Grab your coffee, this is a long one!I've tried multiple brands and shade variations over the years, with the HERBATINT brand being my favorite so far (for color shade, color lasting and overall ingredient preferences).This color, 5N is the best shade for me. 5N's from other brands looked similar after applying, however faded much faster (2.5 - 3 weeks) and gave a weird brassy look. This brand's color holds up pretty well until i get around to coloring it (6-8 weeks).My adult hair is medium brown with hairline gray, which was mostly gray in the past (more on that later...). New hair growth is mostly coming in as my adult medium brown color.My childhood hair was light-medium brown with some strawberry blonde mixed in, which is important to note because my hair picks up red tones regardless of the shade of brown I pick. I've tried the lights, mediums and darks and all pick up my red undertones.The color always looks different in the sun, shade and indoors. I judge what I like on how it looks indoors or in the shade.Photo #1 - taken inside in the bathroom, day after coloring.Photo #4 - taken outside in the sunlight, same day as photo #1, .--Photos 1 and 4 reflect coloring using 1/2 oz argan oil mixed into HERBATINT coloring (can still be applied using a brush)--Photo #2 - taken outside in the shade, the day after coloring.Photo #3 - taken outside in sunlight, the day after coloring.--Photos 2 and 3 reflect using 1 oz argan oil mixed into HERBATINT coloring (must be applied using a bottle)--Manipulating the color using Argan Oil...When I first tried this product it dried my hair out, feeling a bit coarse. I really liked the color result, so I decided to alter the formula by adding argan oil, which made a huge difference in how my hair felt after coloring. The more argan oil use, the lighter the color result. You can do an argan oil treatment the day before coloring and still get the moisturizing benefits when you color, but mixing in about 1/2 oz with the color makes it much easier to apply. Hair feels better afterwards too.After I apply color to the roots as instructed, I then thoroughly mix the argan oil into the coloring and apply, starting again at the roots and going all the way down.I've experimented using up to an ounce. As you can see in the photos, the amount of argan oil used changes the color depth. Using 1/2 oz argan, as in pics 1 and 4, definitely gives a deeper color, both indoors and out. Using 1 oz lightens it up quite a bit, but it's still a nice color.Graying...Many years ago I was very I'll. Among other issues, my hair began graying everywhere quickly and falling out fast, yet I was only in my 30's! Unusual hair loss and graying is considered a sign/symptom of something else. In my case it was poor gut health.After radically cleaning up my diet and lifestyle habits, my gut health began to improve, as did my skin health. New hair growth was mostly coming in as my normal adult color and hair loss was also normalizing. Remember, long hair coming out in the shower looks like a lot more hair than short hair does sitting in a clump on the drain top. Just get to know what's normal for you and you'll know if improvements are happening, regardless of what you're monitoring (hair loss, effects of dietary/lifestyle changes, supplement use, etc.).Scalp health, normalizing sebum...100% Jojoba oil is something I began using as I cleaned up the chemicals and additives in my my skincare products. I used to apply it to my scalp every other night to normalize sebum production, which in turn normalizes overly dry or overly oily skin, which in turn affects premature graying and hair loss. Now that my sebum production is more normal, I use it once or twice a month on my scalp.Using jojoba all over my body after showing tremendously improved my dry skin, without being oily. Doing this after each showering...Adding a few drops of 100% pure peppermint essential oil to jojoba oil when applying to the scalp will energize the scalp, stimulating even more hair growth. Adding a few drops of 100% pure rosemary essential oil to the mix is even better. I do this at night, massaging it in with my fingertips on the scalp area. I use cotton sheets and the oil residue doesn't stain them. If not applying overnight, then leave on for at least an hour before showering. Depending on how much peppermint you use, you may feel a slight tingling on the scalp. The feeling will intensity when showering. I like it.