Newbie to home hair dye - no idea what I am doing - advice please!

[CaptainCaveMum]

I’ve only had it done in a salon but I really can’t afford it any more so I’m going to have to bite the bullet. I normally get a sort of chestnut colour with lighter highlights in it, I’m pretty sure I won’t achieve that but just a basic all over colour would be better than my grey roots.

What equipment do I need? Will I stain the sink or bath? Will I ruin the towels? What are the best brands? What are the worst mistakes?

Follow the instructions to the letter.
Try a semi-permanent one to see if you like it. They last about 24 washes but fade out gradually.
If you have highlights normally you might find the colour a bit flat. I think my hairdresser said to look for a multi tonal colour if I wanted to dye mine.

It can be a bit messy so wear old clothes and use an old twel.

Follow the instructions, including doing the patch test in advance.

I generally dye my hair in old underwear with my dedicated dye spattered towel.

Take your time. Be gentle working the dye through your hair. Once you've finished applying the dye, wipe any dye off your skin around your hair line, shoulders etc.

I've found that it doesn't dye my bath, sink or tiles. I once managed to get a spot of dye on some carpet, which eventually faded after much use of Vanish powder.

Despite rinsing for ages, I find that more dye washes out after the first normal wash, so I use tatty dye towel then too.

It is easy, you just need to be methodical and careful.

Vaseline around your hairline before you apply dye can help with stains. Don't apply all over if it's root regrowth. Refresh length and ends for last 10 mins by working through the dye and applying any left over.

Vaseline around the hairline, neck and ears!

I also went from salon to home dye (& now back again) and my hairdresser told me to use semi or demi perm colour as it is kinder to the hair (was covering & growing out damaged over bleached hair)

So I’d stick to semi/demi perm as apparently it doesn’t strip or overload the hair as much especially if you’re dying on a reasonably frequent basis eg covering greys (although I am not a hairdresser so hopefully someone more knowledgeable will correct if this is wrong!)

I did a fair amount of research before and used Casting creme gloss - it was very easy & quick to use and i was pleased with the results. I also remember Nice n Easy had high reviews.

I was so nervous but it’s really straightforward and I was always happy with the results. Back to blonde now but would use again!

Cross post... the Vaseline is a necessity tho imo (very clumsy so would have looked like a Lego head hairline without being able to simply wipe it off!)

Go straight to using Majirel- loads of info on here. Shade 5.3 is a chestnut brown.

It also a doodle to use as it mixes up to a thick consistency.

Watch some YouTube vids as everyone does it differently- then you can choose what suits you.

Thanks everyone. I think YouTube videos is probably a good idea.

Be careful of getting any on the floor. I usually use a cheap basic shower curtain to cover the floor, just in case of any drips. Dye is horrible to get out of flooring unless you catch it straight away.

@violetbunny that’s a really good idea. And solves the completely separate problem of how to clean Velux windows without damaging the carpet

The wonderful Danield Field Watercolours will cover greys (but won't make your hair go lighter). It literally saved my hair because it doesn't damage it (no peroxide) and has no PPD which is the dodgy chemical used in most other dyes. My hair colour looks great and the condition is my best ever, despite dyeing it every two weeks. I never miss an opportunity to big them up, because I am terrified that they may stop making it if not enough people buy it!