Red/Auburn hair dye that lasts?

[Remotecontrolduck]

I've been dying my hair auburn for quite a while now, using that perfect 10 Clairol stuff. It's ok, nice colour but sadly fades quite quickly. I've tried a few other brands and they all seem to be the same.

I know red hair dye by it's nature is a pain, but are there any dyes that last better than others?

I've tried a couple of colour protect shampoos as well and they seemed to help a tiny bit, but still not much. Unless anyone knows of any miracle products?

Thank you!

[MrsLettuce]

Henna and that sort herbal dye is worth looking into but it is permanent. It's not just that 70s hippy colour that it can do. We have a resident expert, Valliumredhead IIRC.

[Remotecontrolduck]

I've looked at henna and it terrifies me as it's so permanent! I might have to just bite the bullet and get on with it..

[TattyDevine]

It is tricky. I was ginge for a while, am sort of honey blonde now, but I found it did fade. I was using professional dye as well with 20 volume peroxide so it is the nature of the beast, I think the copper and red molecules are smaller so wash out first or summat.

Henna is quite permanent I think. If you are a dye hard (haha) ginge, you might look into it if you are never planning to change, but do a strand test I reckon.

[BeCool]

I've just hennaed my hair with the Lush Brun - so it's red but not BRIGHT red. How is henna any more permanent than a permanent hair dye?

I used to henna my hair eons ago and found regrowth issues were minimised (compared to hair dye) as it does fade a little.

[AgathaF]

Lush henna is the biz. I use 2 cubes of marron and 1 cube of noir and it turns out dark red/brown. Covers my grey up brilliantly and doesn't fade either.

I used to use hair dyes and found that reds faded after a couple of weeks, and the grey coverage wasn't great.

[BeCool]

Ooh I hadn't thought of mixing up the hennas! Nice idea

[AgathaF]

BeCool - it took me a few months to find the combination that was just right, but I'm really pleased with the result I get now.

[BeCool]

I used to henna my hair 20 years ago - with a powder. Just used the Lush stuff once a few weeks ago & it is a vast improvement to use, and the colour is great. I did have to use my kitchen cake beaters to blend it all up though - is that what you do? Mixing it with a fork just wouldn't have worked?

I just wanted to cover grey and not be tooooo red so I used the brun one, which is very nice. I can see next winter mixing 1 black & 2 brun together might really work.

[AgathaF]

The first couple of times I used it I grated it as they tell you too, but now I just cut the blocks into small pieces and add almost boiling water, then mix it with a wooden spoon. I tend to mix it for a few seconds then leave it to soften a bit more for 5 minutes or so, then repeat it. I don't worry about a few small lumps in it either .

[BeCool]

oh I didn't see the 'grate it' bit!!! I thought it said break up blocks & cover with water. must read instructions properly!!

[HaveAGoodDay]

If you're after Karen Gillan type Auburn hair try Feria in Intense Mango, it's a lush bright (not orange though) auburn colour. I had it last year, two different hairdressers, along with many other people complimented on the colour. It seemed to last as well, using the conditioner included once a week.

I find the Loreal Elvive Caring Shampoo & Conditioner for coloured hair is lovely too.