Q&A for How to Color Hair With Food Coloring

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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.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

It will usually wash out in a single shampoo. However, if your hair is damaged it may last longer.

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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.

Laura Martin

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.

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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.

Laura Martin

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.

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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.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Yes, instead of coloring your entire head, only focus on the ends of the hair.

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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.

Ashley Adams

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Question

What sort of shampoo or conditioner do I need for streaks?

Community Answer

Any shampoo and conditioner specially designed for color-treated hair.

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