Best hair dye that doesn't look flat or wrong?

[Justchillaxing]

I've dark brown hair, below shoulder length and very curly. For a couple of years I've been using nice n easy dark brown to cover the few white roots that were coming through. I had my hair cut last week and have now realised there's more grey/ white than I thought and want to do something about it.

Am I better using semi permanent or permanent? What brand is easy to use and looks least fake? Can I get away with a brown with copper tones or am I kidding myself that it'll look ok? I really can't afford to get it done at the hairdressers but don't want to make a mess of it, hence preferring semi permanent.

Any advice?

[jojowilko]

I buy the Superdrug 10-minute dye which is good. Go for the second yo darkest black.

L'Oréal preference is a great colour but really drippy.

Boots used to do a great one in their botanics range called bitter chocolate but they only do that in a semi now. There are some good hairdresser branded ones e.g. Vidal Sassoon. Don't try L'Oréal olio (or similar name) it stripped my hair of its shine.

To be honest though, having hit 38 and with more and more grey there is absolutely no such thing as permanent dye. I have to re do mine every 4-5 weeks whichever one I buy. So I tend to stick to the Superdrug 10-minute ones as it's so quick.

[coffeekittens]

I've used casting creme in the past (no greys) and hair dressers have always been impressed with my colour. Second the boots botanicals bitter chocolate, love that shade!

My hair dresser friend said to me never buy the permanent shades from boots etc as they leave a buildup and stain on the hair, and to go for semi permenant as they're closer to a salon permanent colour in terms of formula.

[jojowilko]

That's interesting about the staining @coffeekittens since the tips of my hair are veering towards black now. I might try a few semis.

[Roundandroundtheapartment]

Marking place

[Mandiba]

Second the casting creme too. Asked my hairdresser what she thought of it and she said it looked very good. She is brutally honest about everything so I trust her opinions

[Clafoutis]

You.might want to do a bit more research first but henna could be an option for you. I use the bright vibrant red from Lush (Caca Rouge) but there are brown shades such as Caca Noir or Caca Brun which contain indigo as well as Henna to give a rich brown tone. Henna is really kind to your hair and it a nice shine, plus tends to give a more natural look which doesnt look flat. It wont entirely eliminate greys but it will tone them down, leaving them looking a bit like natural highlights which is really quite attractive.
I've just done a quick google actually, and there are a few mumsnet threads about Lush Henna.

[Roundandroundtheapartment]

How do you prepare the henna - I only ask as I tried it years ago and it was such a faff! And I ended up with really patchy hair

[Clafoutis]

Zombie henna Mumsnet thread

[Clafoutis]

The lush henna comes in a block. I have thick long hair so use a whole block but obviously short hair requires less. Roughly chop block into pieces, place in bowl and pour over boiling water and mix until maybe a bit thicker than melted choc. Then apply to sectioned hair. You'll need to leave it in for at least 2hrs, I left mine for 4hrs. Admitedly it is more of a faff than box dyes but imho the results outweigh the hassle and it doesn't wreck your hair. I'm messy and a but slap dash but I managed to get even coverage on my v thick long hair. I will never use a box dye again as it is a never ending upkeep (henma doesn't leave that awful line to show your roots) plus the condition of my hair just got progressively worse. Moreover, my box dyes looked like box dye, which, let's face it, is never really what anyone wants when they're trying to save a few quid and home dye their hair!

[Clafoutis]

Oops sorry, rollingrollingrun crosspost!

[Justchillaxing]

Thanks. Sorry, I can't be doing with henna - last time I used it it only lasted a few weeks which isn't long for all the faff and mess.

Semi permanent dyes were mentioned advice, will they cover grey? And are casting creme and boots botanical semi permanent? And Superdrug 10 min and l'oreal preference?

Will I have to use dark brown to cover the grey or can I get away with a brown with copper tones?

[Naughty1205]

I use Castings and have for years, in between colours at hairdressers, when I can't afford it. It's semi permanent, washes out in 28 washes or so it says, but I'm about 70% grey and wash my hair everyday but do get 1 month/5 weeks out of it. Great shine, no ammonia. Wouldn't switch from it.

[Justchillaxing]

Thanks. Is Castings the same as Casting creme?

[diymania]

I use loreal excellence Creme number 5. Permanent. Looks natural and has brown coppery going to it (altho not sure whether that's just on me as that's my natural colour). My hairdresser has said its a good colour for me too!

[SevenSheep]

I like Casting Creme Gloss too, but it fades really quickly for me (but I do wash my hair every day which doesn’t help). It gives a really nice colour and shine though.

[Justchillaxing]

I only wash my hair every three days as it's quite dry so maybe the colour will last longer.

[Naughty1205]

justchillaxing yes they are the same thing.

[Justchillaxing]

Thanks.

[amandabrussels]

I've been using Revlon Hair Dye most of the time I do home dyeing. It doesn't really dry hair up and the conditioner is heavenly.It smells good and makes hair smooth and silky

[Mandiba]

I agree with seven in that it does wash out really quickly. On the upside though it doesn’t seem to damage my hair and it’s in pretty good condition despite having to put it in every three weeks. I also use herbal essences bio renew shampoo and I actually leave the conditioner in and dry it. No heavy feeling of it in my hair and it’s super soft.

[Justchillaxing]

Is Casting Creme easy to use and is there plenty in the bottle for longish hair?

If you have dark Brown hair what colour do you use? I quite like the look of chocca moccacino or chocolate fudge.

[Roomba]

I've used Casting Creme Gloss for years and years. It makes my hair so shiny, it looks great and hairdressers always compliment it. I wash my hair every couple of days and it usually lasts longer than the 28 days it says on the packet.

It's easy to use, you just mix the two bottles together, shake it and apply. Then wash out after 20 mins and condition. It doesn't stain skin unlike others I've used before. I only need one packet and I have very long hair (though it is fine hair, so thick long hair may need two?).