Colouring Hair

[Eastender]

Hi, the time has come for me to colour my hair. Its going grey. I'm in my late 40s, and have never coloured my hair before, so as you can imagine am anxious about doing it. I have looked inthe stores, and there are so many that I'm confused to the best product for me. I'm convinced my hairs going to fall out, or end up looking like one of those horror stories you see in the paper, from home colouring kits.  My hair is very dark, I would say black, or dark brown. Anyone know of good products I can use, safely with confidence? thanks

[natalie_1982]

I have very dark brown hair naturally and find that the Herbal Essences range is very good. I found that sometimes dyes doesn't take too well to dark hair but this one seems to colour well and the little colour shadin match thingy on the side of the box is pretty accurate.

[ratbag66]

All such products carry the advice that you should do a skin patch test before use as different people will react to different chemicals. It is also possible that a person who has use the same product for years with no problem will become sensitive to a particular ingredient, hence the need to carry out a patch test before every use.

All good quality hair dyes are rigorously tested and are perfectly safe for the majority of people.

For the most natural result just pick a dye nearest to your natural colour.

[5029]

If you're worried about doing this for the first time, my advice would be to leave it to the professionals and get it done at a salon

 

either that or do one of those 24 wash kits and then move onto the permanent ones

[angel1978]

Treat yourself, find a good salon and book in for a consultation where you can sit down and they can advise you what's good for your skin tone etc...

Hey, you could get a lovely new cut/style at the same time and they can advise you on say highlights/lowlights etc... which may suit you better that just a block colour.

If that's a too expensive option try a local hairdressing college who quite often do work for a big discount for practice and, as they're students, you'l probably get more time to speak to them and lots of useful tips for home to do it yourself etc... in the future.

Just don't be afraid to ask.  I've picked up so many tips over the years from hair styling to beauty and nail tips just from asking while I'm there so I can do it myself in the future.

Finding a good hairdresser is the key, who will take the time to make sure you get what you want but will advise you at the same time to make sure it'll suit you.

Enjoy x

[GucciGal]

Hello Eastender! I totally agree with angel1978. nothing more I can add the her comments, except trust her it'll look fab!  

[FP]

As you get older (I am not inferring you are old as I am a lot older than you) sometimes it is better to go a little lighter than your original colour.  Skin tones change a you age and very dark hair can look ageing.    An all over dark colour can look almost like a helmet and looks very obviously dyed.  I would go to a hairdresser to discuss the options.  They might put up to three natural looking colours into your hair so as not to alter it completely, but give it a lift and blend in the grey.

Good luck.

[spudqueen]

I am in my early 40's but have been going grey for a while now. I used to dye my own hair, but I invariably ended up getting it all over the bathroom (and it NEVER all comes out) and ruined quite a few towels and clothes. I now go to the hairdresser and not only do I not have a dyed bathroom/towels/clothes but my hair looks so much better. They really know what they are doing. As FP says, they put three different colours in, it looks much better than it did before and I've had loads of compliments. It may be dearer than buying something from Boots, but I'm not having to buy new towels now!

[spammylou]

I'm a hairdresser.

If you do it yourself anything by Loreal that covers 100% grey will be fine, the Recital range is best.  Everything else is likely to give you a diluted version of the colour you have chosen if it isn't formulated for grey.

Otherwise, just book yourself into the hairdressers!

[Eastender]

Hi thanks for all your input, its given me some help. cheers