I began greying in my 30s and started using semi- permanent box color around that time. By then I was using colors that pretty much matched my own (dark browns). I let a stylist dye my hair black once and I hated it. It was the only professional dye job I’ve ever had. The manufacturer of my box color, Clairol, eventually discontinued the product I was using and I could not find an equivalent in the store. I was afraid to buy hair color at the beauty supply that would require me to measure the developer myself, and I was too cheap to have my hair professionally colored. It would have cost me a fortune anyway because by that time, I had so much grey I was touching up my roots every two weeks. So, I switched to another store-bought box color by L’Oreal, this time in “permanent”. That didn’t last long. I was tired of coloring my hair. I got lazy one time and stopped for a few months. I noticed immediately how much healthier and moisturized my non-color-treated hair felt. I had previously given myself an age deadline by which I would completely stop coloring which was still several years away. I also eventually went on a hair health-and-growth journey and decided I would only color my hair before straightening it, which was infrequently. I colored my hair for the last time four years ago, exactly four years ahead of my cut-off age. I have learned to embrace my grey. I still have some color on my ends but my grey hair is so much denser, healthier, and far less dry to the touch.
I asked a hair stylist if she was a hair colorist (had special training in color). Her answer was that she liked to think she was. I saw color she did on a friend of mine and it was a hot mess.
Thank you!! This answered my question. I have been so afraid to fade my red color too fast doing wash and gos. Now I know I can do them and just refresh my color.
In my 20s I cut my hair very short. I wasn’t dealing with any grey yet and would color my hair just for fun. I always lightened it because I absolutely LOVE reds and auburns. I maintained a short haircut for many, many years. I think coloring and wearing shorter hair is ideal because you’re always cutting it. Depending on how short your hair is, you’re usually cutting it way ahead of any perceptible damage occurring. If you’re bleaching, that might be a different story. By all means I would recommend going to a professional for color, especially if you’re looking for highlights or something specialized. I always dreamt of wearing an ombré color with my hair straightened and layered anywhere from shoulder to bra-strap length. By the time I wanted to do it I was already greying and wasn’t sure how I could pull it off long-term since I wanted dark roots. In hindsight, I should have gone to a colorist. Wearing color is FUN and uplifting. The only instance where I would not recommend color is if you’re on a hair journey and either optimum hair health or length retention are your primary concerns. In those cases, the more natural your hair is the better. The same goes for if you’re experiencing hair loss or shedding and you want to try and reverse it.
I wish I could get my hair colored. I grew my relaxer out for that purpose. Unfortunately , there are no colorist here in Hawai’i who don’t predominantly work on white or Asian hair. 😢 💇🏽♀️ 🌈
Henna is great for hair . I currently have henna color . Just be careful about dying it after using henna because some hennas not all create a problem when going back to dye or bleach . ❤
