I use the Clairol product - the time listed on the box is 10 minutes but I leave it on longer because I have very resistant gray.

Here is a link that might be useful: Clairol root touch up

I started out using that product and it works great. But it has much less product in the package compared to the standard haircolor. I kept the short, stiff brush and contained that came with it and use it with the L'Oreal product.

I was going to suggest the root touch-up. If it works great - that's what I'd use. I am like you, have gray in only spots - but the root touch-up didn't do so well on mine. I may try again and do like dlm - leave on longer. I might also try a darker color. My hair is dark but grabs color (one reason I don't have it professionally done - I don't like hooker black LOL). I generally use light brown hair color. I might go up a color and try the root cover up again.

I get my hair professionally colored now, but I noticed that there were several products at the drugstore that work in 10 minutes that you might try. Like L'Oreal Excellence To Go and Nice 'n Easy Perfect 10.

Graywings if your hesitation is related to the product cost - the amount in the touch-up kit is minimal and very close to or the same price as the full product - allow me to rationalize this for you!! Justification and rationalization is a specialty of mine ;-)

I don't know if the product in the touch up is actually a different formulation from the full head product but I think it may be. I'm sure you know the savings to do this yourself as opposed to going to even the most affordable salons, so right there you're being frugal. I'm able to find coupons all the time and all these products regularly go on sale - at least every 2 months or so and I buy a few at sale time with the coupons. That way I rarely pay even $5 for my hair color or touch-up. The root touch up I do on my own, just around my hairline and in a couple of places where I part my hair. It buys me a little time before I have to do a full head touch -up but I'm about 80 - 90% gray at at his point and it doesn't sound like you're dealing with that. I can't do my whole head by myself so trade with a girlfriend or have my DH do it which is my preference - he's gotten pretty darn good over the years - better than my GF! I usually mix a couple of different colors (that's the decorative painter in me - can't use it straight out of the bottle) and switch it up regularly, slightly lighter, slightly darker. But always staying in the same golden base. Ash is death for me. The natural variations in how hair grabs color and the subtle differences in the colors I use results in depth and variation, not a flat, one color look. But the current formulations of the major hair colors all do that pretty well, IMO. Just depends on your choice of product.

I color all my roots with Wella from beauty supply store. It comes in liquid or gel. Works well and very economical.It does take 30 mins. Have not tried the 10 minute touch up products terriks sited, but friend liked it.

I agree with dlm's comments. I have my blonde (well, gray!) hair colored professionally every six weeks. It's gotten very expensive, so now I touch up along the part and along the hairline using the Clairol root touch-up. I also thought about using the larger box of hair color -- you get more for the money. However, the 10 minute stuff works really well and is conveniently packaged so I go with that. Now I can go 8 -9 weeks between professional color.

Is everyone using permanent color? I use semi but am thinking of switching, it's just not covering the grays well anymore.

bumblebeez I used the semi long, long ago when I didn't have a lot of gray - like my mid to late 20's, maybe early 30's. It made the gray I did have look like highlights, which was great. But the longer the hairs are gray, the more resistant they get to color - to say nothing of the natural increase over time of the amount of gray If it's not covering for you or fading really fast, you could try a darker shade and see if it helps. Or join the permanent color ranks.

What color is your hair other than the gray? I had some gray streaks in my dark blonde hair, but now that I use John Freida's "Go Blonder" shampoo and conditioner, it all turned blonde and blends in perfectly.

It's a gentle lightening shampoo.

I buy Goldwell color from the beauty supply store (but you can get it on ebay and online), mix it with 30% peroxide and do my roots whenever I feel the need. Drugstore color, to be crude, is crap. You're spending more $$ for a junky product. While the tone of the blog I've linked might not be everyone's taste, she knows her stuff.

Here is a link that might be useful: Killer Strands

Idee, could you give more directions? What beauty supply store? Basically, what do I need to buy so it is like a box kit? Gloves I have.

I bookmarked that site and will go through it later. Very interesting.

If you have a Sally Beauty Supply in your area you can use it as it's open to the public and a discount for the trade. I owned a salon for 35 years. I'll tell you just how to color your hair at home with a professional product and save money. First off, you need to know a little about color. Always buy a shade lighter than you see on the bottle.
Okay, if you have gray, you have to buy Gray Magic, it comes in a tiny dispenser that allows you to add 3 or 4 drops to your color. This assures that your gray will be covered and not lift.
Choose a permanent color as the temporary ones do NOT work well with gray.
Purchase a bottle of cream developer 20% peroxide.
I prefer Clairol to all other brands.
I was an expert colorist so I made up my own formulas which work so much better than a solid color but you can choose one close to your own.
Purchase an applicator bottle or a small bowl and applicator brush.
Follow the directions for mixing. With Clairol permanent color it's equal parts color and peroxide plus the drops if you have gray.
If you have trouble choosing a color I may be able to help you.
The ten minute colors coat all of the hair and, unfortunately wear off much sooner than the box states.
If you're coloring your hair for a touch up, apply color to roots only BUT, if the rest of your hair has faded, add water to the color and put it all over the hair for five minutes only. Shampoo. Try not to wash your hair for 30 hours, your color will last longer if it has time to oxydize. Hope this helps.

If I recall correctly, Sally Beauty Supply won't sell color products to non-professionals. Or does that vary by state?

Our Sally here in Virginia sells color to anyone.

Thanks yayagal! I will print and keep with me for a trip to Sallys. That store tends to intimidate and bewilder me.

Graywings, that must be a state thing. I'm in SC, and always buy my color at Sally.

You can buy online, too. You need a glass (or non-metallic) bowl, measuring tablespoon, protective gloves, one of those brushes with the long handle to apply the color, a timer, and a mirror. I always ask whoever is around to do the very back of my head. You can use vaseline to protect your hairline. Read the link I posted--she's got step-by-step directors.