Snooker Goths

***DISCLAIMER: This product was given to me for free to trial. I am in no way affiliated with the company (although very grateful for the sample!). All opinions are my own.***

Well, it’s coming up for Champion of Champions time again, snooker fans, and therefore the barnets are in need of a refresh! Red has already been, well, reddened with her beloved Special Effects Nuclear Red (which continues to impress), so now it’s my turn.

Red and I attended the London Edge Alternative Fashion exhibition back in September; while we are not sellers, we do have connections with alternative fashion, and so were eager to see the expo. While there, the lovely Jasmin at the Herman’s stand gave us two jars of their gorgeous hair colours to try – Fiona Fire for Red, and Patsy Purple for me. Red hasn’t tried her jar yet (that will be another review, hopefully next spring if our dyeing schedule’s correct), and I have been saving mine for CoC purposes as I’ve been letting my hair rest for a couple of months. However, now is the time…

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Had I bought this jar with my own money, the cost would have been somewhere around the £10-£12 mark, research suggests. For this, you get a 115ml jar of dye (a little more than Directions’ 88ml), which is very pigmented and silver-sealed. Like the Lime Crime Pony that I reviewed earlier this year, the dye is vegan and cruelty-free, so you know you’re not putting damaging stuff on your hair and it is ethical. The packaging is very elegant, going for a kind of goth-rockabilly vibe, which I rather liked.

Removing the seal, the first thing that struck me was how solid the dye was. We’re not talking wax-like, but think of the most solid consistency of something like Directions or another more jelly-like dye, and it topped it nicely. There is no smell to the dye at all, which is good for those wanting all the look with none of the smell. As with the Pony, a tiny bit of this dye goes a hell of a long way. I only dyed my hair from about halfway down to the ends, as I have not had my roots bleached in a few months (trying to grow in my natural colour for a wee while) and I would say it only took about a quarter to a third of the jar. Bear in mind, however, that I have very thin hair (thanks, psoriasis), although it is long!

Attractive bathroom selfie, complete with hair dyeing top on.

I am currently sitting with the dye taking on the ends of my hair. It’s a bit awkward with no dyeing cap on, but it would be even more awkward if I piled my hair up and the dye went on my roots in spots! I will let this sit for a few hours (usual disclaimer: I’ve been colouring my hair since I was thirteen and know what it can take – new dye users should use the manufacturer instructions!) and see you on the other side…

POST-RINSE

Well, as it turned out, I only had to leave the dye on for a couple of hours (and probably even less than that would have been needed). The dye did dry out quite fast, but I put that down to the fact I didn’t process it under a dye cap and just left it to the elements. Because of this, it took a little longer than normal to rinse under the shower (but not THAT much longer, because the dye actually rinsed quickly – it was just the dryness I had to sort). A quick squirt of conditioner and a blow-dry, and this is the result:

Sexy faces on…

The picture does not do the colour justice. It is a shining, deep reddish-purple (perhaps redder than on the model on the leaflet, but I don’t mind) and is absolutely gorgeous. I’m thrilled with it!

This looks like it could be quite a long-lasting dye, but as has already been evidenced, dyes last about three days in my hair before washing out. I will observe this one’s longevity with interest! Also, I have plenty more to top it up with… and I will be, because it’s lovely.

Finally, I have a colour chart of the Herman’s shades to share with you, and I do not hesitate at all in recommending them. Superb.

Herman’s shades. I am coveting the greens… or would I look like Grotbags?

That’s all for now! Might do some updates at the CoC, but they are loooong days, even for a spectator, so we shall see. Toodle-pip!