It has been about 15 years since I last dyed my hair so I was looking for a semi-permanent dye as I was a little nervous about the change.
After looking around at all options, L'Oreal Casting Creme seemed to be one of the only semi-permanents left on the market. Happily, the reviews I read were all positive and it was nice and easy to find, being in most supermarkets and big chain stores like the Warehouse.
I chose Mahogany (550) to go onto my light brown/dark blond hair to add a bit of depth and some red highlights. The instructions on the packet were nice and easy to follow and there are also lots of useful videos on the internet as well. I particularly like the nice touch with the packaging where the outer box has a pull-out tab to hold the applicator after mixing.
I found the product easy to apply to the top of my head and around my face (though it is quite a thin liquid) and enlisted the help of my partner for the back of my head (as I have quite long hair). I was initially concerned that I may have needed to buy two packets because of my past-shoulder-length hair, but happily there was plenty in the container and I felt that every part of my hair got a good coating.
After waiting the required time, it rinsed off nice and easily, making far less mess than I expected. I prepared myself for the result... It was a bit darker than I had expected, but not unpleasantly so. It looks quite even in colour, except where I had some lighter hair, which of course is now a brighter red, but it covered my greys nicely.
It's been a week since I coloured my hair and despite washing my hair four times, no colour seems to have washed out, nor has any colour been left on my pillow or clothes, so I'm happy with it's holding ability.
Overall I'm really happy with the result, have had nothing but positive comments and would definitely use this product again, though perhaps a slightly softer colour.
I absolutely love this product, it doesn't damage your hair, the blondes I have used are natural and don't go brassy. Over the last few years I have used a few different shades. The first time I tried this product it was the dark blonde. It was great, slightly lightened my hair but not much, it was so natural looking and my hair was shiny. The last few times I have coloured my hair I have used the medium blonde and I like it even better. It has lightened the already coloured hair and slightly lightened the roots so it looks really natural. It doesn't leave an awful regrowth line either. The hair colour is easy to apply, comes with applicator tip bottle and a hair colour tube. Pieerce the top of the tube and squeeze into the developr, give it a shake and twist the tip off it's ready to apply..
Tips: As with most hair colours if your hair is already coloured, apply to the roots first and then the ends later.