Best Gray Coverage

Hello Antonio,

I'd be very grateful if you'd answer my question.

I've got a few premature greys, which seem very resistant to color. I've been getting my hairdresser to cover only the greys in my natural black-brown color, whilst applying highlights all-over. Despite my hair taking on both the various blonde and red colors used to high/lowlight, the greys don't seem to take on color at all! The only time they seemed to do so was when I was put under a heat lamp. I've been using permanent color all along. My hair type is fine, dry and frizzy, with a scalp tending towards oiliness.

Many thanks.

Thank you so much for writing. First of all, this seems like a lot of work for premature gray hairs. Not only is it an expensive process, it seems like it may not be the best approach...

Let me say it’s hard to give advice without seeing your hair but I can still provide some direction.

Generally, when we approach a "few grays" it’s with a demi-permanent color (maybe even semi-permanent) . With heat it can provide some coverage without being too harsh on hair. 

However for certain hair types even a few grays can be very hard to cover so permanent color might be the right choice.

The other challenge is transforming your hair so it’s as dark as your natural color. There's one problem, your hair now has some gray in it, so taking your hair dark is only making those few grays stand out even more. (I guess this is why you are doing highlights.) I recommend staying away from highlights for about four months and just making your single process color lighter. It will be up to your hairstylist to formulate a color that can control the orange tones, it can be done. The advantages are as follow...

1) It’s cheaper than highlights

2) You won't have to highlight as often because your hair will be lighter.

3) It’s way more gentle on your hair.

4) And your grays will be less noticeable.

Wouldn't it be great to just go in to the salon every 4-6 weeks for a single process and every 12 weeks for highlights?

Next the permanent color under the heat lamp concerns me.... It already has ammonia and peroxide so it should cover your gray, if it’s not covering it means the formula or color brand may need adjusting. Although some permanent hair color's can be used with heat, I just don't use them...

Overall the care of your hair is most important. So you may need to accept that your natural color may not be the best color to aim for. Let me know if you have any more questions.


Stay tuned for the responce and feel free to continue asking questions.

Posted by Unknown at 8:45 AM - 0 comments

Straight frizzy hair.

When we talk about frizzy hair it seems like curly hair folks get all the attention. Well I am here to speak up for all my friends with straight hair who have been cursed with the "F word"...Frizz.

Yes folks, it seems like curly hair has a friend (or foe) in straight hair.

If you're that straight-haired person I'm referring to, here are some solutions to help you have a summer filled with beautiful-hair days! For shampoos, I recommend using Phytolisse Shampoo by Phyto haircare. It contains botanicals that will hydrate and smooth hair without leaving it limp. And if you blow dry your hair, this shampoo provides heat protection as an added bonus.

For a daily conditioner, I recommend Moisture Repair Conditioner by Morocconoil. It's light-weight, fights frizz without being too oily and smells heavenly.  Now when you use these two products with hydrating benefits, be careful to not over-use it so your scalp gets too oily.

When styling, either air-dry or blow dry, I highly recommend Boost by Orlando Pita!! Buy it fast because it's been discontinued so you better stock up. Although it has revolutionary heat-seeking nanotechnology, I love using it to air-dry hair as well. It's one of those situations when as a hairstylist I change the rules a little. It also tames fly-aways, fights frizz and mends split ends. Gotta love that! You want to have frizz-free hair that has movement and shines, not hair that sticks to your head leaving you looking like you were swimming in lard...

 When blow drying hair, stay away from aggravating the cuticle with round brushes. I use the Mason Pearson hair brush. I've always said it's a brush that makes love to the hair. Round brushes are great but in this case if you want to keep it simple and straight, the Mason Pearson is your best friend...(and she ain't cheap!)

I hope these products bring you some relief from summer frizzing... as straight hair folks need some loving too!

Posted by Unknown at 7:58 AM - 2 comments