Stupid question about hair dye

[Deleted]

I know this will seem really stupid. I have been putting off the inevitable for long enough and I need to start dying my hair.

I would rather do it myself to save the money and the time spent at the hairdresser. But I can't figure out how the dye can stick to my grey hairs yet not stain / ruin the fixtures or grout in our (relatively new bright white) bathroom.

[Deleted]

Thank you Lonewolf! That was my fear. I'd rather pay for it to be done professionally than trash our new bathroom.

So how do all these women do it at home?!

[seahorse]

I did it at home a couple of times and it was very messy! I stained the towel, the clothes I was wearing, and everything I came in contact with. Plus I dripped in a few places in the bathroom and didn't realize it until it had dried so there were spots on the floor. I had a friend come over and help me last time. It went a bit smoother but was still very, very messy.

[sarcasticgirl]

I've been doing it myself for 15 years, i have super thick, long curly hair and it is $$$ to have it done at the salon.

i have a "hair coloring" t-shirt and a special towel set aside for the job these are the only things that get stained.

my bathroom is all white and i have no issues. if you wipe up a spill within a few minutes of it happening, there's no stain.

ask around, you might have a friend who can help you... for those who can't do it themselves without making a huge mess, this is usually a great option.

[Deleted]

i have a "hair coloring" t-shirt and a special towel set aside for the job these are the only things that get stained.

my bathroom is all white and i have no issues. if you wipe up a spill within a few minutes of it happening, there's no stain.

I've been coloring my own hair since HS and I usually wipe down the bathroom while the color is doing it's thing. Sometimes I color it just before I jump in the shower, so no need for the t-shirt!

[973beachbum]

Nov 28, 2011 12:12:51 GMT -5 @beerwench said:

i have a "hair coloring" t-shirt and a special towel set aside for the job these are the only things that get stained.

my bathroom is all white and i have no issues. if you wipe up a spill within a few minutes of it happening, there's no stain.

I've been coloring my own hair since HS and I usually wipe down the bathroom while the color is doing it's thing. Sometimes I color it just before I jump in the shower, so no need for the t-shirt!

I skip the Tshirt entirely too. I take a big black plastic garbage bag and cut holes in it for my arms and legs. I wear that while I am coloring my hair and after it is ready to risne out I just rip the bag off and throw it in the trash and jump in the shower. I have never had it stain anything.

I do try now and get the ones that say gel or mouse/ no drip though. They are a little easier to work with. HTH ;D

[Deleted]

Well, you have to wait between 20 and 40 minutes depending on the brand you use.

[Deleted]

Thank you for all your comments, they are greatly appreciated! I was amused to see that some people make a mess and others don't. I would definitely be in the "make a mess" camp. And I learnt some great tips, like the garbage bag, the gel or mousse, and doing it right before getting into the shower. Thanks!

I think I will try it myself, but in the "old" bathroom, not our new bathroom. I teach at a university so I will have a long break at Xmas, I think I'll try it then. I'll let you know what happens!

ETA: The thought of doing it outside would be tempting, but certainly not in these temps LOL.

[paynointerest]

I color my own hair and haven't had any problems with staining. Here are my tips (which are similar to others).

#1. I bought an old front zip sweatshirt at Goodwill and just wear that when I dye my hair.

#2. I always have soft scrub with bleach on the counter and a sponge so if I do spill hair color I can clean it as soon as I'm finished adding the color and am waiting my 30-40 minutes.

#3. I open up the instructions and lay them out over the sink/counter so they catch any color that may drop while I'm adding it to my hair.

#4. I always take a shower to rinse my hair. That way I get the color out and then I enjoy the warm water while I have the conditioner in for 2 minutes.

#5. I always use old towels to dry my hair after I get out of the shower.

#6. When I'm done with my gloves I take them off so they are "outside in" and throw them in the coloring box.

I hope this helps!

[Deleted]

I've been doing my own hair for decades at home...

I put an old beach towel on my oak floor in front of the vanity/sink area in my main bathroom. My counter is white marble-looking like material that occasionally gets a drop or smudge on it, but wipes away easily and doesn't permanently stain it. I take my time, use a big pink comb to part my hair a half inch at a time and when I'm done take the gloves off inside out like another poster mentioned, put them in the box with the empty bottles and toss. I wrap my head in an old towel I've designated as my 'hairdye towel' that I keep in a seperate cupboard in my laundry room and I wear my dh's old t-shirts that I also keep in that same cupboard, that he doesn't wear anymore. My dye takes 25 minutes to cure so I have a cup of coffee and read on my laptop while it's doin' it's thing, then I jump in the shower and after rinsing, shampooing and conditioning with the pack they give you with the dye......done!

Easy peasy, and saves me at least a thousand bucks a year...granted it's not as strong as the salon solution but it does what I need it to..cover my grays, and turn them back into blonde...lol.

[thyme4change]

I'll give you another hint - those celebs with household names that advertise for home-dye don't actually use home-dye kits. They go to really expensive stylists who use very expensive products. It is outlandish to think that Sarah Jessica Parker will spend $1200 on a pair of shoes, and makes her living by looking awesome, but does into Walgreens and spend 8 bucks on hair dye and sits around in her 2 million dollar house squirting that shit on her hair.

[Deleted]

OMG Thyme! You mean I won't look like Sarah Jessica Parker when I'm done?! LOL

I really appreciate all the tips and I have taken note of them. But the situation is stable (ie no more grey hairs than I already had) so I'm hoping to try out the garden suggestion in late spring.

I figure if I do that two or three times while it's warm enough, by then either I'll be less clumsy and able to do it in my bathroom, or I'll know that I should bite the bullet and pay a hairdresser. But the grey doesn't seem to be getting any worse these days so I've been holding off.

Bella I'd be terrified of dripping onto my laptop LOL.

It looks like I inherited my mom's hair, my sister has been dying her hair since she was in her early 30s. She got our mom's boobs though. You can't have everything.

[Deleted]

Debthaven: Huh?! Drip on my precious, new! Laptop??? Never!

Hehehe...hence the wrapping of the towel!

[Deleted]

Not a stupid question at all! I do the same thing a couple others have mentioned. I have 2 old towels & a washcloth that are used only for hair coloring. One towel to cover the floor, one to wrap up in (my bathroom is cold!), washcloth to wipe up any drips, use creme or gel hair colors to reduce dripage.

If you are coloring blonde, if you miss wiping up a spot it will turn a bit purple, but still seems to be removable without staining (assuming your grout is sealed). My DD dyed a friend's hair a very dark color at my house & they were not so careful - it took soft scrub with bleach to get the stain off the floor.

[Deleted]

Get some old towels and cover the sink and floor. put on some old clothes. Glop on the hair color and put on a shower cap. Then, wait and get in the shower. It shouldn't stain the shower.