My hairstylist really did me in today. She told me I was 90% gray. 90%!

I was flabbergasted.

First of all, I’m a little irritated that only 10% of the hair of my head is fighting for my quickly-slipping-through-my-fingers youth. Secondly, I’m way to young to be practically, completely gray (or at least I thought I was). And thirdly, a 90% used to be something I’d strive for (in a gotta-make-the-deans-list kind of way). Now…not so much.

And to make matters worse, my hair grows fast, so now that I’m 90% grey, I really need to do my roots every 3 or 4 weeks (and 4 weeks is pushing it).

So, besides the fact that I’m applying chemicals to my scalp at least every month and will most likely contract cancer of the head, it’s incredibly inconvenient to have to color my hair that often. BUT, I’d rather walk across a bed of broken glass than show up in public with one inch roots so I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve for those times when I just don’t have 45 minutes (or the energy) to color my hair myself or can’t schedule an appointment which, let’s face it, door to door can be two hours out of my day (and serious greenbacks out of my wallet).

Here they are:

My first favorite “I’ve got roots” product is Colormark temporary liquid haircolor ($20, colormarkpro.com). I’ve tried the crayons and the mascara and this product beats those hands down. It’s available in 12 different shades and comes with a sponge-tipped wand and tiny comb to assist in applying the color.

My tip: the comb didn’t make it easier for me to avoid getting the color on my scalp so I tossed it. Instead, for my part line I press my hair down flat against my head and stroke my roots with the wand perpendicular to my hair. For my temples, I pull my hair out away from my head and carefully apply the color with the wand in the same manner. It’s perfect when your temples are starting to get a little shiny and you’re due to color your hair in a couple of days, so you don’t need a permanent fix…just a quick one.

It only takes a minute to dry, it shampoos out, and can be applied over styling products. My only complaint…it’s expensive. But I‘ve had my bottle for a few months now so it does last a while.

And Colormark was the Winner of Allure’s Best of Beauty Editors’ Choice Award 2008 for temporary hair color, so I’m not the only one that thinks this product rocks!

The other weapon in my fight-the-roots arsenal is Clairol’s Nice ‘n Easy Roots Touch Up ($7, clairol.com). Honestly, this is such a quick and easy way to touch up your roots and there’s minimal mess.

It’s perfect when you want a more permanent fix…say, if your salon appointment isn’t for another week or two. It comes with just enough haircolor to tackle your part line, hairline, temples and any other area that’s drawing attention to the fact that you’re not sixteen.

It comes with a small tray and brush; just mix the color in the tray, apply it to your roots, rinse out after 10 minutes and you’re done! I usually apply the color (which isn’t drippy) and then hop in the shower. And it’s been my experience that the haircolor really DOES blend in well with your existing color.

My only complaint…it’s not really that much less expensive than the full-on hair color kits, so it doesn’t feel like you’re saving money, you’re just saving face.

But after thinking about it, maybe being 90% grey is fitting…seeing as how I’m usually right 90% of the time

So, be proud of your roots…just not the gray ones growing out of your head

~tcb

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