options for covering a bit of gray, but don't want permanent color (shampoos, dye)

[doglover29]

I'm a woman in my early 30's who is starting to notice the gray more and more. It's not very much, but it's getting noticeable.

I have never dyed my hair and don't really want to start, but this gray doesn't look good the way it is now. I would prefer the most low-committment option possible, though I've read that highlighting really doesn't cover up gray. I'm also willing to go to a salon rather than doing it myself, but I really don't want the maintenance and expense of having to go to a salon every 6 weeks for touch-ups in terms of permanent color if at all possible.

What are my options for covering a little bit of gray? I'm a brunette.

Thanks!

[brook2ga]

If you don't have to wash your hair very often, a temporary rinse might work and will last a while. Some grays, however, may turn blondish. The good thing is if you don't like it, the more you wash, the faster it will go away. Good luck!

[Leana76]

Originally Posted by doglover29

I'm a woman in my early 30's who is starting to notice the gray more and more. It's not very much, but it's getting noticeable.

I have never dyed my hair and don't really want to start, but this gray doesn't look good the way it is now. I would prefer the most low-committment option possible, though I've read that highlighting really doesn't cover up gray. I'm also willing to go to a salon rather than doing it myself, but I really don't want the maintenance and expense of having to go to a salon every 6 weeks for touch-ups in terms of permanent color if at all possible.

What are my options for covering a little bit of gray? I'm a brunette.

Thanks!

I noticed a trend going on (especially in Arizona) that a lot of women, who are going gray, bleach their hair to blonde. Because I guess the blonde camouflages the gray better and isn't as noticeable. (but no way am I going blonde. Not me!!).

I'm a dark brunette (midnight brown;brown-black shade) and I love it. I think when I go gray I'll just keep coloring it that color, but I think I'll start using Loving Care, which isn't permanent, but washes out after 20 shampoos. That's good.

[laurbell]

Semi permanent is the way to go it will just make you look highlighted. And you wont have that line of demarkation growing out either. Go to a stylist though so you dont get brassy or orange. Its only about 40 bucks or so.

[CelticLady1]

I use Clairol's Natural Instinct to cover up the bit of gray that I have. It's a semi-permanent, which is perfect for those who don't have a great deal of gray. It wears out gently, (like all semi-permanent colors), so that you don't have a root problem. I use mine about every eight weeks. I use a color that is fairly close to my own, (or maybe just a shade darker, but that's it), so it's not a real radical change, either when I use it, or as it wears out, and it's not brassy or orange, (at least that's been my experience). I wouldn't mind going to a hairstylist to have color done, but it's much cheaper for me to spend $8.00 per each box of coloring, as opposed to $40.00, or more, that a stylist would charge. That would fill up most of my gas tank, which is a heck of alot more important to me! Not to mention that I can color my hair whenever I am ready.

If you are interested in Clairol's products, they have a website, that can give you tips in picking the right color, and how to use it, etc. It's really not hard, and actually doesn't take that long to do it. Just always follow the instructions carefully.

[songinthewind7]

Try another hairstyle. The shorter your layers or the more texturized your hair is, the less the gray will show and the only maintenence is getting a haircut every few weeks to keep it up.

[goldenmom7500]

I think I use the same as CelticLady - for me to give my hair more body (they say that hair color fills in the little hair cuticles). In any case, it works and is all good.