When it comes to picking a lighter hair color, ash tones are probably on the top of the list for many. There’s no denying how this spectrum of hues can accentuate your features and make any complexion pop. Of course, that’s still up to having the right shade that would perfectly match your skin tone!
But what creates that beautiful ashy tone everyone loves—whether it’s in ash brown, ash blonde, or an ash purple—is the wash of gray that casts over each color. So if you’re thinking of going light or the getting your lightest hair color yet, gray is your next best bet after blonde!
Here's a tip: instead of opting for the plain gray shade, mix in hues of brown, blonde, and even pink to your dye job. This helps in achieving a gray that suits your skin tone and gives a pop of color at the same time.
To ease your search, we’ve rounded up a slew of shade options (and the corresponding skin tones to match) so you can finally get that gray ‘do of your dreams! You’ll definitely love to save all these on your Pinterest board!
10 Gorgeous Gray Hair Colors You Should Try
1. True Gray
Your grandma’s got nothing on this color! A true gray ‘do isn’t silver or white but a real volcano ash tone that’s quite dark. To keep this color looking fresh, we suggest that you pair it with a classic haircut or a really trendy one like a pixie or mullet so it’ll look deliberate. This works on most skin tones so feel free to try!
2. Silver Gray
This might be the most fashionable iteration of gray hair yet. Though silver looks gorgeous on photos, the white veil isn’t as forgiving as a simply gray hue. If you have a reddish or warm undertone, we suggest you avoid this shade unless you want a stark contrast. But if you’re cool toned and pale, you should definitely try this out for a vibrant change!
3. Purple Gray
Purple is such a stylish color to match with gray! Not only does it help tone the brassiness of a bleached 'do, but it works as a great accent color, too. Those with warm or deep complexions might want to opt for more purple than gray for a flattering contrast, while those with fair or cool-toned skin would be better off with more gray.
4. Pink Gray
Believe it or not, pink can look so good on any skin tone. You just have to pick the right cool or warm shade of pink for you! That said, a pastel pink is probably the safest color to get because it looks so flattering on all undertones. But if a baby pink is too sweet for you, pick a shade with a gray hue or silver tone for a more mature look.
5. Deep Ash Brown
Also more popularly known as ash brown or deep ash gray, this is the most natural-looking version of the color you can get. Other than the fact that it simply looks like a creamy pastel brown, the tone easily makes warm-toned skin pop. Just make sure to keep the brassiness at bay with some purple shampoo so your tresses look fresh!
6. Green Gray
Green hair has a tendency to make your skin look muddy or sickly when not in the right tone, so it could be difficult to be pull off. But when mixed with gray, it could look more flattering, especially if your skin has a yellowish tint. Give it a try if you want a unique take on ashy strands!
7. Beige Gray/Greige
Japanese hairstylists like to call this combination of blonde and gray as “greige,” or a combination of beige and gray. The color is flattering for multiple reasons since it’s the best kind of blonde that’s neither too ashy nor too yellowish. This is a great shade to try if you have a medium or deep skin tone as well since it will complement your complexion without clashing with your undertones!
8. Blue Gray
Unlike a pastel blue, a deep midnight blue paired with gray is actually more versatile! This color suits fair to deep skin tones since it just works as an accent color against the gray hue. Keep your base gray shade quite dark as well so the color doesn’t stand out too much!
9. Black Gray Balayage
If you’re not ready to commit to a full head of gray, opt for a balayage color treatment with dark or virgin roots. This way, the gray tones will enhance your haircut while adding more dimension to your ‘do!
10. Two-Tone Black and Gray
Peek-a-boo dye jobs are here to stay and we’re all for it! It's a cool way to try a gray hair color sans the full head of bleach. Whether that’s face framing highlights, or a hidden undercut type of color that only covers the lower half of your scalp, you'll have a cool, head-turning style you won't regret.
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