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RANKED: Ulta Employees Rated These The Top 5 Products for Gray Coverage

Covering and caring for gray hair at home has never been easier (or more affordable)!

Written by Dr. Katie B.

Going gray is inevitable. While many women are confidently flaunting their silver strands, you might not be ready to embrace yours just yet. The good news is you’ve got more choices than ever when it comes to gray hair coverage—and it doesn’t require going to the salon or breaking the bank.

At-home solutions are not only readily available but also incredibly convenient, budget-friendly, and just as effective at restoring that vibrant color and smooth, youthful hair you adore. Today, we’ve teamed up with tenured Ulta employees to curate the crème de la crème of at-home gray coverage. From on-the-go quick fixes to long-lasting permanent hair color, we’ve got you covered.

This restorative product line is all about transforming your fragile, overprocessed

1. IGK Permanent Color Kits

When it comes to covering those stubborn gray hairs, IGK’s Permanent Color Kit is an undeniable choice. Unlike typical box colors known for damaging strands, IGK goes the extra mile by prioritizing your hair health. Their clinical studies reveal that after using the kit, hair is 15X shinier, 85% smoother, and breakage is reduced by 40%. With 33 signature shades at your fingertips, IGK empowers women to seamlessly blend their natural color or embark on a bold and vibrant hair transformation. Love a reliable routine? Opt for their monthly subscription, and you’ll save 15% on each shipment and never deal with grown-out grays again.

Pros:

• Makes hair 15X shinier
• Reduces breakage by 40%
• Achieves 85% smoother strands
• Results last 4-6 weeks
• The box contains everything needed for coloring

Cons:

• Can require two boxes for long hair

2. Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch-Up Spray

Celebrities like Jessica Simpson and Christie Brinkley swear by the Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch-Up Spray for quick coverage. While the buildable color pigments theoretically suit a range of hair shades, it’s worth noting that it’s only available in 5 natural hues, which might not cater to everyone’s needs. Nevertheless, for those who find their match among these shades, this product effortlessly conceals grays until your next shampoo. Surprisingly, this formula is entirely transfer-proof and water-resistant, making it an absolute essential for any vacation.

Pros:

• Cover grays in seconds
• Water-resistant
• Transfer-proof

Cons:

• Only lasts between shampoos
• Only comes in 5 shades

3. Color Wow Root Cover Up

Color Wow Root Cover Up is like an eye shadow for your hair. This powder-based root concealer not only instantly camouflages grays, it can also touch up highlights, refresh the rootline for thicker-looking hair, and even define your brows. The water-resistant and sweat-resistant formula lasts until you shampoo it out. With eight blendable shades to choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect match for most hair colors. What sets it apart is its exceptional value, as one compact can last anywhere from 6 months to a year!

Pros:

• Water-resistant
• Sweat-resistant
• Includes a brush for precise application

Cons:

• Temporary solution
• Transfers during wear

4. IGK Color Depositing Hair Mask

The IGK Color Depositing Hair Mask is a secret weapon for when silver strands start becoming unruly. Packed with squalane, prickly pear cactus, meadowfoam oil, and quinoa, this formula breathes new life into your hair’s texture in under 20 minutes. The results speak volumes: stronger, shinier, and noticeably softer strands. Now, here’s the twist – while it isn’t specifically designed to be a gray hair cover-up, many reviewers have been pleasantly surprised by the jaw-dropping hint of color it gives silver strands. With a selection of 18 semi-permanent shades, ranging from natural to more playful options, it’s an understated yet effective way to upgrade the feel and look of gray hair.

Pros:

• Hydrating formula
• 18 shades
• Easy to apply

Cons:

• Minimal gray coverage

5. Bold Uniq Purple Hair Mask

If you’ve decided to embrace the grays, you’ll want to avoid the common brassy and yellowish tints. That’s where the Bold Unique Purple Hair Mask can help. Each jar is packed with potent purple pigments that work wonders to neutralize those unwanted hues, leaving you with strikingly bright silver strands. But the real magic lies in its enriching formula, which features a blend of natural oils, including coconut and marula. These ingredients deeply condition those sometimes stubborn wiry strands, resulting in a mane that’s not only toned but also incredibly soft and smooth to the touch. 

Pros:

• Nourishing formula
• Easy to use
• Good for gray hair

Cons:

• Not for gray coverage
• Can be messy during application