Any suggestions, brands..

Personally I prefer professional dyes & developers that I get from a hairdressing wholesaler or you can get from Sally's Hair & Beauty, who have stores worldwide.
This way you can choose a developer that is probably less harsh, but more appropriate for what you want to achieve.
Store bought box dyes usually contain a genetic strength developer.

That said, if you want to use a store bought dye, L'oreal have brought out a mousse dye that involves no pre-mixing and no waste as you can keep and re-use it.
The mousse is good because its easy to apply and less likely to drip or run down into the base.
http://www.loreal-paris.co.uk/hair-colou...tAodHU4Aig

Timing wise, Just For Men have recently brought out a dye that stops working after it has reached the chosen, desired colour, called AutoStop.
One problem can be that if you are slow at applying the dye, it can take you longer than the recommended developing time and become too dark.
This new JFM product prevents that happening.

Once you've dyed a system, be prepared for the hair fading faster than it would normally.
This fading will speed up, the more you dye it and you can get into a vicious circle.
Once you've dyed it, use colour protecting products and sunscreens.