Hairdressers for darker dye?

[ReallyTea]

I have mousy brown hair naturally. When I get highlights, I have them done professionally, but when I go darker I use box dye as I’m a cheapskate and have never seen the point in getting the hairdresser to do an all over colour. I prefer my hair darker, but the dye fades fast (within 3-4 weeks) and I can never be bothered to keep on top of it - so I usually end up getting highlights, perversely just so I feel like I’m getting my money’s worth!

First question is, if I go darker at the hairdressers, will it last longer and genuinely feel like a better result? Second, silly question, but I’d really like a textured varied colour rather than one flat all over colour - something like the attached picture - do you know what service I’d need to book for this? (Mainly so I can get an idea of price in advance) Thanks!

Hi @ReallyTea, I do think getting darker dye done by a hairdresser is worth it. I wonder if something like what I have done might work for you:
Initially I had my hair dyed brown all over, just slightly darker than my natural colour. I get it trimmed every 6-8 weeks and at the same time I have my roots tocuhed up.
But about twice a year I also have highlights put in.
As the highlights grow out, the brown root touch ups blend it all a lot more naturally. I think it's called a root stretch? So it's a lot lower maintenance then highlighting all the time, but you never look like you're growing your colour out.