I'm considering trying Act Naturals. I've been using the Surya Henna but while it's been great for my hair and scalp and no reaction at all, the color is inconsistent on the greys--total coverage is there but sometimes the color is good other times I've had purple and/or a metallic red. I also got a purply color using the black and a black/dark brown mix from Clariol Loving Care. I'm fearing that I won't ever be able to get a "natural" color on the greys with the PPD-chemical free products (which are my only choices) I'm wondering if Gina or someone else knows how the color holds on grey with Act Naturals. I'm very dark brown (to black) with grey (now I think it's at 50%+). In a few years, I think I'll be able to let the greys go, but at 39/40 it's too sad.. Any more info on Act Naturals would be great.

Thanks!

I am 38 in two weeks time and have the same allergy. I am desperate to find a product as I have the a large percent grey. I would be interested to hear what you have tried. I have two friends who are consultant dermatologists and are at work to help me. I will pass on any information I get to you.
Regards.

I'm sorry, I know how awful it is. I'm having a really hard time finding something that works on the greys and just gives me a natural look. It's stressing me out.

I used Clairol Loving Care for awhile, however as my grey grew in more and more, the coverage wasn't so great and the natural black and dark browns were turning my greys purple when the color would start to fade (which was very quickly). Also, it did feel a bit "rough" on my hair and scalp and I didn't like using it often.

The next thing was Surya Henna, it was so much healthier on my scalp and hair, and it was amazing with the amount of coverage, like 100% on the greys, the problem here though is color. It started off well, but then the next times I used it my greys were either purple or an awful metallic-type red in sunlight or yellowish light. Since I have a fair amount of grey, these did not work out as a "highlight" effect, it looked more like I wanted my whole head to be these colors. It was very deflating. For a bit of grey like 10% or so, the effect would be more subtle and I'd recommend the Surya (but it uses azo dyes for color which isn't great and some women can't use). For more grey, Surya doesn't work well in terms of getting a "natural" or consistent color.

I'm now looking for something else. Next attempt will be either Act Naturals or Sanotint Light (but reading here that it may contain PPD derivatives is worrisome). I'll keep you posted.

What kind of shampoo/conditioner are you using?

Do you think perhaps it could be having some effect on the coloring?

I've still been chicken to try anything other than Clairol Loving Care. It's not THE best, but it's okay for now. I would say I'm about 15%-20% gray. What I hate the most is when my hairline gray shows through. I don't know what color you're using? I haven't had anything purply, but maybe a bit yellow as it washes out. I try not to wash everyday too. If I have to wet it, I'll try to just condition it every other time. (wash one day, condition only the next)

Just a thought, but maybe your shampoo is messing with you too?

Thanks for sharing your experience(s).

gogo

Hi Gogo,

Thank you for this message board.

I wish the Clairol Loving Care was a better solution for me. I've been using Aveda shampoos and conditioners. I was initially using their scalp benefits but to preserve the color I switched to their color conserve. I'm pretty sure it was the same results with the two different types..but not 100% and you have me thinking maybe it has something to do with my switch to the color conserve. What shampoo and conditioner are you using? Also what color of the Loving Care?

I initially used the natural black, got the purple, then to the dark brown less purple but by then I just gave up. In addition to the weird color on the grey, like you, I wasn't so crazy about using it regularly and I wasn't getting such great coverage (I have so much grey now). I decided I had to find a better solution.

I'll be trying something new in the couple of weeks, I'm praying I can find the product that works on all fronts--no reactions, safe to use regularly, and great grey coverage with good reliable color on the greys.

I'll let you know how my quest goes..

Thanks again,

dev

Hi,

I was wondering how your quest is going, I have the same problem!

Hi Rose,
The options are getting slimmer. I patched Sanotint Light and a few hours later it got itchy and a small raised spot developed. However, I was having some mild dermatitis from a color stick so I think I may patch this again (I'm getting desperate).

I ordered Act Naturals but they were having trouble processing the orders from Canada (where I live), but as I was online investigating I read reviews that said this product was a nightmare (apparently it is extremely difficult to rinse out, leaving hair in very "rough shape", described as having "carmel" in it, and leaves very dark marks on the scalp for days, some woman also had a bright orange spot in addition to the dark marks. Also, the jury was out on how it covered grey..for some it didn't do much at all). I got scared by these reviews (however I haven't cancelled my order but it still hasn't even been sent--it's now over a week).

In my worry about Act Naturals I tried to find something else. I checked into EcoColors. While it has some PPD apparently it's low and some women who have allergies don't react. There's a salon here in Toronto that uses this product. I did a patch--one on my inner arm and one behind my ear. Only after 48 hours did I react. I was crushed! The reaction in both spots is very similar to my PPD allergy--it started mildly itchy, then went from a faint pink, to more "hot pink" and blistery, the one behind my ear is weeping. Learning experience here was that all of us with previous reactions to PPD (which usually come on more strongly between 6 and 72 hours) definitely need to patch for the recommended 48 to 72 hours if you've already had a reaction.

I'm not sure what to do next...I'll patch Sanotint Light again. There's also Colour Me Natural by Aubrey Organics that is a henna but supposedly doesn't go red or orange but produces a brown (which I need), however, again reviews are mixed on the greys and I have plenty of grey to cover. I'll call them and see what they say..

Gogo, and anyone else who's using Clairol Loving Care can you please let me know what colors you are using and how it's working on covering greys. I may have to go back to that if other people are using a color that doesn't fade weirdly and if I can't find something better.

I'll report more as I try more..Need to find something in the next week or two. My grey is currently out of control (wearing hats).


Dev

Hi Dev,

I mix 2:2 or 3:2 CLC Medium Golden Brown (#78)ark Brown (#79), and it produces a nice chocolaty dark brown. The color looks even better after 1 or 2 washes. My natural color is lighter than what I color it to (I would say a light-medium brown with reddish highlights), but since I am waiting for my darker permanent colored ends to grow out...this matches well. I am still debating on whether or not I will go lighter once all of the old colored hair grows out. It seems that the closer you match the CLC to your own shade the better the grays will blend in when colored. As the CLC fades on my grays with washing, there can be more of a contrast to the rest of my dark hair. We'll see, I do like my hair a bit darker. I have even thought of SOMEDAY just bleaching out my grays into "highlights"...or, going with a blonde shade of CLC so that it just colors my grays into "highlights". Also, I have heard that choosing a color that is warm/golden covers grays better. I think because it neutralizes the gray/blue color?????

Overall, I'm happy with this for now.

tj99

This was helpful. I was really curious to know what Loving Care colors were working for other women. If all else fails it will probably be back to the Loving Care if I can get a natural-looking color and your blending of these 2 colors sounds really good.

It's been unbelievably troublesome to match the PPD-free colors to my natural hair color. It's a very dark brown and in certain light seems almost black. However, I've accepted that it's impossible for me to get that color on my grays with the safer colors (this has taken awhile to sink in). I'm now aiming to get a natural-looking brown color on my grays (even if it's a bit lighter than my natural color). Your results sound like a good option for me to try if I end up going with Loving Care again.

Thanks again!

Hi Dev,

Yes I too have patch tested Ecocolors and Sanotint and reacted to both. I tried the Act by Nature and it wasn't good on the greys and stained my scalp, although I didn't use the application for grey method which says to use the base first on the hair, then apply the colour, but the stained scalp is a bit embarassing so that put me off it.

I also have tried Aubrey Organics Colour me Natural, I used the Dark Brown for a while and it is the best I have found, it covered my greys. The downsides are that it smells, but I found I could mask this with a Tigi shine spray, that it is very messy and takes about 2 hours from start of application. Also it is a very dark colour and I think a blue tinge, that is why I stopped using it, but I think it may be my only option to go back to. I tried the mahoganny shade but it did not cover the greys.

Please could someone explain how the Clairol Loving Care works, in the UK there is only a wash in wash out version, so as I need to wash my hair every 1-2 days I don't see how this could work, but am willing to try if it does!

Thanks

Rose

Hi Rose,
Yes, the Clairol Loving Care doesn't last long - 6 to 8 shampoos (1 to 2 weeks) and fades with each shampoo (rinses out when you wash it and gets distinctly lighter). It is more of a rinse. I reduced the amount of times I was washing my hair, but still found it difficult to retain the color on the greys. It was among the drawbacks..didn't cover the greys so well and I didn't feel it was totally safe to use that often. However, as I mentioned in the above post..it may turn out to be my final back-up option. Maybe others on here have some tips on how to get good color and keep the color longer (especially on the grey).

Thanks for mentioning your experience with Color Me Natural. It's under serious consideration and I think I'll order it and try a strand test. The blue tinge is good to know (especially since my hair seems to be taking on the purple fully whenever there's a blue or purple or indigo in the color). I'm interested to know how your greys turned out in terms of color and how long the color lasted? Also, did you notice the blue after the first time or after a few times of using it?

Thanks again,

Dev

For me, it seems like the Clairol Loving Care lasts longer than 1-2 weeks...conservatively, I'd say 3 weeks. I go 4-6 weeks, though. As far as the safety issue with the product, it scores a 5 on the Cosmetic Safety Database with "Fragrance" being the most "dangerous" in the product. See CLC here:http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=136265 A score of 5 belongs to the yellow moderate hazard category (3-6). You'd be surprised what most popular makeups and moisturizers score...a lot of Neutrogena's (and, so-called all-natural or organic products') score in the high hazard category. For example;http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?brand_id=434&order=webscore+DESC&&showmore=products&atatime=500

Just my 2 cents .

tj99

The Aubrey Organics Colour Me Natural is premanent, the dark brown shade did seem to cover my greys in a dark brown colour. Ths colour did not wash out which is very impressive in comparison to the alternatives, although it took about 20 mins to apply and I kept the mixture on my hair for the full 1.5 hours.

I only really noticed a slight blue tinge in photos in some lights, eg outdoors in daylight. To me indoors in the mirror it looked fine, just very dark and I only got one comment about a slight blue tinge but the person said it was in a good way, so I'd say it's worth a try for you. If it was the only perm colour I could find I would use it instead of semis.

I have just found a local hairdresser who says she has lots of clients with this allergy and gave me a patch test today for a semi perm and perm colour, I'll keep you posted as to how this goes.

Rose

Thanks for posting more info regarding Color Me Natural and the blue tinge. That's actually how I noticed the purple the first time --in sunlight (it wasn't just a tinge, way more prominent). At home and in the office it looked okay (maybe a hint of purple) but then outdoors it was a bit of a disaster and I was stunned to know I had been walking around that way. In future colorings, I had to check in sunlight to see what the real color was, if it was bad, on the hat went. I also asked other people what they thought, no one reacted positively, hence my quest for a decent PPD-free hair color that will give me a more natural-looking color on my grays/whites. I'm going to order the Color Me Natural and try it, keeping my fingers crossed that something will work.

I'm so happy you found a local hairdresser who knows about this allergy. There are so few of them (!). Please let us know how your patch tests go and what they patched. After my reaction to the patch on ecocolors I'm too scared to patch a perm color and won't do it again, but am curious to know what the perm and semi perm are if they work out for you. I really hope you don't react.

Oh last thing, as I wrote about my experience with ecocolors I only really reacted around the 48hour mark (and it continued after), so I think it's safer to let it go the 72 hours before doing anything.

Best of luck!

Dev

Hi guys!!

Yes, the Act Naturals did leave the hair feeling a little bit rough, and it did stain the scalp. However, it covered the grey, and it did condition out. (meaning I deep conditioned the hair, and it was smooth again) I can tell you that everything else mentioned here has something else that makes it some sort of issue, either PPD, or whatever. I have tried everything. I promise!!

HOWEVER>>>

I am getting some amazing results with Wella. They are using the third derivative, TDS, Touline diamine sulfate. I have had no clients react so far. I have used it a total of three full times, and I have used two different lines. One was a Demi-permanent color, Midway couture, this has no lifting properties. If you are looking for a same color, grey coverage only, this is for you. The other is the Kolestan. I have used the browns, and the rich browns. I have not used the reds, or the blonds, sorry. I also do not believe that you should be leaving the color patch test on for longer than it will be on your head, because if you are going to react, believe me, it is going to show...

So, kids, this is what I have been up to. I hope that if you feel up to it, you try a patch test. If you are too nervous, stick with what works for you!

As usual, E-mail me!

Gina