Can you share successful box hair colour stories (brown)?

[NotOneMoreLunge]

I have too many grey hairs in my mid brown hair for my comfort now and considering covering them up with an all over permanent colour. I had highlights / lowlights before when they first came through for a few years but didn’t really like them. Salon prices are high and mine is a short haircut that would fully grow out in 6 months if I hated it.

I am worried that it will look flat, dull and dry somehow. The girls on TikTok with swooshy hair are not at all relatable. I just wanted to hear from someone who used something like Loreal, Garnier or Clairol light brown or mid brown to get close to your natural colour if you are happy with the results?

I use this one! (Image will be under review) It does the job and my hair is shiny, not flat or a block colour at all x

I use Clairol and it does the job, I’d caveat and say be careful you go slowly and cover everything and also don’t leave it in too long but that’s just because my hair takes dye ridiculously quickly

I've used Garnier Belle Colour no 5 for about 30 years now. Before I actually needed it to be honest. It's easy to use and I've never had dry hair or any problems with it. It does tend to fade after 4 or 5 weeks but by then it's time to use it again ! My natural colour was mousey brown. If you feel the colour you've chosen is too dark then use Head and Shoulders to "lift" some of the colour out.
I highly recommend it. It costs between £4-5 depending on where you buy it.

I started using L’Oreal when I was 40, choosing the box closest to my natural hair, so no one knew I dyed it. Used that for 25 years and it naturally formed low lights and highlights, very happy with the brand, hair stayed shiny. Decided to let my grey grow in four months ago, and the parts that are still dyed brown have faded some, but with a tiny bit or conditioner, stays shiny.

I use Clairol brown 5.0 (various sub brands but always clairol) permanent every 7-8 weeks and my hair is shiny and lovely; I get lots of compliments. I had it dyed professionally at a hair salon for about two years and they never got the colour right, it was costing so much I tried the box dye and preferred it. I buy mine on Amazon and it’s very reasonable at between £6 and £8.

I use Clairol medium brown root touch up on my grey hairs. Works very well.

Thank you, all. I have been researching Clairol because it says that it has 3 tones, so may look more natural and not orangey.

Clairol Nice n Easy does a great job

I would think about starting with a semi perm colour first - I use a tone lighter than my natural colour. It doesn’t lift my hair much overall but the greys look more like mini highlights and the grow out is less stark than uncoloured or perm. I use L’Oréal casting crème gloss.

Easier to start with semi and move to perm than other way around.

May I ask which Clairol you're going for ? TIA.

I did it. Bought Loreal Excellence universal ligbt brown. It has come out very dark with a red undertone. I got upset inity as it such a drastic change, and I am not sure it suits. ChatGPT it will soften with a few washes, and lighten. If I struggle with redness, I can try ash brown next. Any advice is welcome. I am a little distressed, and would like to reframe it as fun experimenting, swallowing the tears...

I would always start with a semipermanent. I use Castings. It gradually washes out but never seems to completely go.
If it’s too dark, a hair wash or two will make a difference.

I might do that to managehow it grows out. I had so many obvious grey, that permanent seems like a more reliable solution.

I have loads of grey and do find the permanent dyes are often darker than i thought they would be initially but fade. I have been using l'oreal castings semi permanent lately, light brown on my mid brown hair. It seems to last quite well. I have also used Josh Wood, definitely found that much darker than expected but I like the Josh Wood root touch up brush. I use clairol root touch up quite often which is very quick and easy.