Naturally dark brown to gray to light brown or dark blonde? (dye, lighten)

[Job_Less]

My natural hair is dark brown. I have been blending the gray hair at my temples and part line with a permanent medium brown hair color, Volume 20 Developer.

However, the gray is coming in faster and to cover it, I have to color the roots every two weeks.

Is it possible to use a dark blonde or light brown permanent color with Volume 20 developer on my very resistant gray to get highlights or will that do nothing but give me orangey hot roots?

The gray shows up more on my dark hair. I don't want bleached damaging blonde highlights. So I am hoping if I have gray roots, I can now start to lighten my hair with dark blonde or light brown.

Thanks.

[cloven]

I don't know about highlighting,
but if you see my profile photo, my hair looks reddish-blonde.
I've been dying it this way with store-bought color for 20+ years.
My hair is naturally very dark brown & is maybe 10% grey.

[Job_Less]

My hair will not lighten with just store bought box dye.

I tried a demi permanent hair dye in Medium Natural Blonde, Level 8, mixed 1:1 ratio with Voulme 10 Developer. And I was surprised it actually worked and covered the gray to a light brown, without lightening the rest of my hair.

I don't know when the demi-permanent color will start to fade but at least it is no ammonia and low peroxide in the Volume 10 developer.