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Who can give any advice on coloring hair that is starting to get some grey? Anyone have any experience with any particular products?
I am getting some grey at the temples and scattered strands. It will only, of course, get worse and I do not like it on myself. I realize that it is like painting a deck--once you do it you do it forever. I am willing to put up with that.
Those who like their own or others grey can save their time and not respond to this. I can appreciate your view but that is not mine.
Thanks for any suggestions...
i have a few scattered strands of grey too, i'm 17 so mneh i'm not too happy about it, and so have been dying my hair black for about 2 years. i originally used loreal 'nice and easy', and have generally found it to be just that. however recently when i got annoyed with my roots i bought 'just for men', figuring it was worth a try, and i was pleasantly surprised when it covered all of my hair (not just the grey like it advertises, however this is black dye, dunno if it does the same with the rest) and plus it took only 5 minutes, result! so i recommend 'just for men' above others, and for the dying process as a whole i don't think its too bad, and my hair is still in pretty good condition. i guess i have a long future of hair dying ahead of me though...
My hair is brown and only has a couple grey hairs (I'm 38), so that's not a big issue yet. Having said that, I do like to play around by highlighting my hair with different colors. I've added different shades of lighter brown/blond at times and even dark red on a couple occasions.
My advice is this: Don't buy the "cheap" stuff sold at the department stores. It won't last long and has a higher probability that you won't like the color.
Go to Sally's beauty Supply (or equivalent) and tell one of the pretty girls working there what you want to do. She will make tons of good recommendations (many employees are licensed beauticians) and start you on your way.
Get a friend to help out if needed and have fun.
One more thing. I put the word "cheap" in quotes because it ends up costing MORE at the dept. stores because you only get one application out of the kit. The beauty supply stores sell in the larger bottles that you mix, costing only pennies per application (OK so now I sound like a commercial.... sorry).
There are also special shampoos and conditioners for color-treated hair that you will definitely want.
Best wishes,
ToddB
Thanks for the advice in response to my post 7/24. I took ToddB's advice and went to the local Sally's supply store and bought, on the salesgirl's advice, Loreal ColorSmart Haircolor for Men. They are reluctant to advise on color (to risk liability, I suppose), but in a color-match situation she was helpful anyway. I would have picked dark brown but she advised medium (based on hair swatches they have hanging on the displays), and she was right.
It was quick (15 minutes to take), and ended up about perfect. The coverage was proabably about 90%, with a hint of lighter strands that makes it not look dyed. One area did not take it perfectly (near one temple), but it may be because I had not washed it in two days and was not certain what to do since the instructions say dry, "unwashed" hair. Also, I did a test on that area immediately before doing the whole head, lest it turn red or some other horrible result! However, especially for the first time, it will probably help in "phasing in" so as to not be noticed. I may eventually start using the larger, bulk quantities that she said I could use, to save money--again, ToddB's advice, too.
The look is nice, the feel is nice and I see no apparent damage. My hair is about midback and had grey at the temples as well as many other strands. I can certainly recommend it --just coax out some advice from the sales people.
The reason for this question is because of things I have noticed with myself.
2 years ago I made the great mistake of getting the so-called "Lawn-Mower" type Haircut. (I had ALWAYS until that point had longer to very long hair most of my Teen-Adult Life............the longest being a Tail back in the early 90's that went to my waist.)
Other than feeling like throwing-up after this Haircut, I was amazed to see a different colour to my hair. It almost looked like "Salt + Pepper!" Yikes..........olde-age setting in and I didn't even know it?
Now at 13" the "Salt + Pepper" look seems to have vanished, (thought there IS some "Salt" in there.) But overall, my Hair is once again a very dark shade of Brown.
My explaination to it all:
???
With luck, if your hair is only several inches long at present, perhaps it will do what mine has.................sure hope so.
If it bothers you terribly, I would have it professionaly coloured. YES! I know that this is a BIG "No-NO" with most of the other guys on this Board, but they are NOT YOU! The Women do it all the time and they seem to attain very long lengths.
Me thinks hair may very well be alot tougher than some think.
If you DO get it coloured, PLEASE have a professional do it. And, use TONS of Conditioner.
Good luck in whatever you decide is "best" for your inner happiness.