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Kool Aid is a great way to dye hair without doing anything permanent. It lasts longer than hair chalk, and it isn't as chunky as colored hair spray. Best of it, it is cheap to use! While it works best on those with blond or light brown hair, it is possible to dye dark or black hair with it too. Keep in mind that your results will not be as bright or vibrant, however.
Steps
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Know what to expect. Dye is translucent. This means that the original color will show through. Because your hair is so dark, the dye will come out dark as well. [1] X Expert Source Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. Lighter colors, such as yellow or lime green, won't be visible.- If you want a bright, vibrant color, consider bleaching
your hair first. [2]
X
Expert Source
Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 13 November 2020. Keep in mind that the bleach will be permanent while the dye won't.
- If you want a bright, vibrant color, consider bleaching
your hair first. [2]
X
Expert Source
Karen Leight
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Protect your workspace, hands, and clothing. Even though Kool Aid is not permanent like regular hair dye, it will still stain. Cover your work surface with some newspaper, a trash bag, or a cheap, plastic, tablecloth. Put on an old shirt and a pair of plastic, disposable gloves as well.Advertisement
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Boil 3 cups (700 milliliters) of water. Pour 3 cups (700 milliliters) of water into a saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. [3] X Research source
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Add 4 to 5 packets of unsweetened Kool Aid. Whisk the two together until the Kool Aid dissolves completely. [4] X Research source You can use all the same flavor of Kool Aid, or you can mix flavors to create a unique shade.
- Make sure that you are using unsweetened Kool Aid. If you use the sweetened kind, your hair will get sticky. [5] X Research source
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Divide the Kool Aid evenly between two containers. Make sure that the containers are deep enough for you to dip the ends of your hair into. If the Kool Aid is very hot, let it cool for 2 to 3 minutes. [6] X Research source
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Tie your hair into two pigtails. Part your hair straight down the middle. Wrap a hair tie around each half of your hair, right at the nape of your neck. Drape the left pigtail over your left shoulder, and the right pigtail over your right shoulder. This will make it easier to dip dye. [7] X Research source
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Dip your hair into the Kool Aid. Leave it there for at least 30 minutes. This may seem like a long time, but it takes longer for color to appear on dark hair than on light-colored hair. [8] X Research source
- Read a book, watch a show or movie, listen to music, chat with friends, or play on your phone during this time so you don't get bored.
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Rinse your hair with cold water. Once the time is up, pull your hair out of the dye. Gently squeeze out the excess dye, then rinse your hair under cold water. Do not use warm water or shampoo, or the color will come out. [9] X Research source
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9Dry and style your hair. You can dry your hair with a hairdryer or you can let it air dry. Some of the Kool Aid may come off at first, so be careful!
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Understand what to expect. Dye is translucent, so it will mix with whatever color is underneath it. When used on top of black hair, dye appears much darker. Lighter colors, such as yellow, may not be visible at all.
- If you want a bright, vibrant color, you might want to bleach your hair first. Be aware that while the Kool Aid won't be permanent, the bleach will.
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Cover your workspace and hands. Cover the counter or table you will be working on with some newspaper. A trash bag or a cheap, plastic, tablecloth will also do. Put on an old shirt you won't mind staining, and a pair of plastic, disposable gloves.
- Consider covering the skin around your hairline with petroleum jelly. This will help protect your skin against stains.
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Pour white conditioner into a container. You will need to use enough conditioner to completely cover and saturate your hair. This will make the dye easier to apply. It will also deep-condition your hair. [10] X Research source
- Avoid using colored conditioner, as it may affect the final color of the dye.
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Stir in 4 to 5 packets of unsweetened Kool Aid. Keep stirring until the Kool Aid has dissolved, and the texture and color are consistent. You can use all one flavor, or combine flavors to create a unique color. [11] X Research source
- You want the texture to be thick and gloopy. If it is too thin, add more Kool Aid.
- Make sure that the Kool Aid you are using us unsweetened, otherwise your hair will get sticky.
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Apply the mixture to your hair. Work the mixture into your hair, starting from the roots. If you want to, you can divide your hair into sections first. Make sure that you completely cover and saturate your hair with the mixture. [12] X Research source
- If you want to do streaks instead, apply the mixture to the desired area instead. Use a tinting brush for a more precise application.
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Tuck your hair under a plastic shower cap. This will keep your clothing and surroundings clean. It will also keep the dye damp and trap the heat from your head, which will make the dye more effective. [13] X Research source
- If you added streaks, wrap them in plastic wrap instead. This will prevent the dye from staining the rest of your hair.
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Wait overnight for the dye to set. You can leave the dye on for several hours, but it would be better if you left it on overnight instead. [14] X Research source Another option would be to dye your hair in the morning, and leave it on during the day, or for about 8 to 9 hours.
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Rinse the dye out with cool water. Use the coldest temperature you can withstand, and avoid using warm water or shampoo. If you use warm water or shampoo, the color may come out.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan I change my hair color every week?Karen Leight is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Karen Renee Hair, a private salon suite inside the Salon Republic Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Karen is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in hair color, balayage technique, and women’s and men’s precision haircuts.You shouldn't do that. Unfortunately, we're living in the world of digital influencers that make it seem feasible to change your hair color frequently, but that is achieved mostly through wigs. Dyeing your hair is not magic.
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QuestionHow do you stop hair dye from bleeding?Karen Leight is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Karen Renee Hair, a private salon suite inside the Salon Republic Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Karen is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in hair color, balayage technique, and women’s and men’s precision haircuts.The crazy candy colors that are currently trending bleed easy, and that's part of the deal. The best thing to avoid bleeding is to use a color save shampoo and conditioner, rinsing with cool water and towel blotting so it doesn't drip when wet.
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QuestionI have black hair, what colors or flavors of Kool Aid should I use?Community AnswerYou should use red or blue. Or maybe make it a light brown.
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Tips
- If you got food coloring on your hands, you can clean it off with toothpaste. [15] X Research sourceThanks
- It is best to work on freshly-washed, product-free hair. Any oils or creams may prevent the color from taking. [16] X Research sourceThanks
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Warnings
- Dye is translucent, so the original color will show through. Your hair color will come out very dark.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
Dip Dyeing Your Hair
- 3 cups (cc milliliters) water
- 4 to 5 packets unsweetened Kool Aid
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- 2 containers
- Hair ties
- Plastic, disposable gloves
- Old shirt
- Newspaper or plastic tablecloth
Dyeing All of Your Hair
- 4 to 5 packets unsweetened Kool Aid
- White conditioner
- Container
- Spoon
- Plastic, disposable gloves
- Old shirt
- Newspaper or plastic tablecloth
- Shower cap
- Petroleum jelly (optional, but recommended)
References
- ↑ Karen Leight. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
- ↑ Karen Leight. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MeuVWqoLFs
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MeuVWqoLFs
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1KfkDdlOOA
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b21kV6j-Vs
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MeuVWqoLFs
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b21kV6j-Vs
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1KfkDdlOOA
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxtT1q7IWRk
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxtT1q7IWRk
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxtT1q7IWRk
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxtT1q7IWRk
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxtT1q7IWRk
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1KfkDdlOOA
- ↑ https://spoonuniversity.com/recipe/kool-aid-as-hair-dye
- ↑ https://spoonuniversity.com/recipe/kool-aid-as-hair-dye
- ↑ https://spoonuniversity.com/recipe/kool-aid-as-hair-dye
About This Article
Article Summary
X
Kool Aid is an easy and inexpensive way to temporarily dye your black hair. Kool Aid dye works best on blonde and light brown hair, but you can also dye dark brown or black hair with it too. It just won't be as vibrant. To dye your hair, start by mixing 4 packets of Kool Aid with enough conditioner to cover your hair. Apply the mixture to your hair, starting from your roots and working down to your tips. To make it easier, divide your hair into sections first. Then, cover your hair with a shower cap, and leave it overnight. In the morning, rinse the dye out with cold water and admire your new hair. The color should last for 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how often you wash your hair. For more tips, including how to dip dye your hair with Kool Aid, read on!
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