How to Dip Dye Hair

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Hair dye is a great way to shake up your normal style and express your personality. Unlike standard dye jobs, dip dyes allow you to show off a new color while keeping your roots in tact. When done well, dip dyes can create beautiful gradients and interesting color contrasts.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Choosing Your Products

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  1. Before you start this process, it's best to give yourself some time to figure out the look you want to create. Look online for inspiration, and read reviews for different types of lightening and coloring products. Depending on the route you choose to go, your results may be permanent, so it's important to plan carefully!
    • You might choose to match your eyes or use another color that flatters your skin.
    • Alternatively, if there's a color you've always loved but that doesn't really flatter you, a dip-dye can be a great way to enjoy it without using it to frame your face. Just make sure you don't dip too deeply--keep it at the tips of your hair.
  2. If you have dark hair and want to achieve light-colored tips, this is a necessary step. You will need to bleach the dark color from your hair so the colored dye will take later in the process. [1] If you already have very light hair, or if you don't mind layering a color over your natural color, you can skip this step. [2]
    • Colored hair dyes sit on top of your natural hair color. For example, if you apply a pastel pink hair dye to very light blonde hair, it will show up pastel pink. However, it will be much more subtle and dark when layered on top of dark hair. [3]
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  3. You can find all sorts of funky colors online, and you can find most “normal” colors at your local pharmacy or beauty supply store. [4] You can even look at reviews online to see what other people have to say about the product, and how it looks on different colors and textures of hair.
    • Buy more hair dye than you think you will need. You do not want to run out with half of your hair left to dye.
    • Purchase some gloves as well. Hair dye will stain your fingers, so it’s best to keep them covered during this process.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Prepping your Hair and Workstation

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  1. It's easiest to keep your hair down while dip dying it, so you can see exactly where the color is going. This means that the dye will certainly get on whatever shirt you’re wearing, so make sure you wear an old one that you don’t care about. If you have a hairdressing gown or poncho of some sort, that will work as well. Wrap your neck with an old hand towel so you avoid staining your neck as much as possible.
  2. It’s easiest to dip dye your hair in your bathroom, because it has everything you need: a counter, water, and a mirror. You may want to cover up your counter, especially if it is a light color, to avoid any staining from the hair dye.
  3. You can dip dye only the very ends of your hair, or you can bring the dye three-quarters of the way up the shaft. It is completely up to you how much you want to color – just make sure you have enough dye! You can tie up any strands that you don’t want to dye in order to make the process easier.
    • Make sure you comb your hair thoroughly before starting.
    • Make sure that your hair is parted where it normally will be. The most foolproof way to dip dye your hair is to work with dry hair that is styled how it typically will be styled in your day-to-day.
    • The length of your hair will determine how much hair you can feasibly dip dye. Longer hair may require more dye while hair shorter than a bob may be difficult to dip.
  4. If you want your final color to be lighter than your natural color, you will need to bleach first. Bleaching your hair removes your natural pigment, so it will also create a more vibrant, bold finished color. [5] Follow the instructions on your particular product you've purchased. Apply it only to the sections that you want to color.
    • For more thorough step-by-step instructions regarding the bleaching process, click here .
    • Bleaching your hair will dry it out. After you're finished bleaching it, deep condition it to replenish some of the lost moisture. [6]
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Dip Dying Your Hair

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  1. Some hair dyes, like Manic Panic, can be applied to the hair directly out of the package. [7] Other dyes may need to be mixed. If you have a bold color and want to make it lighter, you can always add a conditioner to dilute the color. [8] If you want a color that you can’t find, you can always create it by mixing two different colored dyes.
  2. You can use a brush to paint it on the section, or you can “dip” it into a bowl filled with the dye, spreading it along the section of hair with your gloved hand. Concentrate the majority of the dye on the ends of your hair, making sure the tips are fully saturated. As you bring the dye upwards, use less dye so that it gradually fades into your natural color. Do this all over your head, being careful to dye the same length of sections. You want the color to be even around your entire head.
    Chris McMillan, Celebrity Hairstylist

    Choose hair color thoughtfully. "Hair color should look good. I don't care if you have subtle highlights or My Little Pony pink—hair should never look washed out. The color needs to be rich and shiny; if it's not, you need to try another color—or maybe another colorist."

  3. Blending the color into your natural hair is important. Apply the dye thickly to the ends of your hair to create a bold, solid color. When you're nearing the area of hair where the dyed hair will blend into your natural hair, use your finger tips to softly pull some of the dye up the strand, without saturating the hair. This will help the color slowly lighten, and it will help you avoid a stark line between the colored hair and your natural hair.
  4. This will heat up your hair and speed up the dying process. It will also prevent you from making a mess as the dye sits on your hair. However, this step is completely optional. [9]
  5. Check the color periodically to see if it is bright enough. With many colored dyes, the longer you let it sit, the brighter it will be. Just make sure to check the packaging for directions for your specific product. Remember, some dyes will fade gradually with washes, so if you don’t let it sit very long, you will get a paler color that washes out faster. [10]
  6. [11] Once you’ve let the dye sit for the required amount of time, you can rinse it out. Use cold water to remove all traces of the dye, and apply a conditioner to give your hair some moisture and shine. Don’t wash with shampoo, because it will be more likely to strip some of the dye out of your hair and lighten it. The less you wash your hair, the longer your dip dye will last! [12]
  7. Like shampoos, heat products can cause the color to fade more quickly. When possible, avoid using blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. If you do use them, make sure to use a heat protectant. Have fun styling your new dyed hair, experimenting with fun new styles to show it off. [13]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What do you do if something goes wrong?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Seek assistance from a friend or family member. If that doesn't work, get help from a professional stylist.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 24
  • Question
    What color looks best on brown hair? I was thinking blue.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Blue and brown could work, especially if your natural brown has cool undertones. Try holding some swatches up to your natural hair to see what color combinations you like. You can find these at beauty supply stores.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    I have black hair, and I want to dye the tips purple. Will the dye fade or not be able to be seen?
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.
    Ashley Adams
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Purple will barely be seen on black hair. If the dye does take, it will most likely be a very dark purple tint. If you want the purple to be vibrant, it would be better if you bleached your ends first, and then applied the dye.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 29
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      Tips

      • If you're using Manic Panic or another vegetable-based dye, you can leave it on for as long as you want without damaging your hair. The longer you leave it on, typically, the brighter the color will be and the longer it will last.
        Thanks
        Helpful 249 Not Helpful 31
      • Depending on how porous your hair is, some colors and brands will stay longer than others. If one color washes out or fades really quickly, don't be disheartened! Try playing around with different colors and brands over time to find which one holds best in your hair.
        Thanks
        Helpful 13 Not Helpful 3
      • Buy a deep conditioner and shampoo that is formulated for color treated hair. If you lightened your hair first, the bleaching process will have damaged the ends of your hair. Deep condition it regularly to avoid split ends.
        Thanks
        Helpful 17 Not Helpful 6

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • For Manic Panic or any similar brands, do not forget to put Vaseline all over any areas of skin along the hairline/face/neck that you do not wish to be dyed. Also, after dyeing, immediately rinse your hair with vinegar to set the color and condition. Sulfate-free shampoos will prolong temporary dye. Put a bit of the temporary dye in your conditioner. Wash hair as infrequently as possible, and in cold water.
      • Don't dip dye with kool aid or anything that will not fade or come out. This may require you to cut your hair for school or work. That is also why you should only dye a section of hair that you are willing to cut out.
      • It's a good idea to dip dye on dead ends, but keep in mind it doesn't look as nice on dead ends. Even if you don't like how it looks on dead ends, you can still cut it off, so it's not usually not a problem.
      • This can be really fun, because you can change it to different colours to see which ones you prefer with your original colour, and it isn't as damaging to your hair as fully dyeing it.
      • If you add conditioner to the dye, make sure it's silicone-free or the hair won't absorb the dye. Adding conditioner to the dye will make the dye lighter.
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      Warnings

      • Be careful when washing your hair in the shower. Dye can stain shower curtains and shower walls.
        Thanks
        Helpful 17 Not Helpful 3
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      Things You'll Need

      • Old T-shirt
      • Old hand towel
      • Hairbrush or comb
      • Hair clips or hair ties
      • Color bowl
      • Bleach dye/pre-lighter (Optional)
      • Aluminum foil (Optional)
      • Colored dye
      • Dye brush
      • Plastic gloves
      • Water
      • Conditioner

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      References

      1. ↑ Angela Justice. Master Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 5 November 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98dPekpSVGQ&t=9s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AniubS9Zmk
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrZM9yeWw_Y
      5. ↑ Angela Justice. Master Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 5 November 2021.
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RjayxceCLg
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8S3AOvgsTA
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A80LGcTVHP4
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUSR6kvgsaI
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AniubS9Zmk&t=12s
      2. ↑ Angela Justice. Master Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 5 November 2021.
      3. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/hair.html
      4. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before dip dyeing your hair, put on a t-shirt you don’t mind getting stained and consider bleaching your hair if it’s brown or black. Then, mix your dye in a bowl and use a gloved hand to dip your hair in the dye. Using your fingers, pull dye from the top of the stained area to the bottom of the unstained area, blending the colors together. Wrap the dyed areas in aluminum foil for the amount of time listed on the product package, then rinse out the dye. For tips from our reviewer on choosing good hair products, scroll down!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Melissa Hendrix

        Mar 8, 2016

        "My daughter has been begging me to let her dye a strip of her hair. We compromised to dye the ends since they are ..." more
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