Grey roots advice please

[Eluj]

I was a natural brunette. However at 60 I am now a natural grey. However personally I loathe grey hair so have been dyeing my hair for last 15 yrs. I find i dye it or touch up roots every 4 weeks but tbh it should be done every 14 days. Currently I use root touch up colour on the roots daily. I tried going lighter all over but all I got was orangey roots . I have done highlights etc at hairdressers but obvs waste of money as roots just popped through within 2 weeks. What products advice can mumsnetters recommend ? Please don't tell me to go grey all over- not going to happen . My hair is short job and very thin.

For the grey roots, I use a very cheap black eyeshadow to cover it. Applied with a strong eyeshadow brush. This makes the regrowth far less obvious and is a really cheap way of hiding the grey. The added bonus is that the powder prolongs how often I have to wash my hair.

I use Essence Black eyeshadow (incredibly cheap). It doesn't look like a solid black once applied; it just blends in with my dark brown hair.

Edited to add - I don't apply to whole of head, only to obvious regrowth lines which everyone can see.

Now I am well aware that this isn’t for everyone but it suits my personality. I went grey early and needed to dye every couple of weeks (naturally dark brown almost black but white grey). I decided to go bright purple and use a blonde root touch up every couple of weeks on the greys, then gradually extend it out to a blonde color on roots every 4 weeks sometimes 5.

I was a natural brunette too and I’ve accidentally stumbled on something that works for me.
My original intention was to use a box colour of shade 7 (Dark Blonde) to lighten the greys so they look like highlights, as the box said it wouldn’t lighten my own natural shade. I applied all over the first time. What I’ve found is that it does lighten my original colour and also lightens my greys, but it’s a really nice colour. My skin tone has changed as well as my hair so it’s not a harsh colour against my face. It looks natural as there are many tones to it. I only apply to the regrowth to cut down on stressing all my hair (I split the box contents into two) and I’m really happy with it. My hair is quite fine, which may have an impact on outcome, just in case that may be a factor.

@BaffledAndBemusedToo couid I ask which box colour you used? I’m currently going to hairdresser every 4 weeks to get a 7 on my roots as I’m/was also a brunette but she is using one of these types that is supposed to wash out after 20 washes. It doesn’t to be honest but does very slowly lighten a bit.
Is the one you use permanent?

Yes, mine is permanent.
I currently use Garnier Nutrisse, as my original Schwarzkopf colour was discontinued. I was nervous at the swap over, as I didn’t want any kind of line/difference in colour, but it’s exactly the same.

I use ‘pure henna’ which is the brand name. I use dark brown and I just do it all again when the roots show because it doesn’t damage your hair so you can.

I’m also a natural brunette who is getting greyer and greyer!
In the last year I’ve ditched the permanent dye and made the switch to semi permanent L’Oréal casting crème gloss dye. It’s making the grey regrowth much less noticeable as there is less of a harsh line.
I apply to the roots for 30 mins as my grey is stubbon and then brush through the ends just for 5 mins to refresh the colour. It doesn’t give 100% coverage like the permanent dyes but it does cover and blend and I think makes the regrowth less stark! I use shade 5.0.

I think Plantur does a brunette shampoo that might take the edge off between dyes. I was in the same position as you and gave in and grew out the grey (after seeing how amazing some people look with it) - my hair is now thicker and in better condition but I do actually hate the colour - just can't win ☹️