I’m 42, although I look like I’m 32 if no one saw my hair. I started greying prematurely in my late 20’s and dyed my hair black for many years. I would go monthly to a salon, pay $80 each time, and sit for 45-60 minutes. In my mid-30’s, the time and cost of going to a salon became hard to manage so I just let the grey grow out. The results (in terms of interest from women) were very positive. I didn’t realize that the salt/pepper thing was so valued.
Now the salt has increased to roughly 40-50%, which is a bit too much. I’d prefer not having to go back to all-black, and would like to go back to about 20% salt. I saw some products at the drug store such as Grecian foam and others that claim to do exactly what I’m seeking. Instead of experimenting, I thought I’d seek input from the Doper community (which has always steered me in the right direction).
So please give me your advice and experiences. Also, please note that I also use Rogaine foam to decelerate my thinning crown.
I just want to duck in and say thanks for not dying your hair black anymore. Maybe toning down the white won’t be as bad, but black hair and then roots isn’t attractive and could be why women preferred the natural look.
I think it’s referred to as “grey blending”. I think I saw Super Cuts advertising it and I have seen higher end salons do it. I think it looks really nice on guys in your age range.
You’re 42 and you’re a man. Salt and pepper hair is expected. Dark, dyed hair just looks weird and may even look like you’re trying too hard. What colour is your hair naturally?
I’m not a hair stylist, nor have I worked with men’s hair. I’m just a woman who colored her own hair for 25 years so am answering in that context. From what I looked up about that Grecian stuff, it seems like it’s what you’re looking for. They do caution not to use the stuff with other products - use on clean, dry hair only, and if possible not to wash except once a week for the first three weeks. Sounds like if you do wash more often, it just won’t work as quickly. But if there are other products in your hair, they may cause uneven coloring. You may have to nix the Rogaine, at least initially until you have the color saturation you want. Also, the Grecian has lead acetate in it, which seems to freak some people out. I’d read up on it a little more maybe.
I stopped coloring my hair a year ago just to see how the gray would come in on me (maybe 15%?), and figured it’s better to go natural now when it won’t look so weird growing in. Something like that Grecian Formula might be just what I want if I decide I’m too gray in a few years, but don’t want the commitment to coloring and horrible looking roots. Though I may have to ditch the hair spray. Hmm.
You do so have time if this matters to you. One hour per month? How busy are you? Are you President of a major nation? Doing it CORRECTLY at home takes time, too. And it takes time to go back to the salon for them to fix it when your home job looks like dogshit. (That is the voice of experience talking.)
If you really really don’t have time, just let it go natural. I had a friend who used Grecian formula and it was bad, embarrassingly bad.
I know you say you don’t have the time to sit in a salon, but I’ve had good luck with the local Hair Cuttery. They have a package for men called “Color Camo” or something stupid like that. But it is good. It’s a semi-permanent dye. It lessens (not completely eliminates) the color contrast between gray hair and remaining colored hair. You and the stylist pick a color closest to your natural pre-gray color. You have to sit for about 10 minutes with the dye on your head; total time at the salon is only about 30 minutes with cut, prep, dye, wash, trim as long as you have an appointment and don’t have to wait.
Color Camo really is pretty good - it’s subtle. It’s likely only your female friends and colleagues will notice (that was my experience.) Lasts 3-4 weeks. Costs ~$45 where I live.
Me, I’ve done it several times and have been happy with it, though I’m going to switch to a permanent dye. The Color Camo does fade with normal shampooing, and I don’t care about subtle anymore, I just don’t want to be gray in my early 30s.
I’ve had my hair colored once at a salon and asked the colorist for the blend or mixture of the colors. I wrote them down so I could go to somewhere like Sally’s Beauty Supply and get it if I wanted to duplicate it.
Now, I just use the stuff from the box. I like L’Oreal Excellence. No one says you have to use the stuff for men–it looks like their shades are very limited.
Good to know about that Grecian stuff. Amazon reviews didn’t seem so bad, but who knows.
You could also try a non-permanent type. They usually shampoo in and don’t color the gray completely, the gray will become a lighter shade of the color. Now, I’ve seen these done with red and black colors and I don’t think they look so good - the grays end up looking kinda pink or weird gray/brown/blue respectively. But the darkest brown looks good, as long as you have just really dark brown hair. The color fades with washing, and the gray hairs release the color first, so you’ll likely have a kind of waxing and waning gray saturation going on.
Did the OP clarify what his natural color is? More specific advice might be had if the color to work with is known for sure. If your hair is really black, I’m not sure you have as many options that will look nice and a salon might still be the best first choice. If your hair is a really dark brown, you should steer away from any more black as it will look unnatural the older you get no matter what you do. Only naturally black hair looks natural on people as they reach their 40’s, IMHO.
I would imagine if you had it done at a salon even with semi-permanent color, and you want to keep some gray, they’ll have to either use a highlight cap on you or foil. I suppose if you want to deal with the mess yourself and figure out how to cap or foil on the back of your head, you could have the stylist walk you through what she’s doing.
My natural hair color is black. Is Grecian really that bad? The problem with the salon solution is that it’s just hard to keep up. Sometimes it’s hard to get a good evening appt. in this area, and I’m just way too busy during the day and on weekends.
I vote with ThelmaLou. You’ll spend less time having a professional do this, especially with the Rogaine use, and be far happier with the results than attempting it on your own. The admonition “Do Not Attempt This at Home” definitely applies here.
Even I recognize that mistake in others.