Wondering if you’re tackling your greys the right way? An expert gives us the 411.

Going grey is a part of life and, like many other milestones, tends to happen rather differently for all guys. For some, it’s gradual, a few greys here and there, while for others the transformation seems to happen over the course of a few months. But regardless of how we get there, we all face the inevitable question somewhere along the way: should I be doing something about this?

As a culture, by and large we’ve learned to embrace grey hair by abandoning negative age-related connotations and letting nature take its course, which is great. Less work, easy daily routine. It also might explain why a growing number of younger men are opting for the silver fox look well before nature comes a’calling. But there are still some who, at the doorstep of their 30s (or even earlier) aren’t ready to let the grey in, and for those guys, we’ve got a host of options on how to tackle greys: at home using store-bought dye kits, gradually by using color shampoos and temporary dyes, and professionally at a salon. And to help us weigh the options and decide which is best is top colorist Christopher-John from Salon YOSHIKO at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City.

A quick foray down the hair dye aisle at CVS is enough to convince anyone that they can look like the person on the box, but Christopher-John warned us that, while at-home hair dye has its merits, plenty can go wrong if the rules aren’t followed.

How to Get it Right

Final note: Christopher-John pointed out that grey hair is more resistant to color than younger hair because of its texture. “The lack of natural oils in the hair make it a rougher surface that tends to reject the color being applied, especially around the roots.” Therefore, depending on the type of grey, he advises keeping the color on a few minutes longer to allow it to take.

Christopher-John said this at-home staple by Just For Men offers a safe, user-friendly option that packs plenty of potent color.

Whether it’s a color-depositing shampoo, a spray-on dose of color, or a tinting powder, tackling greys using an easy-does-it gradual method is often a safer bet, thanks to a generous margin of error.

How to Get it Right

For those guys who want the gradual route, all it takes is a quick shampoo and a few minutes to let it work, and this classic from Just For Men does the rest. The more you wash, the more color is left behind, giving you total control over your greys.

“For someone with a full head grey, I suggest seeing a professional who can take the time to suggest different options based on skin tone and lifestyle,” Christopher-John said. “For example, someone who travels a lot has to consider upkeep, someone who swims in a pool often has to consider the effects of the chlorine, etc.” He also mentioned more technical aspects that could make a difference between a good dye job and one that looks completely natural, such as gloss finishes. The moral of the story is: if you can afford it, go professional.

How to Get it Right

At the end of the day, there’s nothing wrong with going grey. It’s a part of life and can look really awesome. But hey, who are we to say what’s best? If a grey mane isn’t in the cards, at least you’ve got options—three solid ones, to be exact. Just ensure you do it right.