dye a wig · Oct 27, 2021

How To Dye a Wig--Very Detailed Methods...

If you are looking for a way to spice up your wig, you should try adding color. Experimenting with colors on your wigs versus your real hair is the perfect way to try out the different colors with zero damage. Coloring your wigs in the comfort of your own home gives you the time and creativity to try out anything your heart desires. In this blog we will be discussing how to properly dye your wig at home, how to choose a wig, choosing your color, and proper wig care once your wig has been dyed. Need to know more, keep reading How to Dye a Wig.

Choosing Your Dye Color

When choosing your dye color for your wig, you should always choose a shade that neutralizes your skin undertone. For example, if you have cool-toned skin you need to find a shade that is warm in tone.

How to Find a Wig That Holds Color Properly

We all know all wigs are not made of high-quality hair and materials. There are ways to avoid purchasing a wig that is low quality and we are here to help you out.

Virgin Hair Wigs

When looking for a wig to color, virgin hair wigs are top tier. Why you may ask, this is due to the hair never being processed, ever. This means it has never been touched chemically and acts just as it says, like virgin hair. This then makes the hair more absorptive and ready to receive color.

Human Hair Wigs

Your second-best option is human hair wigs. These wigs are good for coloring but have received some type of chemical processing which will then receive your dye color differently due to it not being as porous as virgin hair is.

Steps To Dying Your Wig

Items Needed to Color You Wig

Coloring brush
Hair color
Color mixing bowl
Wig
Wig hand/stand
Developer
Clips
Wide-tooth comb

Make sure the wig you have is unprocessed and human hair.
Before dyeing your wig, make sure that you wash it to strip away the buildup from products or oils from your hair. Allow air drying to avoid heat damage with the wig.
Once completely dry, begin sectioning off hair into four sections. Two in the front and two in the back. While sectioning the hair off make sure that you are combing out any tangles or matted areas.
Mix your dye in your color mixing bowl or if a bottle is provided according to the instructions on the box. Usually, you only need to mix a 1:1 ratio of color and developer.
Mix until smooth with no bubbles or chunks, place your gloves on, and make sure you have a good amount of ventilation.
Place your wig on your headstand and do a strand test. Once your strand test has been done you are ready to color the entire wig.
Begin adding color at the roots on your wig and apply your color graciously. Move down the shaft of the hair and make sure all of the hair is full of color. Do the same thing to each section.
Allow your dye to sit on your wig according to the instructions on the dye box. Do not allow the color to stay longer than necessary. Just like your hair, wig hair can be overprocessed and damaged.
Once done processing, wash hair thoroughly, a good way to make sure you have all of the colors out is by making sure that the water runs clear when rinsing out the hair.
Apply the conditioner and rinse. Allow the wig to air dry or blow dry if you are short on time and style to your personal preference.

The Watercolor Method

The watercolor method has been an up-and-coming method for dying wigs. With the easy steps and lovely results, we understand why this method is becoming popular. Before attempting to watercolor your wig, we think you should know about the process and what you should be using. Using the watercolor method requires semi-permanent hair dye and mixing it in hot water to saturate your wig. You must use blonde or light color wigs for this method. You’ll then saturate your wig in the mixture allowing it to sit for a certain amount of time, and wah-lah you now have a beautifully colored wig. Want to try it out, keep reading!

Will The Watercolor Method Stain the Lace

We all know hair dye is commonly known for staining everything in its path, you may be wondering if the same thing will happen to your lace. Who wants a lace front wig with an unnatural-looking part and hairline, no one! In most cases you do not have to worry about this, however, you can never be too sure. If you are worried about your lace staining use petroleum jelly to create a barrier between the lace and the watercolor.

Is There a Difference Between Traditional Dye and Watercolor

Traditional hair dye and the watercolor method are both options when choosing to color your wig. Before choosing your method, you will need to consider the pros and cons when choosing a technique for you. With traditional hair dye, your hair color options are endless. Watercolor shades only show on blonde and light wigs. On the other hand, traditional hair dye gives you the option to go from darker to lighter as you would like.

Steps To Water Coloring Your Wig

It is essential to have a tangle-free, knotless, smooth wig, so you must first detangle it. Make sure you use a wig detangling brush for this step, if you have a lot of issues try using a detangler spray and a wide-tooth comb, combing from the ends to the root of your wig.
Fill a basin or plastic tub with the hottest water your faucet can make. You do not need to fill it up completely, fill it up with just enough to submerge your wig in the water with no issues. Add your dye color to your water and stir using a whisk to dye your mix evenly.
Make sure you put gloves on to avoid getting your hands stained from the color. Now, submerge your wig under the water and swirl in a circle, ensuring your wig gets covered entirely.
How long you leave the wig to sit depends on a few things including the density of your wig and how deep or dark you want your color to be. A general rule of thumb is leaving your wig submerged anywhere between two to five minutes, but make sure you read the instructions on the box. Remember, if your wig comes out spotty or the tone is not what you want, repeat the process until you are satisfied.

Originally published at https://bit.ly/3Bv5rgl on Feb 4, 2019.

Tips For Proper Color Care

To prevent your dye from fading quickly make sure you are not constantly using hot water. Hot water opens the hair cuticle which releases the color. Make sure to wash your wig in cold water to keep the cuticles sealed.
Make sure you are using a shampoo and conditioner made specifically for colored hair. Most shampoos strip everything from the hair including hair dye. Shampoos made for colored hair moisturizes and locks in the color to avoid quick fading.
Avoid constant hot tools, hot tools will dry out and fade the color. Try no heat styles to style your hair and use heat protectants when styling the wig.
Wash your wig less often than when it isn’t colored.
Use leave-in hair products that protect the hair from the sun and add moisture.