Some people can really age gracefully with gray hair, but I have such an unforgiving hair color as black. I don't get gray strands, I get chalk white ones...
So I tried coloring 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 color, 115 kr.According to the packaging, you should mix the color powder with boiled water. Instead, I boiled black tea (Earl Grey) and also mixed in a generous teaspoon of organic coconut oil. It's said that coffee and black tea help the color adhere better. I used coconut oil partly for extra care as a hair mask, but mostly because I find Sante's hair colors a bit crumbly. The coconut oil makes it less crumbly. Since I have such thick hair, I let the color sit for about 2.5 hours. Unfortunately, I didn't take a before picture, but this is how it looked freshly colored.
Freshly colored wet hair.
Color results after 1 week, dry hair.
The red took to the white hair, what a joy! It created red highlights in my black hair. I actually thought it even affected the black hair and gave the impression that I got a lighter shade.Shine and healthy hair always come as a bonus when coloring with organic herbs. I immediately looked younger and much more energetic. Now exactly 8 weeks have passed and there's 2 cm of regrowth. The red color on the black hair has visibly washed out completely, while the white strands are still red. Not as intense, but far from gone. The red pigments have set firmly on the white strands. I believe it easily lasts for 4 months, maybe 6 or more. This time I will color with a brownish-red shade to see if it adheres better to what's already colored 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
works like a hair mask, gives glossy, strong, healthy hair with good "bounce" and beautiful fall
doesn't color skin, comes off with mild soap or oil
gave long-lasting color results (8 weeks +)
Negative:
crumbly and a bit rough
Sante's Natural Red herbal hair color gets top marks from me!
Also read about Cultivators hair colors which also cover gray hair very well!
