Grey Coverage Hair Color: Everything You Need to Know
Embracing or blending grey hair is a personal choice and at BRUSH Amsterdam, we believe in tailored solutions that respect your style, lifestyle and hair condition. Whether you want full coverage, soft blending or a more dimensional, low-maintenance approach, our expert colorists offer custom techniques that enhance your natural beauty.
What is grey coverage?
Grey coverage refers to coloring techniques that hide, soften, or blend grey hair using permanent or demi-permanent color. It’s not always about 100% coverage — sometimes, a softer, more dimensional effect (like a gloss or toning overlay) can be even more flattering and easier to maintain.
What is my grey percentage?
Your grey percentage refers to how much of your hair has turned grey or white. It's usually estimated in ranges: for example, 0–25%, 25–50%, 50–75%, or 75–100%. Knowing your grey percentage helps determine the best coloring strategy. For instance, under 25% grey may be blended with demi-permanent or glossing, while 50% or more often benefits from permanent coverage. During your consultation at BRUSH, we assess this carefully to tailor your color plan to your natural tone, regrowth pattern and lifestyle needs.
What is the best way to cover grey hair?
The best method depends on your desired look and hair condition. For full, long-lasting grey coverage, a permanent color is most effective. If you prefer softer regrowth or are new to coloring, a semi-permanent option may be better. Our colorists will help you choose based on how much grey you have, your hair type, and the maintenance level you want.
Permanent vs. Semi-permanent Grey Coverage
| Type | Coverage | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Color | Up to 100% grey coverage | 6–8 weeks | Clients who want full, long-lasting coverage |
| Demi/Semi-permanent Color | Softens or blends greys up to 50% | 4–6 weeks | First-time color clients or low-maintenance preferences |
What is permanent vs. semi-permanent hair color?
Permanent color lifts and deposits pigment into the hair, allowing full coverage of even stubborn greys. Semi-permanent or demi-permanent color softly blends without lifting, gradually fading over weeks. Curious to know more? Read our full guide here.
Combining grey coverage with balayage, highlights or foilyage
At BRUSH, we often combine root coverage or toning with balayage, highlights or foilyage techniques. This softens regrowth, adds dimension, and gives grey hair a modern, low-maintenance upgrade. Especially if you're transitioning into greying, this approach gives you a flattering and natural look that evolves beautifully over time.
Introducing the express grey coverage treatment
Short on time? At BRUSH, we offer an Express Grey Coverage Treatment using Schwarzkopf Igora Color10, which provides full grey coverage in just 10 minutes. Perfect if you're in a hurry, or ideal to combine with balayage or highlights for a natural shadow root and color in one sitting — saving time without compromising on results.
Can I reverse grey or white hair?
Unfortunately, grey hair cannot be reversed — it’s a natural part of aging due to a decrease in melanin. However, a healthy lifestyle (less stress, better nutrition, and scalp care) may help slow down the greying process for some. In the meantime, great color and shine can make a huge difference in how you feel about your look.
Hair dye and sensitive scalps, allergies or pregnancy
We understand how important safety and comfort are. At BRUSH, we always offer patch testing and consults. If you're pregnant, have allergies or a sensitive scalp, our colorists will recommend PPD-free, ammonia-free or plant-based alternatives that are gentle yet effective — without compromising on results.
Should I change my hair care routine for grey hair?
Yes — grey hair tends to be drier and more porous, which means it needs targeted care. Using products that restore moisture, protect color and add shine will help your hair look and feel its best. It also helps minimize brassiness or dull tones over time.
What is the best hair care for grey hair?
At BRUSH, we recommend nourishing and strengthening care tailored to colored or grey hair. Our top favorites include:
- Anti-aging hair care - shop the best premium hair care specialised and selected by our BRUSH hair stylists for anti-aging and for grey hair here.
- KEVIN.MURPHY BLONDE.ANGEL – a toning treatment for grey or blonde hair to eliminate brassiness.
- Brazilian Bond Builder b3 – to protect and rebuild hair structure post-color.
- K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask – ideal for grey hair needing strength and elasticity.
- Pure Organic Miracle renew regimen – specialised anti-aging hair care, super gentle, natural care for sensitive scalps and aging hair.
- Brazilian Blowout Daily Smoothing Serum – adds shine and smooths texture to your grey hair without buildup.
Is it time for grey coverage?
If you’re starting to see greys or already have a salt-and-pepper pattern, it’s worth talking to a professional. Whether you want to embrace, soften or fully cover, there’s no one-size-fits-all. We’ll help you find your personal balance of shine, tone, longevity and confidence.
Can I cover all my grey hair at once?
Yes — with the right color and technique, we can fully cover even 100% grey hair in a single session. However, grey hair is sometimes resistant, so the approach needs to be tailored. At BRUSH, we always assess the texture and density of your greys to select the best method and formula for long-lasting, vibrant results.
👉 Want to explore your options? Book a consultation with one of our BRUSH colorists — and let’s create a solution tailored to you.
FAQ: Grey Hair Coverage Treatments
- Does semi-permanent color cover grey?
- It can blend and soften grey, but it doesn’t fully cover resistant grey hairs. It's ideal for a natural, low-commitment transition.
- Can highlights or balayage help disguise grey hair?
- Absolutely! Techniques like balayage and highlights add brightness and dimension, helping grey hair blend seamlessly with your base color.
- How often should I retouch my grey coverage?
- Every 4–8 weeks, depending on your regrowth and desired maintenance. Dimensional coloring can help stretch out the time between appointments.
- Is it safe to dye grey hair?
- Yes — as long as the right products and techniques are used. At BRUSH, we use high-performance, hair-friendly color systems with built-in conditioning agents.
- Is grey hair harder to color?
- Grey hair can be more resistant due to texture and porosity. That’s why a personalized approach and proper prep (like a pre-softening treatment) are key.
- Can I go back to natural grey after coloring?
- Definitely — we can create a transition plan using foilyage, glossing and tone-blending to gracefully grow out your dyed hair.
