My Dirty Little Secret

I dye my hair. It's not really a secret. I've been doing it for years and I've never tried to hide it from anyone. I started going gray prematurely when I found my first white hair at age 16. That's right...one-six. I never let it bother me until I got out of college and it became more noticeable if I pulled my hair back. So, I started shelling out the dough to have my hair professionally hi-lited. Because hi-lites don't cover all your hair, they look natural as they grow out and so only have to be done every 4-6 months. Then around age 26 it started getting worse. Friends and family members who thought they were being funny would point out my gray hair as if I didn't know it was there. Hi-lites just weren't cutting it anymore. But what is a broke school teacher to do when professional dye jobs cost $50+ and need to be maintained every 3-6 weeks (6 would be seriously pushing it)? A box of drug store dye costs about $10.00. It's a no-brainer. It's a cheap and easy DIY so what's the problem?

It's far from earth-friendly. :(

I feel incredible guilt every time I dye my hair. The chemicals make my eyes water and my nose burn. God knows what it's doing to my lungs or what damaging toxins my skin is absorbing. So why do I do it? I guess I'm vain. I'm 30 years old and I'm getting married in September. I can't let myself be gray for wedding pictures.

I've seen a lot of healthier, natural alternatives in health food stores, Wegman's and Whole Foods. Honestly, though, I'm scared. I only know one person who has used a "natural" hair dye and she's a brunette. I can't help but think that somehow that stuff is a little more user-friendly for dark haired people than blondes. I'm afraid I'll come out looking orange or brassy. What do you think? Have any of you out there used any natural, non-toxic hair dyes? Have you had success? Please help!