Cover Grey Hair

Posted by kerri (106 days ago)

What is the best product to use when coloring your grey hair at home? I find I need a touch up every month. Is this usual?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Sapphire (106 days ago)

It won't be any fault of the hair colour you are using ... it's simply that your hair grows and the grey starts to show at the roots which haven't been coloured ... hence the need for re-touching every month. Sometimes I stretch it to 6 weeks, but it doesn't look good having grey roots. I hate it, it's such a chore, but I guess it's all part and parcel of getting older:-(

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (100 days ago)

Kerri...sorry about the greys...we call them natural highlights with my clients.

I would highly caution you on home care as the damage you can do by overlapping is not worth the expense difference. If you are still determined then stop by and I will give take a look give you a formula you can use thats safe, I just need to see the hair to do so...cheers

By the way 4 to 6 weeks is normal as the keratin hardens past that. Semi-Permanent color leaves less of a root line as well...see you soon.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by serenafung (91 days ago)

you can try an Indian brand called Jovees henna dye pack in Landmark 360 supermarket. It is made of Indian herbs and it really works for the grey hair. If you need to cover the grey hair every month, I will suggest to use this because it is safe for health. It is easy to use at home. The main point is you need to leave on your hair for about one hour before you wash it. Try

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Thames (89 days ago)

I concur with serenafung. I've gone back to using brown pure henna (from Benature, which was recommended on this site - do a search and the details should come up) as I need to retouch grey roots every three weeks. Takes longer than chemical colour, but I know it's not doing my hair/scalp any harm and it leaves a good, healthy shine so I'm prepared to put up with it plastered on for up to three hours (and the wet hay smell!).

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (88 days ago)

Ladies,
I wanted to interject on the Henna issue. Yes, it can work but caution as it also greatly limits your other options in the future as it is a metallic salt and a reactive agent when mixed with many professionally based chemical services.

I would try using a semi-perm color or Demi. In this way you do not incur roots nor do any type of damage to existing hair. However limit yourself to a the 1.9% developers as this is the least of the reactive developers you can use. Also apply only to the roots in on your touch ups or you will tend to brown out the ends. This happens because Semi's are progressive tints, meaning which each application they add more pigment...cheers

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by mangotango (87 days ago)

Well if we don't mix henna with any chemicals then we are fine--which is ok since there's no need to do so to begin with.
I discovered henna just a few months ago through a friend who is a faithful user. I have very few greys but chose to use it to condition my hair. It's been a little dry and brittle and henna totally changed it. Now the shine and softness are back. Yay.
I understand professional hair people's vote against henna--hair-coloring is a huge and lucrative business for them--but henna is all natural, does a good job covering greys and brings life back to our hair. I can't live without it!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (86 days ago)

Mangotango,
I understand your point, Henna is not a bad product but it does have its down sides. My biggest complaint is that it blackens with repeated use on Dark hair many times. It also lacks the dimension you can get with regular color. I have highlighted with Henna which worked well and I actually use it on occasion. Professionally I understand your comment most stylists think that more is better like full highlights when only a partial is needed. Todays colors are not supposed to be noticed, they are supposed to be an accessory...Glad your happy, stop by sometime to show me your results if you do not mind...cheers

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by mamadavid (86 days ago)

Mangotango, what brand / type of henna do you recommend? Do you do it yourself or have it done at the salon?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Thames (86 days ago)

Personal experience:

Henna = no scalp reaction; conditioned hair; good grey coverage; freely available here.

Semi-permanent = also progressively darkens (which Douglas has mentioned before); scalp irritation from all the chemicals; I have to bring packets back from the UK.

What to do?!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by DC Ltd (86 days ago)

Doesn't Henna colour your hair red ?

(I am based in Bangkok)

Posted by Thames (85 days ago)

The red henna does. There's also brown, dark brown, dark purple (almost black) henna - and probably more colours that I haven't come across.

(I say 'henna', when actually the ingredients for the premium dark brown henna I use are: Indigo, Kamala, Henna, Amia, Shikakai, Brahmi and Red Hibiscus. All herbal, no chemicals.)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 4G (85 days ago)

where do u buy this from
thanks

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by mangotango (85 days ago)

Thames, I went to find Benature based on the address listed on their website yesterday in vain, they are gone. Where are they now? Or you have found another place?
Mamadavid, I did it a few times myself but it's a mess. Just spoke with my hairdresser last week and he agreed to do it for me for the same price as a haircut.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Thames (85 days ago)

Are you sure you went to the right address and that Benature definitely has moved? I know it's not that easy to find. I ordered my second lot of henna from them about two weeks ago and they kindly delivered it so I didn't need to go to their premises. No mention of moving then. Really hope they're still there.

It'd be great to have someone else to apply it for me but I wouldn't want to go to a salon as unless I could hang out there comfortably for the three hours it takes to develop I'd have to startle the general public by making my way home with all that (greenish to start with, and wet hay-smelling) gloop on my head!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by mangotango (82 days ago)

Oops, my mistake. Turns out I didn't read carefully--as usual--and missed the 8th floor. Only checked the ground floor. Anyway, yes they are still around.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by kazasia (69 days ago)

i have been henna-ing my hair for almost two years -(initailly as a more natural way to cover grey as normal dye was ruining my hair making it break and thin and dull looking) and i should have been doing it for much longer-- my hair hasnt "blackened" - in fact it is lovely and thick and shiny and much more manageable than it ever was using hair salon dyes ! Not to mention a tenth of the cost
I get compliments about my hair all the time!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by kerri (69 days ago)

Where do you buy your henna? I want to give it a try.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by kazasia (69 days ago)

chunking mansions - go to the spice shop :) - only 20 dollars for a packet and last for at least three applications

(I am based in Hong Kong)