Dying hair at home - first timer needs tips

[BanyanTree]

I am seriously thinking of dying my own hair at home. My hair is 3 inches below my shoulders, mid brown and wavy. According to my hairdresser it is about 30% grey and it is sporadic rather than a white line in my parting. I can only really see the grey when I put my hair in a pony tail and can see some at the front. I actually think it is more 10% grey.

I have had it dyed at the salon three times. It has cost between £90 and £150 (last time with some highlights). Every time I come out massively disappointed. I can still see the grey at the front and it feels really dry now.

I don't usually skimp on things, but am thinking about dying my own hair. I am now 16 weeks post last salon dye and TBH I only need a touch up round the front.

I have never dyed my hair before so need a few tips, especially with relation to medium/ dark brown hair. In the past I have been told my hair is a nice colour. It is medium brown with quite warm tones. In the past the hair dresser has done a semi permanent colour and then added a bit of permanent at the front when I had a bit of a moan about still seeing the grey. I am also quite obsessed with shiny hair so would like to have a product that can add this in.

Can anyone recommend some hair products/ dyes that they use that they are happy with? I don't mind paying for a good product.

Loreal professional is the best I've used. Comes with a very precise applicator. Permanent colour will cover grey best. It can dry your hair out a bit so add a deep conditioner to your routine.

Try majirel dye - you need to buy online.
Lots of threads on here about it.

If you're a medium brown you'll probably need a dye starting with a 6.

As you only want to touch up your roots it'll be easier to do as you can mix up the quantity you need at home, rather than wasting lots from a shop bought pack. I use half a tube to cover my roots.

When the majirel is mixed with a cream peroxide it is much thicker than shop dyes, and really easy to apply with a tint brush.

Use vaseline round your hair line just in case you get some in your skin.

I do mine with Garnier Nutrisse and my hairdresser usually compliments it when she does my cut.About a fiver a box instead of £60 upwards.

Lush Henna. It's wonderfully conditioning.

uk.lush.com/products/henna-hair-dyes

Superdrug own brand hair dye is by far the best I've come across. Tried them all.

If any gets on your skin, baby wipes are your friend. Leave it in for half an hour more than it says in the box.

I second superdrug and loreal. The loreal casting creme gloss is semi permanent and you should be able to get a loreal preference in the same shade.

You need to pick a colour that starts with the number 6 if it is a loreal or superdrug one. That is a mid - dark brown.

Can you post a pic of the colour it is now? Obviously the blonde will go with the home dye.

I don't know much about henna but do know if you ever want blonde back in after henna it is an absolute nightmare so maybe something to think about if you opt for a henna dye.

6.7 might be a good colour to try

oops link www.superdrug.com/Superdrug/Superdrug-Colour-Sensations-Dark-Truffle-6-7/p/537107

Henna is great. Lush isn't the best tho and can be a pita to rinse out. The best stuff is BAQ henna ( body art quality). Have a look at henna sooq or henna for hair forum. You'll get brighter colour on your greys so they look like sparkly jewel lowlights and the rest will be shiny and full. Make sure you strand test first. For supplier I buy a baq organic henna on eBay.

I have to use henna as I have a ppd allergy

Excuse my ignorance on this but I have to ask. Isn't Henna for dying your hair a red colour? I have images of elderly men whose grey hair has gone pink because of the Henna dye.

Please prove me wrong!

Go lighter than you think. Try dark blonde. Anything with "warm" in the name means it has red tones.

I used to spend that much on colour. I swapped to home dye and although mostly ok I had a few disasters and also had build up of colour. It's tricky to do your own roots without colouring your whole head of hair. Now I just go to my local granny salon, they use the same stuff, do a great job and cost £35.

If you can still see grey when you've had it professionally coloured, your hair may be resistant to colour. Mine is so the salon know to leave it for an extra 10 minutes and always check it with a comb before rinsing off.

It comes in different shades of red, brown and black according to which vegetable additives the blend contains. (Indigo and so on). Not like the old fashioned henna I can remember staining muyself orange with 25 years ago. There was a henna enthusiasts thread around here somewhere.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2591625-LUSH-henna-why-has-it-took-me-so-long-to-find-this-fabulous-stuff

If it's your first time Vidal Sassoon do a brilliant home hair dye and covers grey. You get a good brush and mixing pot and guidance and decent gloves! . I've home dyed since I was about 16 and always had compliments from hair dressers.

Another option is finding your local salon academy (if you are in London try the Vidal Sassoon one!) cheap as chips and they supervise and can recommend the best colour if you are nervous.

Only use henna if you plan to do it long term as you cannot use any other home dye until it completely grows out. I henna now only because I have a very sensitive scalp now and you need to have a whole day free if you have grey hairs. Also I use a two step method which helps cover the bastards!

Another tip is open the packet in the shops and read the instructions and check the packets to see what you get. Most will have a guide to show you what colour you can expect on the outside.

If need be buy a hair dye brush as well to help you if its not in the kit as it will help you get the mixture on all the hairs.

OK, here is the hair. Hope no one recognises me from the back .
I think it is quite hard to dye as it has a few highlights but my hair does go lighter like that anyway in the sun. I am also thinking of doing a Keratin treatment as I am a bit tired of the beach look hair.