Advice please! First box hair dye

[Elbie79]

I'm really hoping to access the Mumsnet hive mind for home hair dye advice

After having a baby this year my hair has gone way more grey than before. I can no longer hide it with artful lowlights and tinted hairspray. I've thought about giving in to grey, but I'm not ready yet. But it's very important to me to be well turned out so I definitely need fuller coverage if I'm not to have a silver stripe down my parting.

I can't commit to the time or expense of a salon visit sufficiently frequently for the coverage to be professionally done. Therefore I've come to the conclusion I need to do it home. I have never ever done this before and I'm really worried about making a mistake and looking a mess. I've read so many blogs and articles, but I'm just not clear how to make the important key choices.

I have in mind to use semi-perm to start with so any missteps are relatively short-lived. But other than that, where ON EARTH do I start?! Which brand? How to match the colour (I'm mid/dark brown)? Is there a way to achieve natural looking nuance rather than complete block colour? I've seen other threads refer to mixing colours etc I just wouldn't have a clue!

Any suggestions or advice most gratefully received! No tip too basic! Thank you MN.

I like L'Oréal casting creme in chocolate 535. You'd have to check the box to see if the before/afters are what you have/want.

Always gave me nice shine, and volume. I found it a port in a storm (lockdown hair!) And it covered my baby-greys (thank you, dc1!)

Don't mix box dye especially on your first expedition. Just follow the instructions to mix and apply with the gloves.

Casting creme fades gradually and I don't have a harsh line of colour. I would go for near your natural shade to begin with. I didn't find mine to " solid" looking either, but my hair is dry and porous so I only leave it for the minimum time as other wise it develops too far and I look a bit Morticia Adams!

Home dyes almost always come out darker than they look on the box. If in doubt get the lighter shade and do a strand test underneath.

Just wanted to second that they definitely come out darker. I always find that even the semi permanent never completely wash out either so I always end up with roots, however it does fade so it is quite subtle. I also got into a situation where it built up on the ends of my hair, making them way too dark....my fault for being lazy and not doing the roots first. I have given up now to be honest and just embraced my grey bits.

Thank you so much everyone! Really helpful!

@Popopopo

Just wanted to second that they definitely come out darker. I always find that even the semi permanent never completely wash out either so I always end up with roots, however it does fade so it is quite subtle. I also got into a situation where it built up on the ends of my hair, making them way too dark....my fault for being lazy and not doing the roots first. I have given up now to be honest and just embraced my grey bits.

By not doing your roots first do you mean that when applying semi-perm after the first time you need to put it on your roots, then apply again all over your head? So your roots get a double coating and blend better with the already dyed lower hair? Sorry if this is obvious.

Put it on the roots/where the grey is only to start with, and then comb it through to the ends for the last 5 mins if you don’t want it too solid.
If you have thick/long like me then you need 2 boxes.
Don’t skip the skin test, pregnancy can make you more sensitive.

Shades that start at a 4 are darkest brown, I’d go for something with a 5 or 6.

Sounds just like me! I bought a roots only box dye from wilko of all places and two boxes cover my greys. Just apply to roots and then comb down to about level with ears to blend.

This is all brilliant.

I use Clairol nice n easy semi permanent - as others have said go a shade lighter than you think

I echo going one shade lighter than you think, and also one shade less warm. I find a lot of box dyes come out very red, so I try and find one that’s as ashy as possible to end up with a neutral result.

From the practical side, use clingfilm. Wrap your head up while the colour sets - saves a lot of mess and anxiety.

I like a super drug perm dye which takes 10 mins. I have some of the brushes from root kits that I’ve kept and sometimes now use half a pack at a time mixing in a pot then saving rest. Realised root packs were twice as expensive for less dye. I would say ensure you cover yourself in old towels and do it in a good light. My only disaster once was having a darker half head of hair which meant I just dyed the rest later. With thick hair done haven’t taken at all esp John Frieda. Goodluck

I use permanent box to cover grey. The best one I found was Josh Wood - you get a box of dye and a colour shot to add to it which add depth of colour. But....since the pandemic they haven't been on a good deal in Boots so cost too much!!

So....I tend to get either whichever is on 3 for 2.....that way you don't forget which colour you've bought when you come to do the next box....I always forget my colours. You can be organised and snip the lid of the box off and tuck it somewhere safe to take shopping next time.

I also like the Nutrisse. It is pretty idiot proof. Just make sure you have enough. Put some moisturiser around your hair line to discourage staining.
Wear and old T-shirt or no top.
When you apply the colour as others have said you are going to do the roots first. start at your parting, then the hair line. Then go along in straight lines from the parting - both ways. Then do the back.....I start with the underneath and work up.
I usually find that by the time I've done the roots I just wack what's left on the ends.
Cover with a disposable shower cap.
Wipe off any stains - check your ears and behind your ears, the back of your neck as well as what you can see. If the stain won't loft rub in a little bit of the dye off your hair and it will.
Should have said earlier - don't forget to wear the gloves!!
Rinse off in the shower....add a tiny bit of water then lather up.
You can shampoo but don't have to.
Then condition
Then clean all the dye streaks from the bathroom!!

I have dark brown hair with quite a few grey sparkling strands. I hate going too dark or getting orange/red tones. I use Nice and Easy medium brown number 765. Last 15 washes.

My hair is past shoulders and I buy two bottles. Tip the whole lot into a mixing bowl, mix it and apply to my roots with hair dresser roots brush. I then section my hair and use my gloved hands to liberally apply the rest. Wait 15 mins and rinse. The colour and conditioner is fabulous. Glossy swishy hair. Permanent dye wrecks my hair and goes dull IMO.

Thank you again everyone for all your tips - I had my first go today! I love the result - very swishy and smooth. Good coverage without being block colour.

The box said to wet hair first - that meant I couldn't see the grey very well when applying, but it turned out ok by taking the sectioning approach suggested above.

It took quite a long time to apply and I didn't know when to start timing. If timing from the beginning I'd have been washing it out as soon as I got to the end! So I did it from when I'd finished applying, but that might be why it's quite dark (as well as always being darker like PPs said). The bottom of my (quite long) hair got very tangly while sectioning parallel to my parting so I couldn't comb the mixture through with the wide toothed comb I was using, so might look for a brush solely for this purpose. Although adding another half a bottle (I used 1.5 in total) to the ends and rubbing in vigorously seemed ok (although perhaps true test of how it all worked will be bright sunlight and an honest friend!)

Lastly - YES to those who mentioned mess! Wish I'd put towels on the floor as well as everywhere else - now off to google what will get dye out of painted floor boards!

Thanks again lovely Mumsnetters!