Please help me not mess up dyeing my hair!

[oopnorthlass]

Can anyone give me any advice for dyeing my hair at home for the first time?

So basically, I usually go to a hairdresser to get my hair dyed (I'm a brunette/dark blonde and have foils/highlights in the T-section, just a few shades lighter to make it blonde). However, this costs around 85 squid and we're trying to cut down on spending.

So I've decided to do it at home with a kit from now on. I've read the instructions and it all looks good, I'm just not sure about dyeing the bits that are already dyed ifyswim. So technically, the bits that need doing are the roots and the bits underneath the highlights (have decided to just do my whole head of hair with the kit to make life easier). So what about the bits that still have dye on them from my last trip to the hairdresser. If I dye over it with new dye will it look weird? Or will it go green?

Thanks!

[oopnorthlass]

Ooh, good advice, thanks. My hair is just longer than shoulder length and curly.

[ilovepowerhoop]

I dont use vaseline or a comb and use baby wipes to clean dye off skin around the hairline (and up my arms!). I put towels down on the carpet and wear an old t-shirt.

[oopnorthlass]

Brilliant, thanks all.

So it'll be OK to dye over my old dye? That was the thing I was most nervous about.

[oopnorthlass]

Bump, sorry.

[OneLittleLady]

The thing you have to watch when dyeing over old dye is that the colour doesn't end up too dark. Roots where the hair is 'virgin' will take the dye more strongly than the rest of your hair. Most kits will tell you to apply to the mid and end lengths of your hair first, wait ten to fifteen minutes (sometimes longer) before applying to the roots for the remainder of the time. If you're lightening your hair, you should ONLY apply to the regrowth, not the previously lightened area. Some people's hair reacts badly to it and can snap off!

I second the vaseline round the hairline, ears and neck and the babywipes, they seem to remove dye on skin better than anything else.

If you haven't already done one, I'd definitely suggest you doing a patch test, not only for the sake of your skin but also to test out the actual results of the colour.

[oopnorthlass]

Thanks OneLittleLady. But I'm now officially confused.

The kit says for hair that already been coloured, apply to the roots for twenty mins first, then the rest for ten mins. That seems to be the exact opposite of what you said.

[RedPencils]

Onelittlelady - every hair dye I've ever used says the exact opposite, roots first then the ends.

OP - it's really easy. I'm as ham-fisted as they come and I've had a problem. I can't believe how much time and money I've spent going to a salon in the past.

[oopnorthlass]

OK, I'm going to give it a go I think. Just can't afford hairdresser prices any more, and want to stay a lovely blonde.

BTW, if my hair does "snap off" I will actually shit myself BTW.

[OneLittleLady]

I was always always told to apply to the roots last as the fresh hair takes up more dye maybe I've been wrong all this time and what I was told (by a hairdresser I might add) was bollocks!.still my hair hasn't suffered for it so I shall carry on bravely

[ClartyCarol]

It's definitely the opposite otherwise you end up with huge colour build up on the mid to end sections.

OP - what dye and colour have you bought? Remember they always turn out darker than on the packet! Also the previously highlighted hair is likely to be more porous so will take up more colour.

[oopnorthlass]

Crikey, all again!

So, I've bought Loreal Paris no. 8 California. The colour on the packet is slightly lighter than my existing coloured hair, so I was planning on doing my roots and the other uncoloured bits of my hair for 20 mins first, then the coloured bits for 10, then it'd all match up. Those are the times from the box btw, I haven't just made them up.

[ilovepowerhoop]

the boxes do normally say roots first and then the rest of the hair for a shorter amount of time to prevent too much colour build up.

[ilovepowerhoop]

you would only really be at risk of snapping hair if you were bleaching it rather than a colour

[dustwhatdust]

Can I join in and ask a question please ? - sorry oopnorthlass, I hope you don't mind !
I have never dyed my hair myself before but have had highlights 8 months ago so they have grown out . my colour is ashbrown a kind of greyish brown with quite a few white hairs now, hence me wanting to start home dying now as i cannot leave it any longer .
What do you guys suggest make and colour wise and are there any tips for a colouring virgin ?
ps money is an issue therefore I am wanting to do at home only.

[ClartyCarol]

Oopnorthlass - ok so that colour is in the blonde range so is not going to make you go really dark. I've home dyed over highlights before and it was ok, the only thing I'd say is I've gone a lighter colour than my natural colour before and it went a bit orangey.

I dunno, I just tend to play it safe and go for a light brown (I have a box of L'Oreal Palma waiting to go on) and that comes out mid brown on me which is what I want. Dustwhatdust I'd say the same to you. If you want to keep your cool ash tones avoid the ones that say Warm whatever on the box and go for Ash something. Always remember go a shade lighter than you'd expect !

[oopnorthlass]

You're all amazing, I'm going to give it a go on Sunday. I did the skin test today, need to leave it 48 hours, but I haven't exploded in hives yet.

[ClartyCarol]

Good luck!

[dustwhatdust]

Thanks so much Clartycarol . I actaully hate the fact that my natural colour isnt dark brown but a kind of greyish brown, so wanting to change that .
do you have recommendations regarding what type of dye, as there are so many different types /boxes in Boots and superdrug ?

[poshbeaver]

I really like the John Frieda mousse dye, very easy to apply and lovely results (I think!)

[dustwhatdust]

Poshbeaver thanks for the recomendation .

[ilovepowerhoop]

dont buy john frieda at full price £11ish for 1 box! I only ever bought it when it was on offer

[ClartyCarol]

Dust - I mentioned upthread the L'Oréal dye I use, I think it's Preference, black box anyway. My roots come in nearly 100% grey now, depressing isn't it?! I find colouring hair a right faff but I'm not ready to wear
my grey with pride quite yet.

I found the mousse types hard to get away with but it's personal preference I guess.