I am only 34 and have quite a bit of gray hair! I am no longer highlighting my hair (it was a lot less visible then), but attempting to cover it by using Natural Instincts semi-permanent color which does not do it. Any suggestions out there, besides going to the salon, I would rather save my money and do it myself. My natural hair is primarily brown with alot of natural reddish gold highlights and of course some gray. Thanks for any advice!
Traci,
I also have brown hair. I like Nice and Easy. In my opinion its not as harsh as Loreal. I would start with neutral light brown. It will give you nice highlights on the gray. You could always go lighter or darker but that is a good color to start with. I have medium brown hair and I sometimes use the dark blond but that is as light as I will go.
I use Revlon color silk, it is permanent, and covers the grey! Go with a shade that is closest to your natural color. use the re-touch directions after the first time. It cvers mine well, and lasts about 8wks.When I see that silver stripe across the top, I know it's time! LOl! It only costs about $3 at my local store, and they often have coupons for $1.50 off! That's when I stock up! No stinky smell either!, good luck
Have you thought of just letting it grow out and go natural? If you have what I call the "pretty gray" it might be an option. The "pretty gray" is the silverish white instead of the dull dark gray color. My hair was a deep rich brown and I got my first gray hair at 12. I dyed it from the time I was 17 until I was 30. The more gray I got the easier it was to dye. The more gray you have the lighter the dye should be so you notice less roots your hair grows out. I preferred Balsom by Clairol or Colorsilk to use at home. If you are going to dye it often using a dye with no ammonia is better for your hair but won't cover the gray for long - it seems the gray just doesn't hold the dye well and the dye will wash out over time.
When I decided to go natural about 3 years ago I went to the salon and had my hair foiled. She matched the highlights to my gray so I wouldn't have that line as it grew out. My hair is halfway down my back and the dye is nearly gone now, about 2 inches left. People stop me all the time and ask if my hair is natural because they love it. It looks mostly medium/dark blonde with light highlights through it. Only if I pull it up in a ponytail can you tell it is gray not blonde.
Good luck...
I have been happy with the permanent Loreal ones. Look for the ones that say 100% gray coverage
I'm mostly gray and have been that way since I was in my 30's. I use Garnier Nutrisse. DON"T use the new 100% - the company told me that it doesn't do as well on gray. It colors until your roots show. My hair grows really fast, so I have to use it about every 4 weeks, but it covers the gray. I have short hair and only use 1/2 of it each time. I save an empty bottle so I don't have to open the new one until I'm ready to use it the 2nd time. Certainly helps with the cost!!!
You might consider letting your gray hair show! On the news two nights ago was a piece about how the celebrities are all "going gray". It seems to be the new "in" thing--if that sort of thing "floats your boat"!
I am so very gray, started when I was 13, and I go to sally beauty supply and get the loreal color and the developer and just do my roots. It's really cheap and it works great with those stubborn grays....The tricky part is finding your right color. Once you do that, it's easy.
I'm only 27 and have the same problem. I was 16 when I started seeing grays! I use the Loreal Preference in the pink box (the regular doesn't do as good of a job). I love the "Dark Chocolate Brown" color.
I was about your age when I began using Clairol Nice 'n Easy, light ash blonde.
My hair was about the same color as yours then. I had many natural highlights. Now much more grey.
This will not make you instantly blond
but just lighter. Now after many yrs. hair is blond but
a medium, many natural colors. I get many compliments even from beauticians. I use ash because I have a natural red base to my hair. If I use a golden color, it would turn red.
This brand is often on sale. Good luck.
Hi Traci, I am now 44 and used Natural Instincts for many years. I have hard to cover gray and I used to leave the color on for the maximum time - I believe it was 20 minutes, if I remember correctly. If you haven't tried this, please do so. I also have brown hair with natural red highlights. I loved the Navajo Bronze color. It used to be hard to find at times. I hope this helps!
Go to S. Beauty Supply or any beauty supply and they will help you with a permanent color that is made especially for covering gray hair that you can do yourself. I have been doing it forever. Good luck
