I am 59 and have mostly salt and pepper hair color. I hope to be interviewing for jobs soon, and here in Silicon Valley, unfortunately, the younger you look, the better your odds are for getting hired. I really love my natural hair color, but I wouldn't mind using a temporary color that would cover up the gray somewhat. Anyone have any suggestions? I have a Sally Beauty Supply store nearby (and the usual Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, etc.).

Thanks for any brand suggestions and if you have any color suggestions as well! I'd like to have a variance in my hair color, so maybe something a bit lighter rather than darker (I don't like to have my hair color all the same color).

THANKS!!!

I love Natural Instincts - it's a demipermanent color I use once a month. But I wasn't aiming for lighter hair, I just wanted to make my hair a bit darker and blend the gray in, so that worked for me. If you want to lighten your hair, a permanent color will be needed, but if you just want to blend the gray in and kind of get back to your old color, the demipermanent colors are great because they don't damage your hair much it seems like. I like to read the reviews on makeupalley to see what experiences others have had with various haircolors, too.

Move? Hair is only one part of looking old. I love my grey hair. It is thick and healthy. People who won't hire you because of grey hair should be ignored. Obviously they are stupid, their company is stupid, and you shouldnt work for them. I am all for dying your hair blue or some other freakishly inappropropiate color and having a good time at the interview. Why is "mousy brown" somehow superior to "Indigo"

Hmmm I'd avoid dye if you want to keep your lovely natural hair colour, even a semi/demi perm hair colour will stain your hair, even when the colour has completly come out and that will not be a good look.

I understand about the Silicon Valley thing and anything you can do to up your chances of being hired in this economy, go for it. If you are just looking for a very temporary (like one-day) solution, Sally Beauty sells a rinse called Fanc-I-Full and the color I always recommend for brunettes is Copper Penny. It's a medium reddish-brown and will make your silver look like reddish-blonde highlights, very chic. Of course I would test it out prior to interview day! But it washes out the next time you wash your hair.

Thank you so much for your suggestions everyone, I really appreciate it! I'm just now submitting applications so I don't have to make a decision right away. I had permanent color put in it about a year ago, and it still hasn't grown completely out yet...so my hair color is a weird combination of gray, black, and mousy brown shades (from the low lighting that was helping some as I was letting the gray grow back in).

I agree about not wanting to really work at a company who wouldn't hire me due to my age/gray hair, but I have heard that the average age here is 36, and I know it is hard for potential employees to not take my age into consideration (though I don't look older than I am, and I've been told I don't look 59.) I don't mind blooming where I am planted (as far as my hair color)...I am doing something about my weight and health though!!!

Thanks again!!

Fancifull rinses are really good if you don't want have to totally commit to something. You use them when once, maybe twice a week after you shampoo. For a permanent color, at Sally's I LOVE Wella color. You use 1 part color to 2 parts developer (saving money is always good!) Use 20 volume developer to help break through the grey, and then leave it on according to the directions on the back. If I remember correctly, it's 40-45 minutes.

Good luck!

there are alos henna based dyes that (if you stick to your natural color) will add natural highlites to your hair while hiding some of the gray

Thanks again all!

I don't think Silicon Valley has anything to do with it. I'm in Philadelphia and will not stop coloring my hair while still working. Women with gray hair are treated differently in the business world, and if you are re-entering, I'd suggest getting the best professional job you can, then learn to do it yourself after you have landed a job.

Mel

After taking many Industrial Organizational Psychology and Woman's studies classes, I can tell you that women who look younger, thinner, more "conventionally attractive" certainly do get treated better (and it shows up in paychecks and promotions too).

If you gotta play by their rules to be a success, DO IT and hold your head high, Sister!