Should you cover your gray or blend it?
There is no wrong answer, and Esther will not push you either way. Some women love the clean, even look of full coverage. Others want to stop chasing their roots and let silver become part of their color. Plenty land somewhere in the middle.
Think about how fast your gray shows, how often you want to be in the salon chair, and how you feel when you see silver at your part. Those answers usually point the way.
How does full gray coverage with INOA work?
For full coverage, Esther uses L'Oréal INOA ammonia-free color. It gives rich coverage, including gray, with a natural shine. There is no ammonia smell, it feels gentle, and it helps keep the integrity and health of your hair.
She mixes the shade for your skin, eyes and hair, because the color you wore years ago may not be the most flattering one now. A shade that is a touch softer often looks more natural as gray grows in. INOA color is $125 on the 2026 menu. Read more about INOA ammonia-free color.
What is gray blending?
Gray blending uses highlights and lowlights to melt your natural silver into the rest of your color. Lighter pieces make the gray look intentional and bright. Deeper pieces add back depth so your hair doesn't look washed out. As your hair grows, the line at the root stays soft instead of stark.
Partial hi/lo lights are $175+ and full hi/lo lights are $250+. Length, thickness and color history change the final price, and the free consultation gives your exact quote. See highlights in Palm Beach for how they are placed.
There is also a middle path: color first, then highlights, her clients' favorite combination. An all-over color softens the gray, then highlights add brightness on top.
How often do you need a root touch-up?
Gray shows fastest at the part and the temples. With full coverage, many people book a root touch-up about every four to six weeks to keep roots even. With blending, the grow-out is softer, so the time between visits can often stretch longer.
Everyone's hair grows at its own pace, so Esther helps you find a rhythm that works. More on timing: how often to refresh highlights and roots.
Can you switch from covered gray to blended gray?
Yes, but it takes patience. Hair that has been covered for years holds that color, so the change usually happens over several visits. Highlights and lowlights can soften the line between the old color and your natural silver while it grows. Esther will be honest about how long it may take for your hair.
“Esther is simply THE BEST! She takes her time and my hair is not easy and she always makes it look beautiful.”
— Barbara L., single color
To talk it through, text Esther at 561-631-6462 for a free consultation. A daylight photo of your roots helps her see your gray pattern.
Questions clients ask
Does ammonia-free color cover gray?
Yes. L'Oréal INOA ammonia-free color gives rich coverage, including gray, with a natural shine. How it looks on you depends on how much gray you have and how coarse it is, which Esther checks at your free consultation before she mixes your shade.
Will gray blending make me look older?
Not when it is done with care. Soft highlights and lowlights add light and depth, which keeps the overall look fresh and polished. Esther mixes the tones for your skin and eyes so the silver looks bright and pretty, not dull or yellow.
How much does gray coverage cost?
On Esther's 2026 menu, L'Oréal INOA ammonia-free color is $125 and single process is $100. Blending with partial hi/lo lights is $175+, and full hi/lo lights are $250+. Your hair's length and thickness change the final price, and the free consultation gives your exact quote.
Why is my gray hair hard to color?
Gray hair can feel coarser and smoother on the surface, so color sometimes takes differently than it does on the rest of your hair. A skilled colorist adjusts the formula and timing for that. Tell Esther which areas are hardest to cover, often the temples or the part.