Has anyone ever found a box dye that's as good as hairdressers'

[ProjectGainsborough]

Just that, really.

Trying to curb my spending, but hair is looking a bit brassy. I need a cool ash brown tone, but am wary as have had quite a few box dye fails, now!

[CreviceImp]

I only use Majirel and that is mixed 50ml to 75ml cream peroxide. The cream peroxide is 20 vol not 40. 40 will trash your hair and should only be used for highlights.

Ratio is 1 part Majirel to 1.5 parts Cream Peroxide.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

The ratios vary depending on the tint you are using - you can google e.g. colortouch mixing ratio and find it.

In terms of the peroxide it depends how much lift you want. How dark is your hair currently?

[ProjectGainsborough]

Thanks Crevice for the advice. I have ordered. Will update...

[HeyMacWey]

I think I'm going to order the majirel 5.12 as I think the 5.1 might be too flat.

If I'm using 5c nice and easy this should be OK just to do the roots and then blend through or should I do the whole head?

[HeyMacWey]

Yes report back project

[duckbilled]

I recently discovered Loreal prodigy, i used the almond shade and was really impressed.

[ProjectGainsborough]

Reporting back. Very pleased with the result. The result looks natural and not at all scary or flat. I feel like myself again!

The only criticism I can think of is that the roots may have 'lifted' a bit too much - not sure how to describe it, but it looks slightly red in s a certain light for about half a cm near my parting.

I will see how it settles after washing etc. I will definitely do again - is as good as the hairdresser, for sure.

[HeyMacWey]

Excellent - thanks for the feedback.
I'm still dithering over 5.1 or 5.12.

Could it be 'root glow'? No idea what that is but have read about it on t' interweb.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Root glow is caused because the heat of your scalp causes the peroxide in the dye to develop more quickly than the rest of your hair. To avoid it, apply the solution to your roots last or use an ash toned dye with no red undertones, esp if you have natural red in your hair.
It may just be that you are studying it under an overhead light, e.g. bathroom and the light is catching the top of your head. In which case, it will look fine in natural light.
Glad you are pleased. It was worth doing a bit of research as home dyes can be a bit of a gamble.

[ProjectGainsborough]

It could be the light. DH came home and said it's not much different, which while it would usually be annoying, is kind of what I was after - my natural colour but without the now brassy balyage / grey threads on top.

What was a 5.12? I thought I'd get my head around the basics this time and then maybe venture into the extra numbers next time round.