Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Permanent Hair Dye, 5RR Medium Vibrant Red Hair Color, Pack of 1

I have been using this dye for about 5 years straight (re-coloring every 4-8 weeks) and I absolutely love it! I have medium brown hair, and the resulting color is a vibrant red (more bright on fresh roots, a bit darker on strands that have been re-dyed for months+). I think I got lucky because it was the first dye & color I picked and yet it works so well. Strangers routinely stop me to compliment my hair color or comment on how good it looks on me.Pros:- beautiful vibrant color, even though I have medium/dark(?) brown hair- doesn't damage my hair. I go to a professional high-ish-end salon in San Francisco and they are legitimately amazed- the conditioner is pretty nice, and I've never run out of it- they put more than enough in the bottle for someone like me (medium volume hair past the bottom of my shoulder blades)- cheap ($9/box)- includes everything you need, except maybe a comb- i can take nice, hot showers and it still holds its color pretty well. for the longest time I only used cold/lukewarm water, then decided to try going back to hot water and there doesn't seem to be much of a difference for me (but remember, I re-dye every 4-8wks for roots)Cons:- during application the smell is as terrible as any other hair dye, although lately they have tried masking it with lavender- I have to re-apply it for my new roots to be colored :( duh. I re-dye at 4-8 weeks because more and more of my roots are showing, not because the color has faded a whole bunch.- when I exercise, my head sweats significantly, and if the dye isn't all washed out it will smell a little weird. When I started doing exercise a lot I realized that I hadn't been washing all the dye out in the 1st shower. After re-dying my hair, it takes not only the initial shower (~30-45min at full blast hot water) but also a SECOND quick hot shower for me to get all the dye out.- if your hair gets wet (sweat?) and the dye isn't well washed out, it can transfer on to white clothing. I do a martial art (expensive white uniform) so in the beginning that was a problem. If it gets on your clothes, don't panic! Just google "university of illinois stain solutions hair dye red" - the top link has great instructions. Soak for 15min in lukewarm 1quart water + 1/2 tspn dishwashing detergent + 1tbsp ammonia, rub gently from back to loosen stain, (repeat those 2 steps if it's a really bad stain), then soak for 30min in warm water + 1 tbspn white vinegar (will get all the ammonia out). How do you prevent this problem? See con #2 about taking 2 showers in a row after dying to get all the dye out.Tips:- make sure you wash ALL OF THE DYE out!! I usually take a very hot shower for 30-60 minutes after dyeing, and another quick hot shower the same or next day. If you do not wash all of the dye out, you are just marinating your hair in harsh chemicals for days or weeks until it's rinsed free.- after doing the roots, use a fine-ish comb to comb the color in- find an old crappy T-shirt/pants and/or something to cover the floor that you can re-use when you re-dye- use their conditioner more often the week after dying and then once a week afterwards- when re-dying, experiment with how long you leave the dye on the roots vs. strands according to what color you want. I ended up doing the roots -> wait 15min. -> do the rest -> wait 15min. -> wash out.

I was so happy to find this here and bought 3. It's discontinued in stores, the entire pro series. Probably because it doesn't stay on your grey hair. It washes off in about 2 weeks. But I live with that cuz I love the color. I have naturally dark brown almost black hair at the root and becomes dark brown with red undertones after sun exposure. this color makes it a beautiful caramel color with zero brassiness. It looks very natural and the lighter color blends the white hairs in and gives a highlighted effect. If you buy a box color that doesn't include a bleaching kit and think it's going to make you a blonde....you're stupid. That's not the products fault. NEVER expect any color in a box to make your hair look like the picture. It's always an experiment because they effect everyone different. If you want to be blonde going to a salon is best, or if it's just not in the budget then be patient and know you will have to use one like this about 3 or 4 times before you reach that color. (If you have dark hair) Doing it every 4 to 5 weeks when new growth shows. If you are already a mousy color or some shade of blonde it should be perfect 1st or second time. The absolute best thing about this one is it absolutely shows zero brass which is VERY hard to find. Many are fine at first and then after a couple of washes you look like fried hair trash. I've tried tons of colors and brands over the years and this one impressed me for a lightening hair color. Feria is my all time fav healthy hair wise and color choices but I had a lot of brass issues with their lighter shades. Hope this helps.

I'm a Stylist and tried this color to see if the Red would remain in the hair after washing. I used it two times in a row 6 weeks apart to cover some silver coming in around the hair line around my face. I was horrified to notice that my hair fell out in a huge circle in the crown of my head. I have very thick hair and when the stylist I go to does cut my hair about every 6 weeks because I have a short razor cut she always compliments on how thick my hair is. My daughter mentioned that I looked like I had a bald spot in the back of my head. I told her it's the way I sleep on that side of my head at night I had not styled my hair that day yet. However I took a shower and blew dry my hair and low and behold right in the back of my head was a huge bald spot. I can feel stubbles of the hair trying to grow back in but in the mean while I'm stuck trying to cover this bald spot and I am furious with this product. The color is a nice rich red, and it does not wash out like most reds will. I highly recommend you use this product with caution and watch for hair loss after continued use. My hair grows very fast which is why I used it 6 weeks apart, but I will never buy or use this product ever again. I am so embarrassed having this huge bald spot in the middle of my head the crown area. If I were not a stylist I would be at a loss at how to fix my hair to cover it up for the most part, but the circle of hair loss is so big that some bald does show through no matter how I style my hair. I do not recommend this product for anyone, just because it has the Vidal Sassoon name on the product does not mean that you will not experience hair loss. Beware and use with caution. I would never use this product in a client's hair for fear of losing my license.