Useful extras
Color your hair safely
People have been fascinated by hair color since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, artificial hair color tends to be loaded with chemical agents. You can reduce your exposure to them by shopping for low-dose formulations rated on the Environmental Working Group’s
If you chemically treat your hair, challenge yourself today to do a little thinking and research about ways to protect your health. Some tips:
• Try a color that requires a lower chemical load (colors at either end of the spectrum – very dark or very light – tend to require more – or stronger – ingredients).
• Choose “safer” hair coloring agents from the database if you color your hair at home.
• Work on accepting your gray hair with grace, or at least spacing out coloring to safer intervals.
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I use Herbatint and I get their permanent colors. I mix their blonde and dark blonde for my light brown hair. Post-cancer I researched everything I could find, and they looked the best to me. I buy it through Amazon.com. It does cover the grey and it hasn’t colored my skin near the hairline (yes, I use some thick lotion lotion there – NO Vaseline). It leaves my hair just as it is, only changes the color. I do miss the volume I used to get from getting it done with a salon color, I have babyfine hair. But I’m happy to trade off for the health aspect. The June issue of Natural Health magazine did a piece on hair color. They mentioned: Clairol Natural Instincts Brass Free Blondes($9) – no peroxide, 3% ammonia, “botanical extracts”; EcoColors Haircolor($18.50) – “a gentle, permanent color with flax & castor oils”; Light Mountain Natural($8) – “an all-natural permanent henna dye-just make sure you like the color, because it’s difficult to remove”; L’Oreal Color Spa Moisture Actif($6.50) – free of ammonia & peroxide, contains glycerin. I plan to check out the Clairol and the L’Oreal ones next time I remember it :) There’s almost always coupons for those two brands, too, just not sure if they’d be for these specific ones.
I only use Henna from Mehandi.com to color my hair. It’s all natural, just the henna & lemon juice, and I get magnificent red/auburn highlights. It’s wonderful for covering the gray.
I use mayo in my hair once every few months,leave on dry hair;wrap hair in foil or plastic wrap;then wrap in a towel,leave on 20 mins.You can feel the heat from your head.Rinse in warm water,you’ll have super soft hair :)
I accepted my gray a long time ago. Now my hair is totally silver. That’s what happens to black hair. And I love it when other women stop me somewhere and ask where I have my hair done because they want my color. I’m going into my second half-century, I’m in good health and my hair is healthier now than ever. It’s down to my waist.
I will NOT let myself go gray. Especially since I’m graying too young. I will find a safer product. It really doesn’t matter that it is permanent or semi permanent, I still have to touch up my roots every three weeks. When you have black hair like I do, you can really see the silver.
Does the henna cover the grey?
It will. However, I strongly caution anyone considering henna to know what you are getting. I have yet to find 100% henna in any healthfood store, even if that’s what it says you will find they contain salts and other minerals that can ruin your hair. Go to www.hennaforhair.com and learn everything you ever wanted to know about hennas and indigos. I buy my henna directly from this site. It is 100% ‘body art quality’ henna. That’s what you want. This site has a wealth of info and a great discussion forum.
I have never used anything but Henna in my hear and my husband, my nose and the earth have all thanked me for it. lol
My neighbor, the hairdresser hates it, but I go 3 months without touchup. I like the gray but my husband doesn’t. I also chose a lighter shade of my natural color. According to beauty professionals, one should go lighter as they age—it’s supposed to make one look younger…
You can try organic, Henna. It’s the only thing that I dye my hair with. Instead of completely changing your hair color, it blends with your natural color to make the shade look more natural. It’s completely safe and is actually GOOD for your hair!
You can get some from here: http://www.morroccomethod.com/henna.shtml
I have switched to a natural brand a couple of years ago that does not contain peroxide and very happy with it. I am still thinking of giving it up completely, and let my very natural gray show..
i stopped using permanent color 2 years ago. wash out doesn’t contain all the chemicals & you don’t get that grow out. i’m gonna try the cranberry juice rinse.
:D you can even settle for the subtle is more dramatic route! i have brown hair, but loads of natural highlights… once every two weeks i rinse my hair with cranberry juice and it brings out my natural red! best thing is nobody knows any different!
I’m definately going to try the cranbrry juice!
I’ve been considering opting for a store bought hair color kit and now I have an even better reason. When I go shopping for one, I will look for the “safer” colors and try that. Not only have the salons been far too expensive, but I have never been happy with the color I got. Now I can really choose my own color.