I have long dark hair and have been using this product to cover my grays for almost 3 years. Currently all my grays are copper which is a great contrast. I like that it's a natural product and my hair is definitely healthy. You do need patience to do it at home as it takes some hours, but you can do it any day any time. Once I mix the powder (4 or 4 1/2 tbsp as I have a lot of hair) with lukewarm water I let the mixture set for at least 3 hours (to make sure the molecules break... or something like that). I wash my hair with shampoo and conditioner. I put some vaseline on my forehead, side of the face and neck, to make it easier to clean at the end. I use disposable latex gloves. I apply it on my clean, damp hair, I leave it on for 2 hours from the time I finish applying. Cover with a shower cap. Run errands or work in the meantime. After that time, I don't use shampoo again, I only rinse it with water until the running water is no longer red, and then with conditioner. When I initially had the idea to change from covering my grays in dark brown at a salon versus using Shea Terra henna at home, I decided to get a copper balayage on the rest of my hair. That way the new copper roots matched the rest of the hair. I kept toning it copper until after 2nd year (2 1/2?). Now all my grays, from roots to the end are covered with henna and I don't need any chemical dye any longer. It looks like highlights in some areas and like copper strands wherever I have a group of gray hairs together. I use it every 3-4 weeks.