I finally stopped coloring my hair about six years ago & I keep my hair long so when it was growing out it was horrible but I just stuck it thru & now it is mostly what I call white pepper but I real color is under it also!! what is that about!!! but anyway I get compliments on the color so I guess it is okay..you just gotta stick thru it,,,it sounded like there was alot of good info in the thread so hopefully some of that will help you get thru it..good luck