Some people can really age gracefully with gray hair, but I have such an unforgiving hair color - black. I don't get gray strands, I get chalk white ones...
So I've tried coloring with Radico in a 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 I tried a red shade instead because red pigments usually adhere better. I chose to try Sante's natural red herbal hair dye. 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 the coconut oil partly for extra care as a hair treatment, but mostly because I think Sante's hair dyes are 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. The red took to the white strands - what luck! It created red highlights in my black hair. I actually thought it even took to the black hair and gave the impression that I got a lighter shade.You always get shine and healthy hair as a bonus when coloring organically with herbs. I immediately looked younger and much more vibrant. Now it's been exactly 8 weeks and there's 2 cm of regrowth. The red color on the black hair seems 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 think it will easily last 4 months, maybe 6 or more. This time I'm going to color with a brownish-red shade to see if it adheres better to what's already red-colored 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 glossy, strong, healthy hair with good "bounce" and beautiful fall
doesn't stain skin, comes off with a little mild soap or oil
gave a long-lasting color result (8 weeks +)
Negative:
– crumbly and a bit rough
Sante Herbal Hair Dye Natural Red gets top marks from me!
Also read about Cultivators hair dyes which also cover gray hair very well!
