How best to cover grey hairs

[CowboyHat]

I’ve finally admitted that I have too many greys just to ignore. I did consider embracing the grey but I don’t think I can face being grey yet (still in my 30s).

I have mid/dark brown hair and have never professionally dyed my hair or had any kind of highlights. I tried a box dye 6 months ago and it didn’t cover the greys.

What are my options? I’m in London and the prices for my local salons for any type of dying seem astronomical.

I should add that I’m normally very low maintenance. The thought of having to go to a salon every few weeks fills me with dread. I currently go every 4-6 months for a trim!

Either Plantur39 brown or John Frieda defying Grey shampoo and conditioner, I started using it after reading this thread http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/styleandd_beauty/4643812-dark-hair-going-grey and I agree, both very good at turning white hair a gentle blondy brown

A wash in wash out toner or colour shampoo and conditioner can help tone out the greys.

Or if they are in a particular area, L'Oreal root touch up is quite good.

I’m lucky I’m not grey yet, but my cunning plan is to use box henna based dyes if/when it happens. These are plant based dyes that use henna and other botanicals to get various shades, but do really well to cover greys in dark hair from brown to brunette. They blend in with your natural hair colour too. So you keep the variation in natural hair unlike with a synthetic block dye.

They also gradually wash out/fade over 4-6 weeks, so no roots to worry about. They are also actually good for your hair so no need to use special shampoos or conditioners to get that shine back.

www.suvarna.co.uk/henna-hair-dye.html

Thanks so much for the link. I did search mumsnet before I posted but didn’t see that.

Plantur39 looks amazing. I’m going to give it a go.

I have the same problem and I have my greys toned away with a subtle balayage. My hairdresser intentionally does it in a low maintenance way and I only need it redoing every 6 months or so. I'm really pleased with the results. Can recommend my hair dresser (Wanstead on the Central Line) if helpful.

Try Herbishh. You can get it on Amazon. It's a shampoo dye that you literally pump out and wash with.

Yes please do recommend! Would you be able to share a photo of your hair? This is my plan for greys so great to hear it works

Anyone know how Plantur 39 works on dark blonde hair? I am naturally mousy with blonde half head highlights, but now have greys coming through on the top. Would plantur shampoo make the non grey hair go darker??

I use route cover up dye every few weeks. It blends seemlessly with the rest of my hair without trying. Not sure how it works!

www.superdrug.com/hair/hair-colourants/root-touch-up/superdrug-performance-root-cover-up-medium-brown-50/p/533008

The Leganza hair conditioning masks are a game changer. They leave my hair soft and shiny and colour the greys for a couple of weeks. And cheap - about £7 on Amazon.

Yeah leganza is amazing

Yes please :-)

It doesn't cover highlights, it might tone them slightly (mine were a hideous yellow colour but that's a different story!) but they still show through.

The Leganza hair conditioning masks are a game changer. They leave my hair soft and shiny and colour the greys for a couple of weeks. And cheap - about £7 on Amazon.

I agree with Leganza, I actually shampoo my hair and then add a dollop of Leganza to my hair on top of the shampoo and just leave it while I get on with the rest of my shower and then rinse off as normal so it is probably only on there for about 3 minutes or so but does a good job at colouring the greys. Its a lot easier like this than trying to put it on as a conditioner which i found very messy and hard to do evenly - but that could just be me!

I found the Plantur did very little for me at all.

Also wondering if anyone knew of similar products that work for slightly disguising greys in dark blond mousy hair? Most of the shampoo / conditioner options seem to be for brunettes. I’ve been getting away with it for a while but my greyish streak at the front is rather denser than it once was, but I’ve never had my hair coloured and normally go for a haircut once or twice a year so am shying away from anything requiring maintenance! I sort of don’t care, but I do think it would look better slightly toned down.

@superstar63 are you able to link to the leganza mask at all? I’ve been looking but unable to find what you are meaning I think….

@Thethingswedoforlove This is the one I used but I believe there are other colours

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=leganza+hair+coloring+conditioner&crid=XGTOGSPBHOGC&sprefix=leganza%2Caps%2C264&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_7

There are several ways to cover grey hair, including:

1. Hair dye: This is the most common and effective way to cover grey hair. You can either dye your hair at home or go to a professional salon. When choosing a hair dye, consider the color, the level of permanence, and the ingredients. It's also important to do a patch test before applying the dye to your entire head to avoid any allergic reactions.
2. Henna: Henna is a natural hair dye that can be used to cover grey hair. It's a safe and gentle alternative to chemical hair dyes. Henna can give your hair a reddish or brownish tint, depending on the color of your hair.
3. Root touch-up products: These are temporary color products that can be used to cover grey roots between dye jobs. They come in various forms, such as powders, sprays, and sticks.
4. Hair mascara: Hair mascara is a quick and easy way to cover grey hair temporarily. It's a temporary color that can be washed out easily.
5. Hair extensions: If you don't want to dye your hair, you can use hair extensions to cover grey hair. They come in various colors and lengths, and can be easily attached to your hair.

Ultimately, the best way to cover grey hair will depend on your personal preference, the amount of grey hair you have, and your lifestyle. It's always a good idea to consult with a hairstylist or a hair colorist to determine the best option for you.

Thank you @superstar63 ive ordered some!

@Twinklenoseblows Would you be able to DM me your hairdresser's details pls? Subtle balayage sounds like a great solution. Thank you x

Subtle highlights from an expensive hairdresser sorts out mine. I'm probably about half grey, very dark brown naturally but gradually going lighter and lighter.

I personally use henna, actually a mix of henna and cassia and I absolutely love it. My long hair is so shiny and in great condition, it looks very natural and I get loads of compliments, people just think it's my natural colour. Costs £10 a year. People, especially hairdressers will tell you (a) you can't put other colour over it - well that's kind of true but I don't want to anyway, and (b) it's not that good for hair - but compared to chemical and so called natural dyes from the hairdressers, my hair is shiny and strong. So I would say it's the best option. It's a bit messy but I just whack a bit on my roots every 3 weeks and wrap my hair in clingfilm for an hour or so and it's all taken care of.

This is my hair colour

@Mumskisail that's a lovely colour 👌. I've tried 'Lush henna hair dye' before and for some reason I got loads of grey hairs after using it (!) but it's not 100% henna (has lots of other stuff mixed in with it).

@Mumskisail where do you buy it from please? Your looks lovely! The only henna I know that covers grey is red henna