allergic reaction to hair colour - what else works??

[ElizabethX]

a few years ago I had a really nasty allergic reaction to the usual hair colour I use - my face swelled up, etc, it was really nasty.

I have tried switching to less toxic (PPD free) stuff such as Logona but it is a real hassle. I put the stuff on and it seems to need to sit there for hours, and then it hardly makes any difference. but it does make a real mess of the sink. what a bloody performance.

I am dark haired with the odd grey hair so it really shows. I don't want to be greying at 35, just want to darken the grey, has anyone tried anything that works? either that I can do myself or that a salon could do for me?

I'm also allergic to hair dye. Used to beable to use it but gradually it's become worse and worse.

I now get my hair dyed at the salon using foils ..so loads of high/low lights all over.
Because the dye doesn't actually sit on the skin I have no reaction at all.

Most annoyed that I can't dye my lashes or brows anymore.

My mum has the same problem, she one day had a really bad reaction to hair dye. But now she uses Henna dye, you can buy it from Lush. It comes in brown, auburn or black, and you can blend the colours. It resembles cow pat but it covers greys and has no harmful things in it so you can use it if youre allergic.

Ask someone in a Lush store, they are all trained and very helpful.

I use the lush one. The black. It isn't that unnatural black you get with black hair dye, it's a very very dark brown. Works a treat but you have to repeat quite often and set aside an afternoon.

Lush henna is a lot of faff imo. And whilst it does cover greys, they will be a much lighter colour than the rest of your hair).

I have Aveda Black Malva shampoo and conditioner on order - colour depositing. Has good reviews and I'm sure some reviews have said that it covers greys somewhat, might be worth doing a little research.

I've tried Lush henna, but it is a lot more hassle than just using normal "body quality henna" (much finer, no grating required, easier to rinse out). I buy henna and indigo from Hennaboy and mix it myself. It is trickier to use than normal hair dyes, and to get the best out of it, needs to be mixed the day before to release the colour. The colour it gives is lovely though and the henna/indigo mix is a lovely chesnut brown rather than bright henna orange. I started using it before trying to get pregnant, and it's completely safe to use throughout my pregnancy. My hair is looking lovely and shiny (and not just because of the preg hormones!), don't think I'd go back to the synthetic stuff I used to use.

I use Surya henna in dark brown. I have a few greys, not masses, and it covers quite well, although in a slightly lighter colour than the rest of my hair. It gives a lovely condition. Drawback - doesn't last that long. I maybe do every 4 weeks, but by then, it's definitely gone.

Artura,
How long does your henna last? I'd like to try 'real' henna, but it always sounds such a hassle if it doesn't last very long.

Hi Rockville, I used the Surya henna once but it hardly left any colour and faded fast - easy to use though. The pure henna/indigo seems to last at least 6 weeks (until my roots start showing through) but doesn't leave a sharp "edge" like permanent colours do so I often end up leaving it for 8 weeks.

Hi Artura,
Thanks for that. If you're still around..how did you get your henna recipe? Or was it a bit of trial and error? I looked at the hennaboy website, and I'm quite keen, but a bit scared of getting it really wrong. I guess strand tests would help, but sometimes they're so fiddly to get right.

Hi Rockville,
I had a bit of look online before mixing it up. Hennaforhair has quite a few recipes. If you order it from henna boy, they'll send a pack of henna and a smaller packet of indigo (size depending on the mix you request). As I've got curly hair, I also put in a couple of spoonfuls of amla powder (mixed to a paste with water) as I read that this helps condition the hair, tones down any orangeness and keeps the curl. If you're a bit nervous, you could try a strand test (or use a "hair ball" from hair left on your hairbrush). Or just leave the henna on for a shorter time (maybe an hour or so).