American Crew Precision Blend is the grey-blending colour barbers use because it takes about five minutes, looks like nothing happened, and fades out instead of growing out. It is also sold to home users who want the same result in the bathroom. Here is how the shades work, what you need and how it is applied.
What Precision Blend is
A semi-permanent colour for men with short hair that blends grey rather than covering it. Because it is semi-permanent it leaves no regrowth line: the colour fades gradually over roughly four to six weeks and you simply reapply. It comes as three 40ml tubes per box and is mixed with the Precision Blend 15 vol developer, which is the only activator it is designed for.
The shades
| Shade | For hair that is |
|---|---|
| Light | Blonde to light brown |
| Medium Natural | Medium brown with neutral or warm tone |
| Medium Ash | Medium brown that should stay cool, no red |
| Dark | Dark brown to black |
Pick the shade that matches the non-grey hair, not the colour you wish you had. Precision Blend is meant to blend in, and a shade darker than the natural hair is the mistake that makes it look coloured. When in doubt between two, take the lighter one.
How it is applied
- Mix one part colour with one part 15 vol developer in a non-metallic bowl.
- Apply to dry, unwashed hair with a brush or gloved hands, concentrating on the greyest areas and working through the rest.
- Leave for about five minutes. Longer gives more coverage; shorter gives a lighter blend.
- Rinse until the water runs clear, then shampoo.
Barbers do this at the basin as an add-on to a cut. Home users should do a strand test the first time and follow the box directions.
What to expect
- Blended, not covered. Some grey still shows through, which is the point. For solid coverage a permanent colour is the wrong-but-honest answer.
- No regrowth line. It fades evenly, so a missed reapplication looks like a slightly greyer version of you rather than a stripe.
- Short hair only. It is designed for clipper-length hair, not long hair, and it is not made for beards.
Aftercare
Wash with the Daily Cleansing Shampoo rather than a clarifying or anti-dandruff formula, which strip semi-permanent colour faster. Style as usual; the colour does not react with Fiber, Matte Clay or Pomade.
Where to buy American Crew Precision Blend in Adelaide
All four shades and the 15 vol developer are at MV Hair & Beauty, 412 Churchill Road, Kilburn, with click and collect locally and delivery Australia-wide. Standard shipping is free on orders of A$99 and over.
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