How I Ombre My Hair

Hey everyone!
I was dying my hair yesterday when I thought I'd photograph how I do it, just in case anyone was interested. I'm in no way an expert, this is just how I do it and I'm probably doing a million things wrong, but it works for me! Also be aware that my hair, especially at the ends, is super dry from years of bleaching it and dying it all crazy colours, and it's only recently that I've been growing it out, so it looks pretty dry.
Anyway, here's what I do:

You will need:

1. An old t-shirt (I used an old t-shirt of my boyfriend's).

2. Your bleach of choice (I used Garnier Nutrisse Multi-Lights Highlighting Kit in 1, which I got from Boots but can't find on the website).

3. Some conditioner (I use James Brown Photo Fabulous Moisturising Conditioner).

4. A hair smoothing treatment (I used Lee Stafford Argan Oil).

5. Tinfoil/ aluminium foil for any Americans.

6. A book to read while the dye sets (I read Michael Chabon's Manhood for Amateurs).

This is my hair before I died it - you can see my natural hair colour roots creeping in - I plan to leave them to grow in, see what my hair colour is. Since I haven't seen it since I was 13! I put on my old t-shirt: 

Then I mix my dye according to packet instructions and wearing the gloves provided. If you haven't used the dye before, a skin test is recommended. But since this isn't going on your scalp, I don't know if it applies. Better to be safe than sorry!

I don't bother using the spatula or comb provided. Using my gloves, I separate my hair in half, making sure I get it all. Then, one piece at a time, I rub the dye through, up to the point I want the ombre to begin. Because I want a softer, faded ombre effect rather than a harsh line, I rub my hair between my hands at the join between natural and dye. Then I apply more dye as I go further down towards the tip, with most at the tip. Here's how ridiculous I look!

Not as ridiculous as in the next step though! I wrap my dyed tips in tinfoil. This means that if my hair rubs against anything, it will only be more dyed hair, and it won't rub off. It also intensifies the dying process, as you'll know if you've had highlights at the salon before. 

Then I read my book for half and hour:

Then I wash the dye out, using a healthy amount of conditioner and leaving it to rest on my hair for 5 minutes. If your hair is really dried out, you can put conditioner on, wrap your hair in clingfilm and sleep in it over night as a sort of homemade deep conditioning treatment. I just washed out as normal, towel dried and applied my argan oil. Then I let my hair dry naturally, as I'm trying to avoid using heat. Then I applied more argan oil to my dry hair in the morning, and this is how it looked today:

My boyfriend says I look like a Vulpix, although I think he meant Ponyta. Yes, Pokemon. I am that cool.
Anyway, that's what I do to my hair! I only ombre my hair now because I get the ends trimmed every so often anyway so it doesn't really matter if they dry out. Although I do try to counteract it. Any tips for hair hydrating products I should try?

S xx