How do I dye my hair at home without making a mess of the bathroom?

[LouLou198]

I've bought a brown box dye, never done this before so could use some Mumsnet wisdom. I only have a shower, no bath. Is it better for me to apply stood in the shower? If I wash it off whilst stood in the shower will the dye stain my skin/shower tray?
Thanks!

I use a children's party disposable table cloth (Star Wars so mostly black!) for the floor. Vaseline around forehead, neck and ears. Old clothes. Pastry brush to apply the dye. I do it every 3 weeks and I've only once got in a pickle when the lid somehow flew off during the mixture shaking stage!

During Covid l did mine at bathroom sink so l could use mirror. Then l washed it in the kitchen sink as l had the mixed tap. Really was fine. Not as messy as you think. Remember in the hairdressers they do it with you in a chair and there is no mess. I tried to copy that as best l could.

I put the hair dye on in front of the TV, am I really unusual?

Thank you everyone! It's done and no drama. It really was a lot simpler than I thought. I thought the dye would be runnier and messy, but it was quiet thick. I now have lovely shiny brown hair

Looks great @LouLou198

Which box dye did you use?

That's lovely. I'm glad you got along fine with it.

That's beautiful @LouLou198 !

Thank you! I am really pleased. @FayCarew it is Garnier nutrisse crème, shade 6N nude light brown.

A friend of mine tries to convince me to do mine using a mousse that apparently you just rub in and it gets everything covered with little mess.

I don't quite believe it, not with 100% grey, very thick hair, but if yours isn't like that maybe with looking for another time? She insists it's totally simple, doesn't need precision applying, but just rubbing in like shampoo.

(I can't see how this would cover thick hair though!!). But it does sound easy.

I still go to the hairdressers, but it's costing a fortune every 4-5 weeks. I'd like to believe her. But I'm not sure a box dye would be the right colour or as good as the hairdressers kind, but maybe it would. I also go somewhere that uses ammonia free colour as I itch less with that, and I don't know if home box dyes are ammonia free.

Yours looks great.

@BrunchMonster mine was dyed blonde, but found it too high maintenance with roots coming through so quickly, so I wanted a cheaper at home option. I have no grey but I am impressed how it has covered both my dark roots and the blonde so well. This shade is a little darker than my natural colour. It is just like applying shampoo. I will definitely do it again.

Thanks. You've done a good job. It looks natural and healthy.

so no applying with a little paintbrush sort of thing?

You can just scrunch it through and it covers it all? I know that it seems to take the hairdresser forever, sectioning it all the time, and painting each little bit, and I'm sure I couldn't be that precise, but if I could literally shampoo it in, that might be possible.

Vaseline all around your hairline, towels on the floor, and do it over the sink whilst looking in the mirror. I have to do my every 2 weeks because my bastard grey roots are so persistent and noticeable! (My hair is dark brown).

@BrunchMonster just followed the instructions and squeezed the applicator over my roots first, then put some on my hands and worked thorough the rest (with gloves on). I took my time and made sure there was plenty on and I had covered it all.

well that does sound quite easy, I guess!!

Just so many many layers of roots...

but it sounds like it's easier than I thought.

I love your colour, op