It is still a bit too dark at first, but I prefer this to using permanent dye, because the semi does fade to something closer to my natural color, and it doesn't damage my hair as much

If it doesn't work for some people, it likely has more to do with their hair and body chemistry, than the color itself

I use to use an all over red color and pull through and bleach out highlights

I still use the dark brown but I layer it with the Mahogany Red Brown and it turns out a perfect dark rich BROWN (not black) for me

She also has an allergy to most dyes, and this is close to the only option

I don't need to touch it again until I need to touch up the roots, and sometimes all I do is cover the roots on the top of my head where most of the gray is