How to Dye Your Hair with Food Coloring

Food coloring can also be used to dye your hair in various vibrant shades, offering an affordable and easy alternative with less damage compared to store-bought hair dyes. For a temporary color, you just need white conditioner. If you want a more lasting result, you will need to use a dyeing cream. Keep in mind that food coloring will fade faster than most hair dyes, but it's still a great option for a temporary color change without the need for long-term maintenance.

Bleach or lighten your hair color, if necessary. Food coloring has a translucent quality, meaning it will only coat the existing color. If your hair is dark, the color may not show up at all. For light brown or brown hair, the color will likely turn out darker. If you’re okay with a darker hue, you can skip this step.

• Note that blue can shift to a greenish tone on blonde hair and may appear slightly brownish on brassy-colored hair. If you’re not fond of these hues, it’s best to balance the hair color for a more neutral tone.

Protect the area where you'll be dyeing your hair. Choose a location that's easy to clean, like the kitchen or bathroom. If you're in a carpeted or hard-to-clean space, lay down some newspaper or a plastic sheet on the floor. Make sure all your supplies are ready and within reach for the hair dyeing process.

Wear old clothes and put on plastic or vinyl gloves. If you don’t have old clothes, opt for a dark-colored shirt. Wearing a hair cape or draping an old towel over your shoulders is also a good idea.

• If you wish, you can visit beauty supply stores to buy a plastic hair cape similar to those used at salons.

Squeeze white conditioner into a bowl or plastic container. You need enough conditioner to cover all of your hair, at least 2 tablespoons (30 ml). Avoid using colored conditioner, as it might interfere with the dye color. You can also try using a white hair cream or gel instead.

• If you want a longer-lasting color, replace the conditioner with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of dyeing cream.

Add food coloring to the bowl. The amount of dye you'll need depends on how intense you want the color; the more dye, the darker the color. Keep in mind that the color might appear lighter in the bowl. Use standard gel or liquid food coloring, not vegetable-based dyes, as they won’t adhere to the hair.

• If you want a more durable color, mix 1 tablespoon of food coloring with dyeing cream.

Adjust the dye color to neutralize yellow or brassy tones, if needed. If you've previously lightened your hair, it might have turned yellow or brassy, which can affect the final dye result. In such cases, you can add a bit of purple or blue to the dye to cancel out the unwanted shades.

• You can also separately mix a light blue (to neutralize brassiness) or light purple (to counter yellow) and apply it to your hair before dyeing. After washing and drying, you can apply the desired color.

Divide your hair into sections. It's best to split your hair into at least 4 sections for easier dyeing. If you plan to dye your hair in multiple colors, divide it according to the number of shades you want to apply.

Apply the dye to your hair, starting from the roots. You can use your hands or a special dyeing comb to apply the dye. Make sure to massage the dye into your hair. Avoid letting the dye form bubbles, as this will dilute it and reduce its effectiveness.

• If you want highlights, apply the dye to thin sections of your hair. Wrap each section in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep them separate. Don't dye your entire head of hair.
• Another method for highlights is to poke several holes in a shower cap, place it on your head, and pull sections of hair through the holes. You can also buy shower caps with holes at beauty supply stores.

Place your hair under a shower cap. If necessary, you can twist and pin your hair up. Leave it for up to 2 hours.

• If you don’t have a shower cap, you can use plastic wrap or a plastic bag to cover your hair and secure it with a plastic clip.

Leave the dye on for 30 minutes to 3 hours. The longer the dye stays on your hair, the deeper the color will be. Keep in mind that the lighter your hair, the quicker the dye will absorb.

• If you use dyeing cream to prolong the color, leave it on for around 40 minutes. The longer the dye stays on, the darker the result. For a lighter color, you can leave it on for a shorter time.

Consider testing a few strands first. This step is only necessary if you want a specific color tone or if it's your first time dyeing your hair with food coloring. Take a small section of hair from an inconspicuous spot and rinse it clean. If the color is too light, leave the dye on for a longer time. If you're satisfied, proceed to the next step.

Rinse the dye out with cool water. Cool water helps to seal the hair cuticle and preserve the color. You can rinse your hair in a sink or under the shower. Avoid using shampoo and conditioner, as they can wash out the color. If you've dyed your hair in multiple colors, rinse each section separately.

Blow dry your hair on a low heat setting. Alternatively, you can use a towel to blot your hair and let it dry naturally. Be sure to use an old towel, as the dye might stain it.

Care for your freshly dyed hair. If you mixed conditioner with dye, avoid washing your hair for 3-5 days to allow the color to set. You may also want to use dark-colored pillowcases to prevent the dye from staining your pillow.

• Temporary dyeing will start to fade with each wash. The color will last for about 2 weeks, depending on the shade and your natural hair type. Some colors may wash out after 2-3 washes.
• More permanent dyeing methods will last around 3 weeks before the color begins to fade.

• If your hair is dark, you may need to apply the dye multiple times.
• Don't touch your hair while it’s still wet, or your hands will get stained too.
• Avoid swimming in chlorinated water, as it can cause the dye to fade.
• If you're dyeing your hair with food coloring for the first time, do a patch test on a small section to ensure you're happy with the results!
• Consider applying Vaseline along your hairline and the nape of your neck to avoid staining your skin.
• If the dye stains your skin, try using shaving cream or lemon juice to remove it. Hair toner or rubbing alcohol can also be effective.
• The color may change over time. For example, blue can turn into green if you have blonde hair.
• If your hair has been bleached, you can mix 1-2 parts food coloring with 1 part water and apply the mixture to clean hair, then blow dry. Avoid washing your hair for a few days, and the color will last for up to 3 washes. This is a cheaper alternative to temporary hair dye.
• Mix more dye than you think you’ll need, especially if you have long or thick hair. It’s hard to replicate the exact color in a second batch.
• If you used conditioner to mix your dye and dislike the color afterward, wash your hair with a deep-cleansing shampoo. Keep in mind that this method may not work if you used dye activator instead of conditioner.
• Consider mixing the dye in a professional hair dye bottle, the type used for applying dye.
• Wait one week before perming your hair. If you’ve just had a perm, wait a week before dyeing your hair.

• Food coloring can temporarily stain your skin.
• Do not use organic food coloring, natural dyes, or vegetable-based colors. They will not stick to your hair.

• Plastic or vinyl gloves
• Old clothes and towels
• Plastic bowl or container
• Mixing spoon
• White conditioner (for temporary dye) or color activator cream (for longer-lasting color)
• Food coloring (do not use vegetable-based food coloring)
• Specialized hair dye comb (optional)
• Shower cap