I'm trying to transition to my gray/silver hair, which is about 75% in the front and crown. I'm using the demi-permanent with 10 volume developer on my roots. The idea is to not completely cover the gray, and to avoid a sharp demarcation line with the previously colored dark hair. I did what you're doing for years and it was so much easier than sitting in the chair at a salon every month.

I know this post is old but I’m hoping you’ll reply lol. I currently use a mix of Wella 5RG and 4RG (light and medium auburn.)
My natural color (and roots that grow in is a mousey brownish color with grey. About 10% grey.
My problem is that I get hot roots and they get real orangey. Plus I HAD been dyeing my hair a dark brown before I used the 4&5rg, so the bottom half of my hair is a bit darker.
Anyway, reading what you wrote clicked on a 💡that adding a neutral base at the top, along with the 5RG may help with my hot orange roots.
I was wondering if you remember the video you watched that instructed you on how to choose the neutral color & what %, etc., by any chance?
Sorry for the long post!

Anonymous wrote:I thought wella was for professionals

You can buy it at Sallys Beauty Supply - you can buy several different brands there and buy toner and developer separately. It’s probably cheaper than buying box dye and you get to choose the level of developer (how much it lightens)

Sallys is a store for everyone - no requirement that you are a beauty professional

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, OP! How long do you leave the dye in before rinsing? Do you add in n just doing my roots. Gray Busters?

I don't use gray busters.

I use the liquid color in a bottle because it is easier to apply all over my roots, especially the back.

I leave it on my roots for 35 minutes. I don't pull the color through the rest of my hair.

How do you keep the dye off the rest of your hair? I haven’t figured out a way to protect my hair when covering my roots.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, OP! How long do you leave the dye in before rinsing? Do you add in Gray Busters?

I don't use gray busters.

I use the liquid color in a bottle because it is easier to apply all over my roots, especially the back.

I leave it on my roots for 35 minutes. I don't pull the color through the rest of my hair.

Thanks, OP! How long do you leave the dye in before rinsing? Do you add in Gray Busters?

Anonymous wrote:I get it at Sally's. Wella permanent liquid 5N (light brown) and Wella permanent liquid 5RG (light auburn). With Wella colors, it's a 1:2 ratio, 1 part color to 2 part 20 volume developer.

I watched YouTube videos explaining how if your hair is gray, figure out the % of gray. Then mix a natural shade (5N light brown) with a fashion shade (4RG light auburn).

My natural hair color is a medium dark brown 4N. I struggle with covering the grays with just a level 4N medium brown with most other brands. And even my hair salon visits have been disappointing. I usually leave the salon with hair that is way too dark, or the roots turn orange.

5N and 5RG

I get it at Sally's. Wella permanent liquid 5N (light brown) and Wella permanent liquid 4RG (light auburn). With Wella colors, it's a 1:2 ratio, 1 part color to 2 part 20 volume developer.

I watched YouTube videos explaining how if your hair is gray, figure out the % of gray. Then mix a natural shade (5N light brown) with a fashion shade (4RG light auburn).

My natural hair color is a medium dark brown 4N. I struggle with covering the grays with just a level 4N medium brown with most other brands. And even my hair salon visits have been disappointing. I usually leave the salon with hair that is way too dark, or the roots turn orange.

Anonymous wrote:Where do you get it? Sally's, Ulta? Definitely not at the grocery store or CVS.

Sally’s

Well most browns fade reddish. So if auburn is your goal you have it easy!

Where do you get it? Sally's, Ulta? Definitely not at the grocery store or CVS.

Anonymous wrote:I mix 75% Wella light brown and 25% Wella light auburn. When I color my roots only for a root refresh, the color blends perfectly. There is no obvious line of demarcation or black band and lighter roots. I am doing a better job than a stylist.

Thank you! Do you prep your hair or add an additive to you color to help the gray resistant hairs absorb the color?

I thought wella was for professionals

I mix 75% Wella light brown and 25% Wella light auburn. When I color my roots only for a root refresh, the color blends perfectly. There is no obvious line of demarcation or black band and lighter roots. I am doing a better job than a stylist.