Best home hair dyes

[nightswimmer80]

I'd like to colour my hair but have no idea what make to choose, as there seem so many. Can anyone recommend a good make please? I'd like a chestnut brown colour as my hair seems to have got a bit lighter over the last few years, it's mid brown on top but light brown/gingery on the ends! Also does it dry out your hair as mine is a bit straw like on the ends!

I use Nice and Easy - I have used others but keep coming back to it although i can't say exactly why - It's probably that I am just used to it. I think it does depend on the colour you are after though.

All the well known ones will work I am sure, only with trial error will you find what suits you best.

Casting creme gloss is semi-permanent which is less drying and has a really good range of rich browns. Probably something around the 5 mark?

If you look at the top of the box it also tells you what tones make up the shade, so that's useful if you want more of a golden brown than a reddish brown etc.

Watching with interest as fed up with ginger tones.

I also use nice and easy, I find the permanent much better than the semi, the colour fades too quickly on the semi permanent one. I had the same issue, I seem to go lighter brown gingery on the lengths and this sorted it out. I just use the medium brown.

Be careful though as all box dyes are the same. They come out much darker than the box indicates.

I like Nice and Easy too for box dyes, I definitely found it the best when I used to colour my hair dark.

However, anyone wanting to avoid red tones is probably better off trying a salon hair dye like Loreal Majirel. You buy the colour and developer separately (it's not as scary as it sounds!) and then you can choose the exact colour but also undertone that you want, and there is a big choice. If you look up 'Mumsnet majirel' you will find lots of advice, it's definitely better than box dye and works out cheaper because you can buy a big bottle of developer.

I've been using L'oreal casting creme for a few years which is a semi-permanent - might be a bit less nerve wracking if you're new to home dyeing? I like casting creme, but I'm reaching the point now where I've got too many greys and I'll have to move on to a permanent dye. There doesn't seem to be as much choice of colours in the permanent ones though!

It makes my hair very dry immediately after dyeing it but from the first proper wash afterwards it's incredibly soft. Just make sure to use a good colour shampoo & conditioner and a regular deep conditioning treatment.

Anyone not wanting the red tones of some brunette colours needs to look for a cool brown. Look for something with Ash in the name

John freida foam, so easy to use and quick

Thanks for the replies, I'll have a proper look next time I'm in town.

L'Oreal Casting is good for a wide range of browns and is semi-permanent. If you're aiming for Chestnut, I would look for one of their warmer/golden/copper brown shades. And I agree with others saying go for a shade lighter than you think you are. I would go with a 6.

I had a look in town and also the supermarket, there were so many different makes, colours etc it was overwhelming! So I didnt buy any as I didnt want to get the wrong one, I might try again at a later date but find it all so confusing.