Some people can really age gracefully with gray hair, but I have such an ungrateful hair color as black. I don’t get gray strands, I get chalk-white ones…
So I tried dyeing with Radico dark brown shade. It gave incredible shine and less contrast between the black and white, but the color washed out quite quickly and didn’t last very long.
So instead I tried a red shade because red pigments usually adhere better. I chose to try Sante’s natural red herbal hair dye.
According to the package, you should mix the dye powder with boiled water. Instead, I brewed black tea (earl grey) and also mixed in a heaping teaspoon of organic coconut oil.
It is said that coffee and black tea help the color adhere better. I added the coconut oil partly for extra care as a hair treatment, but mostly because I find Sante’s hair dyes a bit crumbly. The coconut oil makes it less crumbly.
Since I have such thick hair, I left the color on for about 2.5 hours. The red took to the white strands, what a joy! It became like red highlights on my black hair.
I actually felt it also took to the black hair and gave the impression that I got a lighter shade. Shine and healthy hair always come as a bonus when dyeing organically with herbs.
I immediately looked younger and much more vibrant.
Now exactly 8 weeks have passed and there is a 2 cm regrowth. The red color on the black hair appears to be completely washed out, while the white strands are still red.
Not as intense, but far from gone. The red pigments have set like a rock on the white strands.
I believe it easily lasts 4 months, maybe 6 or more. This time I will dye with a brown-red shade to see if it adheres better to what is already red compared to the white regrowth.
Positive:
+ covers gray hair
+ completely chemical-free
+ one package is enough for long hair (down to the armpit)
+ inexpensive
+ like a hair treatment, gives shiny, strong, healthy hair with good “bounce” and beautiful fall
+ does not stain skin, comes off with a little mild soap or oil
+ gave a long-lasting color result (8 weeks +)
Negative:
– crumbly and a bit coarse
Sante’s Natural Red Herbal Hair Dye gets top marks from me!
Also read the review of Cultivator’s hair dyes which also cover gray hair very well!
