anef: (Default)
anef ([personal profile] anef) wrote2020-04-15 11:02 am

Things to do at home while you're in lockdown - dyeing your hair

Not being fond of having grey hair I've had coloured hair for a while, but I've always been able to rely on professionals to provide it, most lately my excellent hairdresser Ian.  This was my first attempt at DIY, and an exciting adventure for me.  Ian had in fact sent me a note of the shades that he uses, but I suspected I should stay off the professional dyes and get something formulated for amateurs. 

I also didn't spend a huge amount of time selecting the shade, because let's face it, it wasn't going to be exactly what was shown on the box anyway.  Ian uses Schwartzkopf dyes, so I chose one that looked about right (Mango Twist, if anybody is interested).

So after watching some YouTube videos two or three times and following all the instructions about patch testing and strand testing, and taking advice from T who has Experience (vaseline your ears!), I set to it. 

What I learned:

Dye Gets Everywhere!
Vaseline your ears (and all round your hairline).
A shower cap is probably a good investment, or worth nicking from a hotel room the next time you are at a convention (I had to tie my hair up in a Sainsbury's bag to let the dye take)
A silicone pastry brush is probably not as great as a brush actually designed to put dye on your hair

Anyway, I'm very pleased with the result.  It's very bright, but as T says, subtlety is overrated, especially in lockdown.  I will post a picture as soon as I can get one that I'm happy with.
athenais: (Default)

[personal profile] athenais 2020-04-15 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh that sounds delightful! I look forward to the photo. Yes! Dye gets everywhere, you need to vaseline or coldcream your hairline and ears. I just have given up on dying my hair, I'm too grey now and the roots are visible in about 10 days. But I don't love the cool color on me.