Hair color questions- need help!

[asscherisme]

OK ladies, please help out this hair color virgin!

I have naturally dark hair that is turning gray at al alarmingly fast rate. I hate how it is making me look older. Even my 2 oldest kids have commented on it.

I am going to make an appointment to have it colored at a salon (not going to risk it myself since I love the lenth of my hair and its really healthy now).

My hair is a few inches past my shoulders, very healthy and very curly. Its dark brown.

Last time I got it cut, my stylist (who also cuts my daughters hair) suggested that I go one shade lighter than it is already and that she will make it the same color as my daughter''s hair (which is one shade lighter than mine). She said that when women start to color their hair for gray covereage but want a natural look, if they have daughters, she has them bring in the daughters to look at the color and thats often a good clue of where to start.

This sounds good to me, my daughter''s shade is really pretty, just a tad lighter than mine, and what mine use to be when I was a teenager.

My stylist told me too that roots should not be an issue since the color is not going to be far off from my natural and that it will only need touch ups about every 3 months or so.

Now here are the questions, does her advice sound about right?

I am going for a natural look that will take the age off my looks. I have a young face (I''m late 30''s), very few wrinkles from using retin a for years and years for acne, but my hair is aging me fast!).

And I am worried about roots between colorings. Will the roots be an issue with one shade lighter from my natural color?

Also, my eyebrows are dark, they go fine with my hair. By going one shade lighter, will my eyebrows look too dark? Or will they be fine. I don''t want to start messing with eyebrow color! But I don''t want them to look too dark on my face etiher.

I have very pale skin by the way.

I look forward to reading adivce and comments on this!

I remember reading Robbie''s eyebrow shaping thread and how she was nervous and after she looked great and was so glad she went for it. Thats kind of how I feel about the hair thing. Its something I wanted to do for years but was afraid to take the plunge, but now my grays are really overpowering- I have more grays than I should for my age, and its time to stop complaining and take the plunge.

Here is the big thing too- I do NOT want my hair to look unnatural or like its dyed. I want a totally natural look. My haridresser assured me she can achieve this look. She is fantastic with cuts and has lots of expereince. Its a high end salon.

I asked my husband and kids what they though, whether I should color my hair to get rid of the gray and they all said yes.

 

[oobiecoo]

I am pretty pale (but have olive skin) and my natural hair color is a darkish aurburn brown. My eyebrows are nearly black. I''ve tried LOTS of different colors from light blonde higlights to red to brown to black.... and I have to say that going darker to almost black definitely looks better on me. It matches my eyebrows better and looks very healthy! Ive heard before that your eyebrows should be one shade darker than your hair if you have lightish hair... and they should be one shade lighter than your hair if you have darker hair. Personally, I think they should match and I know I look best when mine do! As for roots growing out, I don''t think you could go 3 months inbetween touchups... your hair grows about an inch per month so that wold be 3 inches of hair with no color on it... that doesn''t seem right. I would say more like every 6 weeks- 2 months max. Just my opinion though...

 

[asscherisme]

Thanks for the posts. San Diego lady, I think your dark hair looks great in the photo you posted when you got it.

So you think that my brows should be OK untouched with one shade lighter?

My daughter has long hair, I could have her stand real close to me in the mirror and hold her hair next to my eyebrows. LOL.

I think its going to be so great to get rid of my gray hair and have my daughter's hair color. It made her feel good that I am going to be copying her

I realize I wrote grey hair. But my hair thats turning is not gray, its WHITE and really stands out against my dark hair. Bye bye white hair!

 

[KimberlyH]

I recently started highlighting my hair to cover up gray (I''m 30 and in the last year my hair starting turning quite quickly). I chose highlights over full color because I observed, through looking at other people, that the growth is less obvious. My last trip to the hairdresser she did red highlights and an all over glaze, it will be interesting to see how my hair grows out and will definitely determine whether I''ll do it again or return to highlights only. Try her suggestion and if you aren''t happy you can always have her dye you back to your original color and try highlights as an alternative.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Of course she is advising you to color...it is a major commitment. Hours of chair time. More payola for her. She isn''t going to try to talk you out of it...but I am!! There are so many alternatives to camouflage your little sparkles. I would advise you to hold off as long as you can. Expense, time, damage to your hair...these are all things you can avoid and put off for later.

Aveda Black Malva conditioner (HERE) will leave your sparklers to sparkle like highlights. Next shampoo you do it again. No worry about it not matching...it only will leave a tone on those and shine on the rest. You can buy the shampoo to match but it is the conditioner that has the most color deposit. This is not like hair color. It washes out when you shampoo. My husband has hair as dark as yours. The ends of his get a reddish color...this Malva completely transforms his hair. It is shinny and rich and so healthy looking. I have a light shade of brown...and I also will use it once a week to even out my hair color. Natural hair color.

At least try it and see how you feel with the contrast. It may help you make your color decision choice...even without the 25% gratuity. Of course if you like it you can send me 25%!!!

DKS

(HERE) is some interesting reading concerning nutrition.

 

[Hera]

What about using one of those semi permanent solutions that don''t use ammonia. I thhink they are called Clairol Insticts. They will cover your gray, and won''t do as much damage as coloring your hair will.

 

[monarch64]

ITA with SDL....don''t touch the eyebrows!

I found my 1st gray at 22...been going grey every since. My mother started going grey at 26 so I was expecting it and it wasn''t a huge shock. I am a brunette as well and I do caramel-to-blonde highlights three times a year and then the 4th coloring session I do an all over glaze (I think) with highlights to get rid of my "bleachy" look. Usually do the all over color in the fall or late summer. HTH!

 

[Deelight]

Your stylist is right (my sister is a top notch hair dresser and I have been colouring my hair since I was 12 ) going two shades darker or lighter will allow for your re-growth to blend in without much notice My hair grows like weeds so I need to colour fairly often but every 6 weeks should cover it currently it is about 3 shades darker then my usual and I am almost 2 months from my last colour and no noticeable re-growth

If you want to look younger without a doubt go lighter and your skin sounds and coloring sounds fairly like mine and I have been every colour under the rainbow well mostly all the colours (and the only one that does not suit is certain shades of blonde) you should be fine IMO dark eyebrows (darker then your hair by at least 2 shades) and lighter hair look HOT makes your face defined Good eyebrow sculptures are also

a godsend they open your face up

GL embrace colour it is additive kinda like diamonds LOL


ETA: Try a semi-permanent first see if you like it if it is possible not sure if you will be able to lighten with a semi

 

[asscherisme]

Thanks fior all the tips. I was not planning on touching my eyebrow color. I so don''t want to and thats why I was wondering about the color difference from my hair. If it came across like I was, that was just my bad writing!

In fact, my stylist recommends against it too!

And she was not pushy in anyway about the color. I have brought it up for years and her response to me was, nope, you don''t need to go there yet and you should try and hold off as long as you can to make your life easier. It was ME who brought it up this last time as in, I''m ready. And of course, then she was all gushy about how great it will look etc because it means more chairtime and $ for her.


I have this wonderful lady I go to every month for eyebrow waxing and I love what she does with them. I get complements on my eyebrows and I don''t want to mess with them!

I have been really noticing my daughters hair and I have decided I really love the color of it.

I have pretty much decided I want to go the color route when I get my next cut but in the meantime I am going to try the suggestions to play around with that conditioner that was posted. Thanks for the suggestion.

My only concern is the roots as my hair grows out. But I think since I''m only going one shade lighter, it won''t be so much of an issue.

but I would rather that problem than the grays I have.

Is dying hair always damaging if you go to someone who knows what they are doing? I don''t use heat products on my hair. Its naturally curly and I love how it looks when I airdry it so my hair is really healthy.

Will coloring it really damage it that much?

Also, do those of you with color use shampoo and conditioners specifically for colored hair?

 

[Lynn B]

You WILL have to stay on top of those roots, though... gray new growth is not a look most of us love!

It's not hard, though... in fact, my stylist taught me how to do it at home. I use boxed ("permanent") haircolor from the store (in a color that best "matches" my hair) and just apply it to the roots every 4 weeks or so. The box of color should explain the procedure nicely. My DD actually helps me with the back and sides of my head, and it takes us less than 15 minutes to apply. In fact, I have foils (highlights and lowlights), too, and DD and I have gotten so darn efficient

at applying the haircolor to the new growth at the roots only that my highlights last beautifully for 6 months or so, at least.

Soooo, my humble 2 cents: don't be afraid of coloring... it really is quite fun. Getting it done professionally the first few times is a great plan, but I betcha you will gain confidence quickly and easily become a do-it-yourself'er

(at least part of the time) in no time!

 

[Deelight]

Date: 10/27/2007 11:06:45 AM
Author: asscherisme


Is dying hair always damaging if you go to someone who knows what they are doing? I don''t use heat products on my hair. Its naturally curly and I love how it looks when I airdry it so my hair is really healthy.


Will coloring it really damage it that much?

As I mentioned before I have been colouring my hair for the past 15 years (since I was 12) providing you use good quality colour (i use home and salon depending on my budget and if I am visiting my sis ) you should not damage your hair. Without sounding stuck up my hair''s condition is AMAZING i bleach, colour, dark it light etc.

Also, do those of you with color use shampoo and conditioners specifically for colored hair?

YES YES YES always it will help extend the life and vitality of your colour. For your conditioner use a reputable salon brand (does not have to be expensive mine is cheap but works a treat) designed specifically for coloured hair (should also have UV filters in it to prevent premature fading The one I use is called DC and costs $28 AUD for a litre bottle it works with my hair it can take a little experimentation

De Lorenzo products are also fantastic really good remember also a little goes a looooooooooong way with salon produts if you feel your hair is a little dry from elements get a treatment either in salon or at home once a month costs about $10

I hope this helps

 

[lyra]

I have quite a lot of grey hair now, and I find that I'm having to colour every 4 weeks. I don't think every 3 months is going to be often enough, unless you're only going a little grey right now. I kind of wish I'd just let my hair go grey naturally, as I hate the upkeep.

Your brows will be fine. I have also found that going a little lighter is much more flattering than going (or having) darker. I usually get highlights done which does allow me to go as long as 6 weeks between colouring. For me, I'm having to pay $200 every six weeks. That's no fun at all!

ETA: I've tried all the home colouring brands, and *none* work as nicely or look as good as what I can get at a salon. The salon colours are never flat and one dimensional. I'm pretty picky though.

 

[Fly Girl]

My hairdresser began highlighting my hair to hide the gray when I was in my early 40s. Only had to have it done every other month back then. Now, I am in my early 50s, and I have it colored every 5 weeks. The shade is very close to my natural color (without the gray!) so the roots are not that noticable. But, I am beginning to notice gray roots after about 4 weeks, now, so I may need to discuss stepping up the touch up schedule with him.

When I was young, I was never going to color my hair. I changed my mind. Getting rid of the gray makes you look soooo much younger and better. Definitely worth the investment, IMHO.

 

[diamondfan]

I used to be dishwater blonde, and age and pregnancy turned my hair a shade that is ashy and dark and not very flattering. I do not have any gray though, so my opinion may not help. But, my brows are not as light as my hair, which I highlight and do a base lift on so I do not have such ashiness underneath. I do not do a thing to my brows, and they really do like fine the shade they are. One shade is not going to be drastic and you should be fine with that.