Beauty

[kismet]

I have come to a point where I've decided to go to a permanent hair color.  I had been using Natural Instincts for several years.  I left my hair grow out some to see what color my gray is, pretty color but fades me out too much.  I picked up some permanent color but have a question for anyone that could help.  I have about an inch and a half of gray in front on top and on the sides by my face.  The rest of my hair is light ash brown.  I don't want to get an uneven line where the covered gray will meet the rest of my color.  Should I just use the color on the gray inch and a half first, wait and then do the rest of the head.  When I did the Natural Instincts I put it on the gray and then only put it thorough the rest for 10 minutes.  I'm going permanent because I can't seem to get enough cover for the gray.  

[panda1234]

I have colored my hair for years myself. I now go to the salon and have them do it. They know what they are doing and have better products than what we can purchase. 

[AngelPuppy1]

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@kismet wrote:

I have come to a point where I've decided to go to a permanent hair color.  I had been using Natural Instincts for several years.  I left my hair grow out some to see what color my gray is, pretty color but fades me out too much.  I picked up some permanent color but have a question for anyone that could help.  I have about an inch and a half of gray in front on top and on the sides by my face.  The rest of my hair is light ash brown.  I don't want to get an uneven line where the covered gray will meet the rest of my color.  Should I just use the color on the gray inch and a half first, wait and then do the rest of the head.  When I did the Natural Instincts I put it on the gray and then only put it thorough the rest for 10 minutes.  I'm going permanent because I can't seem to get enough cover for the gray.  

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@kismet

I used permanent color and I use exactly the procedure your posted.  I concentrated on the roots of my hair applying the most product there and applying it first and the longest.  For the rest of my hair, not leaving it on that long.  I have my hair pretty much the color I want it, so I concenrate mainly on the re-growth and just do the rest sparingly,  

[Jacie]

I recently switched to having my hair colored at the salon. After doing it at home for years I am thrilled to have someone else take on this task. Here is what I found for me:

-As I was aging, the color I used was getting too dark for me.

-It didn't last even 4 weeks anymore, my salon color has gone to 8-12 weeks...permanent color.

-In going lighter, it's more the true color I had when younger, it just didn't "cover" grey, it added depth vs. one flat tone.

I was a Natural Instincts user for a long time, now I just relax and let my expert pamper me!

[violann]

Not too long ago, a poster mentioned a WONDERFUL product that was available some years ago that was DESIGNED to invigorate the tone of less than lovely gray/white hair. 

It worked PERFECTLY for me, blended the several colors of my on-its-way-to-gray hair, was relatively inexpensive, improved the texture and appearance of my hair, and lasted at least 6-7 weeks.

SO, NATURALLY, THEY DISCONTINUED SELLING IT.

I have dyed my hair in the past. I have let my hair grow out in its natural white-in-front-brown/black/gray-in-back.

Now, I’m thinking to try a bright silver-platinum-rose gold color, hoping to blend in with the bald spots on my crown. 

Hair color, as with religion, political party and husbands, is ALWAYS a PRIVATE, PERSONAL CHOICE. I don’t CARE how I look unless I frighten dogs and small children. That point may have been reached, so I may have to figure out an alternative.

[Carmie]

Sem-permanent hair color is designed to gradually wash out of your hair after a month of  shampoos.  It does not contain enough peroxide to provide color lift and will not lighten your hair.

What is does it paint a color on top of the cuticle layer without depositing color to the cuticle layer.

if you have an inch and a half of gray hair at the roots and the rest of the hair is ash brown, that leads me to believe that you have not applied color in about four months.  If that is true, the semi-permanent color has stained your gray hair color and you have been using this semi-permanent color for years.

It is always okay to apply a permanent color over a semi-permanent color.  The permanent color will penetrate the cuticle layer of the hair and can even lift the hair color and make it lighter than the natural color.

You should be able to apply permanent color all over your hair at one time with no problems.  I would, however, test it by mixing a small amount of color with the developer, equal amounts....use the cap of the color bottle to measure. Do not mix the whole bottle to do this test. Then apply to a small section of your hair from roots to the ends for the suggested amount of time.  Wash it out and dry your hair. if you like the results of the strand test, it I see okay to mix the rest of the color and apply.

After that, everytime time you apply the permanent color, apply to the roots only.  If your color needs refreshing, pull the color through to the ends for about 5 minutes every few months, but not everytime, or you will dry your hair out and cause damage.

[sweetee2]

I've been using Natural Instincts for 30 years and have never had any problems. It doesn't wash out if you use hair products for color treated hair as I would think you do after using any hair coloring products.  

I  only do my roots and leave it in for 20 minutes like the directions say. No need to apply to the rest of your hair. And believe me I have grey hair.  Easy peasy. 

[Carmie]

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@sweetee2 wrote:

I've been using Natural Instincts for 30 years and have never had any problems. It doesn't wash out if you use hair products for color treated hair as I would think you do after using any hair coloring products.  

I  only do my roots and leave it in for 20 minutes like the directions say. No need to apply to the rest of your hair. And believe me I have grey hair.  Easy peasy. 

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Natural instincts is made to wash out after about 28 shampoos.  It is not supposed to be a permanent hair color and it isn’t.

Semi-permanent hair color is made for people who have some gray hair, but if you have salt and pepper or 100% gray hair, semi- permanent color is not the correct product to be using.  It only stains the hair shaft, and does not deposit rich color permanently.

My MIL’s hair was 100% white and she colored at home using semi-permanent color...dark brown/almost black. When she was in natural sun light, some of her hair had a purple cast.  I could never get her to come into my shop to have that color removed...she had a ton of buildup and needed use a permanent color.

The OP is wanting to use a permanent color now, so the information I gave her is correct. She is not stating that she is having problems with her color. She wants to change products.

[kismet]

At first i thought I would go to Natural Instincts Med. Ash Brown but then I thought I would have to stay that dark and eventually I would have to go to a permanent color.  The last time I colored my hair was Dec. 8th.  It has been awhile and I did notice that my front with just a little gray didn't cover well the last few times.  The rest of the hair was fine.  Now I do see some gray coming in at the neckline so figured it was time.  At my age I can expect to go with a permanent color.

I bought Loreal Excellence in the light ash brown.  My hair does tend to have a red tint naturally and I didn't want red in my hair.  We use to have a beauty supply here and they were good at recommending color.  My daughter use to go and get her hair done there but then they closed.  I went to Sally's close to me and honestly I just couldn't ask the young girl, always talking on the phone, for some color advice.  I can do it myself also from a beauty supply but if the Excellence comes out fine I'll stay with it.

My daughter and granddaughter both get their hair done at a salon.  My daugher is 46 and she already has white hair coming in.  I suppose she gets it from my husband's side of the family and her kids.

I do have a short wig, which I haven't worn yet, so if it comes out really bad I can wear that.  I did do an allergy check on my elbow to make sure I can use it and should of just put some color on my hair too.  Thanks for the info.

[maestra]

@kismet  You still can use a demi-permanent like NI.

I go to Sally Beuaty and purchase the ION demi-permanent and a product called Grey Magic, which really helps w/resistant grey. I have long hair and no fading after nearly 3 weeks; my color is 7AB.

Color roots and then pull through for 10-15 min.

I also purchase and use the Color Sealer and that helps w/no fading.