I am originally a mousey brown then dyed it blonde (bleached I think) but have decided I want to be red.

I have used 2 Live XXL Red Colours and both have faded after one a few washes (they were permanent colours not wash out).

Do I need to dye my hair dark blonk or brown before the red can stay. I really can't afford to go to a salon so want to do it at home.

Red is the hardest colour to keep in your hair. I dye my hair, from time to time with L'Oreal reddish blond, turns out a bit darker then it is supposed to because my hair is blond/grey. I can trust it to fade over the month to what the colour is supposed to be which is alight reddish blond.

MIne stays for more then two washes though. Why don't you try L'Oreal.