Have SFX changed their colours?

really odd, i had the exact same result. There seems to be a lot more transfer with it this time too. My base this time and last were both faded turquoise, and this time it came out almost black so i had to fade it a lot. I have probably washed it 4 times now and given it a good vinegar rinse each time and it is getting everywhere! I feel the transfer would be on par with directions plum purple.
Normally I would have put it down to me having poo memory and just thinking that they seemed different, but I actually compared some from a bottle i had laying around and even took a picture to post on here as the differences were so striking.
In one way it worked well as I diluted it down loads with conditioner but even that hasn't helped the transfer. I looked at the old ingredients and new and they are the same, but it doesn't list how much of what ingredient is in there so i think they have probably changed the quantities.
I had some extensions which were already dyed blue velvet from before but i had to redye them so that they matched as the difference was so stark.

The purpley shade was the original, the dark blob is the new (both neat from the bottle) and the colour around the bowl is the new one mixed with conditioner. They are with and without flash.

Wow, that's really different.

My nuclear red doesn't seem quite as bright as it was before. It's still bright but it seems to have lost it's edge.

Maybe it's because it's a first batch. I hope it's because it's the first batch.

I'm glad it's not just me! I diluted mine with conditioner (about 1/3 conditioner) and mines really dark too - I wish they would warn us when they change things! Had I known I would have been better able to get the balance right - as it is my extensions are purple and my hair is pretty much navy blue!

I will get in touch with SFX for clarification on this and get back to you.

I know most alt hair dye suppliers say the dyes can change between batches, however this does seem like quite a large change so will see what I can find out. 

Yeah it could be a first batch thing you're right! glad to have it again though the mix I was using before just wasn't right.

eta- i'm gonna have to fade it out 🙁 i've washed it almost 6 or 7 times and the rub off us just mad, staining everything it's even still staining my neck! This is with massive vinegar rinses too :(!  they can't say it's exactly the same, I didn't have this problem last time or i wouldn't have bought it again

I personally think virgin rose is fading fast, but I dont have anything to compare to except atomic pink. 🙁

I've found virgin rose in the past fades fast but then stays at the neon pink stage for ages

The old (2010-2012) VR took effort to fade down to the neon phase, not sure how is this batch yet since I havent found root assist yet.
Did anyone find current VR different from the pre drought period or can compare it to an older bottle?

-though generally my hair seems to be very cranky with not letting dyes go once they are used more than once...-

@Swilks Atomic pink seems to really take up a lot of space in my hair if that makes sense. Like, when I wanted to put another color over it, they always faded quickly, even VR. I did a fading treatment or two, until the water was running clear, so it  just looked like faded bright AP again, then I used other dyes over it and they've all stuck really well. It''s like I had to remove any 'excess' AP so to speak for other dyes to stick, and my VR since then really hasn't budged at all

That makes sense Katie.

It has gone to purple toned atomic pink and i am loving it just now, long may this continue. I think I will continue to mix around with them both throughout the year.

Just thought I'd add an update to this - despite the difference in colour the dye seems to be staying in my hair for AGES! (which is good) it's been a few weeks since I dyed it now and I've had almost no change in colour - it is slightly more purple and a bit brighter now - so I've ordered some Pimpin Purple (which has always been too pink for me) to see what that's like and to mix with my Blue Velvet to get a more purple less blue colour.

If I can get the mix right and it sticks this well then I LOVE the new formula! I've had no rub off at all when dry and minimal run off (which I know Meeshybop has been struggling with) and I've done no vinegar rinses?

As if you've had no rub off! This stuff is everywhere! Still having to wash my hair over the shower rather than in the shower as I'd turn blue haha!! What shampoo are you using? Or do you co? I wonder if that would help. Mine is barely fading either but I bet it would shift if you had a good go at it!

The blue I've used in the past months is Directions Midnight Blue with a little Plum added to it. So far I've stayed away from Blue Velvet because it looks too purple, especially when it fades, whereas my current combo stays blue, but is forgving on my yellow base due to the addition of plum, I don't want green fade either.

I like a really dark blue, as dark a possible, I don't dilute, I apply pure dye. That second picture above looks more like what I'm after, based on that I'm now more tempted to finally five Blue Velvet a try.

To those who have tried both the old and new BV, is the difference different enough now to think I might prefer it based on what I've just mentioned?

Also, it's rather pricey, keeping in mind I don't dilute my colours since I like as dark as possible, how much further does the Special Effects go ml per ml in comparison to Directions? How does the rub off and longevitiy compare?

Thanks 🙂

Meeshy I use Organix sulphate free shampoo - but I have used Nioxin anti dandruff shampoo too (because I read that it can make your hair thicker) I had a bit more run off with that but nothing major? It's weird because my hair has never "held" dye for very long - this is the first time this has happened.

The current blue velvet is totally different Yummysweets, if you used the current dye undiluted it would start off almost blue / black or dark navy. If you want a true blue id use blue mayhem - it's "sonic the hedgehog" blue and lasts really well (or at least it used to be!) I get at least 3 dyes out of a bottle of SFX but I have very very fine hair, the staying power is a lot better though - try it, you might find it works out the same price overall.