I have discovered an alternative to dying my hair brown

[hermioneweasley]

I have been dying my hair darker for about 20 years. I am a very very light brown/dark blonde, and dye it medium brown. I used to do it every 4-6 weeks to freshen up the colour and do the roots.

Since before Xmas I started using aveda's black Malva conditioner and I haven't had to dye my hair since.

It's pricey (£16) but have used it every day or every other day for about 5 months and there's still some left. (I don't have long hair). I reckon that with not spending on hair dye, it's probably cheaper.

I can't believe nobody ever mentioned this. I've been moaning for years to various hairdressers about my dye fading and they've never mentioned there are colour enhancing products that actually work!

Is it meant to do this, or is it a side effect? Does it cover grey?

Oh really? I saw the Aveda shampoos on QVC but seems so pricey to me! I'd love to get a red-enhancing shampoo

Yy Hermione, I use the Clove one, it's fantastic stuff. Also very good conditioner as well, so much better for your hair than dye.

Hidden, yes, it's supposed to do this, it's described as a 'colour-depositing' product. Totally different to the John Frieda style shampoos and conditioners. I don't think mine would cover grey, but the Black Mavla one might. It would certainly even them out though. I know some people leave it on for 20-30 minutes every few weeks for a more dramatic effect, which presumably would increase the grey coverage.

What's the condition of your hair like afterwards - is it shiney?

is this one any good do you think?

I used to work in a Redken salon and their red shampoo was fab. Red molecules are smaller than other pigments so come out of the cuticle easier that's why they fade quicker. The red shampoo helps to stop this but any very gentle ph balanced shampoo helps imo.

CuriousMama There's a bit of a Bumble&Bumble backlash going on at the moment, would probably steer clear of it.

Sobenobu The Aveda conditions beautifully, very soft and shiney. I have super-dry hair, and it is second only to Kerastase (sp?) imo.

Honestly, it is the holy grail of conditioners...

I've never had a problem with the condition of my hair, so I'm probably not the best person to say whether it has a dramatic impact.

Ellie - hadn't thought of leaving it on significantly longer, will give that a go

I have to admit, the first thing that popped into my head when I read this was 'Gravy?'.

I'll get my coat.

link?

www.aveda.co.uk/templates/products2/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT8214&PRODUCT_ID=PROD76187

Can get it cheaper elsewhere though...

On a slightly cheaper note, I recently bought some Henara shampoo and conditioner (less than £1 each) on a nostalgic whim as hadn't seen it since my teens and after a few washes my Dad (who isn't noted for his observational skills) asked if I dyed my hair a darker shade.
I have a rapidly increasing number of few greys and whilst it hasn't completely covered them they aren't shining out at me like they were pre Henara

Hmmm, I tempted to abandon highlights for cost issues and wanted something glossy so, thanks.

The Henara deep conditioner was the best thing ever. Haven't seen it for ages, where did you get it LakeFlyPie?

OP I've used Black Malva to get rid of the gingery look that my hair can get sometimes, it really is good

I can recommend Aveda Madder Root for red hair, the shampoo smells delicious and huge pump bottle lasts forever - had mine a year and still half full, washing my long thick hair every other day and DD's hair twice a week!

I am less enamoured of the colour depositing conditioner, it does work but is messy and am not sure it's really any better than Superdrug colour enhancer which is about 99p...I do like the Aveda Dry Remedy treatment stuff though, I would rather spend money on that.

Levantine - got the Henara shampoo and conditioner from Quality Save
Not sure if they had the tubs of deep conditioning stuff (if that's what you mean), will have a look next time I'm in there.

I've just bought the Clove shampoo and conditioner on the strength of this thread! The sales assistant recommended using plastic gloves, as apparently they can dye your hands.

Any idea where I can buy some gloves like this? Or do you think I even need any?

I think Boots stock gloves like that.

Henara is available at Chemist Direct (online).

Any good shampoos that could do the same for blonde hair. My hi lited hair looks dull and rank three weeks after a trip to hairdressers.

I used to pick up the odd pair of plastic gloves at the petrol station. The ones for those who don't want to get dirty hands. Obviously that's not the done thing tho...

Hermi I notice they also do the shampoo, is there a reason why you only use the conditioner (would it be too dark if you used both?) When you use the conditioner do you put it all over the hair or just on the ends? This sounds just what I could do with I'm fed up of colouring my hair and I don't know if the colours are weaker now, but they never seem to last on my hair.

Interesting thread! Do you only need to use either the shampoo or the conditioner then?

I've got a bit of grey coming in and am dreading the maintenance required in dying it every few weeks. Also if the dye stains your hands, how is it different to normal wash-in/wash-out colours?

Great idea, Jumbs

excuse me for hi-jacking your thread; I've been using this for a while and it is really good for maintaining my dyed hair and for toning in the really grey regrowth. I leave it on for as long as possible 3 times a week. I buy it here and get Quidco cashback but other shades are available on other sites.

Levantine is this what you were looking for?