How to Dye Hair Blue

Dyeing your hair blue is a fun way to get out of a color rut. Before you dye your hair blue, it is important to lighten it as much as possible so that the dye will take. Then, you can dye your hair blue and use some special techniques to ensure that your color will be vibrant and long-lasting.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Lightening Your Hair

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1
Start with a clarifying shampoo. Using a clarifying shampoo can help to remove buildup from your hair and make it easier for you to dye it. It can also help to remove leftover dye from the last time you dyed your hair.^{[1]XResearch source} You can find a clarifying shampoo in beauty supply store and some drug stores.
- Follow the instructions on the package for the clarifying shampoo. You should be able to use it just like a normal shampoo.
2
Use a color remover if you’ve dyed your hair before. If your hair still has dye leftover from the last time you colored it, then you may need to use a color remover to get your hair ready to dye.^{[2]XExpert SourceChristine George
Master Hair Stylist & ColoristExpert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Color removers do not bleach your hair, they just lift off the dyes and this may lighten your hair slightly. However, if your hair is still dark underneath the dye, then you will need to bleach it.
- Follow the instructions for the color remover.
- You can purchase color remover in a kit at beauty supply stores.
- The kit has two ingredients that you will need to mix together and then apply to all of your hair.
- After you apply the color remover to your hair, you will leave it in for a set amount of time and then rinse it out.
- If you have a heavy buildup of dye on your hair, then you may need to use color remover twice to get all of the dye off.
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3
Bleach your hair if it is still dark. If your hair is still dark after you use the color remover, then you will need to bleach it to ensure that your hair will look really blue when you dye it.^{[3]XResearch source} You can bleach your hair using a kit from a drug or beauty supply store, or you can have it bleached professionally.
- Purchase a kit meant to prepare your hair for dye.
- You may want to have a professional hair stylist bleach your hair if you have never done it before.^{[4]XResearch source}
4
Repair your hair with a deep conditioning treatment. After using color remover and bleach on your hair, it might be damaged and dry. To repair some of the damage, you can use a protein treatment or a deep conditioner.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Follow the package instructions for use. For deep conditioners, apply the conditioner to clean, wet hair and leave it in for a few minutes.
- You might also want to wait for a few days before dyeing your hair to give your hair a chance to recover from the chemicals.

Part 2

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Dyeing Your Hair

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1
Protect your clothes and skin. Before you start the dyeing process, make sure that you put on an old t-shirt that you don’t mind getting stained. Then, wrap a towel or smock around your neck to protect your skin from the dye and put on a pair of vinyl gloves to keep the dye from staining your hands and fingernails.
- You may also want to apply some petroleum jelly around the edges of your hairline and ears to prevent the dye from staining your skin.
- Keep in mind that if you get the dye on your skin or nails, it will come off eventually. However, if you get the dye on your clothes or other fabrics, then it may never come out.^{[6]XResearch source}
Your hair needs to be extra clean before you dye it or the dye may not take. Make sure that you shampoo your hair before you dye it. However, do not condition your hair. The conditioner may prevent the dye from penetrating your strands.^{[7]XResearch source}
3
Mix the dye. Not all dyes require mixing. However, if your dye does need to be mixed before you use it, then follow the package instructions for mixing the dye. Use a plastic bowl and a dye brush to mix your dye components together according to the package instructions.
- If you have a dye that you do not need to mix, then you may still want to transfer the dye to a plastic bowl to make it easier to scoop it out and apply it to your hair.
4
Apply the dye to your hair. When you are ready to apply the dye, start coating your hair in sections. You may want to use some non-metallic hair clips to secure about half of your hair on top of your head so that you can apply the dye to the bottom layers first.
- Use your fingertips or a dye brush to ensure that the dye coats all of your strands evenly. Start at the roots and work out towards the ends of your strands.
- Some dyes advise you to work the dye into your strands until the dye becomes slightly frothy.^{[8]XResearch source} Check the package instructions to see if you need to do this.
5
Let the dye sit for as long as necessary. After you have coated all of your strands in the dye, place a shower cap or plastic wrap over your hair and set a timer. The amount of time that you need to leave the dye on your hair will depend on the type of dye you are using. Some brands can be left on for up to an hour, while others will only take about 15 minutes.
- Watch your time so that you do not leave the dye on for too long.
6
Rinse out the dye. After the time is up, rinse the dye out of your hair until the water runs almost clear. Try to use only cool lukewarm water to rinse your hair.^{[9]XResearch source} Warm water may remove more of the dye and the color may not look as vibrant.
- After you have rinsed out the dye, dry your hair with a towel. Do not blow dry it because the heat may damage your hair and cause the dye to bleed.

Part 3

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Maintaining Your Look

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1
Use a vinegar rinse immediately after dyeing. To prolong your color and make it look more vibrant, you can use a vinegar rinse made up of equal parts water and white vinegar. Pour one cup of white vinegar and one cup of water into a medium sized bowl. Then, pour the solution over your hair. Leave it in for about two minutes and then rinse well.^{[10]XResearch source}
- You may want to shampoo and condition your hair again after doing a vinegar rinse to remove the smell of the vinegar from your hair.
2
Wash your hair less frequently. The less often you wash your hair, the longer your hair color will last. If possible, try to wash your hair no more than twice per week. To keep your hair looking clean between washes, you can use a dry shampoo.^{[11]XResearch source}
- When you do wash your hair, make sure that you only use cool or lukewarm water to wash it.
- It is also helpful to follow up your conditioner with a blast of very cool water to close the hair shaft and lock in more of the color.
3
Steer clear of heat treatments. Heat can cause the color to bleed from your hair and this may cause your hair color to fade faster.^{[12]XResearch source} To prevent this, try to avoid using any heat treatments, such as blow dryers, flat irons, or hot rollers.
- If you need to dry your hair, make sure that you use the cool or warm setting on your blow dryer rather than the hot setting.
- If you want to curl your hair, then try putting foam rollers in before you go to bed. These will curl your hair without the use of heat.
Most blue dyes are semi-permanent colors and these dyes tend to fade fast, so you might notice your color fading a little over time. To maintain your vibrant blue color, you will need to re-dye your hair about once every three to four weeks.^{[13]XResearch source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
Why did my hair turn green when I died it?
Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.
Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Answer
If you previously dyed hair, the leftover pigment will absorb the new dye and change the color.
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Can a person be born with blue hair?
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Answer
No, blue hair is not a natural color. Some people with naturally very dark hair may have a slightly bluish cast in sunlight, but this is very rare.
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Do you wash your hair before you dye it?
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Answer
You should wash your hair before using a semi-permanent dye. This will help the dye penetrate more deeply and the color to absorb more evenly. Do not wash immediately before using permanent color.
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Tips

Condition your hair with natural oils such as coconut, almond or gooseberry oil after bleaching. This will make up for any damage caused to your hair by the bleaching. Washing out the oil after applying it overnight is enough.
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If you get dye on your counter tops or tub, then try scrubbing with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
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You don't have to bleach your hair if you are doing a darker color. Bleach damages your hair so if you have dark hair and you do a dark color it won't damage it as much. Good dyes to use are Arctic Fox and Manic Panic because they are both vegan.
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Warnings

Do not mix the bleach and the dye! It may cause a dangerous chemical reaction.
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Some dyes use a chemical called Para-phenylenediamine, which can cause bad reactions in some people. Be sure to always do a patch test before dyeing, but especially with dyes containing this ingredient.
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Only use glass, ceramic, or plastic bowls for dye and bleach.
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Things You'll Need

A comb and/or tint brush
Gloves
Petroleum jelly
Blue dye in desired shade (Manic Panic, Special FX, and Punky Colors are all great brands to try)
Clarifying shampoo
Color remover
Hair bleach at proper strength
Glass, ceramic, or plastic bowl
Shower cap
White vinegar