Home hair dye recs for a self dye virgin!

[FauxFox]

I need my hair dyed to cover grey and even up the tone to an all over bitter chocolate instead of the current sun lightened version. I want it all shiny and swishy and soft. I have no time to go to a salon and am considering doing it myself for the first time ever...which brands are easiest to use and get even results? Any tips I need to know?

Help me! I have events to go to on Thurs, Fri and Sat and I never normally go anywhere exciting! I want to look my best and my hair is currently just not!

Personally I go blonde so no recommendations for colour, but I would say avoid the Mousse type dyes at all costs - I have been colouring my own hair for about 15 years, used one of them and it all went horribly wrong (only time I've ever had a hair dye disaster). My personal favourite for soft shiny hair is Nutrisse ammonia free and it doesn't smell anywhere near as bad as most of the others :)

The only advice i have is DO A SKIN TEST FIRST!

Thanks RockChick - i'm thinking of trying Garnier Nutrisse creme in Cocoa...will do a patch test today then go for it on Thursday morning with fingers and toes crossed I don't mess it up! yikes!

Ah?
Well the colours are often much darker than they seem on the cover.
My mother uses either this or this
They are v natural imo

Don't worry 2dogs I have seen enough news stories with people with heads swollen up like footballs not to risk doing it without a test first

I had heard that could be the case perry, I want it very dark brown (was considering blue/black but am too scared to do that myself!) I just do not want ginger/red so as long as I avoid that, get an even colour and cover the grey i'll be happy!

If you go for the 116 natural light brown nice n easy it's a dark chocolate colour without red in it

I did mine with the John freida mousse dye and have to say is the best due I have ever used. Doesn't drop and is a whole lot easier to apply than liquid due. If you want to go darker don't use blue black, I have never used a dye and not been surprised at how much darker it is. If you want dark I'd go for a natural dark brown.

Using the JF Mousse I have had so many people comment On how they like hair colour. I used 6G.

Thanks madame sounds like good advice!

The other question I have is will 1 box be enough? My hair is not particularly thick or thin but is almost long enough to reach my armpit - does that warrant 2 boxes or can I spread 1 box out iyswim?

I use Nice & Easy. My hair is shoulder blade length and I use one box (to the last dregs). The N&E conditioner is very good, very soft and swishy and you get enough for several washes after.

I agree with madame, it always seems to come out darker. May be that's because it take so long to put it on long hair? By the time I've done the back the front has had most of its 30mins?

Thanks Abzs I think i'll go with 1 box then!

I agree that they tend to come up darker on hair than the box.

I've used various brands, was recommended Superdrug own brand as being the best on a S&B thread, tried that and have used it ever since. It seems exactly the same to me, but half the price- often they have a deal on where it is buy 2 for a few pounds, might be worth it if your hair is below shoulders

You won't need two boxes as you really only need to cover roots each time and you get "build up" on rest unfortunately (even though 'end protectors' included in pkt)

A top tip someone gave me was to always match as close as poss to your eyebrow colour (before they go grey obviously)

I find L'Oreal Excellence range good but will definitely check out J Frieda range when back in UK

Just had another thought- if you have got fairish skin, it really is worth putting vaseline around your scalp before applying dark hair dye so you don't dye your skin

Thanks captain will do!

If you can be arsed with the mess, the Lush henna dyes are excellent. Leaves my hair really shiny and the colour is great. It also has the benefit of not having loads of chemicals that may dry your hair out. It's a bit of a faff to apply the first time to be honest, but I think it's worth it.

What are "end protectors"? I've never heard of them.

Belle Colour is a fantastic colourant. i have tried so many.

Is henna not red/orange toned though arthur? I look gross with reddish toned hair sadly.

Another vote for buying a colour several shades lighter than the one you actually want. It's far, far easier to go darker next time than lighter if it's not the shade you were hoping for.

XXL bittersweet chocolate!! Love that colour! and it always always looks fab!

i have 40 pct grey at front and use majirel 5.34 (sallys or ebay)

Looks like you have a lot of different recommendations, confused?..
then i'll add another thats good for grey hair like ours - Castings creme gloss by L O'real, and afterwards use Elvive colour protect conditioner to maintain the colour, ending with a last cold rinse, makes your hair well shiney!

Have to say i've been dyeing my hair for over 29 years using various brands throughout, the only one that has ever given me a reaction is XXL, Sorry modified.

There are a few colours OP, dark browny black is one of them. I think it's called noir. There's also a lighter brown shade and a couple of reddy ones.

Thanks for your help everyone...Right well i'm going to try Garnier Nutrisse in Cocoa (dark brown) and see how it goes! If I like - great, if not i'll make a list of the other recs here to chose from next time...wish me luck!