Haircolor Recommendations?

[Byte Me]

OK, I feel really stupid about this...ever since going gluten-free last June, I have religiously read labels of *everything* -- except my haircolor. It never even occurred to me to check! So, I'm in the bathroom tonight, and just casually reading the haircolor box, and it says right there in very noticeable print: "Contains ionic wheat germ protein". GRR!! I love this haircolor! its Ion Color Brilliance, it covers my very stubborn greys and doesn't fade away. So maybe this has been the reason I've been getting sick every couple of months. This month was the worst, I could hardly get out of bed for about ten days, and it did start a day or so after I colored my hair.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a haircolor that covers gray really well? Store brands don't seem to work that great, they usually fade in a couple of weeks. It would be so nice to find something like this Ion stuff, it lasts a couple of months!

I was also thinking about maybe trying henna, but its kind of scary 'cause you can't color over it with regular haircolor.

I'd really like to hear what everyone uses and likes.

Thanks!

[PeggyV]

OK, I feel really stupid about this...ever since going gluten-free last June, I have religiously read labels of *everything* -- except my haircolor. It never even occurred to me to check! So, I'm in the bathroom tonight, and just casually reading the haircolor box, and it says right there in very noticeable print: "Contains ionic wheat germ protein". GRR!! I love this haircolor! its Ion Color Brilliance, it covers my very stubborn greys and doesn't fade away. So maybe this has been the reason I've been getting sick every couple of months. This month was the worst, I could hardly get out of bed for about ten days, and it did start a day or so after I colored my hair.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a haircolor that covers gray really well? Store brands don't seem to work that great, they usually fade in a couple of weeks. It would be so nice to find something like this Ion stuff, it lasts a couple of months!

I was also thinking about maybe trying henna, but its kind of scary 'cause you can't color over it with regular haircolor.

I'd really like to hear what everyone uses and likes.

Thanks!

[PeggyV]

I use Loreal Feria - I checked once and it didnt have wheat... but I do know you need to check every time.

[darlindeb25]

I always use Garnier Nutrisse and have never had a problem. It covers my gray very well. My problem is my hair grows so fast now that I am gluten free, so I do have to color it more often. I keep my hair a medium golden brown (Chestnut) and when the grays grow in, they do really show.

[CarlaB]

If you really like your hair color, maybe you can use it if someone can wash it out in a sink like they find at hair salons. That way you don't get the wheat on your hands or in your mouth when you wash it out. Then have your friend wash your hair to get rid of the wheat.

[ingodsimage2]

Hi,

You have to be careful with hennas because if you mix them with metal, your hair turns green. It never happened to me but I wouldn't personally risk it unless it was very near Halloween.

Hennas make your hair silkier and a better quality, plus they cover some of the grey. However, they only last about 2 weeks so they are not a miracle by any means. If you do buy some, you only need to use about 1/4 of the box for each session because you will throw out what doesn't fit on your hair if you mix up the entire box. Also, remember that the longer you keep it on, the more it colors so you need to do it on a day when you can just walk around the house for a while.

I will be watching because I am looking for a really good hair coloring suggestion too.

Ruth

[kevsmom]

Several years ago I had to have brain surgery for a meningioma. This is a benign brain tumor. When I woke up from surgery, I discovered that they had shaved my head! I was so thankful that the tumor was benign, that I decided it is better to have grey hair, then no hair.

[Byte Me]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Kevsmom, I know I'm being a little vain worrying about covering the gray, but I think we all probably have some little hangup like that about ourselves. I started going gray in junior high...as if acne isn't bad enough at that age, lol! I'm just not ready to give up the haircoloring yet. I am sorry that you went through such a traumatic experience, and I am glad that it turned out not to be cancerous.

Ruth -- thanks for the henna info. I did not realize that it lasted such a short time!

[casnco]

If you really like your hair color, maybe you can use it if someone can wash it out in a sink like they find at hair salons. That way you don't get the wheat on your hands or in your mouth when you wash it out. Then have your friend wash your hair to get rid of the wheat.

Carla: Interesting suggestion. Anyone else have a comment on having someone else rinse your hair? Do you think that the gluten remains on the hair shaft even after rinsing? I have been experienceing trouble with CC and was afraid it was my hair color. So I stopped getting my hair colored at the salon and started using Natural Insticts. It is gluten free. I still have CC issues. I would LOVE to let someone else deal with the mess of coloring my hair. I have even thought about asking my stylist to do it if I bought the product. I wil be interested to hear what others think about gluten remaining on the hair shaft even after a good rinse.

[gfgypsyqueen]

I seem to be very sensitive to gluten and even have contact problems, plus I needed to dye my hair. Way too much grey - and only on one side! What I found to work the best was having foil highlights done at a salon. The dye does not sit on your scalp and this seemed to work for me - although expensive. I had to stop due to the cost. I would bring my own shampoo and conditioner and explain the whole celiac system before I made the appointment to have my hair done. Some stylists get it and are fine, and others just never had a clue and would make me sick.

Sorry to hear about the cancer the other poster has gone through. Glad to hear you are doing well. And I think you have a point about health being the most important for all of us.

[oceangirl]

I seem to be very sensitive to gluten and even have contact problems, plus I needed to dye my hair. Way too much grey - and only on one side! What I found to work the best was having foil highlights done at a salon. The dye does not sit on your scalp and this seemed to work for me - although expensive. I had to stop due to the cost. I would bring my own shampoo and conditioner and explain the whole celiac system before I made the appointment to have my hair done. Some stylists get it and are fine, and others just never had a clue and would make me sick.

Sorry to hear about the cancer the other poster has gone through. Glad to hear you are doing well. And I think you have a point about health being the most important for all of us.

Hi,

I'm chiming in late so probably you won't see this but I wanted to throw in my two-cents on henna. I don't know your hair colour, I am a dark brown, but I have used henna for highlights when I was young and to cover gray for about 15 years and I HIGHLY recommend it. I find it lasts (for me) at least a month, usually two- it doesn't wash out; it has to grow out. It leaves your hair silky and manageable. I don't like to use dye and won't due to health concerns. My mother is 76 and has used henna forever as well- it looks great on her! There are many shades to choose from; it is a tad messy, but once you get the hang of it it's no big deal. I find I'm doing it about every two months; it's easy and I'm always happy with the results. I'm not sure why it would only last two weeks for someone, but that's not been the case for me. Anyway, that's my story!

good luck!

lisa

[tiffjake]

I get mine done at the salon. I only get it done every couple of months, to cut down on the cost. I don't worry about wheat in it, because it does not get in my mouth, or on my hands.

[Mtndog]

I've used L'Oreal Feria with no problem and i was just looking at garnier Nutrisse yesterday and I didn't see any gluten on the label. also, clairol Natural Instincts (but it's only semi-permanent).

[Byte Me]

Hi,

I'm chiming in late so probably you won't see this but I wanted to throw in my two-cents on henna. I don't know your hair colour, I am a dark brown, but I have used henna for highlights when I was young and to cover gray for about 15 years and I HIGHLY recommend it. I find it lasts (for me) at least a month, usually two- it doesn't wash out; it has to grow out. It leaves your hair silky and manageable. I don't like to use dye and won't due to health concerns. My mother is 76 and has used henna forever as well- it looks great on her! There are many shades to choose from; it is a tad messy, but once you get the hang of it it's no big deal. I find I'm doing it about every two months; it's easy and I'm always happy with the results. I'm not sure why it would only last two weeks for someone, but that's not been the case for me. Anyway, that's my story!

good luck!

lisa

Hi Lisa, thanks for that info! Are there any specific brands of henna color that you favor or would recommend over another? Or are they pretty much the same? My hair is a medium brown, if that makes any difference.

Does anyone think it is possible to absorb stuff in the haircolor through your scalp and skin? The symptoms I was having weren't so much digestive, I mostly just felt extremely lethargic and depressed and my anxiety was through the roof. I had some bloating and gas and heartburn, but those were minor, so I'm just wondering if its possible to "soak up" stuff in addition to accidentally swallowing some.

[Rusla]

I have used Lorel Preference and Feria hair dyes since I was 16, none of them so far contain wheat. This means I have used these dyes for a few years more than dirt has been around.

[dairy queen]

I have used Lorel Preference and Feria hair dyes since I was 16, none of them so far contain wheat. This means I have used these dyes for a few years more than dirt has been around.

I usually "highlight" or frost my hair every few months. It's one of those cap wearing jobbies. I wonder if this is ok? I worry about that powder stuff you have to mix with the conditoning cream. They give you gloves to wear, and I do wear them, but that powdery stuff- I always seem to inhail a tiny bit of it.

This time, I bought one of those paper white dust masks. Am I going overboard????

The kits I use are clairol and loreal. I just did one on my DD and it listed wheat germ oil in it so I made sure not to touch or inhail it!

[Rusla]

I don't think you are going overboard, better safe than sorry. I don't know about the highlighting kits because when I was busy highlighting my hair I used normal hair dye and just did streaks, here and there. Cheaper that way.

[oceangirl]

I don't think you are going overboard, better safe than sorry. I don't know about the highlighting kits because when I was busy highlighting my hair I used normal hair dye and just did streaks, here and there. Cheaper that way.

Jenn,

I've used many different hennas and where it's a plant and I only use the plant, I find they all work quite well. I'm at work and don't have the henna in front of me, but it's a plastic jar from the health food store. I'll look when I get home. You might want to try a burgundy or sherry or if you want a chocolate brown.

lisa

[oceangirl]

Jenn,

I've used many different hennas and where it's a plant and I only use the plant, I find they all work quite well. I'm at work and don't have the henna in front of me, but it's a plastic jar from the health food store. I'll look when I get home. You might want to try a burgundy or sherry or if you want a chocolate brown.

lisa

Hi again!

The name of the henna I have is "Rainbow Henna". Good luck if you try it!

lisa

[Byte Me]

Lisa, thanks so much! I'm really nervous lol, but I think I'm gonna give it a shot

[oceangirl]

Lisa, thanks so much! I'm really nervous lol, but I think I'm gonna give it a shot

Jenn

I'd love to hear if you like it. Of course, I'll feel terrible if you don't! Many give reddish highlights, but if you don't want that, go with a brown. Good luck.

lisa