Share some ‘nice ‘n easy’ tips for at-home hair care - win a £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[RebeccaEMumsnet]

Have a tried-and-tested trick up your sleeve for DIY hair dying? Well, nice ‘n easy want to hear them! They'd like to know the things you do to get a great colour at home, every time.

Here’s what nice ‘n easy have to say: “To help you achieve your most amazing hair colour, we’d love to share with you some nice tips and tricks. Tip #1 : Apply petroleum jelly to your hairline, it prevents colour from staining your skin (Bonus: Dab a little onto your cuticles to soften them!). Tip #2: When your natural hair colour seems to be a distant memory, use your brows as a guide and stick within two shades lighter or darker for the most natural looking hair colour. Tip #3: when the time is up, just set your TV on record even if that’s your favourite program. Over-processing hair is a common colour mistake that ends in colour not being what you expected! These were only a few of the tips we got up our sleeves. What are yours?”

So - what advice do you have for hair dying newbies? Do you have a top tip for prepping your hair before colouring at home, or choosing the perfect shade for you? How about the best ways to prevent staining your skin, or clothes (or bathroom!) - and things to do to pass the time while the colour is on?

Whatever your tips and tricks are, add your comment below and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop gift voucher.

We’re also on the lookout for 5 Mumsnetters who are willing to film their hair dye tip or trick in action. If you would be happy to do this, please sign up here. Those selected will each receive a £100 voucher. More details will be sent.

thanks
MNHQ

Standard insight T&Cs apply

Baby wipes to remove the dye on your skin. I also have cotton balls and nail polish remover to remove any dye on walks, sink or floors etc. Removes it perfectly.

I used to use the carrier bag over the hair whilst the colour was coming out as well.

If you've got hair that takes ages for blonde to come out if you blow-dry your covered in a bag hair the blonde will come out quicker and not be orange.

Vasaline all around your hairline.

Condition your hair after and again wrap a plastic bag around it for a hour or so.

Old t shirt on and wet flannel for dyed ears at the ready!

No one else in the house and hours to yourself...then you don't feel so self conscious and stupid with a plait bag on your head.

I always moisturise my hand thoroughly first, then if my gloves split or you get splashes they don't stain.

Always wear an old top which can be thrown away afterwards, ask a friend to apply the colour and have plenty of baby wipes to hand to remove any colour that gets on your skin.

Don't panic! Leave the dye on the recommended time and don't be tempted to wash it off early!

Get a normal paintbrush (small size, of course) and a clean plastic bowl of a bigger pot of yoghurt, cream cheese, etc. You can throw it away after dying your hair as cleaning things afterwards could cause a bigger mess. If drops of colour fell to the white cupboards in the bathroom, and left spots on it, try a few drops of domestos on the spots for a few minutes.

Get someone to put it in for you.
Once applied, wipe around sink: I always come back to find sink splattered with brown bits of dye 20 mins later when it's time to rinse off. I don't see the splashes at first because the dye gets darker with time.

Vaseline on the back and tops of your ears as well as the hairline.

Once the dye is on, whack a carrier bag over your head. That way no dye will go on your sofa or wherever you sit and wait for it to do its magic!

Wear a vest top or something with a low neckline at the back, otherwise it can ride up and wipe of some of the hair dye of your hair and spread it onto your neck bitter experience
Old towels everywhere.
Proper decent latex gloves that come in boxes of 100, much better than any you get in home hair dye kits
Finally, I was told colour removes colour so if you end up with a streak of dye, when you wash it out with shampoo to begin with, rub it over where the streak is. I have to say as mad as it sounds it does actually work.

Buy a mixing bowl and long handled dye brush from boots/superdrug. Brush means you can get all of the tiny hairs around your temples and hairline and the tip of the handle helps to part your hair.

Split one box contents into two- mix half of developer/cream in your bowl, keep the other halves in their bottles/tubes until next time= two root top-up applications for the price of one

Don't ask your bridesmaid to dye your hair 2 days before your wedding - too much pressure!! (it looked fine, thank goodness!)

Yes to vaseline, better gloves and old clothes. When you've rinsed it all off ring your hairdresser to book an appointment.

Always do a skin/strand test. Time it too... There's nothing more damaging to your self-esteem than hating your coloured hair!

If your dyed hair turns out a bit brassy/yellow, you can always use a silver semi-permanent toner to soften it. I did this recently and was so happy with the results - I feel 10 years younger!!

Get a friend to help
Buy a box of disposable gloves, they are better quality than the ones that come with the kits

Wash it off in the shower. My younger sister insists on leaning over the bath and using the shower attachment which is a right faff. I think much easier to use the shower.

Once you've coloured your hair don't wash it again for a couple of days to allow the colour to set. However if you feel the colour is a bit dark for you you can lighten it by washing your hair with head and shoulders.

Do a test strand first in case you hate it!

Old towels all over the floor and baby wipes on stand by for any splodges!

Use old scruffy towels and put Vaseline around your ears and forehead to prevent staining.

Test strand/patch also important to check you're not allergic!

1. Turn on taps for a lovely relaxing bath
2. While bath is running apply dye following instructions.
3. Have a nice relaxing bath for 45 mins (I have a lot of grey)
4. Rinse dye off and condition under shower.

Get everything ready beforehand!