Q&A for How to Color Hair With Food Coloring

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How long does it take to get food coloring out of your hair?
    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.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    It will usually wash out in a single shampoo. However, if your hair is damaged it may last longer.
  • Question
    How do you get food dye out of your hair?
    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.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You should be able to shampoo it out. If you are having trouble removing it, try a stronger shampoo or even dish detergent.
  • Question
    Can you use food coloring to color your hair?
    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.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can use food coloring on your hair, but it probably won't last much longer than a single shampoo. However, do be aware that it may stain bleached hair more permanently.
  • Question
    What if I want it only on the ends? Will that work?
    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.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, instead of coloring your entire head, only focus on the ends of the hair.
  • Question
    This didn't work for me. Why is that?
    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.
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    What level or color is your hair? If your hair is black or dark brown, the food coloring may not work.
  • Question
    Is there any problems I should worry about when using food coloring, like hair thinning, drying out, or falling out?
    Community Answer
    Food dye in your hair is a kinder way to colour it and it shouldn't cause any problems. However, if you find your hair does get dry, use a good conditioner.
  • Question
    Would this method be considered permanent or temporary?
    Community Answer
    It is temporary (lasting around two to four weeks). The amount of time the color stays in might depend on your hair type, your hair color, the color of dye, and how often you wash your hair.
  • Question
    Will the dye stay in my hair?
    Community Answer
    Food coloring is a temporary dye and will wash out, though if you have blonde hair it will possibly leave a tint.
  • Question
    Where can I buy food coloring?
    Community Answer
    You can buy food coloring at any grocery store, usually in the cooking aisle or in baking aisle.
  • Question
    Will it work if I just comb the food coloring through my hair?
    Community Answer
    No, the color needs to be absorbed into your roots, so you need a medium for it to stay in there for a while.
  • Question
    Can I straighten my hair after dyeing it with food coloring?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is possible to straighten it. Wait until the color is fully set, though, and the excess dye is washed out; otherwise, it may leave stains on the straightener.
  • Question
    How long will the color stay in my hair?
    Community Answer
    It depends. If you wash your hair a lot, it will only last around two weeks. If you wash it less, you may be able to keep the color for closer to a month. (The color will last longer if your hair is lighter and the dye is darker.)
  • Question
    What do I do if I cannot get the color out?
    Community Answer
    Use as much conditioner and shampoo the size of your palm or it will come out naturally with in a few weeks.
  • Question
    Does this work with blonde hair?
    Community Answer
    Yes, just apply the dye in the same way, if your hair is leaning more on the damaged side though (due to bleaching perhaps), use white conditioner (so that it doesn't affect the outcome of the color); this will act as a deep conditioning treatment.
  • Question
    Will it come out with the first wash?
    Community Answer
    It will not come out completely, but if you wash it too soon, it may dilute. After dyeing, wait as long as possible before washing your hair. After the first wash, the color may leak, so use old towels and bed sheets or wear a shower cap.
  • Question
    Will this work if I have black or really dark brown hair?
    Community Answer
    No, food coloring is not a strong enough dye to show up on black or very dark hair.
  • Question
    What do I do if the color doesn't stay?
    Community Answer
    Food coloring doesn't stay on long, that's part of its attraction for many users. You will need to recolor it every two or three days, and if that doesn't work, then use actual hair dye.
  • Question
    How long does this last without the vinegar?
    Community Answer
    It lasts the same amount of time with or without vinegar, but vinegar gives it a more natural shine.
  • Question
    Can I die from the food coloring in your hair?
    SephoraGurl
    Community Answer
    No. If the food coloring can go through your digestive system with no problem, there is no reason it cannot go on the exterior of your body.
  • Question
    Does my hair have to completely dry before I take it out of the shower cap?
    Jazzermazzer99
    Community Answer
    Yes, because if you take off the shower cap before it's fully dry, the color could leak.
  • Question
    What color would work best for dirty blonde hair?
    Community Answer
    A dark to medium-dark shade would look cool, and stay in. I'd recommend a purple(velvet purple is pretty) or a blue. I have blond hair, and if I ever do this I would use a deep blue, because I love that color. A lot of different colors would work, though!
  • Question
    How do I dye my hair red when it's dark brown?
    Community Answer
    Dark hair needs to be lightened before being dyed a lighter color. You can bleach your hair or try lightening it with lemon before applying red food coloring.
  • Question
    Does it work with no shampoo?
    Community Answer
    It works but it will be harder to spread the color on your hair and it might not get even where you want it. The color will usually be more intense without shampoo.
  • Question
    How do I get my color to be brown if I only have food coloring?
    Community Answer
    You may not be able to achieve the brown you want; however, if you mix the three primary colors (red, yellow, and blue), you should be able to make brown.
  • Question
    How do I dye my hair if I have really dark hair?
    Community Answer
    Use lemon juice on the area you want to dye your hair to lighten it, put the selected area under a hairdryer after applying, then dye your hair with the food coloring.
  • Question
    How long do I need to keep the dye in if in if I am doing a streak?
    Community Answer
    About the same amount of time you'd need if you were coloring all your hair.
  • Question
    If I go to the pool and swim, will it come out in the pool?
    Community Answer
    The chlorine will likely strip the color out. If it's fresh, you may be able to see it coming out in the water or dripping from your hair afterward.
  • Question
    Does this work for dark hair?
    Community Answer
    Not really. At most, if you have any highlights it may work on them, but it works on lighter hair only.
  • Question
    If I have dark brown hair, will blue dye show up?
    Community Answer
    If your hair is dark brown, then you would probably need to bleach it first in order to make the blue dye visible.
  • Question
    What sort of shampoo or conditioner do I need for streaks?
    Community Answer
    Any shampoo and conditioner specially designed for color-treated hair.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article