Hair dye can be used as a means to change a mundane hairstyle and express personality. Unlike traditional hair coloring methods, you can use dip dye to show off your new hair color while keeping your roots healthy. If done well, dip dye can produce beautiful gradients with interesting color contrasts.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing Products
Step 1. Choose a color that works for you
Before starting the process, take some time to determine the look you want. Look online for inspiration, and read reviews of different types of hair coloring and lightening products. Depending on the staining method chosen, the end result can be permanent so you should plan carefully.
- You can choose a color that matches your eyes, or use a hair color that can beautify your skin.
- Alternatively, if you like a certain color but don't really like it, the dip dye method can be an ideal way to use that color without covering your entire face. Make sure you don't go too deep, and only do this at the ends of your hair.
Step 2. Purchase a bleaching or lightening product
If you have black hair and want to have light ends, this step is a must. You will need to bleach the dark hair color so that the dye can be absorbed properly later. If you already have light hair, or you just want to add color to your natural hair, skip this step.
The hair dye will stick on top of the original hair color. For example, if you apply pastel pink hair dye to very light blonde hair, the result is a pastel pink. However, the color will be smoother and darker if applied to dark hair
Step 3. Select the desired dye
You can find a wide variety of funky colors online, and you can buy regular colors at a beauty store or pharmacy. You can even read people's reviews about a product, along with how it looks when applied to different hair colors and textures.
- Buy more dye than you need. Do not let you run out of hair dye when the process is not finished.
- Buy gloves too. Hair dye can stain your fingers, so you'll need to protect them while you're coloring them.
Part 2 of 3: Preparing Your Hair and Workplace
Step 1. Put on an old T-shirt
The easiest way to color the ends of your hair is to let them loose so you can see the color. This means that the hair dye will stick to the clothes you wear. So, wear old clothes that are not used. You can also wear a shaving robe or poncho (a type of raincoat), if you have one. Wrap an old towel around your neck to protect your neck from stains.
Step 2. Prepare the fixtures in the bathroom
The ideal place to dye your hair is in the bathroom because it has everything you need: a table, water, and a mirror. You may need to cover the table (especially if it's a light color) to prevent stains from getting hair dye.
Step 3. Determine the section of hair you want to color
You can apply the dye only to the ends of your hair, or up to three-quarters of the way up. It's all up to you, but make sure you have enough hair dye. You can tie the part of your hair that you don't want to dye to make the process easier.
- Don't forget to thoroughly comb your hair before you start the process.
- Make sure your hair is parted where you normally would. The easiest way to do a dip dye is to treat dry hair in the style you normally do every day.
- The length of the hair will determine the amount of hair that can be handled in this dip dye method. Long hair requires more dye, while hair shorter than a bob may be difficult to dip dye.
Step 4. Perform bleaching (whitening of hair by exfoliating the follicles) on the hair you want to color
If you want a lighter finish than your natural hair color, you'll need to bleach it first. Bleaching will strip the pigment and make hair lighter and stronger. Follow the instructions given on the product you are using. Only apply bleach to the hair you want to color.
- For a complete step-by-step guide to bleaching, read this article.
- Bleaching will make hair dry. After you finish bleaching, do deep conditioning (intensively applying conditioner) to restore lost moisture.
Part 3 of 3: Doing Dip Dye on Hair
Step 1. Mix the dye according to the directions given on the package
Some hair dyes (such as Manic Panic) can be applied directly to the hair from the packaging. Other dyes may have to be mixed in first. If you are using a paint with a strong color and want to make it lighter, you can add conditioner to lighten the color. If you don't have the color you want, you can mix two different hair dyes.
Step 2. Apply the dye to the hair
You can use a brush to apply the dye where you want your hair, or you can "dip" your hair into a bowl filled with dye and spread the dye over the desired sections of your hair using your hands (while wearing gloves). Concentrate most of the dye on the ends of your hair, and make sure they are completely wet with the dye. When directing the dye to the top of your hair, reduce the amount of dye you spread so that the result will fade towards your natural hair. Do this for the entire head, the same length in all sections. The color should be evenly distributed throughout the hair.
Step 3. Blend the colors
Mixing hair dye color with real hair is very important. Apply the dye thickly to the ends of your hair for a strong, solid color. When approaching the area where the dyed hair meets real hair, use your fingertips to gently pull some of the dye upwards, without overcoating the dye. This will create a smooth color shift, and avoid the appearance of sharp lines between the original and the dyed hair.
Step 4. Wrap the colored section of hair with aluminum foil
This is to heat the hair and speed up the coloring process. It also prevents unwanted stains from forming when the dye is attached to the hair. However, this step is completely optional.
Step 5. Allow the dye to stick to your hair according to the directions on the package
Check the color periodically to see how bright it is. The longer the dye is left to stick, the lighter the result. Be sure to check the instructions on the packaging of the product you are using. Remember, some dyes will fade gradually after washing. So, if you leave it in your hair for too long, your hair color will turn paler and fade faster.
Step 6. Rinse off the dye
Rinse off the dye after you have left it on your hair for the appropriate amount of time according to the directions given. Rinse off the adhering dye using cold water, then apply conditioner to moisturize your hair and make it shiny. Don't wash it with shampoo, as this can take off some of the dye and make your hair lighter. The less often you wash your hair, the longer the dye will last.
Step 7. Style your hair as usual
Like shampoo, products that generate heat can make the dye fade faster. If possible, avoid using hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons. If you have to use it, make sure you use a heat protectant. Now you can style your new hair the way you want, and experiment with new hairstyles to show it off.
Tips
- If you use Manic Panic or another plant-based hair dye, you can let it stay on your hair without worrying about damaging it. The longer you leave the dye on your hair, the lighter the color will be and the longer the color will last.
- Depending on the density of your hair's pores, some colors and brands of hair dye may last longer than others. Don't worry if the colors you use quickly fade and fade. Try experimenting with other colors and brands to find something that works with your hair.
- Purchase shampoos and deep conditioners specifically designed for dyed hair. If you lighten your hair first, the bleaching process can damage your hair. Do deep conditioning regularly so that the ends of the hair are not cracked.
