to grow out hair colour

[Nishky]

The title is a bit crap-will try and explain. For years had highlights put in my hair, then became too grey for highlights alone. So had red colour and blonde highlights- got it looking fab.

Then the stylist who did it moved away-can't get it like that with other stylists.

It is very high maintenance and expensive, also I have now had my hair cut short, which I love, but the blonde highlights don't look as good and don't last.

So I am contemplating just letting it all grow out and then decide. Is that mad though? Will it look so crap for months that I will cave.

I am 49 this month and worry that the red dye is a bit harsh ifyswim?

Any advice gratefully received.

Some very positive stories here! I must admit I never thought about semi-permanent-that will give me an option if the re-growth period becomes too distressing! I am hoping that as my hair is short and layered then it won't be too bad.

the only problem with semi permanent is it doesn't always wash out properly my hair is now ginger it was ginger ish because of the permanent brown dye i used so i decided to grow it out but we had a wedding (i think? it was some posh do anyway) so i temp coloured it now it is worse shocking copper the thing is hubbys psycho ex is naturally this colour and everyone now thinks i've dyed my hair in an attempt to copy her (which is odd because she has spent 6 years dying her hair brown (don't ask) so whatever colour you use take my advice NOT BROWN!! (unless you want ginger hair )

If anyone wants to use Colour B4 or the Boots stuff - be careful! My sister used it as directed and it stripped out most of the colour (left her bright ginger from brown but hey ho) but STANK of rotten eggs thanks to the hydrogen sulphide. Even worse was that every time her hair got damp (rain, shower etc) it really used to stink of rotten eggs - this lasted about a month. This was to the extent that she came home from town several times hacked off because she'd been out with friends, it started raining and her friends could all smell her hair.

Thought I would update-I have had the cut-it is this one (that is not me!) it does look a bit of a mess colour wise as there is grey at sides, clashing with red on longer bits and random blonde bits (yeah thanks previous hairdresser for random bits )

However as I hoped the excellent cut carries it- the cut is so good I cried when she had finished

So I am still committed to growing out the colour, although I can not guarantee that I won't add a smattering of blond highlights when all the all over red has gone.