Home colouring versus salon

[BooseysMom]

Hi,
For years I went to a salon and had my mousey brown thick course hair coloured professionally Then I had DS and money became tight when I went part-time so I decided to home colour.
I have tried several makes of colours, all blondes, and what has happened over time is that when I first put on a colour it looks great then it fades very quickly (within 2 weeks) and the greys show through and I'm left with the top being yellow brown and underneath and the roots grey.. Lovely! I'm sick and tired of blonde shades all looking the same so it would be nice to have a change.
The other thing is I'm never sure whether to leave the colour on the roots for longer and then the rest for less time, or the whole lot for 40 mins.
I'm wondering is it the make of colour or what? Is there a particular make that stands out or are they basically all the same? Should I go back and have it done in a salon? I know that in a salon I'd have to keep going back and having the re-growth done and it's expensive so does put me off.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated ..thank you x

I home dye only. Can"t be faffed with hairdressers - and they suggested i used box dye between visits anyway.

Yes to roots only (in reality first few centimetres) for 30 minutes and then all over for last 5 mins only. Get a brush for roots. All instructions say this if you are dyeing regularly.

I like to change dye everytime, i think it gives more blended, less flat result but who knows.

And if you are brown with greys going blonde as I am you do need to do every 4 weeks to keep on top of regrowth.

@Doodledoop. Thanks for your post. I have never had a salon suggest box dye between visits. They are always very keen to get you in for foils! But like you I can't be doing with the faff on top of the cost and I hate sitting there making small talk!! So home dye is the only way forward!
Thanks for the advice. I hope dyeing every 4 weeks won't dry it out too much but saying that, the post dye treatments are really good now. I did leave it on last time for 25 mins on the roots and about 15 for the rest as I was worried that any time less would mean it wouldn't work!
That's interesting you change the types you use. I do that too.
Thanks again.