gentle hair color

Hi,I have to tell you that I am against hair color at home, at least in the beginning. I used to do my own highlights for years. I grew up on Nice N Easy and L'Oreal and my hair was a major MESS. It was super dry and split and would never grow past my shoulders.When I found a good stylist he told me that the less you color the better and that there is a kinder and gentler way. So I let him do highlights using a cap method. I watched and learned and I could do it at home. Except I don't have the time or the inclination.If you want to cover gray, and you want to do it at home, please start slowly with a temporary color. Loving Care by Clairol is not a bad product, it is a vegetable base and it is gentle.You can miminize any potential damage by conditioning the heck out of your hair before and after you color it.Good luck.Karen Shelton> I'm 27, and starting to gray ( a little ),> my hair is blond, semi-thick, very healthy. I> want a gentle, very natural looking hair color.> Preferably, one I can buy and do myself. Any suggestions> on brand names and colors?>