Hey, can anyone suggest a cheaper alternative to SFX blood red? I have to order it online & by the time I've added VAT & p&p to the price it comes in at over ?10, which I didn't mind paying for myself, but this is for a friend who doesnt want to pay that much for dye.

I'm looking for a dark red that doesn't have any pink tones in it that will last. I have one or 2 dyes around that I could use to mix, but the closest I have to red is the dregs of a bottle of napalm orange & some pastel pink.

Do you have access to Manic Panic colors? I have used Vampire Red with success. It's similar to SFX Blood Red (not pink toned). It doesn't last *as* long as SFX, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it fades faster than you'd expect from an unnatural color. I think it's a good alternative in color comparison, and Manic Panic tends to be cheaper.

I would suggest other brands, but I don't have much experience with brands outside of MP and SFX. I think your friend should be quite happy with the Vamp Red. Good luck!!

You might want to try Directions Vermillion Red. I haven't tried it myself but it doesn't look too pink in the tub.

Vampire Red fades to pinkish red after a while... but I used it on only partially bleached hair. Maybe it's better on hair bleached to a white.

Vampire Red on my hair faded to this wicked bright orange but my hair was really yellowy under it.
I love it.

There are plenty of permanent dyes which sound like what you want atleast.