HerbatintPermanent Hair Dye For Women - 4M Mahogany Chestnut - For Up To 100% Gray Coverage - Mother's Day - Ammonia-Free, Alcohol-Free & Vegan - Salon Influenced Hair Color 5.75 fl oz

The color of my hair that you see in the picture I posted is a mix of 70% Herbatint 5N, 25% 6N, and 5% 4C. Photographed with my cheap cell phone in indoor natural light next to a window. I'm sitting on a faded burgundy sheet that covers a window seat.Herbatint does not come with an applicator bottle, so remember to rinse out and save an applicator bottle from the box of whatever brand of color you've been using previously (that's what I did....decades ago, and that bottle is still good to go : ).If you don't have an old applicator bottle lying around, you can always just get an empty re-fill-able (screw top) clear plastic condiment bottle with a pointy lid (the kind you would use for a line of mustard) at a dollar type store.I also always save one of the old, rinsed-out clear "activator" bottles that comes in the Herbatint product box to serve as my proportion mixing bottle for next time. That way I can easily use the nicely marked "ml" or "oz" lines on the bottle to do my own custom mixing. I like to use the "ml" measuring scale (see image I posted of the ml side of the bottle).You'll also need a "rat-tailed comb" to separate your hair, and some kind of flat, wide, narrow brush (like the kind you use in the kitchen to put glaze on breads, or the kind of white-bristled, "paint brush" you might pick up at a Dollar store, dollar tree, whatever. I found the brush I presently use in a dollar store, I think in the kitchen tool area, but also look in the regular "tool" or "household" area for something affordable that can work for you.If you can't get your hands on any of the above, save and use an old toothbrush to be your applicator tool; it's better than nothing for now. An old plastic "stadium cup" can be your mixing bowl if you don't have an applicator bottle.Herbatint does supply cheap, clear plastic gloves in each box, but they're too small for my giant "manual labor" hands, so I just use whatever better "disposable gloves" we have in the house at the time. (See my current color tools, including gloves, in my review picture that has "You Will Also Need" on the top of the image).I started going gray in high school; decades ago, and have been coloring since.Irish genes, stressful life, repeated traumas. I have had to color my hair most of my "adult" life.I also have multiple chemical sensitivity, which has gotten worse over the years, so I can only use products that don't cause my scalp to break out or burn.The Herbatint Color tints (green bottle) and Activator (clear bottle) that you mix with the tint are fine for me, and cause no allergic reactions. However, I can't use the Herbatint conditioner / Creme Rinse / Royal Cream that is supplied in the box. Warning: the conditioner / creme rinse they supply has a very strong fragrance. If you're sensitive to chemicals or fragrance, please patch-test all of the Herbatint products prior to use. I just throw away that little packet of creme rinse crap every time I open a new box of Herbatint. I use my own "fragrance free" conditioner after rinsing the color out with water in the shower.I found the Herbatint line (formerly Antica Herbavita) in a health food store during college, I think, and have been using it to color my increasingly gray (white) hair ever since, and I've never had a problem with any kind of allergic reaction (and I'm highly allergic to most products now; I can't use any fragrance shampoos, etc), and Herbatint's N series colors ALWAYS color my new white roots (and I have to color them every 2 to 3 weeks!) But, I cannot use the Herbatint Conditioner / Royal Creme, nor their shampoo.After nearly 30 years of coloring, Herbatint is still the ONLY hair color I use, or CAN use, as all the other "natural" or health food store brands I've tried have caused mild to sever scalp reactions (one - probably the other best selling nature-tinting brand - burned my scalp so bad that I lost a lot of hair).During my "dating years," I didn't want to look older than my chronological age, and with working full time, and taking care of family members, I no longer had time to do the time consuming and messy "herbal," henna, or coffee tint treatments (where you have to apply the leaf and powder pastes to your warm, moist hair, wrap your head in plastic and sit under a heat blower) that I did in my "youth."Who has 3 hours to a whole day to sit around and WAIT for stubborn white hair to absorb henna or coffee tingeing while there's work, school, and family to care for? And to repeat THAT process every 2-3 weeks as one's white roots come back in? Forget about it! Processes like that are for the wealthy, leisure class...who probably get other people to "do" their hair anyway.Using Herbatint takes, maybe, an hour total out of my life, every two to three weeks. That's do-able.Since you mix the Herbatint color tints (green bottle) and activators (clear bottle) as needed for your color and length of touch up needed, you can save the amount of tint and activator in their separate, resealable bottles for next time. That's affordable, even for a tint-mixer like me :) with shoulder-length hair.I customarily mix my color, shake it up good in my pointy applicator bottle, and apply to all my new white roots first. I let that process for 25-35 minutes, but I don't "drag the color out to the ends" afterwards each time I color. I only do a "drag through" (from the roots to the ends of my hair during the last 5 to 10 minutes of coloring) as needed, when my ends have faded badly or have become brassy from sun-fade.Repeated coloring with any "permanent color," even the most mild brands, like this one, can damage your hair length over time if you're not careful. So be careful, and pay attention to the recommended "wait" (or "processing") times that are recommended in the product instructions that come with the product.Repeated coloring of the same hair for too long, or too often, with any "permanent hair color" (that uses some kind peroxide type "activator") can make your hair brittle, dry, and straw-like after repeatedly coloring of the same hair length, so if you don't want "straw texture" hair, only color your roots when you have to, and only do the "drag through" as needed to "refresh" your color, and for as short a time as possible at the end of your 20-25 minute root color.Your hair beyond your new roots, the length of your hair that "still looks colored" and which has previously been colored during it's "life" on your head, has gotten more brittle and more porous over its life, so it needs far less time to color than your fresh, young, new roots.Be careful, be cautious, stick with the recommended "setting" times, and do not leave permanent color product on your hair any longer than absolutely necessary to achieve the color you want.Any hair coloring "success" and resulting "healthy looking hair," is partially the brand's "fault" and partially the "practitioner's" fault. For the best result, for me, I've found that my hair needs conditioner after I do my color rinse out. As long as I stick to the recommended times, and only do "drag through color" as needed (not each time I color), Herbatint treats my hair well, and I achieve very "natural looking color" and quality of hair for my age (mid fifties).I have changed which Herbatint colors I use as I have aged, and during the times in my life that I've felt differently about how I look.The "harsh" look that a too-dark hair color, or a "way too light" or "too blonde and washed out" color can give to one's appearance, as one's face tans, lightens, or "sags with age," can be very unflattering, or even "shocking."I was born "auburn." I have hazel brown eyes, and NOT the pink and white skin of my freckle-face, red-haired, blue-eyed Mom, but rather the more swarthy and "easy to tan" French people skin of my light brown over hazel brown Dad. Looking at my face, you could easily understand why paler folk may have once called people with similar heritage as mine, "frogs." :) The wrong tint added to my hair color can definitely make my tone skin look even more green-yellow to olive-y than it already is!I used 2 N on my white roots in college (when I was young, and looked young), and that looked awesome then, but as I've gotten older, I've had to lighten up a bit, just to not seem too "harsh" or "severe."During Middle Age (40s), 4N looked more natural, and the sun brought out the red highlights that made me look "natural auburn" again.Any Herbatint "N" series color below 4 N (N, 2N, 3N) can look "magic marker Black" on porous, long-time colored, or "aging" hair, so perhaps don't "drag out" the lower N colors throughout your length every time you color. Herbatint does not really "lift" dark color-treated hair, it only ADDs color to hair, so if you're undecided on which tint (which N color) to choose, go with the lighter choice (the higher N number). If you're wanting light brown, for example, go with "5N" or "6N" rather than 4N. You can always make a light color darker, but it's really, really hard to make a too-dark color lighter again.If you have already gone too dark with an Herbatint color, just wait it out. Herbatint does sun-fade and get a tad bit lighter every time you shampoo, so it will lighten in time; usually before you need to touch up your white root re-growth.Herbatint colors add color, but they don't really "subtract" or "lift" color from previously color-treated hairs, so err to the lighter rather than the darker the first time you choose a new color.It's recommended to use an Herbatint N series color as your base, if you're roots are more white than your former natural color now.The N series has always covered the whites / grays for me. You can highlight an N series to better match your former "natural" color by mixing a high percentage of the N color with a lesser amount of one of the tinting series (R for red highlights, D for Golden, C for "Ash" ).During my middle age, the Golden tints looked appropriate, and I wore a 4D or 5D, depending on the season. Sun fading gave me enough of the auburn-reddish highlights, but in my later 40s to 50s, as the quantity of gray (white) hair overtook the proportion that was still "natural" dark brown color, the Gold ("D") series colors looked too "yellow" or "brassy," and the R series too red for my complexion.Warning on the R series: even the Herbatint hotline ladies recomend "only add a cap full of the "R" series color to your mix the first time." Sage advice. I recently tried a cap of the R, added to 80% 5N, 19% 6N, and my husband said "too red for you." So, be careful with the R series. If you find yourself too Red, then add a bit of a "C" Ash to your next Herbatint mostly "N" based color mix to tone down the Red.If the N series of Herbatint that you like starts looking "too red" or the D tints "too brassy" to you, you can always try to add a bit of the "C" series, the Ash colors, to get your hair back to a more neutral natural color. It worked for me, and seems a better match to my "easily tanned" skin and brown eyes.Sorry this was so long, but I tried to answer most questions I've ever had about Herbatint, and hopefully help out another person with limited funds and limited time to spend on hair color make a more educated decision on where to spend their "hair coloring and time" budget :), and which Herbatint colors / Tints in the series to try.

(the best way to apply the dye is using a bowl and brush. A set with different sizes of brushes that make it easier to color smaller areas,like behind the ears. In reading the bad reviews for this I can only think the person used it on oily hair,in which case the dye stuck to oil or other hair care products (sprays,gels,leave in conditioner,conditioner/product build up which coats the hair;or hair that was unwashed/oily("dirty"). ) Other bad reviews show the person doesn't understand the product and had heavy-chemical mass produced/commercial haircolor products expectations in mind. Other bad reviews indicate they didn't allow processing time.I have used this product for over 15 years,only doing the roots to cover grey/silver that comes with being past 40. My results have been very good.This product does not lighten hair,though colors 8N and above can lighten hair. The way to get a truly lighter shade result might be to remove the color from your hair first,using a dye remover or professional hair bleach and THEN applying the dye (and subsequently doing the same process to the roots to achieve a uniform hair color;) But contacting herbatint first on using the product that way is the only thing to do. They might be able to give a better answer or a more accurate answer. I do know THE ONLY way to dramatically change hair from a darker color to a blond is to bleach your hair first,or use a dye remover from a beauty supply house if you have dyed your hair,and THEN apply the blond shade. THIS will give a true blond color. I have done this process using a commercial grade hair color,way back around 1980. I used Clairol or something as my blond hair dye.A hair coloring bowl and brush is the best way to apply the dye. There are several to choose from with a wide range of prices. If quality is part of it I suppose the brushes could be a better quality,and some sets or kits have a choice of brush sizes or include hair clips to seperate hair into sections to see and dye the roots more easily. I think the clips are awkward,myself but having the hair sectioned into seperate areas has advantages and lets you apply the dye more quickly. Small pony tail bands might be better for fine hair,which is what I have.Leaving herbatint on for the full processing time is needed. If I have a larger area to cover,instead of taking the time with a larger application,which takes longer to apply,I will do it in two applications so I don't have to worry about dye being on my hair for longer than 40 minutes,with the dye last applied being in the 35 to 40 minute time frame. The processing time being too short will be another reason grey coverage was not achieved,along with the dye washing-off if the hair was oily or coated with other hair care products when it was used. The dye will stick to the gunk or oil on the hair. Instead of being on the strands of hair themselves,the dye instead is on hair care coatings or hair oil,all of which wash off,taking the dye right along with it.Also,the dye is DARKER on the hair after being applied. And the hair stays darker for about 2 weeks. If a chestnut or lighter color was used,the hair will look much darker than anticipated,for about 2 weeks,7 to 10 washings in 14 days. It DOES lose the heavy pigmentation and lighten up after normal washing,after about 2 weeks.Possibly my good results are because I don't use the dye,at all,on anything but the roots. I don't add color to hair that has already been colored at the roots. And my hair is very natural looking. And healthy looking. Also I periodically,6 to 10 times a year,use an undiluted straight foodgrade white vinegar rinse on my hair,which removes shampoo and conditioner residue from the hair. And so when I use the dye,my hair has minimal or no hair care products build up on it. (this is just using about 16 ozs white vinegar in a large bowl). Kneeling in the bath tub I put the top of my head in the bowl. Then I use a comb and plastic 1/2 cup measuring cup to scoop the vinegar onto my hair and pour it over my hair,combing it through with a detangling comb. The half cup measuring cup is an arbitrary thing. It was what I grabbed the first time I did this so I just stuck with it. After putting the vinegar on (starting with dry,not wet or freshly washed hair),I rinse it out,thoroughly,in the shower,and then wash and condition my hair . White vinegar is a GREAT soap scum buster and removes shampoo and conditioner build up on the hair. In recommending this I have to stress,DO NOT get vinegar in your eyes. It burns like crazy. I don't think it damages them but it feels like it could be doing damage,because it burns and stings. Being Very Careful and also keeping a wet cloth nearby to wipe across the area if or when some vinegar might get in is the thing to do. Also,undiluted vinegar on the skin,face neck,back,chest and shoulder area,causes an alarming reddening of the skin. This is temporary. For people with skin problems or skin conditions,asking doctor or looking up info online is important to see if you shouldn't use undiluted white vinegar. Also it shouldn't be used where sores or broken skin can be affected by it because it would sting and burn when it entered the wound or broken skin or the irritated skin if someone has a definite skin condition that is known or diagnosed. If skin reddening concerns you,put a teaspoonful of undiluted white vinegar on your shoulder or neck ;or just put it on the inside of your forearm where allergy patch-tests are most often recommended [it is only vinegar but there are a small percentage of people who have skin conditions that could make using it a bad idea,so my cautionary note is along the lines of "don't use or immerse blow dryer while you are in the bath tub". ] If the skin reddens then the redness goes away within 10 or 20 minutes,that is normal. If you have concerns,don't use it or consult your doctor or dermatologist first. Erring on the side of caution because certain people might be adversely affected using undiluted white vinegar. But for what it does,if it doesn't bother someone in what it does under normal circumstances,it certainly is effective and worthwhile to use. And so is the herbatint N series permanent hair dye. You get good results and grey coverage and the product meets expectations as long as you use it the way the directions say to use it and don't have unrealistic expectations when using it. This,the Normalizing Shampoo and also the Royal Cream Conditioner are vegan. Not all of the herbatint products are vegan but the permanent hair color and the shampoo and conditioner mentioned here are. I'm not sure if the temporary hair color gel is or not.Hope this helps. It is a good product and does what it says it does. If what you expect differs from the product description,consulting a licensed stylist or using a product that says it does what you expect it to do is the only solution. A product can't be blamed for mistakes the consumer made or if someone expected results this product makes no claim to achieve.I think I have bought this item at amazon at least one time. If not I assume the 'verified purchase' will not show up.

I have dark blonde hair and this turned out a perfect match to the color on the box! I'm very happy with the results. I let it sit for 40 minutes like the instructions say. It did not smell or burn. My hair felt porous and rough when I washed it out, but I used the conditioner packet that was provided and it worked well. I will say the conditioner had a perfume fragrance that I didn't like but after my hair dried it wasn't noticeable. I am very sensitive to perfume so I will not be using the conditioner next time. I highly recommend this brand.

Excelente producto

I have been using this product for many decades. It's the only hair color for me. Love how my hair feels and looks after each application.

gentler on the hair........good coverage

هي غريبه بالنسبه للصبغه العاديه تيجي كانّها ماء وعند الخلط تتحول الي جل حبيبت الفكره حلوه ولونها حلو وحسيت أنها خفيفه علي الشعر

The colour is excellent and it is easy to apply