Waterstide, I do agree with you that red is a difficult colour to get just right, however my Mum was a red head and she went blonde. I had very dark black hair and now I have managed to go blonde now it has gone grey. Its my treat and I go every 6 weeks to the hairdresser to have it done. I am like that advert, No More Grey.....
You could always try a little blone on the front, but I would go to the hairdressers