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Original poster

*pic* Semi permanent that actually covers grey?!

65 replies

NoisingUpNissan · 23/09/2019 12:20

So, I'm not v grey but can't keep yanking them out as I don't want a pubey halo to emerge...

But there seem to be so few semi permanents, and I really don't want a permanent boxy look...

Any ideas? I only wash my hair twice a week so a washin washout could do, but nothing has ever covered my whites! Why doesn't white hair absorb dye???

*pic* Semi permanent that actually covers grey?!
OP posts:
silverystream · 23/09/2019 12:29

I make my own hair dyeing tea which covers the many whites hairs I have since my hair grew back after chemo a steely grey. The tea turns the white hair blonde.

I use:

Very small pinch (half a finger nail size scooped using the handle of a flat handled tsp) of turmeric.
Half a tsp instant coffee
6 camomile teabags
6 redbush teabags

All brewed up in a teapot and left to cool with the bags in. I pour in over clean dry hair, comb through, leave in and dry.

If you wanted darker streaks you could use more coffee and black tea. I recommend a strand test first to see if you like the colour it turns your hair.

silverystream · 23/09/2019 12:31

Oh and I use the tea each time I wash my hair but it doesn't fade completely after one wash so you could miss dyeing it on an occasion you didn't have time.

FenellaMaxwell · 23/09/2019 12:34

If you use casting creme gloss and leave it on for 40 mins not 20, it covers grey

Herocomplex · 23/09/2019 12:39

My hair is virtually the same colour as yours and even a colourist couldn’t get a semi-permanent to cover my greys (scattered like yours). She suggested low lights but I can’t be bothered to spend so much time in the chair so frequently. Went greyer for a while. Then relented and have a permanent colour, which I’m watching like a hawk so I don’t get that mismatch of skin and hair that looks so odd.

justbefuddleme · 23/09/2019 12:40

I have the same issue, nothing covers and if it does only lasts like 6 washes

silverystream · 23/09/2019 12:43

I was the same with box semi permanent dyes. Didn't cover particularly well. My hair dyeing tea really does cover well, though. And it looks completely natural. Still see the natural streaks going through my hair. Except it is light blonde streaks amongst darker blonde hair instead of white streaks amongst grey hair which my hair was without using the tea on it.

whitebowls · 23/09/2019 12:46

Doesn't it make your hair smell weird?
Do you shampoo it after the tea application?

silverystream · 23/09/2019 12:55

No, the tea doesn't smell very strongly. My conditioner and styling products have a much stronger fragrance. I leave in in and don't shampoo it out.

Original poster
NoisingUpNissan · 23/09/2019 13:12

Hmm, think I'll have a go, @silverystream thankyou.

I have no blonde though, I would need to go darker. Coffee? Sharpies?!

OP posts:
Original poster
NoisingUpNissan · 23/09/2019 13:14

@herocomplex what colour are you using?
@fenellamaxwell thanks, might try that too...

OP posts:
silverystream · 23/09/2019 13:17

Coffee and black tea give brown tones.

Redbush tea gives red tones.

Camomile and turmeric give golden tones. Turmeric is a very powerful dye and you only need use a tiny amount.

silverystream · 23/09/2019 13:18

I would NOT recommend using Sharpies!!!ShockGrin

Original poster
NoisingUpNissan · 23/09/2019 13:30

Well I do sharpie my eyebrows!

OP posts:
TinklyLittleLaugh · 23/09/2019 13:34

Silvery I am intrigued by this. Could you upload a picture?

silverystream · 23/09/2019 13:37

Just thinking of the chemicals and synthetic pigments that are used to make Sharpies. People often have allergies against synthetic pigments some of which are known irritants. I couldn't recommend them to use against the skin especially if not designed for the purpose.

silverystream · 23/09/2019 13:41

Here is a photo:

*pic* Semi permanent that actually covers grey?!
silverystream · 23/09/2019 13:46

And from a different angle

*pic* Semi permanent that actually covers grey?!
silverystream · 23/09/2019 13:51

Here is a before:

*pic* Semi permanent that actually covers grey?!
ClaudiaNaughton · 23/09/2019 13:57

Looks terrific.

silverystream · 23/09/2019 14:04

Thank you, Claudia. (If that was posted to me not the op.Blush)

Original poster
NoisingUpNissan · 23/09/2019 14:10

Omg I'm so doing that!
You look amazing!!

OP posts:
Gustavo1 · 23/09/2019 14:10

Have you tried a box dye? I have used a fair few in my time. The brown/darker ones are always far better than trying to do blonde at home. I’ve used nice and easy plenty of times with no disasters ... so far!!

stayfit · 23/09/2019 14:13

I use henna, it fades and leaves lighter color instead of greys, messy though and I use tea to mix it up. There was a great thread about it in S&B a while ago

silverystream · 23/09/2019 14:16

Thanks, op. Once you've made up your tea and brewed it a strand test is easy. Just wet a piece of clean dry hair with the dye, leave in and dry with the hair dryer. If you like the result you can chuck the rest of the tea over your head!Grin

Dandelionflower · 23/09/2019 14:26

I have black hair. I have very white strands, more by the day it seems. Stupidly pulled them out when there was just a few and had white short curly hairs for a while. I did sharpie them. tip two sharpies in a sort of tweezers grip Blush Grin