I know this is going to sound silly (and I'm embarrassed to even ask) but, I'm starting to get gray hair. I'm only 35, but we seem to go gray early in my family. I want to try a hair color.

My husband says he loves my hair color the way it is, but I'm not happy. I went to the store the other day, and was overwhelmed and went home with nothing. I don't know one hair color product over another. I see them advertised on TV, they all say they're the best. Is one hair color product different than another?

Am I silly? I'm not usually what I would call 'vain'. I just want to feel pretty, again.

Sincerely,

"Going gray in Galveston"

Well my goodness! Dear there is no such thing as a "silly question." I'll just bet many of my readers have felt this way at one time or another.

Bless your wonderful husband's heart. What a sweet thing to tell you, and I'll just bet he means it with all his heart! You are a lucky girl!

First let's chat about the products you saw in your local store. My there are a lot of hair dying products aren't there! Hair dye products basically break down like this: In "Levels" It sounds complicated but let's take a look.

Level 1 (Semi-permanent hair color). This product will add color without any dramatic change to your natural hair color. Hair color products contain these tiny color molecules that enter your hair's cuticle (outer layer) and absorb into the hair's cortex (core). Amazingly they don't interact with your own natural pigments! (I'm no chemist, so I can't explain why) These molecules are very tiny and will leave (or fade out) of the hair shaft. Usually after several shampoos, 6-12 is the average, they say. Now this is important, dear, level 1's will only cover up to 50% of the gray hair. It will enhance your natural color and won't leave those nasty roots. Also, this level won't lighten your hair because it doesn't contain ammonia or peroxide.

Level 2 (Demi-permanent hair color) This hair color product level lasts a bit longer. They say between 24 - 26 shampoos (sounds too close to call to me, does it to you?) Anyway, in this process, pre-color molecules penetrate that cuticle and enter the cortex (that just sounds a tad naughty to me!!) Their larger size means they will take a little longer to wash out. Now remember, these products do not contain ammonia either, so your natural color cannot be lightened. But here's the thing to remember, they do contain a small amount of peroxide. This allows for a subtle, but noticeable color enhancement. We do like subtle don't we! This level also blends and covers that gray hair you're worried about.

Special note here, dear, both level 1 and level 2 can become permanent on permed or already colored hair! I remember a perm I had once. I looked a bit like a rabid poodle, but that's for a different day!

Level 3 (Permanent hair color) This is the product you need if you want a more significant hair color change. This level will contain both ammonia and peroxide (and I must warn you, they can smell just awful!) These tiny molecules enter all the way into your cortex, where the little darlings react and expand to a size that you cannot wash out! I must say all this talk about reacting and expanding is starting to make me blush. Anyway dear, Your hair will have to grow out. Yes, that means roots in just a few weeks! So, this product will act to lighten you hair's natural pigment, to form a new base. Then it adds a new permanent color. The final result is going to be a combination of your natural hair color and the new shade. This means the hair color you get will appear different on you than the hair color on that lovely next door neighbor of yours. The manufacturers always recommend you do a "strand test." You are going to need to touch your hair color up in about 4-6 weeks to keep those roots from screaming "She dyes her hair!!!".

There are special products for going from very dark to blond, and for adding streaks. We can cover those another day.

Seeing a professional colorist can ease your mind a bit and give you helpful advice.

I was feeling a bit like you, wanting to color my hair, about a year ago, and went to the store with my dear friend Kathleen. She's lovely and was so helpful. We picked out this lovely shade of auburn hair color I thought would look stunning, and even get me a date with that man William down at the community center. He's quite a hunk and still has most of hair. But never mind that!

I get home and put on those great plastic gloves they include in the box of hair color. You need to wear them or your hands will turn the color of the dye. Not a good thing, dear. I didn't follow the "strip test" they suggest, I just went for it! When I got done, my hair color was the most amazing day-glo bing cherry color you have ever seen in your life. Well I went to the community center for the weekly chicken fried steak luncheon, and, well, guess who was the one to notice my new 'do'? Yes, William! He thought I looked wild and asked me to the movies! We will be going a week from Saturday. Kathleen has pointed out that none of my polyester pant suits go with my new look and I'll need to go shopping. A small price to pay!

Give that adorable man of yours a big hug from me for being wonderful! My goodness, you don't see many of them these days, do you?

Please drop me a line and let me know what you've decided to do, and pictures would be lovely!

See, there are no silly questions in GrammaEmmie's book!

Have a wonderful day, dear!

Hugs,

GrammaEmmie