How to dye your own roots

[Joswis]

I've been dying my own hair for years. Although I don't always do a great job, neither have the hairdressers I've been to. I used to use a temporary dye, and recover it every two weeks. It stopped the ends from getting too dark, but kept the root regrowth down. Then they stopped making the dye I liked.

So I have switched to permanent dye. Every 3 or 4 months, I strip the colour and redye from scratch. But in the meantime, I want to retouch my roots, because at the sides, I am very grey.

So my question is, HOW do you do your own root cover, at the back of your head?

First there is the issue of SEEING the back of your head.

Secondly, how do you stop the ends of the rest of your hair hanging in the root dye?

[Joswis]

Dyeing!

[Rangoon]

I'm not sure about how you do the roots at the back other than arranging two mirrors - one in front and one behind to see the back. But why do you strip the colour every 3-4 month? I've had the colour stripped out of my hair once and it took months of extra moisturising conditioner and hair masks to get rid of the dryness. I only had the colour stripped because the salon changed the brand of colour they used and my hair came out too dark. If you only do the roots every time and keep to the same colour there is no need to strip out the colour. I am not sure about the rest of your hair hanging in the root dye because you just do the roots and the rest of the hair just stays there - I am guessing home permanent dyes might be runnier?

[sergeantmajor]

I do the back of the head by feel. I part the hair across the back horizontally and by pulling a little I can feel where the parting line is, and then I can feel the wet dye as I apply it. Then I part it 2 cm further down and do the same. I rub it around with my fingers at the back, in case I've missed bits. My hair has grown quite long with this years lockdowns but the dye doesn't seem to get on the length much. I use Daniel Field Water Colours which doesn't affect the condition of the hair anyway.

[Joswis]

@Rangoon

I'm not sure about how you do the roots at the back other than arranging two mirrors - one in front and one behind to see the back. But why do you strip the colour every 3-4 month? I've had the colour stripped out of my hair once and it took months of extra moisturising conditioner and hair masks to get rid of the dryness. I only had the colour stripped because the salon changed the brand of colour they used and my hair came out too dark. If you only do the roots every time and keep to the same colour there is no need to strip out the colour. I am not sure about the rest of your hair hanging in the root dye because you just do the roots and the rest of the hair just stays there - I am guessing home permanent dyes might be runnier?

Because if I don't take the colour out every now and then, the ends get very dark. Have only been able to have one haircut this year, so can't get the darker ends trimmed off.

The colour stripper doesn't shred my hair. I generally do 2 applications, condition it and it's fine. Next day I redye it and the colour then takes as if a 1st time application.

It's the root dyeing I am having problems with.

[Cornucopia55]

I was complimented by a hairdresser on my home root job recently - I use a dye brush to apply the colour to my roots, rather than just using the applicator bottle. I also use decent rubber gloves, not the disposable ones. I part my hair, drizzle a line of dye from the bottle, then use the brush to spread the dye thoroughly on that root section, using a gentle side to side motion, almost like gentle scrubbing but sideways. I continue that parting over the back of my head and go by feel. Using the brush really helps with coverage. I clip sections up when done. When it's all done, I use my fingers to massage the roots but I'm careful to avoid the ends. It has got a lot better with practice. I imagine a sort of grid over my head and can generally get it all covered.

I use Castings, which is semi-permanent, lovely, and leaves my hair in great condition.

So, I'm afraid I don't have any super tips except to use a brush and practise! Looking forward to hearing others' suggestions.

[Joswis]

I think you might be right, Cornucopia. It might just be a practise thing. I did use a brush and sectioned it, but found it really hard, not being able to see. I also think I might need to go down a couple of shades. That might be why the rest of my hair looks darker, once the root dye brushes against it.