Fodorite018

Dawn--I can relate...I am totally white and only a couple years older than you. Course noone SEES my white I think it is a great idea to mail it ahead of time. Be sure to find out how long it will take to arrive. You don't want to find out too late that it won't be there when you are.

Carlux

I buy boxed hair colour here in France, and I suspect most of the products are the same in Italy. I don't know that the number system works- it doesn't seem to relate to what I buy (22 for dark red, 23 for chataigne, a little more brown). There are certainly a lot of colours which I've finally decided are not really meant to look natural, but some of us still try to look more 'normal.'

Box comes with plastic gloves and mix, takes 15 minutes, then into the shower to rinse off the excess and use the conditioner/colour set, whatever it is. Although the directions will almost certainly be in the language of the country you are in, there are usually diagrams, and if you're used to doing it regularly, you shouldn't have any difficulty with the colouring.

I have to admit I usually take mine with me, out of the box, but in several zip lock bags just in case. I know most other people really don't care how I look, but I agree that I don't want to see myself grey quite yet. But if you're prepared to take a (slight) chance you shouldn't have any difficulty finding a product you could use in the supermarket.

annhig

Hi Mom,

if what you use is a product from a standard company, why not e-mail them and see if they sell it in italy and what they call it there?

most companies wil give you a list of stockists.

then you'll have a back up if your package goes astray.

regards, ann

susanna

IF you were a rep for TIGI you will do fine...I love to look at all the over the counter stuff in Europe.

Carlux: thanks, very different numbering system on over the counter color.

Everyone who colors should get the color stick, I give it to all my clients. You wet it with water and rub it into your part/hairline or whatever is showing, it works great...except in the rain!

nytraveler

If you have substantial gray it's unlikely that 15 minutes will be long enough to "take". I would try to find if a brand you're familiar with is available is Switzerland or Italy.

If not - I would go and have it done professionally - to be sure you're using the right amount of time and steps in the process etc.

Also - hotels - as well as being an issue with towels might be one with water. If you're used to a strong fixed shower to wash your hair you may find the hotels in europe have those little toy showers you have to hold with one hand - as well as a small tickle of water only. Not so bad for just washing - but for coloring can be a problem.

Jean

This discussion reminds me of why I don't color my hair.

crckwc1

I, too, must color my hair every 3 weeks so I buy a product wherever I am. I would be afraid to pack a color kit for fear of breakage/leakage and a suitcase full of ruined clothes. At home I use either Clairol or L'Oreal and one of these is usually available in most European cities, although the color number is usually different and the name may or may not be the same (if you can read the foreign language.) I go by the color pictured on the box and so far have hit it right. Last time, I was in Athens when I needed color and neither of my brands was available at a large WalMart-type store. I just looked at the picture on the box (which was all in Greek and a brand I had never heard of) and guessed it would work. At the hotel, I had to ask the desk lady to read the instructions for me since there was an additional bottle of "something" in the box. After a quick briefing I successfully colored my hair with the strange product and it worked perfectly. I always pack 3 or 4 HandiWipes to use during and after coloring since a little color sometimes comes off onto the towel.
I wouldn't think of going to a salon for color after seeing the colors a lot of European women wear. Besides, it's time consuming and more expensive than I would like. I have successfully colored in Italy, Ireland, UK, France, Germany and Greece with very good results, so you needn't be afraid to give it a try.

SeaUrchin

For me it was more time consuming trying to find hair coloring. I kept searching and wasting time so I asked a hotel for a recommendation and my hair came out perfectly. Just tell them you want them to match your own hair and it won't come out blue or orange!

Once I was on a river trip in France and had all the fixings to do my hair and then I just thought of all the trouble in the tiny bathroom with the weak water pressure and I went into a local salon. I had the best time with the ladies and it took half the time that it takes in the salon in the US.

MomDDTravel

Lots of good information here. Susanna - I was a rep for TIGI about 17 years ago! But I do understand hair color and have colored my own on and off for the last 25 years .

No way does 15 minutes cover the gray in my hair... I will let you all know what happens.

joebear

Can you not open the hair color and put it in 2 containers so it will pass the 3 oz rule? That seems like a possibility??

MomDDTravel

Once the hair color is opened it goes bad. At least that is what I have always been taught.

Luisah

<<you may find the hotels in europe have those little toy showers you have to hold with one hand - as well as a small tickle of water only.>>

That is a very good point. I've had trouble just shampooing with those hand-held shower heads.

Be adventurous and go to a salon, it will probably be a fun experience. RE the towel issue if you do decide on do it yourself, just bring an old one from home and throw it out.

<<This discussion reminds me of why I don't color my hair.>>

It's not a big deal, takes an hour or less.

MomDDTravel

<<This discussion reminds me of why I don't color my hair.>>

It's not a big deal, takes an hour or less.

---
There is simply NO way, unless I am like Tom Hanks in Castaway that I am NOT going to color my hair. I stopped going to the salon for budget reasons and have found I prefer to color it at home anyway. I was tired of sitting in a salon for hours on end every month.

MareW

You might be able to get away with using a product called Colormark. It's a non-permanent liquid hair color that comes in a tube the size and shape of mascara. The applicator is like a mascara wand only it's spongy on the end. It does good job of touching up roots between coloring.

You have to reapply every time you shampoo, but it doesn't take long. I'd only recommend it if your roots are gray or if the haircolor you're using isn't too far from your natural color. In other words, if you're blonde and you roots are black, it won't work.

Jean

I've had 680 hours (and counting) to do something else! Now to count up the money I've saved...

clarasong

Or wear a scarf...when we travel, my hair is the least of my worries. I usually cut it short, and wear caps, etc. Can't be bothered fussing with it en route. Anyway, as others have said, they got it all in their stores, just the same as we do.

The funny part about liquid carry ons is, they only ask or look about 1/3 of the time. DH never gets asked, perhaps because he has other issues that make him suspect, like some metal somewhere in his body that always (almost always) catches their attention, so they don't care what's in the bottles and tubes in his little ditty bag.

MomDDTravel

Mare that is not a bad idea. I have used a wand type product in the past.

MareW

In case it helps, my hair is very light brown with a lot of premature gray, and I use the dark ash blonde in Colormark. Good luck!

MareW

In case it helps, my hair is very light brown with a lot of premature gray, and I use the ash blonde in Colormark. Good luck!

travelbunny

..color your hair at home just before you go..find a product called "Tween Time". It is a stick that you use to cover your roots where you part your hair. It will be fine for the last two weeks.