Hair color question

Steph

I'm hoping some of you more experienced with hair color can help me out. I recently started getting my hair colored only at the temples, just to cover up the grey hairs I get there. My colorist paints the color onto my greys. The rest of my hair is left alone (the color she paints on the greys matches my regular hair).

I got my greys covered up this Wednesday. I was looking in the mirror today and I see some greys at my temples. The greys are just at the roots. I'm just not sure if this is something that is unavoidable and expected, or if I should go back to the salon and have it re-touched. Anyone have any idea?

I'm also wondering if anyone has emergency tricks they use to cover up a few greys between appointments. I have heard of people using mascara. Anyone have any other suggestions?

14 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from lynne

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I don't have any greys myself, but I know that my mom uses a root-touch-up product between appointments

http://www.clairol.com/niceneasy/roottouchup/

14 years ago

rosee

Veteran

Welcome to the wonderful world of hair coloring... and the inevitable roots. Other than redyeing every 4 to 8 weeks, or retouching the roots, very few other alternatives seem to work. I've tried the mascaras: very messy, deposited more on my clothes than on my hair. I've tried the creme sticks (look like lipstick): they get onto the roots well but can rub off onto clothes and skin, also not that natural looking, maybe a little greasy too. There's a product to order online:

http://www.touchbackgray.com/

...but I haven't tried that yet due to cost, but I am hopeful that it finally does work for touch-ups. I too am looking for a quick-fix cosmetic solution that holds up between redyeing.

14 years ago

Steph

Veteran

Thanks for these products--I'll check them out.

I guess what I'm wondering is whether it is normal to see roots three days after the color is applied.

14 years ago

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

I use henna, which I like very much because the effect is relatively natural looking, covers my gray and fades, therefore my roots are not noticeable.

Of course you have to do your whole head, it's a mess, takes forever and leaves you a red head.

14 years ago

Steph

Veteran

I just had a chance to look more closely at the products. Lyn, that touch-up looks like a good solution, but since I only have a few strands colored, it probably doesn't make sense for me. Rosee, that marker looks perfect. I'm going to purchase and I'll report back! RT, I live in terror of coloring my hair. I did so for the first time in ten years last summer and it was a complete nightmare. The colorist corrected it and got me back to my natural color, and I vowed that I would not color my whole head again. I don't even think I could handle the henna for fear of a big mess up! I literally think my colorist paints about 30 strands on my head, and that's it.

14 years ago

rosee

Veteran

"I guess what I'm wondering is whether it is normal to see roots three days after the color is applied."

It seems a little fast, so I would talk to the colorist (maybe she could fix it). I do notice however that my roots can show up suddenly depending on how fast my hair grows all of a sudden. One day I have uniform color, a day later I have 1/4" root regrowth.

14 years ago

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

Then you will find this amusing.

When applying henna (as with any color) you really need to use gloves. I had a whole box. Problem was, last time, said box was empty. OOOPS! I had orange hands for a week!!! But the color came out great. Other problem with henna is that if you get a bad batch you go through all the trouble and....

Nothing happens. Been there.

I have to admit that, with red at least, I have been happier with my home job than the times I've had it done professionally. Could be a fluke but I didn't feel the stylist applied it close enough to my scalp (roots in days, like you) and it was clearly an unnatural color.

I've been considering blonde or blonde highlights and that I would certainly have done by a pro.

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

It really isnt unusual to see some shimmer at the root after a week or so...3 days is quick.
Give your stylist a call and see what she thinks. she may have to drop a level or so , you might not be getting adequate coverage because silver/grey can be quite stubborn:(

14 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Well, at least your grey can be covered. Here I am, a college student and at 19 I started sprouting WHITE hairs. Now they are apparent enough others comment. It turns out that the stress that my body underwent with my heart problems caused them, and every time I get ill I get a few more. That is all good and fine except they are entirely impossible to die without using something super-strong on my whole head.

I have tried the hair mascara that has a bit of a metallic sheen-- even if it doesn't match the hair, it makes sparkly looking (like the sun hitting your hair) highlights. The key is wiping most of it off the brush--- you might also try using a bit of brown or whatever color powder in the area, since it should stick to the roots where your hair has more oil--

14 years ago

Patty

Veteran

What a coincidence--I was just talking about blue rinse with a friend today---I only did dye a couple times but I hated the stress of roots so don't do it no more. I had white hair since I was 9, just not this much--maybe it should be blue now--maybe violet hmmmmmmmmmmm

My older sister and her friends are all bottle blonds--you can't really tell when their roots are showing but they themselves will great you with a "hi how are you. Forgive me coz my roots are showing" and lift their bangs so you can see it--I can't but they can. No one would know but they have to shove it in your face so you know they know they have roots. LOL

14 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

I am too lazy to go and look but I use a mascara like product meant for hair (from Sallys) to cover up the stray gray hair. It tends to cake when I first apply it but looks fine after brushing my hair.

Patty, that's funny!

14 years ago

lynne

Veteran

taylor- I love "shimmer at the root". So much nicer than "gray". I have to have my regrowth retouched every 3 weeks now because I'm too wedded to my faux auburn hair to let it go.

14 years ago

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