Coloring Gray Hair Over Existing Color: Demi & Semi-Permanent Options

Question
Hi,

Can I color gray hairs with demi or semi permanent color without changing my base?

My base color is ash/rose brown about level 5-6, and lots of natural warmish highlights about level 7-8. I'm about 30% gray.

Thanks,
Shirley

Answer
Hiya Shirley,

If you're doing the color at home, this is the only way I recommend doing it. Yes you can but keep in mind that semi and demi colors will mostly blend the gray rather than give you 100% coverage. With only 30% gray, even if you came into my salon, I would probably use a demi color on you. Semi and demi colors are not designed to lift or lighten your hair color so as long as you choose something lighter than your natural and with the same base tone, it won't change the base color much, other than to add a bit of shine.

I started covering my gray when I was about 23 and I used demi color to do it until I was about 60% gray, although that was pushing it a bit. :c)

Good luck,

dana