How to Dye Hair Blue

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Dyeing your hair blue is a fun way to get out of a color rut. Before you dye your hair blue, it is important to lighten it as much as possible so that the dye will take. Then, you can dye your hair blue and use some special techniques to ensure that your color will be vibrant and long-lasting.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Lightening Your Hair

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  1. Using a clarifying shampoo can help to remove buildup from your hair and make it easier for you to dye it. It can also help to remove leftover dye from the last time you dyed your hair. [1] You can find a clarifying shampoo in beauty supply store and some drug stores.
    • Follow the instructions on the package for the clarifying shampoo. You should be able to use it just like a normal shampoo.
  2. Use a color remover if you’ve dyed your hair before . If your hair still has dye leftover from the last time you colored it, then you may need to use a color remover to get your hair ready to dye. [2] Color removers do not bleach your hair, they just lift off the dyes and this may lighten your hair slightly. However, if your hair is still dark underneath the dye, then you will need to bleach it.
    • Follow the instructions for the color remover.
    • You can purchase color remover in a kit at beauty supply stores.
    • The kit has two ingredients that you will need to mix together and then apply to all of your hair.
    • After you apply the color remover to your hair, you will leave it in for a set amount of time and then rinse it out.
    • If you have a heavy buildup of dye on your hair, then you may need to use color remover twice to get all of the dye off.
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  3. Bleach your hair if it is still dark. If your hair is still dark after you use the color remover, then you will need to bleach it to ensure that your hair will look really blue when you dye it. [3] You can bleach your hair using a kit from a drug or beauty supply store, or you can have it bleached professionally.
    • Purchase a kit meant to prepare your hair for dye.
    • You may want to have a professional hair stylist bleach your hair if you have never done it before. [4]
  4. with a deep conditioning treatment. After using color remover and bleach on your hair, it might be damaged and dry. To repair some of the damage, you can use a protein treatment or a deep conditioner. [5]
    • Follow the package instructions for use. For deep conditioners, apply the conditioner to clean, wet hair and leave it in for a few minutes.
    • You might also want to wait for a few days before dyeing your hair to give your hair a chance to recover from the chemicals.
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Part 2
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Dyeing Your Hair

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  1. Before you start the dyeing process, make sure that you put on an old t-shirt that you don’t mind getting stained. Then, wrap a towel or smock around your neck to protect your skin from the dye and put on a pair of vinyl gloves to keep the dye from staining your hands and fingernails.
    • You may also want to apply some petroleum jelly around the edges of your hairline and ears to prevent the dye from staining your skin.
    • Keep in mind that if you get the dye on your skin or nails, it will come off eventually. However, if you get the dye on your clothes or other fabrics, then it may never come out. [6]
  2. Your hair needs to be extra clean before you dye it or the dye may not take. Make sure that you shampoo your hair before you dye it. However, do not condition your hair. The conditioner may prevent the dye from penetrating your strands. [7]
  3. Not all dyes require mixing. However, if your dye does need to be mixed before you use it, then follow the package instructions for mixing the dye. Use a plastic bowl and a dye brush to mix your dye components together according to the package instructions.
    • If you have a dye that you do not need to mix, then you may still want to transfer the dye to a plastic bowl to make it easier to scoop it out and apply it to your hair.
  4. When you are ready to apply the dye, start coating your hair in sections. You may want to use some non-metallic hair clips to secure about half of your hair on top of your head so that you can apply the dye to the bottom layers first.
    • Use your fingertips or a dye brush to ensure that the dye coats all of your strands evenly. Start at the roots and work out towards the ends of your strands.
    • Some dyes advise you to work the dye into your strands until the dye becomes slightly frothy. [8] Check the package instructions to see if you need to do this.
  5. After you have coated all of your strands in the dye, place a shower cap or plastic wrap over your hair and set a timer. The amount of time that you need to leave the dye on your hair will depend on the type of dye you are using. Some brands can be left on for up to an hour, while others will only take about 15 minutes.
    • Watch your time so that you do not leave the dye on for too long.
  6. After the time is up, rinse the dye out of your hair until the water runs almost clear. Try to use only cool lukewarm water to rinse your hair. [9] Warm water may remove more of the dye and the color may not look as vibrant.
    • After you have rinsed out the dye, dry your hair with a towel. Do not blow dry it because the heat may damage your hair and cause the dye to bleed.
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Part 3
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Maintaining Your Look

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  1. To prolong your color and make it look more vibrant, you can use a vinegar rinse made up of equal parts water and white vinegar. Pour one cup of white vinegar and one cup of water into a medium sized bowl. Then, pour the solution over your hair. Leave it in for about two minutes and then rinse well. [10]
    • You may want to shampoo and condition your hair again after doing a vinegar rinse to remove the smell of the vinegar from your hair.
  2. The less often you wash your hair, the longer your hair color will last. If possible, try to wash your hair no more than twice per week. To keep your hair looking clean between washes, you can use a dry shampoo. [11]
    • When you do wash your hair, make sure that you only use cool or lukewarm water to wash it.
    • It is also helpful to follow up your conditioner with a blast of very cool water to close the hair shaft and lock in more of the color.
    Chris McMillan, Celebrity Hairstylist

    Use nourishing conditioning treatments. "Don't wash your hair every day, because that can dry it out. If you shampoo your hair a few times a week, try a gentle one. It's a good idea to condition the hair every day with a moisturizing conditioner, and use a hair mask or treatment once a week."

  3. Heat can cause the color to bleed from your hair and this may cause your hair color to fade faster. [12] To prevent this, try to avoid using any heat treatments, such as blow dryers, flat irons, or hot rollers.
    • If you need to dry your hair, make sure that you use the cool or warm setting on your blow dryer rather than the hot setting.
    • If you want to curl your hair, then try putting foam rollers in before you go to bed. These will curl your hair without the use of heat.
  4. Most blue dyes are semi-permanent colors and these dyes tend to fade fast, so you might notice your color fading a little over time. To maintain your vibrant blue color, you will need to re-dye your hair about once every three to four weeks. [13]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Why did my hair turn green when I died it?
    Christine George
    Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
    Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.
    Christine George
    Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
    Expert Answer
    If you previously dyed hair, the leftover pigment will absorb the new dye and change the color.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
  • Question
    Can a person be born with blue 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.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    No, blue hair is not a natural color. Some people with naturally very dark hair may have a slightly bluish cast in sunlight, but this is very rare.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Do you wash your hair before you dye it?
    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
    You should wash your hair before using a semi-permanent dye. This will help the dye penetrate more deeply and the color to absorb more evenly. Do not wash immediately before using permanent color.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • Condition your hair with natural oils such as coconut, almond or gooseberry oil after bleaching. This will make up for any damage caused to your hair by the bleaching. Washing out the oil after applying it overnight is enough.
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      • If you get dye on your counter tops or tub, then try scrubbing with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
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      • You don't have to bleach your hair if you are doing a darker color. Bleach damages your hair so if you have dark hair and you do a dark color it won't damage it as much. Good dyes to use are Arctic Fox and Manic Panic because they are both vegan.
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      Warnings

      • Do not mix the bleach and the dye! It may cause a dangerous chemical reaction.
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      • Some dyes use a chemical called Para-phenylenediamine, which can cause bad reactions in some people. Be sure to always do a patch test before dyeing, but especially with dyes containing this ingredient.
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      • Only use glass, ceramic, or plastic bowls for dye and bleach.
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      Things You'll Need

      • A comb and/or tint brush
      • Gloves
      • Petroleum jelly
      • Blue dye in desired shade (Manic Panic, Special FX, and Punky Colors are all great brands to try)
      • Clarifying shampoo
      • Color remover
      • Hair bleach at proper strength
      • Glass, ceramic, or plastic bowl
      • Shower cap
      • White vinegar

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      References

      1. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/How-to-remove-black-hair-dye
      2. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.manicpanic.com/howtouse
      4. ↑ https://www.rocknrollbride.com/2014/10/how-to-dye-your-hair-unnatural-colours-and-make-it-last/
      5. ↑ https://bellatory.com/hair/save-damaged-hair
      6. ↑ https://www.manicpanic.com/howtouse
      7. ↑ https://www.manicpanic.com/howtouse
      8. ↑ https://www.manicpanic.com/howtouse
      9. ↑ https://www.manicpanic.com/howtouse
      1. ↑ https://www.manicpanic.com/howtouse
      2. ↑ https://www.rocknrollbride.com/2014/10/how-to-dye-your-hair-unnatural-colours-and-make-it-last/
      3. ↑ https://www.rocknrollbride.com/2014/10/how-to-dye-your-hair-unnatural-colours-and-make-it-last/
      4. ↑ https://www.rocknrollbride.com/2014/10/how-to-dye-your-hair-unnatural-colours-and-make-it-last/
      5. Videos provided by Bailey Van Der Veen

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you already have dyed hair, apply a color remover before you dye your hair blue. If your hair is still dark after this, bleach your hair so that it will look more blue when you dye it. Before applying the dye, put on an old t-shirt and wrap a towel around your neck to protect your skin. Apply the dye by using a dye brush to ensure the dye coats all of your hair evenly. Finally, cover your head with a shower cap, leave the dye in as long as the instructions tell you to, then wash your hair until the water runs clear. To find out why you should condition your hair after bleaching it and how to preserve your blue hair, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Sam Lostier

        May 3, 2017

        "Just all it in general was helpful. I followed these steps and now my hair is an awesome blue!!"
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