How to Dip Dye Your Hair at Home

From balayage and ombré to the money piece, it’s safe to say there’s no shortage of hair coloring techniques for switching up your mane. But what if you want something that’s low commitment but will last a little longer than a temporary hair color spray? Well, dip dye hair may be just what you’ve been searching for. Whether you have short hair or long locks, you can totally rock this colorful trend. Read on to learn all about dip dye hair, including how to dip hair your hair at home.

WHAT IS DIP DYE HAIR?

You may be wondering how dip dyeing differs from the other 101 colorful hair dyeing techniques. While ombré hair involves gradually fading your hair from one color into the next, dip-dyed hair isn’t so subtle. Your hair will shift straight from your natural roots into your color of choice, with no in-between shade to soften the look. Basically, it’s perfect for those looking to make a statement. Not to mention it’s a low-commitment, yet more permanent way to add color to your strands. Don’t want to rock colorful locks anymore? Simply head to the salon and cut off your ends!

HOW TO DO DIP DYE HAIR AT HOME

Want to get the dip-dyed look? Read our tutorial below.

STEP #1: CHOOSE YOUR COLOR(S)

Before breaking out the bleach, it’s always a good idea to figure out exactly what you want for your hair. When it comes to dip dyeing, that means picking your new hue. Find your favorite color, looking at pictures of people with similar coloring to help narrow down your options. If you’re stuck between two shades, consider using both colors. Any two that are close on the color spectrum will blend beautifully, adding even more dimension to your hair.

STEP #2: SWITCH YOUR SHADE

It’s time! Your hair is ready for a new color—but how are you actually achieving it? Dark hair will need to be lightened with bleach prior to dyeing. Keep in mind that the darker your base shade, the more work it may take to achieve your desired dip-dyed look. Then you’ll apply your hair color(s) of choice over whatever areas you’ve bleached. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color, which is available in a variety of beautiful shades that are formulated to work on bleached, blonde, and highlighted hair. With colors ranging from pink to aqua, there’s sure to be an option that suits your fancy.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF DIP DYE HAIR

As fun as dip dye hair is, with it comes a bit of new responsibility. Gone are the days of reaching for any old products in the hair care aisle. Here are a few hair care tips to take note of after dyeing.

TIP #1: CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE

It’s important to use a system of hair care products formulated for color-treated hair. Stock your shower with a shampoo, conditioner, and mask like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Repair and Protect Balm.

TIP #2: MAKE MANE WAVES

Multi-toned tresses often look best styled into waves, and dip-dyed hair is no exception. Embrace your natural texture by opting for an air-dried style, spritzing a wave spray onto damp strands to help create shape. If your hair needs a bigger push in the right direction, weave it into braids and remove after a full night’s sleep to reveal more voluminous waves. If not, finish air-drying as per usual, and you’re all set!

TIP #3: REPEAT!

Once your color starts to fade, you’ll likely start getting the itch to refresh your hair with the same shade or revamp with a different hue. When you're ready to color your hair again, pick up more of your favorite at-home hair color, and get to work.

Next up: Interested in trying another colorful hair look? We suggest giving underlights a try. If your interest is piqued, check out our article, The Underlights Hair Trend Is All About an Unexpected Pop of Color.