Go to brand?

Directions and SFX generally.

Sfx when I can afford it, until recently directions would be second but I've just used some adore colours and I'm in love with them.

Manic panic and directions. They last the longest in my hair. I havent tried sfx though as i am quite poor at the moment so cant afford it. 🙁

Did i see a price comparison on the website, i know sfx is more expensive, but the bottle is bigger isn't it. I am interested in trying it but i wanted to compare value for money first.

Directions, mostly because it's the one that I can easily buy from a couple of shops here without ordering online (and thus adding postage costs, the waiting, etc). I've tried Crazy Color as well but I was really disappointed, it was supposed to be a rich purple but it was just blue and it wasn't lasting that much either. I also didn't like the liquid consistency and the packaging.
I would like to try out SFX at some point since it has so many positive reviews.

I have always used Directions as it was cheap, long lasting, conditioning and came in great colours. Since the formula changes I have lost faith in the company, the colours aren't as deeply pigmented as they used to be, have odd fades and are inconsistent. So now I am trying SFX. I have also used Adore, and found it really good, but I wanted to check out SFXs legendary staying power.
Sia, I made similar pastel pinks from Directions Rose Red and SFX Virgin Rose, and the RR is much stronger and I needed far less to get to the same colour. However the VR looked darker on my hair and when i went over with a lilac mix the RR strand disappeared, while the VR strand is still very visible. I have since been force fading, and the VR strand is still very strongly pink, so I think SFX is winning for longevity when diluted to a pastel. I couldn't compare them full strength because i only had diluted RR left. (I daren't buy another tub in case they have changed it which would break my heart lol it has been my favourite shade for many years)

SFX. I actually didnt like Directions, everytime I tried it I wished i had kept my money 🙁 Failing that i have used Pink Rose by Adore and thats my fallback option.

I used to use Crazy Colour because of my sallys trade card. I liked my hair vibrant and had to buy almost a bottle of week. It was cheap , but a lot of work. Moving to SFX for the same price but so much more longer lasting was 100times worth it!

SFX for sure. The reds/pinks are incredibly vibrant and long lasting. The toner is great too. If you can afford it, take the plunge.

Directions is probably a second one by quite some distance. I like their color range, but I've had mixed results with it (Lagoon Blue looked great, Plum was incredibly odd and unreliable).

Lastly, I'd only recommend Crazy Color for mixing with other colors to make a pot go further. If you are considering it (be it for the price or color range), just go for Directions. It's about the same price for a better product, IMO.

Punky Colour, Adore, and Pravana in that order 🙂

Directions, Stargazer and Crazy Color.

Anything but Manic Panic though, MP just doesn't stick to my hair whatsoever.

I've only used two crazy color shades so far. Violette to dilute, which was beautiful and full on sky blue. Which didn't budge. At all. And it was a lovely colour, that's why I stick it up there with Directions and Stargazer which I've used many colours of.

Manic Panic is my go to. I know a lot of dye hards don't favor it but I love the way it makes my hair feel more than any other semi. MP also lasts quite well for me. I used to be all about Special Effects but they've been trying my patience and I don't care for companies with bad customer service.

My go-to used to be Manic Panic, but that was way back in the 90's when their formulas were all the 'gel' formula which is now discontinued.  I don't like their cream formulas at all, which is a shame, because I love them as a company, and will always have fond memories of the first 'alternative' shades I used!

Now, my go-to is SFX (when it's available), for the staying power and vibrancy of the shades.  If it's not available, I like Pravana (but have only so far used the blue on top of a permanent black to give that blue-black sheen) and Adore (but don't like Adore on virgin hair, I've found it doesn't stick at all!)

I don't like Directions but will use it in a pinch, mainly I don't like it because it doesn't stick on my hair, and the pot is much smaller than I remember it being, meaning I have to buy at least two pots anyway, so it doesn't work out much cheaper than SFX.

I really, really don't like Crazy Colour and never have.  I've only had bad experiences with the staying power and pigmentation of this brand.

I also don't like Fudge, I find it to be over-priced, and doesn't stick at all well.

Special Effects is by far and away my favourite....it's just so damn unpredictable to get hold of these days!

I like Adore but it doesn't seem to stick at all to any virgin roots (I try not to bleach too often so mine are sometimes a few inches long! 😄) Directions have lovely colours but I do seem to get much worse rub / run off with them.

Crazy colour lasts about 3 washes on my hair - I would stop dying my hair bright if this dye was my only option!

Once my SFX supply has run out I'd like to try Pravana as I've heard a lot of really good things about it's staying power, and I think Nikki is planning to stick it through Beeunique soon - so that might be an alternative for me if SFX don't get their act together!

My current fave is Pravana, though I am sad about the price and less color options (heck, I mix it anyway.)  I also really like SFX but haven't used that in a while. My go-to color for so many years was Pimpin Purple. I think I may go back to this though.  I used to love Adore but it's failing me lately especially with diluting. (And I agree about virgin hair!!)  I haven't used many brands that I want to try but of the ones I have, I don't really like Ion or Color Jamz which are both from Sally's. Sally's also has Raw which is much better than those two.