Dye Hair Two Colors

Two-toned hair seems to be all the rage, and it works on just about any hair length. It’s also easy to achieve at home. With so many colors and styles to choose from, the toughest issue you’ll face is picking your look. Ombre, dip-dyeing and dyed layers are three easy styles that allow for many possible color combinations. Whether you choose two natural colors or two pastels, you’re bound to get stunning results!

Steps

Creating the Ombre Look

1. Separate your hair. Brush or comb your hair into two loose pigtails. This will make it easier to wrap in foil after you apply the bleach and the dye. Tie an elastic band on each segment to mark the bottom 2/3 of your hair.
2. Bleach the area below the elastic bands. This step is a must if you have dark hair. If you skip this step, you probably won’t get the look you wanted. Using an applicator brush, apply the bleach in gentle downward strokes.
   • If you have blonde or light red hair and are dyeing your hair darker colors, you can skip this step.
3. Apply the foil. You’ll need several pieces of foil for this step. Wrap each separated section. Allow the bleach to process for at least 10 minutes. Unfold one piece of oil to check the progress. If you want your hair to be lighter, let the bleach set longer.
   • Your processing time could take up to 45 minutes, depending on how light you want your hair to be.
4. Remove the foil. Gently unwrap each piece of foil. Give them a good rinse to remove the bleach. Toss them in the recycling bin.
5. Wash and dry your hair. Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. This will remove the bleach from your hair. Blow dry your hair. Otherwise, it won’t absorb the dye.
6. Divide your hair. Brush your hair into two loose pigtails. Tie an elastic band just above the top of the bleached section on each side.
7. Open the first dye kit. This should be the lighter color. Pour the dye into an old container. If the dye is separated into powder and liquid, mix the ingredients until you don’t see any powder particles. Make sure every last bit of powder gets stirred into the mixture.
8. Open the first dye kit. This should be the lighter color. Pour the dye into an old container. If the dye is separated into powder and liquid, mix the ingredients until you don’t see any powder particles. Make sure every last bit of powder gets stirred into the mixture.
9. Apply the first color. Use the enclosed applicator brush to dye the entire bleached section of your hair. Paint the dye in slow downward strokes on the entire bleached section of your hair.
10. Mark the next section of your hair. Fold a piece of foil over the bottom 1/3 or 1/4 of your hair. Secure it with an elastic band. This will prevent the darker dolor from seeping too much into the lighter section.
11. Open the second color. This should be the darker color. Repeat the steps you took with the first color. Use a separate container for this dye mixture. You will also need a separate applicator brush, if it is not included in the kit.
12. Apply the second color. Use the applicator brush to coat your hair from the top of the lighter color to the beginning of the foil. Move in gentle downward sweeps. Blend the colors at their meeting point by giving each lock a gently twist.
13. Let both colors set in. Follow the instructions on the box. Set a timer for the recommended amount of time. This is usually about an hour.
14. Rinse with a vinegar mixture. Mix one part apple cider vinegar and three parts water in a spray bottle. Spritz the dyed part of your hair. Make sure the spray covers the entire colored section. This helps the color to last longer.
    • Use the rinse every time you wash your hair.

Creating the Dip-Dye Look

1. Separate your hair. Brush or comb your hair into two to three sections on each side. This will make it easier to wrap in foil after you apply the bleach and the dye. Tie an elastic band on each segment to mark the tips of your hair. How many inches or centimeters you want to color is up to you.
2. Bleach the tips of your hair. This step is a must if you have dark hair. If you skip this step, you probably won’t get the look you wanted. Using an applicator brush, apply the bleach in gentle downward strokes.
   • If you have blonde or light red hair and are dyeing your hair darker colors, you can skip this step.
3. Apply the foil. You’ll need several pieces of foil for this step. Wrap each separated section. Allow the bleach to process for at least 10 minutes. Unfold one piece of oil to check the progress. If you want your hair to be lighter, let the bleach set longer.
   • Your processing time could take up to 45 minutes, depending on how light you want your hair to be.
4. Remove the foil. Gently unwrap each piece of foil. Give them a good rinse to remove the bleach. Toss them in the recycling bin.
5. Wash and dry your hair. Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. This will remove the bleach from your hair. Blow dry your hair. Otherwise, it won’t absorb the dye.
6. Open the first dye kit. Pour the dye into an old container. If the dye is separated into powder and liquid, mix the ingredients until you don’t see any powder particles. Make sure every last bit of powder gets stirred into the mixture.
7. Apply the first color. Use the enclosed applicator brush. Paint the dye in slow downward strokes on the entire bleached section of your hair.
8. Open the second color. Repeat the steps you took with the first color. Use a separate container for this dye mixture. You will also need a separate applicator brush, if it is not included in the kit.
9. Apply the second color. Paint the bottom half of the bleached area. In this step, you’ll cover part of the first color. Blend the colors at their meeting point by giving each lock a gently twist.
10. Let both colors set in. Follow the instructions on the box. Set a timer for the recommended amount of time. This is usually about an hour.
11. Rinse with a vinegar mixture. Mix one part apple cider vinegar and three parts water in a spray bottle. Spritz the dyed part of your hair. Make sure the spray covers the entire colored section. This helps the color to last longer.
    • Use the rinse every time you wash your hair.

Creating the Dyed Layers Look

1. Bleach your hair. This step is a must if you have dark hair. If you skip this step, you probably won’t get the look you wanted. Use an applicator brush to apply the bleach. Move in gentle downward strokes.
   • If you have blonde or light red hair and are dyeing your hair darker colors, you may skip this step.
2. Apply the foil. You’ll need several pieces of foil for this step. Wrap each separated section. Allow the bleach to process for at least 10 minutes. Unfold one piece of oil to check the progress. If you want your hair to be lighter, let the bleach set longer.
   • Your processing time could take up to 45 minutes, depending on how light you want your hair to be.
3. Remove the foil. Gently unwrap each piece of foil. Give them a good rinse to remove the bleach. Toss them in the recycling bin.
4. Wash and dry your hair. Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. This will remove the bleach from your hair. Blow dry your hair. Otherwise, it won’t absorb the dye.
5. Separate your layers. Use a comb to divide your hair horizontally at the back of your head. Use a comb to create a slight zigzag pattern. This will prevent an odd-looking line of the lower layer from popping through the top.
6. Divide the upper layer. Comb your hair. Separate it into a right and a left section. Divide it again into top and bottom segment. Clip each part to the top third of your head.
7. Divide your lower layer. Comb your hair. Separate it into right and left sections. Divide again into top and bottom sections. Make sure your hair clips are a different color for this step so that you don’t confuse your top and bottom layers.
8. Open the first dye kit. Pour the dye into an old container. If the dye is separated into powder and liquid, mix the ingredients until you don’t see any powder particles. Make sure every last bit of powder gets stirred into the mixture.
9. Dye the bottom layers of your hair. Use the applicator brush. Sweep the dye on individual locks with gentle downward strokes. After you finish each lock, fold it in a piece of foil.
10. Open the second dye kit. Repeat the steps you took with the first color. Use a separate container for this dye mixture. You will also need a separate applicator brush, if it’s not included in the kit.
11. Let out the clipped hair. Brush or comb out this section. Do this gently, being careful not to puncture the foil.
12. Dye the top layer. Use a separate applicator brush for this step. Apply the dye with gentle downward strokes. Fold up each segment into a piece of foil.
13. Let the dye set in. Follow the instructions on the box. Set a timer for the recommended amount of time. This is usually about an hour.
14. Remove the foil. Gently unwrap the foil from each section of hair you dyed. Wash the foil to remove the dye. Toss it in the recycling bin.
15. Rinse with a vinegar mixture. In a pot large enough to fit your head, mix one part apple cider vinegar and three parts water. Dunk your hair in the pot. This step helps the color to last longer.
    • Use the rinse every time you wash your hair.

Tips

• Wear an old tee shirt or other piece of clothing you won’t mind dyeing.
• Use shampoo for color-treated hair. Regular shampoo will fade your colors.
• Avoid using a hair dryer after you dye your hair. The heat will cause your colors to fade.
• Wear plastic or rubber gloves to avoid dyeing your hands.
• After you dye your hair, rinse and wash with cold water. Hot or warm water will ruin your new look.

Warnings

• It’s easier to go darker than lighter. You’re more likely to get the result you want if you’re a natural blonde and you’re dying your hair a darker color.
• If you choose pastel colors, you’ll have to avoid regular washings and re-dye every few weeks. Otherwise, your new colors will fade very quickly.

Things You'll Need

• Two boxes of hair dye, each in a different color
• Hair clips
• Towel
• Hair bleach
• Gloves
• Dye applicator brushes, if not included in the dye kits
• Foil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Water
• Spray bottle or large pot

Related Articles

• Dye Your Hair an Unnatural Color
• Dye Your Hair Blonde and Black Underneath
• Make a Hair Two Different Colors
• Dye Hair With Kool Aid

Sources and Citations

See also

• Do Ecaille Hair Color
• Dip Dye Dark Hair
• Lowlight Gray Hair
• Lowlight Blonde Hair
• Bleach Hair Blonde
• Prepare Your Hair for Bleaching
• Color Hair With Food Coloring
• Dye Hair
• Dye Your Hair Brown After It Has Been Dyed Black
• Dye Hair with Leopard Spots

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