Blending Gray Hair With Highlights: What to Ask Your Colorist and How to Handle the Roots

Short answer: Gray blending uses highlights, lowlights or both to break up the line between gray regrowth and your color, so the roots grow out softer. Highlights lift some strands closer to the gray. Lowlights put darker strands back so the result does not look washed out. It works best when the gray is spread through the hair rather than in one solid band, and it can take more than one visit to build. Between appointments, a temporary root powder in a close shade can soften the part line.

Highlights, lowlights or both?

Does gray blending suit dark hair?

It can, but expect more steps. On dark hair the contrast between gray and color is high, so a colorist usually lifts strands in stages and adds lowlights to keep depth. On light brown, blonde or salt-and-pepper hair the blend is easier, because the gray is already close to the lighter strands.

Seven questions for the consultation

1. How much gray do I have at the front, the part and the back?
2. Highlights, lowlights or both, and why?
3. How many visits will it take to build the blend?
4. How often will I need maintenance after that?
5. Will I need a gloss or toner to keep it from turning yellow or brassy?
6. What is the price for partial and full highlights, and for a gloss?
7. Do you want a skin test before the color service?

Can you blend gray with highlights at home?

Highlighting at home uses lightener, which is harder to control than color, especially at the back. If you try it, follow the kit exactly, test a strand first, and do a skin test 48 hours before. Many people keep the highlights at the salon and handle the in-between weeks at home with temporary products that wash out.

Keeping the regrowth line soft between appointments

• Shift your part half an inch for the last couple of weeks.
• Book a partial service. Ulta Beauty, for example, lists a partial root touch-up for the hairline and part at about 50 minutes.
• Use a temporary powder along the part. Match the shade to the strands right at the part, not to the ends.

For powder on lighter strands, read root cover powder for highlighted hair, and for a natural mix of dark and gray, root powder for salt-and-pepper hair. If you are thinking of letting the gray grow in, see growing out gray hair.

Where does BUNEE fit?

BUNEE is a temporary root-cover powder in a pressed compact with a mirror and applicator puff. Its 12 shades include Grey, Dark Grey, White, Light Blonde and Medium Blonde, which helps when the hair at your part is a mix of gray and highlights. It washes out with shampoo and does not lighten or dye hair. Delivery is 10 to 17 business days.

FAQ

Can you blend gray hair with highlights?

Yes. Highlights lift strands closer to the gray so regrowth looks softer. On dark hair a colorist often adds lowlights too and builds the blend over more than one visit.

Highlights or lowlights for gray hair?

Highlights make the gray blend in; lowlights add depth back so the hair does not look flat or washed out. Many gray blends use both.

Does gray blending mean fewer salon visits?

The goal is a softer grow-out, so the regrowth line shows less. How often you go back depends on your hair and the look your colorist builds.

Can I use root powder on highlighted hair?

Yes. Match the powder to the strands at your part, press it on in thin layers, and check in daylight.

Sources, checked 2 November 2026: Ulta Beauty, salon color services · BUNEE, shades and delivery. Brand names are used for comparison only. We have no business relationship with the companies mentioned, and facts about their products come from their own pages or retailer listings, not our testing.