Dye a Wig Using Acrylic Paint

Dyeing wigs can be an expensive process, but can also be really scary if it's your first time. But there's a simple and inexpensive way to do it and all it takes is a trip to the art store!

Steps

  1. Buy some acrylic paint from your local art store. It'll likely set you back $7/8 but 1 bottle goes a long way.
  2. Half fill a mixing bowl (or any other small plastic container - just make sure you don't mind it getting stained and wrecked) with lukewarm water.
  3. Add a small amount of the acrylic paint and mix.
  4. Keep adding and mixing until you get a mixture that looks similar to latex that's been melted. Add more water if you need to.
  5. Using a tint brush, paint the solution onto your wig, a section at a time. Remember to comb the hair after every 2Nd or 3rd stroke with a fine tooth comb to stop the strands becoming clumped together.
  6. Continue till you've covered the entire wig and leave to dry for 2-3 hours.
  7. Rinse with cold water until the water runs clear.

Tips

  • Remember to mix enough solution to cover your entire wig. The measurements i used were to suit a shoulder length wig; you can double it if your wig is longer.
  • Combing regularly while the wig is drying also helps stop the strands becoming tangled.
  • If using acrylic ink, use about 8 drops to 1 cup of rubbing alcohol. This will make the dye stick better.

Warnings

  • You can't lighten a dark wig using this, or any method.
  • The color of paint you buy is dependent on what color your starter wig is.
    For example, if you start with a white blond or pure white wig, then just buy the color of paint that best matches your desired color. If dyeing a light blue wig darker blue, buy the paint 2 shades lighter than the paint which matches your color.

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