Needed: tips (even obvious-to-you ones) on how to dye hair at home

[Anonymous]

I am hair-ignorant. I have always gone to a salon every 4-7 months to have my hair professionally dyed. I can't afford it anymore. Please tell me what I need to know to do this at home, beyond what's printed on the box. Even if you think it's obvious, it's not obvious to me - i can't even blow my hair out straight. In your tips, please include how to decide which shade to dye your hair (my hair is dark brown, I want to dye it dark brown and cover the greys), how to make it shiny like it is after I leave a salon, and how to avoid getting hair dye all over my body when washing it out in the shower. Thank you so much.

[Anonymous]

Do not get anything with "ash" in the color name. It will sometimes make greys green etc. Try something with a simple name like "medium brown". I have found that the color comes out a touch darker than you would think. Have your DH help if possible, it can get messy. I always section my hair to do it b/c my hair is very thick! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Go a shade or two lighter than you think you want. Dark brown can come out really dark at home.
Search makeupalley.com for hair color brands -- lots of reviews and tips on brands and colors.

[Anonymous]

Be very careful about getting the solution anywhere. The stains don't show up until later. From just combing the color through my hair, I have little specks of color on my bathroom walls that I never noticed until later. Use bleach cleaner asap to remove the stains.

[Anonymous]

concentrate it up toward your roots as opposed to the ends which are drier and will absorb more color.

[Anonymous]

Dab vaseline around your hairline to create a barrier for your skin.

[Anonymous]

I have dark hair and find that using "medium brown" alone leaves a reddish tint that i hate. My salon stylist told me to use mix medium brown with an ash brown to combat those red tones. Seems to work somewhat, but a few weeks later I do find it looks reddish. I'm using the ammonia-free L'oreal or garnier nutrisse boxes so maybe that is the problem!

[Anonymous]

If you do get dye on your forehead or other skin, you can use Windex to get it off. That's what my salon hairdresser uses, and I just tried it at home when I dyed my roots. I don't know if it helps on bathroom surfaces, though.

[Anonymous]

Put an old towel/rag on the floor of the bathroom. I have started just staying in the bathroom while the dye sets so I can go topless while I apply the dye.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who dyes her hair when traveling for work so as not to mess up her bathroom at home. LOL