Gray hair before 30! At-home coverage with AGEbeautiful

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You read that right – I’m not even the big 3-0 and already experiencing the salt and pepper struggle.

Mostly salt, to be honest.

I started coloring my hair at a fairly young age (though I resisted as long as I could), until I got my first job at a hair salon. Years of unmanageable and damaged hair later, I had moved on from that job and quit going to the salon altogether. In time, through my early 20s, I reaped the consequences with dull, lifeless hair that started graying at my roots.

It began as one hair here and there, but it wasn’t long before I noticed the gray was actually turning white, too.

My grays are now patchy and collect in areas along my hairline which frames my face, making my naturally brown hair to appear thin at the root.

Talk about a confidence killer, especially for someone under 30.

Over the last few years Sally Beauty has been my go-to for at-home hair color care. The Zotos Professional AGEbeautiful Liqui-Crème anti-aging hair color (sold exclusively at Sally Beauty) makes an incredible difference with gray coverage, as well as bringing life back into my hair.

Now this isn’t your typical boxed color – you’re shopping like a color stylist pro.

AGEbeautiful Liqui-Crème’s unique formula is the first developed hair color that fights 5 signs of aging in hair – volume, color, moisture and shine loss, as well as hair that has become unmanageable. It contains melanin, keratin peptide, silk protein and a patented conditioning technology that replenishes hair of its essential components that are lost with aging. Penetrating and absorbing deeply and quickly into the hair, AGEbeautiful Liqui-Crème delivers beautiful, rich color, and hair that feels instantly fuller, silkier and radiant.

Best of all, like in my case, AGEbeautiful Liqui-Crème gives you 100% of gray coverage.

And right now you can get a FREE AGEbeautiful 4oz Developer with the purchase of any AGEbeautiful liquid-crème color. Just use the code 555983 in-store at the Sally Beauty register. This offer runs through August 1, 2019 (while supplies last).

I’ve been coloring my own hair at home now for years. For me it’s been hair-changing, though it does require patience and practice. So if you’re looking to start coloring your own hair, need the kick to quit using those boxed colors, and/or are desperate for gray coverage with ease, then this post is for you. Plus I dish my top 3 secrets for color treated hair, so be sure to check out those tips at the end of the post.

Choosing your color / Hair necessities

When you go into your local Sally Beauty store, head over to the AGEbeautiful section in the hair color aisle and choose the shade that is right for you.

If you’re unsure about which choice or shade to choose, ask a Sally Beauty Associate for help. Although be forewarned, they may not be licensed to guide for hair, but they can surely give you tips and steps to the process.

Looking for gray coverage? From personal experience, it’s advised to go a shade lighter for the first time. Now that I am having to manage my grays, it’s also difficult for me to play around with fun, brighter shades (such as red) like I used to. My gray/white hair will literally turn pink/orange, instead!

So if you’re currently struggling with gray coverage, I found that it’s best to apply a shade closest to your natural hair (root) color first before using the brighter color options (like red, copper, violet, navy, etc.).

My natural hair color is actually a medium ashy brown – not the auburn you see in the pictures. You may notice that my “natural” color appears to have a grayish hue alongside the salt and pepper patches at my roots.

I have played the trial and error game enough times with my hair (and graying roots) that I decided to go with the AGEbeautiful Liqui-crème in medium golden brown [5G] (product featured below).

When you find that perfect color you will also need to purchase developer. But first, depending on your length and thickness of hair, decide if you will need 1 or 2 applications of color.

Since the mixing ratio for color and developer is 1 to 1 (meaning, [1] 2oz tube of color combined with 2oz of developer), if you have longer, thicker hair then you will likely need to use the full 4oz tube of developer and purchase 2, 2oz tubes of color applications.

As for developer, you have the options of Volume 10, 20, 30 or 40. The higher the number, the higher color-lift. 99% of the time the 20 Volume is the best option to use.

Once you have the two main ingredients, there are a few other things to consider for purchase. Are you wanting to apply color using a squeeze bottle or a bowl and applicator brush? While the bottle is more of a no mess, no fuss approach, the bowl and brush gives you a bit more precision and better coverage all around. Moreover, the bowl and brush is a one-time investment and can be used again each time you color your hair in the future.

In addition, you’ll want to purchase gloves and a cape/gown, but a processing cap is not necessary.

Application process (the fun begins)

Whichever applicator method you chose, the mixing ratio for color and developer remains the same. For most shades it is a 1 to 1 ratio – for every ounce of color you need 1 ounce of developer. The standard color comes in a 2oz tube, and the small bottle of developer is 4oz.

Again, bear in mind, this mixing amount does depend on your length and thickness of hair as well. If you have shoulder length or shorter hair, the 2oz of developer to 2oz of color ratio should be enough. For hair that is longer and thicker you will need to double that amount.

Granted, my hair now sits at my shoulders, but when it was chest length I needed 2 color applications for a full head of color.

Per the instructions, it’s always best to do a “patch test” prior to applying the color. For the application process, you’re going to want to wear an old T-shirt or a shirt that is easily removable. Even if you bought the cape/gown, trust me.

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*Please read the step-by-step process prior to working through each step to ensure you understand the entire application process.

For this application, I am focusing on gray coverage rather than a full color. Meaning, I am essentially doing a root touch-up and pulling the color through my hair rather than applying color to my ends. So if you are doing a full color application, you would also be applying product to the ends of your hair.

Step one

First I start off by measuring the developer. In this case, I bought the bottle that contains 4oz, so I will be using the 1 to 1 ratio, or 2oz of color and 2oz of developer.

[Side tip] You will notice on the 4oz bottle of AGEbeautiful developer there is a line indicating the 2oz mark. If you hold the bottle up directly to a light, you’ll be able to see how much still remains in the bottle versus what you used.

Then I add in the 2oz color tube to the developer and mix thoroughly with my applicator brush. You want the two consistencies completely blended.

Before moving on, I put on my gloves as well as my cape/gown. If you want to avoid staining on your face or around your ears, simply apply conditioner or Vaseline around your hairline/forehead.

Step two

It’s easiest to clip or tie up your hair for these next steps to ensure proper coverage. When applying color, start at the base of your root and brush in the direction in which your hair grows to about 1-2 inches.

Using my applicator brush, I first apply a generous amount of product around my hairline front and back (where grays are the most stubborn and more visible, in my case).

Step three

Personally, I divide my hair into 4 sections and start front to back. I separate my hair between my ears at the crown, then parting the front down the middle and working down each side.

When parting new sections for each side, make sure they are no more than 1/2inch to ensure an even distribution of product.

A little product does go a long way, although you want to have enough on your brush for each new section. I will dip my brush into the bowl and remove some excess using the side. If I feel there is not enough coverage on a section I will repeat the brush dipping process.

Step four

Once the front of my roots are complete, this is when I will massage the color through my roots and pull the product through to about half way down my hair.

*If you are doing a full color you would then go back and reapply more product from mid to ends using either your brush or hands.

Step five

Now you will repeat the process for the back. This step is much more difficult since you do not have eyes behind your head.

I do my very best to ensure that product is evenly distributed, so I also part the back down the middle and repeat the same steps as the front for each side (again, to the best of my ability).

Don’t forget to add product to the part that separates the back from the front!

Massage the color through your roots and pull through.

*Again, if you are doing a full color you would then go back and reapply more product from mid to ends using either your brush or hands.

Step six

Once completed, I will massage my fingers through my roots and hair again (to ensure I didn’t miss any spots) before tying or clipping up.

Allow color to set for approximately 30 minutes (45 minutes for gray coverage).

Do not use a shower or processing cap.

Step seven

Now it’s time to rinse out the product. Do not shampoo until you have removed excess product with water first. You may repeat the shampoo process if product still runs. Condition then style as desired.

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3 secrets to healthy, color treated hair

Wash + rinse with cold water

I know this cannot be stressed enough, but I’m telling you it can make the world of a difference. I’m just another fan of hell-fire showers, but I also noticed that even if I give my hair a last rinse under cold water it is softer, less frizzy and my color lasts much longer.

So do your color treated hair a solid, and rinse out your shampoo/conditioner and color with cold water.

Deep condition (but only your roots)

For color treated hair, regular deep conditioning is so important. Yes, even those who have considerably oily hair. The key is to only condition your ends, not your roots.

Honestly, listen to your hair’s needs

No, really, I’m serious. There’s claims and myths out there that say to refrain from washing your hair or to wash your hair every single day, to avoid products with sulfates and silicones because they’re damaging, and not to detangle or brush your hair when wet.

But the truth really is… every single person’s hair is different. What my hair needs likely doesn’t come close to matching what your hair needs. I’ve even caught wind from those who say using products with sulfates is what makes their hair the most manageable for them.

All in all, the back and forth controversy has taught me one vital thing: to listen.

Listen to your hair’s needs.

If it’s dry and brittle, skip a wash or two, or rethink what products you’re using. Too oily and itchy? Wash more often, or again, rethink the products you are putting in your hair.

TBH, there are certainly times my hair can handle a wash everyday for a week, yet it can also be incredibly itchy, oily and irritated if I wash too often or too little. Much of this depends on my hair routine (such as my love for hell-fire showers), the products I use, time of year and that time of month.

Spending a little extra effort in knowing what your hair needs on a regular basis – I believe – can truly make a difference in the overall quality of your hair.