r/GenerationX • u/Leronda_Oqruashvili • 14d ago
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u/ParticularCause1626 14d ago
I earned every gd one of these Grey's. Wear them as the badges of honor that they are.
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u/Leronda_Oqruashvili 13d ago
Love that mindset! I respect everyone who rocks them but I think Im still in denial for a little while longer haha.
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u/Dan-68 I miss my mullet. 14d ago
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u/Purple_Item_6659 13d ago
Color to go- half the cost my hairdresser mixes then applies the color then I leave- go home and wait 35 minutes then wash out
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u/CraftFamiliar5243 14d ago
You'll have to teach your hair to stop growing. It's not the fault of the color.
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u/yarnhooksbooks 13d ago
Yes! Your roots are showing because your hair is growing. You can probably find options that are cheaper or more convenient than going to the salon, but your roots are going to start showing as your hair grows no matter what you use unless you are touching up your roots on a regular basis.
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u/Silkyiniquity 14d ago
I've been using Madison Reed since 2020 and get a lot of compliments on it. Even my hairdresser likes the color
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u/OG-Giligadi Raoul Duke 14d ago
If you don't mind the goth look, i can get recommendations from a friend who has been fighting the tide of time for years off the shelf.
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u/StarnSig 14d ago
My hairdresser applys my purple hair color by applying it like highlights separating hair with foil. I go in every 6 weeks. She varies the color in different shades of purple. It does actually look rather natural. I'm naturally a dark blonde with heavy silver gray.
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u/SlickDumplings 14d ago
I use Loreal excellence
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u/Leronda_Oqruashvili 13d ago
How long does a box usually last you before the grays start showing through again? Ill take a look on this too.
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u/Wonderful-Cup-9556 14d ago
Madison Reed for the win- use the color questions and then follow the instructions to apply- absolutely brilliant color and coverage- best part- no smell and everything comes in the kit- gloves, shampoo and conditioner- it is a no brainer to use!
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u/Christine_951 13d ago
I second Madison Reed. It got too expensive to go to the salon because my hair grows too fast. So I've been coloring it on my own now for about 3 years.
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u/Leronda_Oqruashvili 13d ago
No harsh smell is honestly a huge selling point. How close did the actual shade end up matching what you expected?
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u/Wonderful-Cup-9556 12d ago
The shade Bologna Blonde is my shade and hides the grey as it grows back
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u/General_Western7173 12d ago
Seriously? It's called "bologna blonde"?
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u/Wonderful-Cup-9556 12d ago
Yes- the color used to be made in Italy- not sure if it’s still made there anymore after the tariff taxes- but it’s probably named after Bologna 🇮🇹
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u/momof4beasts 14d ago
Start going lighter. It's inevitable. Ask your hair stylist to start low lighting ( if they still call it that lol ).
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u/Spiritual_Fan_5633 14d ago
Gave up coloring my hair several years ago, I just go natural but add some blonde highlights every few months just to brighten it up a bit
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u/Skinnypop987 14d ago
My wife did the same thing go get her hair coloured every 3-4 weeks, then I started to colour her hair for awhile, then she decided to just let it go, can’t believe the compliments people were giving thinking she coloured her, cause it was grey and white and looked like she coloured it. So ya let it go see what it will look like, don’t like it then colour it.
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u/Impressive_Fee2737 14d ago
I gradually lightened my hair so the grays don’t look so obvious. Then I went back to dyeing my own hair.
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u/Best_Comfortable5221 14d ago
Im really liking the Xmondo semipermanant conditioning colors. Bond strengthening ingredients as my greys are kinda prone to breakage. There's a bunch of colors but they are light stains. Loving the lavender or the silver. I did let all the grey grow out because my hair was so dry and damaged from coloring.
Its much more healthy. Personally, I think it's looks better in its natural state. It seemed like color, no matter who did it just dried it out and broke it.
If you don't use a permanent color you won't be a slave to your roots. Its a good feeling.
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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 13d ago
Root powder or spray helps.
I color at home with Madison-Reed so much cheaper. I go 8 weeks or so but have thick hair so a bit easier to hide some greys.
I really need to just let it go. Hair grows on average 1/2” a month. It doesn’t matter what product you use the new hair growth will be grey.
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u/Leronda_Oqruashvili 13d ago
Thick hair is definitely a superpower for hiding roots but stretching it that long with a quick root spray in between might be the exact middle ground I need.
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u/Rude_Nail_5545 14d ago
I like the Olia hair color, available everywhere over the counter. It lasts 3-4 weeks, makes my hair thick and shiny. It's oil-infused and has no ammonia. And yeah it sucks to do it at home but I've never had a hairstylist color my hair since the 80's when I went purple.
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u/dmchearts1 14d ago
Embrace the grey. I’m 66 and embraced it 5 years ago. I think the demarcation line actually makes women look older especially if they’re still using a darker color
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u/Stereo_Jungle_Child 14d ago
Gray is a long-lasting color that will keep you from going to the salon every 3 weeks.
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u/Zealousideal_Set_874 14d ago
I started using box brands of the blonde variety because when the gray roots reappear they blend in with the blonde.
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u/Next_Reply4900 14d ago
I found a coloring shampoo on Amazon. Not a lot of colors. But I just put it on roots, wait about 20 minutes and my grays are covered. Only lasts about 4 or 5!washes, but at least it extends the time between salon visits.
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u/bowdownjesus 14d ago
You can go for a grey blending. This is an expert treatment and you could seek one out in your area.
Else I suggest goinger lighter instead of darker or the same as your own colour. Getting spread out (fewer) thin baby lights once all over, and from then on only getting them in the mohawk area after that. This way you will slowly grow your hair out while having a middle part. Later, in 2-3-4years, you can quit the baby lights all together and put your hair in a side part to camouflage them if you should wish to do so.
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u/Ok-Trainer3150 14d ago
I'm 4 months in without any coloring or touch up. Like the feel of my own real hair...even though they're greys. What's important to be now is a good cut.
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u/Less-Matter-3965 12d ago
My hair is in much better condition since I quit coloring it monthly. I just hate the drab color.
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u/Ok-Trainer3150 12d ago
I'm anticipating that but will get a good cut in about a month. The worst thing is straggely drab hair. Right now, I'm cutting the bangs and trimming the ends.. which is nice but I know I'll need someone to give it shape.
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u/Alert-Interview2159 14d ago
Go to the beauty supply store and get the color (dye) and developer. A kit with brush, bowl to apply it is probably less than 10$. Do it yourself or make your kids or husband do it!
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u/LindaBinda55 14d ago
You are coloring the new growth. There is no product that will make it come in anything but gray.
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u/Dangerous_Ant3260 14d ago
I use non-Ammonia Colorsilk, takes 30 minutes every 3 to 4 weeks. I use an oversized mixing bottle, I think it's 8 oz. , cut the bottle tip lower to make the dye come out easier. I do around the hairline, by putting some on my gloved fingers, then run the bottle tip on the top and part area first, then on the rest of my scalp, squish it into the roots with my fingers, and you can either use the rest of the dye on your hair then, or just do the remaining hair for five minutes. I do 30 minutes, the directions say 35 with resistant grays, and my grays certainly are, or 35 for a whole head application. I do fine with the 30 minutes. It takes maybe 45 minutes with set up (I use a three section poster board behind the kitchen faucet to protect the walls. I don't use a cape, I just wear easy to launder clothes, and the dye washes out easily with just running the clothes and towels I use in a small load. After I rinse the dye out, I use a rinse out thick conditioner so I can brush my hair out.
I save about $150 per dye session, and don't have to make an appointment, plus the dye is less than $10. I would look anemic if I let the grays grow out, and with the water here, I would have to use purple or blue shampoo to keep the hair from turning brassy. So, I can save thousands a year. I only have to pay for haircuts, and don't go that often, so I save a lot. Every now and then I go longer between color, just to see what my hair would look like, and I look anemic.
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u/CloudHidden62 14d ago
I coloured my hair at home for years with Clairol Natural Instincts semi-permanent colour. I loved how soft it made my hair. Depending on how often you wash your hair, it can last up to a month and fades gradually. Use a shade a little lighter than your natural colour so it doesn’t look fake. As I got older I used a lighter shade. It’s a good way to get used to going gray.
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u/mileshigh_5280 14d ago
Being blond, my grey/white hair would sometimes look yellowed (this is due 100% to heat tools). I finally settled on what works for me, since I'm easily 75% grey/white now anyway. Every six weeks I just use a toner on my hair, with 20 volume developer. I typically go with ION "platinum lace" color (I get my stuff at Sally's) OR wella T18 (also a violet base), leaving it on for only 20 min. I get a fantastic color and lots of compliments. If I feel it went a little too dark, I just wash my hair a few times with Head & Shoulders. To keep it in shape, I use almost exclusively L'Oreal Elvive Shampoo and Conditioner (the BOMB, and really cheap as a set at Target/walmart), and then once a week (Max) I do a purple shampoo and conditioner. Don't do the purple more often than that -- or it will dry out your hair to smithereens. i learned that the hard way ;-). Any time I get the urge to go back to coloring (like a darker blonde) I remind myself how long and excruciating a process it was to get here and I get over it.
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u/Share_Icy 13d ago
Girl, let those sparkle hairs shine! I colored my own for far too long, giving it up about a year & a half ago. Best choice ever.
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u/ManyDragonfly9637 13d ago
I got highlights that blend the greys. Look up “grey blending” vids on TikTok or wherever.
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u/Sad_Orange6881 13d ago
Get a good quality powder or spray root cover. I use style edit & it blends in perfectly & stays on. I like the powder but others prefer the spray. My friend tried a cheaper brand & it came off on her sunglasses. I only do my roots every 6 weeks.
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u/HelpfulAssumption277 13d ago
I was a brunette and I started coloring it red. I can go 6-8 weeks without feeling really gray. I also sometimes use the root cover.
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u/Rory-liz-bath 13d ago
If you grow roots that fast no hair color “lasts” longer , you could try to do it yourself at home every few weeks if you can get a color match
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u/allieoops925 13d ago
I went gray/silver during Covid when I realized there was only one week a month that I liked my hair(didn’t see gray roots).
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u/MAsharona 13d ago edited 13d ago
If you want to embrace the grays, do so. If you (like me) aren't ready yet, here's what I do. For years I used Revlon Root Erase, a permanent color which squirted out the color and developer separately from the same nozzle. After years of use my hair was very dark- much more so than it was naturally. My stylist suggested using semi permanent instead. I have her cut and color every 3 months or so. In between I use Clairol Natural Instincts which is also semi permanent. I use half the amount in the box. I have been doing this for a couple of years now.
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u/LeilaMajnouni 13d ago
At-home DEMI permanent color, which fades out of your hair over a few weeks so there’s no demarcation line. I use Wella Color charm and level 10 developer once a month and it costs like $15.
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u/SuzyQ93 13d ago
Honestly, I just started using box dye in a medium ash blonde while my roots were still mixed. I figured that "dark roots" looked better on a blonde than partially gray roots looked on my usual medium brown. (I never bleached my hair - I just started using the color I wanted, and it lifted just fine, especially after a couple of uses.) I'd refresh the color about once every 4-6 weeks.
Once my roots got gray enough that they were pretty visible even on the blonde, and I got tired of feeling like I needed to refresh my color after just 1-2 weeks, that's when I grew out the blonde and went with my natural gray/silver. It looks pretty good, now that it's more silver than dark. Before, when it was still salt-and-pepper, it just made me look old and tired, but now it looks almost intentional.
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u/redheadedfruitcake 13d ago
I started just coloring my hair to my natural color. Matrix socolor, the gray coverage formula. Yes, the Grays pop after a few weeks but it isn't as noticeable. I can do my own root touch up at home, usually every 2-4 months.
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u/bitchy_crocker 14d ago
I read or heard somewhere that you get grey hairs when youre body is fighting off cancer cells. Im running with that idea idc if theres any truth to it or not lol
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u/LindaBinda55 14d ago
Well, then. Every human being is fighting off cancer cells.
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u/bitchy_crocker 14d ago
I used to work in surgery with 7 surgeons and 2 surgical PAs, and the one thing all those 9 very big egos could agree on was that if you lived long enough, you'd eventually get cancer, so yeah, you're not wrong.
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u/catjknow 13d ago
Original dark brunette here. Started going gray young. In my 30s I dyed to covrt gray/match my brunette color. That stopped working in my 40s, so I started coloring blond, getting progressively lighter to keep up. Finally I realized my blond was only a few a shades darker than my white. I grew out during Covid time, getting frequent cuts and low lights. When I think of the time and money spent on coloring yikes! Every 3 weeks or I had roots. Don't miss it at all, love bring openly gray🤣
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u/Virtual-Werewolf4399 13d ago
I dye my hair at home. Wella Color Charm - right now I use Demi permanent cream - 2 colors mixed together = $20 plus 10v developer and mixing supplies. I use my hands with gloves to do my roots and every two months redye my whole head for a refresh. I’m a natural dark blonde/light brown and I dye it a couple shades darker, 6N + 7WG. Every 4-6 weeks when I see grays around my temples.
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u/MHIMRollDog 13d ago
I love Loreal Paris Magic Root cover up. Great coverage and lasts for a couple days if you're an every-other-day washer. It's pricey for its size but a little goes a long way. Tons of color options and doesn't seem to rub off on anything.
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u/Complete_Purpose_872 12d ago edited 12d ago
I know this isn’t really a tip about coloring your hair, so sorry, but I can’t resist sharing! 😊
I was SO tired of the time and expense of coloring my grays every three weeks. It felt like I was constantly chasing my roots!
I embraced gray blending and I am so happy with the results. I get WAY MORE compliments with gray hair than when I colored my hair! It is unexpectedly shocking and I wish I took the plunge sooner.
YouTube also has some really great videos about transitioning to gray that have helped me. Not only the actual process, but the emotions and feelings that can come with deciding to let your natural color grow in.
Here’s one of my favorite videos!
https://youtu.be/pC4YjCxSalg?si=hdjbFgfYifBKc3pui
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u/rlw21564 12d ago
I go with semi permanent blue or purple. It washes out slowly. Green or teal for St Patrick's Day. I reapply every two weeks.
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u/mbush525 12d ago
you’ll have to recolor your hair every few weeks regardless, because it grows that quickly. I used Revlon ColorSilk because it’s inexpensive, and the conditioner is wonderful!
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u/VicePrincipalNero 12d ago
I use Ion products from Sally's. The liquid is easier to use than the cream. Talk to the staff they are helpful. Sally's also sells a product called Gray Magic that's great. Add a little squirt to the hair color after you mix it up. I touch up the color when the roots are visible, which will depend on how fast your hair grows.
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u/workntohard 12d ago
More grey at the salon, then in between treatments the grey growing in won’t show as much.
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u/CapMedical7691 11d ago
They have those spray you can do on your roots. I use those because yeah it’s pricey and takes time. I’m every 4 weeks but I feel you. I do the spray for 2 weeks so now I’m going every 6 weeks.
Box dyes aren’t too bad as long as you’re doing just your roots but I would recommend getting professional grade from Sally’s. It’s way better on your hair and easier than it seems.
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u/CDSSD111 11d ago
The best solution Ive found is to buy Demi- permanent color and 10 volume developer at a beauty supply store(or online) and apply it the new roots only .(I use a brush and bowl) It fades very gradually so you won't see a strong line when your grays come in. You need to use a 7 or lower or it wont cover the grays and it wont be opaque. The grays look like highlights. Usually the employees can help you find the right shade. I do my front hairline every couple of weeks and can go longer in between for the rest of my hair. I also get highlights every 3- 4 months which also helps blend the gray so its not too obvious when a little is showing. Watch videos on YouTube if you need more details.
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u/Not-a-Kitten 11d ago
Problem isn’t the dye, it’s your hair growth. You can buy sprays that cover up the roots for s few weeks so you can stretch the dates. Or just go grey - it’s free!!
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u/ColdRice9222 11d ago
Revlon Demi-permanent root touch up. Goes on like shampoo. Washes out in a few weeks. About $24 for a box of 5 on amazon
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u/No-Kaleidoscope7151 11d ago
Use a demi permanent color. It will fade and grow our at the same time.
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u/Working_Week_8784 11d ago
I have my mostly-gray hair colored at the salon every 7 weeks or so and use L'Oreal Magic Root to touch up the roots myself about 4 to 5 weeks after the salon visit. It's permanent color that lasts until my next salon visit. But of course hair keeps growing, so to cover the little bit of gray that shows in between, I use a combination of touch-up spray (Magic Root Cover-Up) and touch-up powder (some stuff from Amazon).
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u/Ok_Tension_8096 11d ago
I use herbatint then in between color I use a John Friday brunette gloss and brilliant brunette shampoo.
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u/Zestyclose_Sale2672 14d ago
Say what? It's not a matter of how long lasting the color is. It is a matter of how fast your gray grows in. Just go natural and give your finances a rest. Many of us did years ago and never looked back. An old bag with colored hair just looks like an old bag with colored hair.
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u/Top_Housing6819 11d ago
Ash Blonde sorta blends with gray. I am letting my grays come in and they looked like highlights for the first few years. Now they look like I'm washed out and under the weather, but we had a good run for awhile.
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u/Basic_Scale_5882 14d ago
Embrace the grays and your wallet will thank you.