Warning: A client's stubborn gray coverage turned into a four hour marathon

Had a client come in yesterday with about 50 percent gray that she wanted to match to her natural level 6 brown. She said she'd been using box color for years. I figured a double process with a filler would do it. The color lifted fine, but when I put the demi on, it just would not grab on the gray patches. I tried leaving it on longer, then I tried a different brand of color with more direct dye. Nothing. I ended up having to section out every single gray strand and apply the color to just those pieces with a brush, then process, then apply the overall color again. The whole thing, from consultation to final rinse, took over four hours for what should have been a two hour service. Has anyone else had gray hair that just laughs at demi-permanent color? What did you switch to?

2 comments

2 Comments

martinez.karen10d ago

My cousin's a stylist and she swears by permanent color for anything over 30% gray. Demi just doesn't have enough ammonia to open the cuticle on resistant grays, so it slides right off. You basically did a corrective color service, which explains the four hours.

iris56510d ago

Saw my friend try a demi on her stubborn gray streak last month. It washed out in like two shampoos, total waste of time and money. She had to go back for a permanent color anyway.