Question:
I have finally decided to have the grey in my hair coloured.
What is the best home product?
If I fork out for a hairdresser, will they be able to cover the grey completely/for how long
Can I also have some kind of highlights at the same time so it is not one block of colour
expert advice most welcome!!!
tigress
I'm no expert, I must say that at the start!
However, if you're dark and going grey, try using a blonde hair colourant. This will only be visible on the grey (or rather, white) hairs, and give the effect of very subtle highlighting. Very economically. Extra highlights can be done at the hairdressers if wished.
If you cover the grey completely, you'll have re-growth problems, plus a "solid" colour can look very unnatural.
Asemi-permanent is probably best, at least to begin with, and I'd suggest a strand test. You don't need to chop any off, just take a section from underneath and wrap it in clingfilm. If you don't like the colour, at least it won't show!
Theyalso recommend an allergy test. (See also my post below).
Experiments with colour are best viewed in daylight as well as artificial light, because there can be quite a difference.
Hope this is some use.
Holistic
EDITEDfor clarity.
HI
I totally agree with holistic - you must always do a patch test on your hair - take a small bit from the back of your hair and you need to wait a minimum of 24 - 48 hours (I would recommend 48 hours) before you actually colour your hair.
Not sure what colour hair you have but I have very dark brown hair that almost looks black (but its not). Dont ever choose dark chocolate brown as a hair colour - I did and my hair went so black it looked unnatural blue/black colour and looked dull. It was a semi perm but took months to grow out it was awful!
I would though recommend you go and get yourself a free recommendation from a hair dressers so they can also advice what colour you should go.
The coloured shampoos from Aveda are very good and you could use them to see if you like all being one colour. Not sure how much grey you have but if you have a lot of grey getting it coloured all one colour can look really dark even though its not. With the shampoo colours you have to use it every day for about a week for it to actually colour or you can buy the wash in wash out colour sachets that you get from superdrug - I have never used this though.
Never commit to a perm colour unless you are 100% sure.
My last note though on the matter is to say please please please do not ignore the patch test - I used a shampoo and conditioner a few years ago - (a well known make) and for some reason I came up with a mild degree of burning on my skin and I do not really have sensitive skin so a patch test is important.
This is no joke but I ended up in the chemists on a saturday afternoon hours before my works summer ball buying cream and calamine lotion to try and fix the red burns to the back of my neck, back arms and my forehead - not pleasant at all!
Good Luck!
Two slightly different tests here, susan2.
The allergy test recommended by the manufacturers is usually done in an area like the crook of one's arm. For this a wait of 24-48 hours is recommended.
What I was suggesting was a strand test, where the colour is left on the strand of hair for approx 20 minutes, to test the end result. Some manufacturers give instructions for this also.
Sorry if my first post wasn't clear on this. I've now edited it.
Holistic
thanks for the advice..now have to take the plunge
tigress
ahhhh the memories of hiding my grey... lol... well being a lady who has had her hair all colours pmsl.... and tried the lot.... go for it girl... I am mostly grey but cover with a honey or warm blonde - mind you .. have had my hair red mahognany but yes.. regrowth is a horrible thing...... just a tip... if a colour you choose is too strong - half a dozen washes or there abouts with good ole head and shoulders.... it reduces the colour from your hair... and takes the brazziness of of blonde or copper.... works for me... hahaha
take care all.. hugs..
Hi Tigress,
I don't know what color your hair is, but I am naturally a brunette who has been having blonde highlights put in my hair for years now, and just last year decided to start coloring the grey as well. I have a wonderful hairstylist who uses a permanent color on the grey, and then highlights that color as well. It's really quite beautiful. The base comes out kind of reddish light brown, and then she highlights that with golden blonde, so I end up looking like a natural blonde. It's so beautiful!
As far as how often you will need to have your grey touched up, that will depend on how much grey you have in your hair to begin with. If it's just a little, then probably not too often. When I didn't have as much, I could get away with just having blonde highlights, and that would mix in with the grey so that the grey wasn't even noticeable. But now that I have more grey in my hair, I am now having the base colored to cover the grey about every 4 weeks or so, and then highlights added every 8-12 weeks.
I've used Aveda products for many years now, as they are the most natural and gentle on the hair. Most hairstylists readily approve of Aveda products. Once I started coloring the grey in my hair, my hairstylist recommended that I use Aveda's Color Preserve shampoo and conditioner. It helps preserve the color longer and is really nice.
Anyway, I hope that helps a little ... and good luck with your hair!
What is the best home product?
If I fork out for a hairdresser, will they be able to cover the grey completely/for how long
Can I also have some kind of highlights at the same time so it is not one block of colour
expert advice most welcome!!!
tigress
Answers:
I'm no expert, I must say that at the start!
However, if you're dark and going grey, try using a blonde hair colourant. This will only be visible on the grey (or rather, white) hairs, and give the effect of very subtle highlighting. Very economically. Extra highlights can be done at the hairdressers if wished.
If you cover the grey completely, you'll have re-growth problems, plus a "solid" colour can look very unnatural.
Asemi-permanent is probably best, at least to begin with, and I'd suggest a strand test. You don't need to chop any off, just take a section from underneath and wrap it in clingfilm. If you don't like the colour, at least it won't show!
Theyalso recommend an allergy test. (See also my post below).
Experiments with colour are best viewed in daylight as well as artificial light, because there can be quite a difference.
Hope this is some use.
Holistic
EDITEDfor clarity.
Answers:
HI
I totally agree with holistic - you must always do a patch test on your hair - take a small bit from the back of your hair and you need to wait a minimum of 24 - 48 hours (I would recommend 48 hours) before you actually colour your hair.
Not sure what colour hair you have but I have very dark brown hair that almost looks black (but its not). Dont ever choose dark chocolate brown as a hair colour - I did and my hair went so black it looked unnatural blue/black colour and looked dull. It was a semi perm but took months to grow out it was awful!
I would though recommend you go and get yourself a free recommendation from a hair dressers so they can also advice what colour you should go.
The coloured shampoos from Aveda are very good and you could use them to see if you like all being one colour. Not sure how much grey you have but if you have a lot of grey getting it coloured all one colour can look really dark even though its not. With the shampoo colours you have to use it every day for about a week for it to actually colour or you can buy the wash in wash out colour sachets that you get from superdrug - I have never used this though.
Never commit to a perm colour unless you are 100% sure.
My last note though on the matter is to say please please please do not ignore the patch test - I used a shampoo and conditioner a few years ago - (a well known make) and for some reason I came up with a mild degree of burning on my skin and I do not really have sensitive skin so a patch test is important.
This is no joke but I ended up in the chemists on a saturday afternoon hours before my works summer ball buying cream and calamine lotion to try and fix the red burns to the back of my neck, back arms and my forehead - not pleasant at all!
Good Luck!
Answers:
Two slightly different tests here, susan2.
The allergy test recommended by the manufacturers is usually done in an area like the crook of one's arm. For this a wait of 24-48 hours is recommended.
What I was suggesting was a strand test, where the colour is left on the strand of hair for approx 20 minutes, to test the end result. Some manufacturers give instructions for this also.
Sorry if my first post wasn't clear on this. I've now edited it.
Holistic
Answers:
thanks for the advice..now have to take the plunge
tigress
Answers:
ahhhh the memories of hiding my grey... lol... well being a lady who has had her hair all colours pmsl.... and tried the lot.... go for it girl... I am mostly grey but cover with a honey or warm blonde - mind you .. have had my hair red mahognany but yes.. regrowth is a horrible thing...... just a tip... if a colour you choose is too strong - half a dozen washes or there abouts with good ole head and shoulders.... it reduces the colour from your hair... and takes the brazziness of of blonde or copper.... works for me... hahaha
take care all.. hugs..
Answers:
Hi Tigress,
I don't know what color your hair is, but I am naturally a brunette who has been having blonde highlights put in my hair for years now, and just last year decided to start coloring the grey as well. I have a wonderful hairstylist who uses a permanent color on the grey, and then highlights that color as well. It's really quite beautiful. The base comes out kind of reddish light brown, and then she highlights that with golden blonde, so I end up looking like a natural blonde. It's so beautiful!
As far as how often you will need to have your grey touched up, that will depend on how much grey you have in your hair to begin with. If it's just a little, then probably not too often. When I didn't have as much, I could get away with just having blonde highlights, and that would mix in with the grey so that the grey wasn't even noticeable. But now that I have more grey in my hair, I am now having the base colored to cover the grey about every 4 weeks or so, and then highlights added every 8-12 weeks.
I've used Aveda products for many years now, as they are the most natural and gentle on the hair. Most hairstylists readily approve of Aveda products. Once I started coloring the grey in my hair, my hairstylist recommended that I use Aveda's Color Preserve shampoo and conditioner. It helps preserve the color longer and is really nice.
Anyway, I hope that helps a little ... and good luck with your hair!
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