Fall is the perfect time to experiment with hair color. If there’s one thing that’ll keep you going through the winter blues, it’s a new and improved hairstyle in a gorgeous, cool weather shade. By dyeing your wig, you can get all the fun of a new color without as much of a commitment.
Permanently dyeing your wig can be a delicate process, but by following the proper steps, you can keep your wig in great condition and achieve the color of your dreams.
This year, a variety of colors are in style, from creamy blonde to “bronde” to dark jet black. Then there are the yearly fall staples – shades of red and caramel. Think about which shades will match with your skin tone, and then go from there!
Here are the 7 steps you need to take to transform your wig into a new fall color.
1. Wash and dry.
Before dyeing your wig, it’s important to start with a clean unit so the color takes evenly. Carefully wash and dry your wig as you normally would, ideally allowing it to fully air dry.
2. Place on mannequin head.
If you have a mannequin head available, now is the time to use it! Place your wig on the mannequin head so you can easily see what you’re doing.
3. Detangle and separate.
Next, detangle your wig with a comb to remove any knots or snags. Again, this will make the whole dyeing process much smoother. Once your wig is detangled, separate it into 4 to 8 sections so that you can apply the color evenly.
4. Prepare for a slight mess.
Dyeing hair is messy, period. To protect your skin and household, wear a pair of gloves, and cover the counter with an old towel or newspapers to protect it from the hair dye.
5. For human hair wigs: Use at-home hair dye.
Now, it’s time to mix your formula. For human hair wigs, you can use the exact same products that you’d use for your real hair. Look for an at-home dye, like Clairol, Garnier Nutrisse, or John Frieda. Simply mix the color before applying, and follow the instructions on the box for application. Make sure to apply the color at the roots, then work down to the tips.
Remember that some colors will require you to lighten the wig first. If the current color of your wig is 3 or more shades darker than the color you will be dyeing it, you’ll need to bleach first – otherwise, you’ll end up with a darker version of your desired color. Again, apply the bleach evenly from root to tip, and follow the processing directions carefully – you never want to leave bleach on for too long.
Depending on your desired color, you may also need to use a toner after bleach before moving onto the hair dye.
It’s always a good idea to test the bleach and/or dye on a small non-visible section first to ensure that you get good results.
If you’re using a homemade or cheaper wig with human hair glued onto a stocking cap, avoid this process altogether. The chemicals in the dye can cause the tracks to come undone from the cap.
6. For synthetic wigs: Use fiber dye.
Yes, you can dye synthetic hair, too! But the process is quite different. Synthetic hair doesn’t absorb color well enough for deep, vibrant colors like red. But, on the plus side, you can easily achieve bright, fun pastel colors like rose gold or turquoise.
A couple things to keep in mind: Regular hair dye won’t work on synthetic wigs. You can’t bleach synthetic fibers either, because you run the risk of burning or smoking the hair. That means you can’t dye synthetic wigs a lighter color than they currently are. If you want more options, start with a blonde or white synthetic wig.
You can use fiber dye, alcohol-based ink, or even acrylic paint to dye synthetic wigs. Fiber dye is a great option because it’s easily available at craft stores in a variety of colors. Keep in mind that you may have to do some color mixing to get the color of your dreams.
Mix the fabric dye with hot water in a large container. Then, dunk the wig into the bucket, stir well, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse the wig until the water runs clear.
7. Condition afterward.
Finally, rinse the wig with cool water and condition with a color-safe conditioner before air-drying. Hair dye can be rough on hair, so properly conditioning afterward is important! If you bleached your hair, you should also deep condition or do a light protein treatment to rebuild the health of your strands.
*Please note that we recommend consulting a certified or licensed professional before the use of any color or chemical treatments. Contact your local Mayvenn stylist or our Customer Service team for help!
