DIY Hair Dye

Jan 29, 2014

Miko C.

I'm curious about everyone's experiences with diy temporary or semi-permanent hair dye, especially anything really budget friendly. Something like hair chalk or the kool aid technique? And any tips on diy dye for dark hair?

Jan 29, 2014

Shannon B.

Well chalk does work and come out easy. Kool aid dyes your hair and it is permanent.
For hair in general it is easier to go darker. For dark hair if you want to go a lot lighter you have to bleach your hair to be able to do this.

Jan 29, 2014

Shannon B.

But them again the Kool aid might not be permanent. Haven't tried it myself so I do not know.

Jan 29, 2014

Alyx T.

Kool aid is permanent, it stains the hair. I dyed a little girls I babysits hair in the summer (June or so) with kool aid and it's still there, just as vibrant. We expected a few weeks and it's been months.

Semi permanent dyes all depend on your hair. These are non damaging dyes that are available in Canada that I've personally tried. Some people swear by manic panic (for me it lasts long, some people it fades in days) or special effects which is personally my favorite for budget friendly. One bottle covers my thick long hair where as manic panic I need 2 1/2 bottles and it lasts much longer on my hair. There's also punky colors which is fine, it fades fast on me though. And then there's splat though I find it very drying to the hair instead of moisturizing like the rest. It also faded in 2-3 washes.
For damaging ones, there's ion brights. This uses developer and pushes the color deep into your hair shafts. It stains the hair, keeping it in longer but the only way to remove it completely is to bleach or go over it with a color that's darker and near it on the color wheel. I used the teal to test the color and it stained my hair, resulting in it staying at a light green for months even after 2 bleach baths and me eventually just going a blue purple to get rid of it.

Sorry this is so long. I've been dealing with semi permanent hair dye for years. if you have any other questions I'll be happy to answer them :)

Jan 29, 2014

Ariel D.

I had splat in in middle school...rebellious purple is blonde with bright pink highlights after a few weeks people...it took forever to grow it out so I looked "normal again" and never do anything drastic within 4 months of a major event...in all my pics I have discusting hair in all my 8th grade grad photos as well as a vacation we took and plus I had to sing in front of everyone because I was a soloist in choir lol not my best decision now I'm all natural.

Jan 29, 2014

Hannah K.

I've done what Tori did with highlighter, it's not the best idea but as long as you don't do it continually it's okay:)

Jan 29, 2014

Miko C.

Thanks for all your responses! I'm an old fart with an office job so nothing too drastic unless it's temporary haha. Hair chalk sounds good but is it very drying? If I condition or treat my hair with oil will the color come right out or not even work in the first place? Also has anyone tried the food dye method? Sorry for the spam of questions~

Jan 29, 2014

Alyx T.

I'd go with hair chalk, but it has the possibility to stay for weeks. You should try the brand hot huez, it comes out after 1 wash so you could easily change colors every day without any worrying if it'll come out. it doesn't stain at all and it's super vibrant. Hair chalk is drying after a while but since you hot oil your hair it shouldn't be noticeable.

Food dye is similar to kool aid, it can stain your hair for months and you'd have to bleach it out.

Jan 30, 2014

Sable G.

It stains because you're boiling the hell out of your poor hair to open the cuticles for the color to actually stay. Just get a semi.