Gray hair help

[sarahswim]

I need serious help with gray hair.  I could/should be back at the salon every 3 weeks to cover my roots.  I have medium brown hair (used to be darker but have progressively gotten lighter to reduce the contrast with the gray).  I wash it 2-3 times a week at the most, blow dry it maybe twice a month.  And still, the gray comes back like crazy.  Anyone have any other tips for making color last longer-shampoo recs, other products or ideas?  I hate this-I'm only 37!  

[renna]

My hair lady suggested this spray for getting through a few days before coming in. It's just a simple, colored spray you mist over your roots. It does work, and I use it to get by another week between appointments.  It's called Style Edit and there are several haircolors to choose from.   ETA: You might want to read some reviews on Amazon so you know more about it and if it might work out for you.

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[pretzel]

I'm right there with you on the schedule. My hair seems to grow really fast I guess. I have learned to color it myself.

I get Wella products at Sally's Beauty Supply. The color is about $5 a bottle and the developer isn't much more.

[sapphireblue]

I've had to cover my grays since I was in my 20s. I do it myself. I get color at Sally Beauty Supply (my stylist said it was better for my hair than what I could get at the drugstore).

My hair grows really fast and I don't have the time or $$$ to go to the salon every 3 1/2 weeks. It really isn't so bad doing it yourself. Just cover the roots, don't do all over your hair, because the color is very drying.

[dexteroni]

I have dark hair and have been covering grays for years. If your problem is that your color is fading, ask your stylist to try another brand/variety. When I was getting it done at the salon, my stylist used a variety of Goldwell that was specifically meant to cover stubborn grays, and it did a good job. But if your problem is new growth, there isn't much you can do to stop that. And unfortunately, grays show up way more against dark hair than they do against lighter hair. When I was having my color done at the salon, I used Bumble hair powder to cover the growth, but it made it hard to brush my hair all the way to the roots.

The best solution for me was to do it at home - it's cheaper, and I can do it as soon as I notice the growth. I was using something by Clairol from Sally, but now I use Garnier Olia from the drugstore. It's thicker so it doesn't drip, it's not smelly, and it doesn't damage my hair.

[dexteroni]

Jan 25, 2015 16:36:31 GMT -5 sapphireblue said:

Just cover the roots, don't do all over your hair, because the color is very drying.

Oh - yes, this is very important. I only do my roots most times. I'll do my whole head when I notice my ends fading, which is maybe twice a year.

[Deleted]

I am in the opposite boat, trying to keep my lightened hair grey! But I have discovered these color rinses which are incredible! They last until your next shampoo and you can apply as often as you like without it affecting your dye when you go back to the salon. I just started using true steel (grey) and it is honestly as good as if I just dyed my hair! If you have lighter hair and the toner fades, or your roots grow quick (mine are the same) you will love these.
www.sallybeauty.com/color-rinse/ROUX1,default,pd.html

[Deleted]

Sorry, link doesn't seem to work. It is the Roux Fanci-full temporary color rinses.

its not a dye or damaging, just a color rinse!

[persa]

Like PP said, the solution depends on what the problem is. Color fading is a different issue than quick regrowth. If it's quick regrowth, it's easiest to do the color yourself, maybe even just every other time. Ask your colorist if she'll share what formula she uses on you and have you do it at home. Mine uses L'Oréal excellence creme gray formula which can be bought at Sally's.

I have peekaboo highlights which need less frequent touch ups and maintenance.

[shopgirl07]

It's not fading, it's just new growth. Your hair grows an average of a half inch per month, and when you have gray roots it just seems super noticeable. I was going every 4 weeks, but switched to every 5 because 4 weeks was just insane. I just deal with the roots because I'm the only one who notices them anyway.

[PandaPear]

Jan 25, 2015 16:18:46 GMT -5 renna said:

My hair lady suggested this spray for getting through a few days before coming in. It's just a simple, colored spray you mist over your roots. It does work, and I use it to get by another week between appointments.  It's called Style Edit and there are several haircolors to choose from.   ETA: You might want to read some reviews on Amazon so you know more about it and if it might work out for you.

I use this and it works pretty well.  Just spray at the roots and let dry before styling.  I also sometimes use mascara (I have dark hair) for the grays near the part. 

[sarahswim]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I have been wavering about trying to do it myself. In order to avoid going back to the salon every 3 weeks, I've been using Bumble & bumble hair powder-it's tinted so it feels like I'm spray painting my hair, but it at least gets me another week or so!

[TheSeaward]

I ended going blonde so I could go longer between touchuos

[anlo]

I go to the salon every 5-6 weeks and do a root touch up at home in between visits. It sucks, but at 33 I'm not ready for silver/white hair!

I'm considering going lighter to hide the roots a little better. I love my dark hair though. I feel your pain.