduate Program of Magazine Journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life Magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan, a digital editorial internship at New York Magazine’s The Cut, a social good fellowship at Mashable, and has freelanced for HelloGiggles. When she’s not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her endless search for the perfect shade of red nail polish, Katie can be found in a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York’s newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and 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. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.
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