Cheaply Dye Your Hair a Wacky Color

If you're seeking an inexpensive way to color your hair, look no further than your kitchen cupboards. Homemade hair coloring is far less harsh than commercial hair dye, and it's relatively simple to make. For blondes, the following homemade hair dyes produce more noticeable results. If you're a brunette or you have black hair, the effect won't be as dramatic.

Steps

Preparation

  1. Start with clean, damp hair. Wash your hair thoroughly to make sure it’s free of all styling products.
  2. Put on latex gloves . Both Kool-Aid and beets will stain your hands if you don’t wear gloves.
  3. Rub petroleum jelly along your hairline. Petroleum jelly will prevent discoloration of your skin.
  4. Cover your shoulders with a towel. This will prevent staining your clothing.

Kool-Aid

  1. Pour 3 to 6 Kool-Aid packets into a glass bowl. Make sure you use unsweetened Kool-Aid — sweetened Kool-Aid will make your hair sticky. For short to medium-length hair, three packets will do. If your hair is shoulder-length or longer, you’ll need no less than six packets.
    • For bright red hair, use tropical punch or black cherry flavored Kool-Aid.
    • For purple hair, use grape flavored Kool-Aid.
    • For orange hair, choose peach-mango or orange flavored Kool-Aid.
  2. Mix conditioner and Kool-Aid. Add enough conditioner to cover your entire head and mix well.
  3. Apply the mixture. Using a hair-coloring brush or your hands, coat your hair thoroughly. Work the mixture in, and make sure your ends are coated.
  4. Wrap your hair. Cover your hair with plastic wrap. Make sure your entire head is covered. Use tape to secure the plastic wrap.
  5. Wait 6 to 8 hours. Leave the mixture on your hair overnight. You can have the plastic wrap on. If you’re worried about staining your pillows, you can cover the plastic wrap with a large bath towel.
  6. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Don’t shampoo, otherwise you’ll wash the coloring out. Simply rinsing your hair will allow the coloring to continue to permeate your hair.

Beet Juice

  1. Juice 1 or 2 large beets. If you don’t have a juicer, blend the beets with 1 cup of water and allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture and reserve the liquid.
  2. Pour the beet liquid into a spray bottle. Divide your hair into small sections, then thoroughly spritz each section.
  3. Cover your hair with plastic wrap. Use tape to secure the plastic wrap. You can also use a plastic bag; secure it with a few bobby pins or tie it in a knot at the front of your head.
  4. Wait 2 to 3 hours. Allow the beet liquid to fully saturate your hair for at least 2 to 3 hours.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with cool water. Rinse your hair until the water runs clear. Don’t shampoo for at least 24 hours.

Tips

  • Add a few drops of yellow food coloring and a few drops of red food coloring to the orange flavored Kool-Aid mixture for a deeper orange shade.
  • Add a few drops of blue food coloring to the tropical punch or black cherry flavored Kool-Aid mixture to make a purple dye.
  • Remember, these homemade hair dyes are only temporary.
  • Add several drops of red food coloring to the tropical punch or black cherry flavored Kool-Aid mixture for a deeper red.
  • For a darker burgundy color, apply the beet liquid once a week.
  • If you're tinting your hair with beets, sit under a dryer to speed up the process.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 to 6 unsweetened Kool-Aid packets
  • 2 to 3 beets
  • Conditioner
  • Hair coloring brush (optional)
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Spray bottle
  • Plastic wrap
  • Tape
  • Latex gloves
  • Glass bowl
  • Towel

Sources and Citations

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