| Product: |
La Riche Directions |
| Date: |
11/03/03 (1325 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Easy to use, great range of colours, effective.
Disadvantages: Can be very messy, hard to find in the shops
OK, I've put aside the chocolates, the coffee and the wine for a little while and ventured back into my bathroom - yep, this time the review is about another hair product!
As my nearest and dearest, and many of you out there know, I am a hair dye addict and love to have my hair bright rainbow colours when it is not just bleached white. I'm always trying to find one that gives a vibrant result without fading too quickly as none of the primary shades are available as a permanent dye (not easily anyway) and they are all semi-permanent but the "fade-factor" can vary enormously from brand to brand and shade to shade. Generally speaking red-based shades such as red (obviously!), orange and pink have more staying power due to red being a more natural pigment whereas more blue based colours, including my present deep purple, are more inclined to fade quickly.
Over the course of my 23 year hair dying career I've tried Crazy Colour, Stargazer, Jerome Russells?' "B" range and this, Directions. I hadn't bought Directions for many years as no local shops appear to stock it and after a bit of hunt around I found a source of supplies on the internet. Generally speaking, in the London shops where I have seen it, a pot of Directions costs in the region of £4 - £5.50 but I bought two pots (88ml per screw-lid pot) from "Warrior " online for only £3.90 each including postage and packing within Europe - a pretty good price. I always remembered Directions as being the best brand for a good colour result and staying power so I was keen to use it again. They arrived two days after I placed my order and so I was ready to do battle in the bathroom and refresh my vibrant purple crowning glory.
As I have mentioned I have had my hair coloured a deep but vibrant purple shade for about 2 months now and am planning to stick with that for a while (until I get bored with it anyway!) so the colour needs to be refreshe
d about every 2 to 3 weeks depending on your hair-washing frequency. I bought two pots of colour - one in "Plum" and one in "Violet" - with the intention of mixing them to achieve the right shade (all Directions colours may be intermixed to achieve the exact shade required). So, as necessary, I shampooed my hair with a non-conditioning shampoo first to remove any dirt or hair styling products then towelled it dry, ready to apply the dye. I mixed my colours as I wanted and slapped it on - the dye is nice and thick and creamy so doesn't drip all over the place and a little goes a long way. HOWEVER - this still remains a very messy process (especially if you're as cack-handed as me!) and I inevitably end up dying my towels, sink, bath, flannels, neck, hairline, hands (don't get on with plastic gloves) and ears (front and back!) the same shade! So obviously you'll need to take precautions to guard against this (practise "Safe Sinks"?!)
Application time for me was quick - about 10 minutes - as I only have short hair. I combed the colour through until it frothed a little which helps activate it and then went off to allow it to develop for about 30 minutes. Development time can be anything upwards of 15 minutes depending on your hair type and base colour. For full effect this is best used on pre-lightened/bleached hair but can also be used just to give gentle tones to natural coloured hair.
Right, I'll tell you a little more about this product before I give you the verdict. Directions is manufactured by La Riche, based in Essex, UK. It is available in 33 (yes, 33!) different shades from a white toner for bleached hair through pale pink, orange, blue, green, plum and everything in between. Of course all the colours have fancy names which I haven't quoted here but you get the idea. As I've already said if you can't find the exact shade you want you can mix any of these to achieve it. Th
e colour will gradually fade with each wash but its intensity and lasting power depends largely on your hair type, base colour and the shade you use - it normally looks its best for up to 3 washes, I find. This product has not been tested on animals either and you can also buy shampoos and conditioners from the same manufacturer to help prolong the colour.
OK, that's the important little facts over with and now for the rinse and result. Once the development time has elapsed you just rinse this off thoroughly with warm water until the water runs clear. Unlike many similar products I have used this one DOES actually start to run clear at some point so you don't find yourself bent over the bath or whatever for a potential hour like some colourants. I finished off with a conditioner - the colour does condition too but it is always a good idea to use an additional conditioner as this helps seal the colour in for a bit longer. Towel dried my hair then...YES! The exact shade I wanted, even coverage, deep but vibrant and most definitely purple - I love it! A resounding success (but my hands are still purple...) Of course, it's too soon to say how well this colour will last this time round so I'l have to update you on that but it used to be the best for longetivity.
Well, if you want to use or buy this, or are just curious, you can check out the full colour range and additional products at www.lariche-directions.com or alternatively you can go to http://www.directions-retail.co.uk/_pages/welcome_ to.htm (Warrior) to do the same or purchase online as I did.
Happy colouring, and may all your hair rainbows be bright ones!
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