Food coloring is an affordable and practical ingredient for coloring your hair in attractive colors. In addition, this product is also not as hard as hair dye that is usually sold in supermarkets. For a temporary staining option, you can use white conditioner. If you want a more permanent color, you will need to use a developer solution. The colors produced by food coloring fade faster than standard hair dyes. However, this product is still the right choice to get a certain hair color, without having to do complicated treatments in the long run.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing for Hair Dye
Step 1. Lighten or bleach your hair if necessary
Food coloring is translucent. This means that the dye will only add color to the existing hair color. If you have dark hair, the color produced by the product may not show at all. If you have light or dark brown hair, food coloring will result in a darker hair color. If you really want a darker finish, you can skip this step.
Keep in mind that blue dye can result in a greenish tint to blonde hair, or a tan to golden hair. If you don't like the end result like this, adjust the hair color to make it look more neutral
Step 2. Protect the work area
Find a place that is easy to clean, like the kitchen or bathroom. If the room you're going to use is carpeted or has a hard-to-clean surface, lay out newspaper or a large sheet of plastic on the floor. Prepare all the necessary equipment.
Step 3. Put on clothes that are rarely worn and plastic or vinyl gloves
If you don't have old clothes that can get stained, just wear dark clothes. Also, it's a good idea to put on a protector or an unused towel to protect your shoulders.
If you want, you can buy nylon robes like those used in salons from a beauty supply store. This cloak serves to protect your clothes
Step 4. Remove the white conditioner in a plastic bowl or container
You'll need enough conditioner to cover all of your hair (at least 2 tablespoons or 30 milliliters). Avoid using colored conditioners as they can affect the color of the paint. You can also use white hair cream or gel.
For a more permanent stain, use 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of developer solution
Step 5. Add food coloring
The amount used depends on the level of darkness of the color. The more dye you add, the stronger and darker the color will be. Keep in mind that the final color in your hair will appear lighter than the color you see in the bowl. Make sure you use a regular liquid or gel food coloring product. Do not use plant-based food coloring as this product will not stick to your hair.
For permanent coloring, mix 1 tablespoon of food coloring with the developer solution
Step 6. Adjust the color to neutralize any yellowish or golden undertones in the hair if necessary
If you've previously lightened or bleached your hair, you may still see a yellow or golden tinge. These shades can affect the final coloring result. If you have yellow or golden streaks in your hair, add purple or blue food coloring to the mixture to remove unwanted streaks.
You can also prepare a pale blue (for golden tones) or pale purple (for yellowish tones) mixture and apply it to your hair first. Once your hair is rinsed and dried, you can dye it the color you want
Part 2 of 3: Dyeing Hair
Step 1. Separate the hair into sections
To make the coloring process easier, separate your hair into at least four sections. If you want to dye your hair multiple colors, divide your hair according to the color you want to apply.
Step 2. Apply the dye to the hair starting at the roots
You can apply the paint by hand or a special brush for dyeing hair. Make sure you coat your hair with paint. Don't foam at the paint, as the foam can dissolve the dye and reduce its effectiveness.
- If you want to get a lighter section of hair (highlights), apply the dye to the thin sections of hair. Wrap each section with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to separate it from the rest of the hair. Don't color all the hair.
- Another step that can be followed to create highlights is to punch holes in the shower cap, put it on, then pull out the strands of hair from the holes that have been made. You can also buy a shower cap with holes in it from a beauty supply store for this purpose.
Step 3. Wrap your hair with a shower cap
If necessary, style your hair into a bun, then secure it with bobby pins. Leave it for a maximum of 2 hours.
If you don't have a shower cap, use plastic wrap or a plastic bag. Hold the plastic using hair clips
Step 4. Leave the dye on your hair for 30 minutes to 3 hours
The longer the paint is left on the hair, the stronger and darker the color will be. Keep in mind that the lighter your hair color, the faster the new color will work its way into the strands.
If you're using a developer solution for a more permanent color, let the dye sit on your hair for about 40 minutes. The longer the paint stays on the hair, the stronger and darker the color will be. If you want a lighter color, let the paint sit for a shorter time
Part 3 of 3: Finishing the Painting
Step 1. Do the rinse test first
This test is only necessary if you want a certain shade or tone of color, or if this is your first time dyeing your hair with food coloring. Take a bit of hair from an inconspicuous part and rinse. If the hair color seems too light, leave the dye on longer. If it is correct, move on to the next step.
Step 2. Rinse the paint off with cold water
Cold water serves to close the hair cuticle and maintain color. You can rinse your hair in the sink or under the shower. Do not use shampoo and conditioner to prevent the color from fading. If you dye your hair multiple colors, keep each section separate with a different color.
Step 3. Dry your hair on the lowest heat setting
You can also dry your hair with a towel first, then let it air dry. Make sure you use an unused towel, as the dye may run off and stick to the fabric.
Step 4. Treat the dyed hair
If you use conditioner, don't wash your hair for 3-5 days. This step can help lock the color into the strands. It's also a good idea to use a colored pillowcase (especially dark colors) while sleeping so that the color of your hair doesn't stain the cover.
- The results of temporary coloring will fade every time you wash your hair. The color on the hair usually lasts for 2 weeks, depending on your choice of color and hair type. Some paints even fade after 2-3 washes.
- Permanent staining results can last for about 3 weeks before starting to fade.
Tips
- Wait a week after coloring before curling your hair. If you've just permed your hair, wait a week before dyeing it.
- If you have paint stains on your hands or skin, clean them with shaving cream or lemon juice. You can also use a pore tightener or alcohol.
- Mix the paint in a pressure bottle, like the bottle you normally use for coloring your hair.
- If your coloring isn't going the way you want and you've previously used conditioner to make your paint mix, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo. Keep in mind that this step is not effective if you previously used developer solution instead of conditioner.
- Prepare more paint than needed, especially if you have long or thick hair. It will be difficult for you to match the hues if you have to prepare the paint several times.
- For dark hair, you may need to dye it several times.
- If it's your first time coloring your hair, do a test on the strands to make sure the coloring is the way you want it!
- Do not touch the hair during the drying process to prevent the paint from sticking to your hands.
- Do not swim in chlorinated water for a few days after staining. Otherwise, the color will fade from the hair.
- Hair color can change over time. For example, blue can fade and turn green if your natural hair color is blonde.
- Apply Vaseline around the hairline and the nape of the neck to prevent the paint from sticking and staining the skin in those areas.
- Ordinary hair whitening products or other types are usually easily removed from the skin. However, you need to moisturize the area of the skin affected by the bleach. In general, you don't have to worry because bleach can be easily removed from the skin.
Warning
- Food coloring can leave a temporary stain on the skin.
- Do not use organic, natural, or plant-based food coloring. This product will not stick to hair.
