how do you apply this?

I actually don't use this as directed. I have my own way of doing it. I do not use shampoo on my hair. Every few days I take baking soda, mix it with water and let it run through my hair and massage my scalp. On a daily basis I use ORS replenishing conditioner on my hair first. Sometimes I leave it on all night and sometimes I just put it on for 15 minutes. I then rinse this stuff out of my hair and apply the John Frieda brilliant brunette to my hair focusing on the lighter spots or any grey areas. I then massage it down to my scalp. I sometimes leave the john frieda on for five minutes or sometimes an hour depending on how much time I have. I have very long hair past my waist so I don't always take the product clear to the end of my hair. I do it every once in a while but I mostly focus on the top of my head. Then after the John Frieda sits on my hair I take my shower and rinse the John Frieda out of my hair and condition my hair with Nexxus Kerafix conditioner and rinse it out. I then put Argon oil on the very tips of the end of my hair which helps when I blow dry and curl it. I have been doing this routine for a few years and my hair is the healthiest it has ever been in my life. I also do some deep conditioners on my hair with olive oil a couple times a month and a mix with cayenne pepper in it to stimulate my roots which makes my hair grow.I never get split ends. My hair hardly ever falls out and it is very soft after I blow dry it. I get tons and tons of compliments on my hair. I buy 8 bottles of this John Frieda a month through the subscribe and save which saves me $3.00 a bottle instead of ordering it only when I need it.The John Frieda will leave a slight brown stain on your head. My hair is so long that it doesn't matter to me. The stain washes out when I use the baking soda or when I use the ORS replenishing conditioner. It is not permanent.Since I have been doing this routine I have not dyed my hair once since. I use to use the 28 day one that was not permanent. My little grey hairs get highlighted and it ads a really nice color to it. The directions on the bottle say to shampoo your hair then condition your hair while your in the shower. After you rinse the conditioner you are suppose to wring out the water and then apply the John Frieda from the root to the ends and leave on for three minutes.

I had this on subscription but haven't received it for months now. Has this product been discontinued by the manufacturer?

yes this item is no longer available the lest few left buy them if you need it they!

It covers my greys. I have a peppering of grey, not a ton, and it does a great job with that. I'm anticipating as I go more grey I will have to use permanent hair color. This was a great alternative to getting highlights to hide my greys, looks so much more natural and real.