QuoteReplyTopic: can't get hair color to stick Posted: December 15 2007 at 1:14am
Hi,
I recently started coloring my hair, which is about 25% gray. I applied Clairol Natural Instincts for Men for 20 minutes (the longest time recommended on the box) to match my natural dark brown hair color. My hair is short, fine, and mostly straight. Also my hair was clean and dry when I applied the color.
Unfortunately, the colored gray strands don't match my natural brown hair. The hair that was gray is now more of a copper color, which isn't as dark as my real brown hair. It's almost as if the hair color didn't quite penetrate and saturate the gray hair with enough of the dye's color.
From an Internet search, I saw that some people recommened applying peroxide or "10-volume developer" to the hair prior to coloring? Is this a good idea? Any specific products that you recommend? Is there anythin else g I can do to better color the gray hair?
I'm not a pro, and not gray yet, so I can only tell you what I've read on this topic. What you found is what is generally recommended, to "soften" the resistant gray hair with peroxide before coloring.
However, some people say that only closes the hair's cuticle because developer has a very acidic Ph (this may be true, since vinegar is also known for closing the cuticle, however, knowing hydrogen peroxide, I do believe it probably does put some holes in the cuticle for the dye to penetrate). Some say using dye with a lot of pigment and with ammonia offers the best coverage, since the alkaline ammonia would help open the cuticle. Others say the most important thing is to use a clarifying shampoo on the hair first to remove any buildup which is shielding it, then put some of the dye on the hair (color part only, without the developer mixed in) for 10 minutes to help open the cuticle (since clarifying shampoo is acidic and closes it, and the dye should be more alkaline). Then dab that color off and make your dye mix and apply it as usual. (Like I said, I haven't tried it, but it sounds reasonable).
That color you're using says it is no ammonia and low peroxide, but the color is probably still basic enough to help open the cuticle if you want to try the color-only-first method.
One of these things should work!
Making metal barettes/concord clips hair safe, long hair style how to: http://alonghair.wordpress.com
I don't think Natural Instincts covers gray. When I had (dyed) black hair, I could never use that type of clairol because it wouldn't cover my gray. I had to use the clairol that said 100% gray coverage on the box. You may need the same hon ...
DaveM
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Thank you for the very thorough response. I think I'll start with your last suggestion: applying the dye (w/out the developer) for a short time. When you say to "dab that color off" do you mean to take a paper towel and try to remove as much color as I can (as opposed to rinsing out the color in the shower)?
I'll try the peroxide after that.
Thanks again.
borne.blonde
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