As wigs become more mainstream, the more ways, we can create to keep them in style. One way of doing that is coloring your wig. You can choose from bold and vibrant temporary color options to subtle and more natural colors. Either way it goes, you can find that dyeing your wigs will make them come to life and give you a fabulous look.
Human hair wigs and synthetic hair wigs can both benefit from coloring. Because of the hair fibers, you may find it easier to color your human hair wigs than synthetic. Regardless, hair dye has evolved in many ways, and so does the way we color our hair.
My name is Lauren, and I have worked in the hair industry for many years. My clients love a nice hair color to complement their looks. After experimenting with different methods to color wigs, I will go through some of my best methods with you.
You don’t have to have any prior knowledge to achieve these methods, just with a bit of patience and following my instructions, you will be able to dye your wigs in no time. I will also cover some frequent topics and concerns that may come up when you are thinking about dyeing your wig.
If you are ready to avoid hair coloring mistakes that you have made in the past and want to learn practical and easily attainable skills that you will need, then keep reading to learn more. When you finish reading this article, you will have a better idea of what it takes to get your wig in a beautiful color.
Method 1: Traditional Way to Dye Your Wig
In this method, we will go over the standard application you are probably aware of when dyeing a wig. I use this method for both permanent and temporary coloring options.
Materials Needed
Here are the materials you will need to ensure a great and easy process:
- Mixing Bowl
- Dye brush
- Latex or plastic gloves
- Foil (optional)
- Clips
- Comb
- Large plastic garbage bag
Make sure your wig is fresh and washed before you start. You can brush it out to ensure it is free from knots and tangles. You want to make sure that the hair is easy to comb through when adding your color to the wig.
Coloring Your Wig: Preparation
If your dye comes with instructions written out for you, then follow it to prepare your hair dye. If not, it is best to determine how much of the wig you want to dye so that you can prepare an accurate ratio of color to the developer. You should be safe with a 1:1 ratio for a standard dye job.
If you plan to lighten the wig and lift it up to more than 1 to 2 levels, you will probably use more of the developer, so a 1:2 ratio would be advised.
After you have chosen your designated workstation, lay out the large plastic garbage bag as your work table to avoid any mess during this process.
Detailed Steps
Your gloves should be on by now, and any loose clothing or hair should be tied and pulled back. Now you are ready to dye your wig, and can begin here:
Step 1: Take your dye brush and mix the hair dye and developer in the mixing bowl with the measured proportions given in the instructions.
Step 2: Section your wig into four parts and clip three sections out of the way, leaving the section you want to start with loose.
Step 3: Laying your wig on the large plastic garbage bag, brushing the dye into the hair, and coat all of the strands. You can use foil here if you want to keep the hair separated.
Step 4: Go to the next section and repeat the 3rd step until you have applied your hair coloring mix to the entire wig.
Step 5: The instructions on the box or bottle, will tell you to leave the hair color on the wig for a certain amount of time. This can be anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes.
Step 6: Once your timer is up, rinse your wig with warm water until it runs clear.
Step 7: Apply conditioner to the wig and rinse it out.
Step 8: Towel dry your hair and get rid of any excess water. Place your wig on the wig stand and allow it to air dry before you style it.
This completes the hair coloring process for your wig. Please note that these steps can also be followed if you want to tone or bleach your wig.
Method 2: Use Watercolor to Dye Your Wig
In this method, we will go over the watercolor application you may not be familiar with when dyeing a wig. This method works for both permanent and temporary coloring options.
Materials Needed
Here are the materials you will need to ensure a great and easy process:
- Basin or bucket
- Dye or Hair color
- Latex or plastic gloves
- Hot water
Make sure your wig is washed before you start. You can brush it out to ensure it is free from knots and tangles.
Detailed Steps
Your gloves should be on by now, and any loose clothing or hair should be tied and pulled back. Now you are ready to dye your wig, and can begin here:
Step 1: Fill your basin or bucket with hot water, ensuring enough to submerge your wig in.
Step 2: Take your dye or hair color and pour it into the basin using the desired amount. A full bottle will give you a richer color than a half bottle.
Step 3: Mix your dye completely into the water. Once you are satisfied with the mix, you can now begin to soak your wig.
Step 4: Submerge your wig into the water and leave it there for 3-5 minutes. You can pick your wig up, check the color, and dip it in again if you are unsatisfied with the color.
Step 5: Remove the wig from the water and rinse it with cold water until it runs clear.
Step 6: You can condition the wig here, rinse it, and let it air dry on your wig stand or mannequin head.
This completes the watercolor method. You can style the wig once it is completely dried, and it is ready to wear out.
FAQs
Now that you have learned to dye your wig, you may still have some questions that you will need help to answer. Check out some frequently asked topics that you might consider when it comes to dyeing a wig.
Will the watercolor method stain lace wigs?
This shouldn’t be a concern for you if you choose to try out the watercolor method. Your lace will maintain its hues and can always be recolored with lace tint if you are concerned.
Like most lace wigs, there will be a fair amount of customization involved when it comes to matching the lace to your skin tone for the best results. You can usually avoid using a lace tint because you will use your foundation or concealer to match the lace to your skin.
Can you dye your wig wet?
Yes, you can definitely dye your hair while it’s wet, but beware that the color will probably be less vibrant, and it might not last as long. Some experts say that it might be a little more uneven than it would be if you colored it while it was dry. However, the quality of the dye usually plays a big part in that.
If you are bent on dying your wig wet, I suggest using the watercolor method as the practical approach. You can always dye it again if it is not dark enough.
How do you pick the right color to dye your wig?
There really is no right or wrong color to choose from when it comes to dying your wig. What you should keep in mind is how often you will wear the wig and what for. The color depends on your costume if you plan to dress up as a character.
Wigs for everyday use will be quite different. You want to choose a color that compliments your skin tone and enhances your natural beauty. If you are into non-traditional colors that are bold and vibrant, then look for one that will show off your personality.
You can benefit from dyeing your hair natural colors too, because sometimes the wigs will come in natural colors that aren’t your precise hair color. Dyes like jet black and dark brown are suitable for getting the uniformity of natural colors in your wig.
Wrapping Up
Now you can dye your wigs with ease and without the worry of doing a botched dye job. The traditional method works great and is a sure method for all types of hair dyeing, including bleaching and highlights. The watercolor method might be new, but has shown to be very effective in dyeing a wig.
I hope this article was helpful and that your next wig-dyeing journey will be a success. Share some methods with us in the comments that you like to use.
We have written several articles about coloring your wigs and hair extensions, do check them out according to your interest: