How to Dip Dye Hair

Dying hair can be more of a chore than anything else, but there are ways to make the experience enjoyable, and even fun. For instance, you can always dip dye your hair. Dip dyeing doesn’t take as long or use as much coloring product, saving you money and letting you go as fun and funky as you want!

2013 Update: The dip dye, or ombre look, is back and more popular than ever! See how celebrities are rocking the dip dye look in 2013.

It is described as a gradient or gradual effect, giving the hair a faded look. In order to get this look, most professionals recommend using bleach or highlighting kits. However, based on the fact that bleach damages your locks, we suggest paying special attention to how you apply, and for how long you apply, the bleach to protect your curls! For the prep and products, it is important to keep in mind what ingredients are in those products and pay special attention to how you apply them.

Let the Dip Dyeing Begin!

The easiest way to begin is with highlighting kit instructions, followed by the coloring instructions. Although those steps are made as easy as possible, a few pointers might help. For one thing, this is a DIY project, but when you dip dye hair it’s always nice to have a friend helping you. Even if you’re just treating the tips of your hair, you’re still using bleach and harsh chemicals.

Warning: bleach is very potent and dangerous. Keep out of eyes, do not ingest and make sure the room is well ventilated.

1. Prepare the area. Make sure you have everything laid out on a counter top. Cover yourself with a waterproof poncho (you can make one by cutting a whole out of a plastic bag”>, old cloths, and a an old towel wrapped around your neck. Before beginning to dip dye hair, place latex or plastic gloves on your hands.
2. Follow the highlighting kit instructions explicitly. Mix the bleach solution as instructed, making sure it is mixed well.
3. Place the tips of your hair on folded aluminum foil or a plastic bag. Brush the chunk of hair evenly with the bleach mixture before folding the aluminum foil over the hair, or spread the bleach on the tips of your hair evenly before covering your tips with the plastic bag and securing it with a rubber band. Keep in mind that if you use aluminum foil, the directions may call for using a hair dryer. However, regardless of the instructions, a highlighter kit should always give you directions on how long to leave the bleach mixture in your hair based on your hair color. Pay close attention!
4. Double check your hair color every several minutes. It’s important to not over-bleach your hair in order to get a gradient affect.
5. Remove the bag or foil to check the dip dye hair and wash your hair. If you have dark hair and want the bleached hair to be lighter, consult the kit to check if it recommends bleaching a second time right away. If that’s the case, repeat the first five steps again before proceeding to the next.
6. If you want a color that differs from the usual brown to blonde gradient, like red or blue, switch to new gloves and apply color to your hair. Follow the instructions from the coloring kit.
7. Style your hair as you like it and enjoy.

The Aftercare Manual

There are some aftercare tips for you to keep in mind if you’re dip-dyeing your own hair.

More than anything else, your hair will be damaged; it is the nature of the bleach beast. Choose a specially formulated shampoo and conditioner for damaged, bleached, color treated, or dip dyed hair. Try a deep conditioning treatment every week, as well, to bring your hair back to life. As always, moisturizing and strengthening hair is the key to preventing and nursing damaged hair back to health.

Final Thoughts

Dip dye hair highlights are more popular than ever. Everyone, from Lauren Conrad to Drew Barrymore, has been seen rocking the ombre hair. Now, Dianna Agron from the hit show “Glee” is sporting short, blonde to pink ombre hair. Some people even dye and wear extensions instead of their own hair just to achieve the look.

Try it out, and let us know how it looks!