Semi permanent hair colour

[ThisIsSylviaDaisyPouncer]

Just sitting in the hairdressers about to pay an exorbitant amount for a semi permanent hair colour. I have never tried to do it myself, is it easy? Any recommended brands? For info I have long dark wavy hair ... Quite dry at the ends, and fine, but there's lots of it. I have a few grey hairs near my ears which need covering up. I also like to go a shade or so darker... From dark-mid brown to a Zooey deschanel in new girl style colour. Any recommendations or advice?

Can't advise on 'normal' colours as I usually do red, purple or (new) blue/green.

I have often used Superdrug own brands successfully and they do a wide range of blondes and browns. You'll need to check the packaging of each brand to see what degree of coverage they give though.

Make sure you put vaseline or similar around your hairline and on your ears, use old towels. Also make sure you use conditioner. Finally, make sure you use old towels when you wash your hair and put an old pillow case on for the first few days to allow and 'transfer'.

It is easy peasy, been doing it for years. I prefer Nice & Easy, in terms of colours, the shade on the box usually turns out a shade darker in RL, so if you want mid brown go for light, if you want dark brown go for mid, etc. I always go for ash shades for minimal orange tones. I'd go with mid ash brown for you.

Great tips, thanks. Does it mess up your shower to rinse it off? I have offwhite grout...

My advice is that these dyes are darker than described on the box so go for a shade or two paler - e,g instead of mid brown, go for a light brown colour.

A fan of Nice n Easy semi permanents - unlike the foams, these can be a bit drippy so old towels and a thorough clean of the shower afterwards are recommended.

My shower is over the bath but I tend to lean over the bath and use the attachment as a hand-held to wash off after initial application. Any future hair-washing is done 'in situ' in the shower.

Superdrug own brand hair colour is the shiz. Two for £6 this week. Bargain.

How "semi" permanent is the Superdrug stuff? DD1 wants to experiment, but I would like something that washes out after a few washes.

Semi permanent is...well semi permanent. It fades gradually over a period of months but doesn't wash out.

For trying out colour get the level one colours.. 8 washes (Superdrug do the "nice n easy' ones.) allegedly but I find they wsh out in more like 4.

I'm currently growing out all permanent colour and just using the odd 8 wash one to blend the natural roots a bit and it works well..and has NO peroxide or ammonia so doesn't penetrate the hair..just coats it.