How to Dip Dye Hair with Kool Aid

Want to add a pop of color to your hair? Kool-aid is a fun, cheap, and chemical-free way to temporarily dye the ends of your hair. Read this article to learn how!

EditSteps

EditPrepping Hair

Make sure that your hair is completely dry. For best results, dye hair that has been washed the day before. Hair that is either too dirty or too damp will not absorb as much color.

Brush out any tangles. Use a brush or comb to de-tangle your hair, and make sure that there are no styling products (gel, hairspray, etc.) in your hair prior to coloring.

EditDying Hair

Repeat Twice

Pour two packets of sugar-free Kool-aid and two cups of water into a pot. Place the pot on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Kool-aid is available in a variety of colors: try red (cherry), pink (raspberry), and purple (grape). For a more sheer color, dilute the mixture with extra water. For a more vibrant result, use less water and/or more Kool-aid.

Remove the pot from heat. Put Kool-aid into mug or bowl. Dip the ends of your hair into the liquid and hold for 3-5 minutes, up to 10, if hair is really thick. This will allow the color to set.
- Determine how much of your hair you want to color. For just the tips, submerge 1-2 inches of hair in the liquid. For a more dramatic look, try dipping 4-5 inches of your hair.

Remove hair from the liquid and pat dry. You can either use paper towels or a bath towel that you don't mind staining (color will leak onto the towel).

Allow hair to dry completely before washing. Enjoy your new look!
- Remember that some Kool-aid contains sugar, so after it dries, then rinse your hair promptly to get rid of stickiness and avoid attracting bugs.

EditRemoving the Color

Wash your hair more often. Kool-aid dye can take between one month to three months to wash out, depending on your natural hair color. You can speed up this process by washing your hair more often than you normally do using any kind of shampoo.

Use baking soda, for long hair only. Fill a large pot with water, making sure to use enough water to submerge your dyed hair into. Once the water is boiling, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Remove the pot from heat. Carefully, dip the dyed ends of your hair in and out of the water for about 1 minute. Avoid scalding (hot water burning) your hands, arms, scalp, face, etc.
- The water will make a fizzing noise, and the color will drain from your hair into the pot. This method will remove most of the color within a few minutes.
- Discard the baking soda water, and then wash your hair immediately. Be sure to use conditioner to restore moisture.

Use vinegar. Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar with 1 cup of warm water. Pour this mixture over your hair in the shower, letting it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Follow with shampoo and conditioner.

EditMaintaining the Color

Wash your hair less often. The dye will eventually fade over time, depending on the number of washes it goes through. You can slow down the fading process by washing your hair less often than you normally do.

Change your shampoo. Use a shampoo made specifically for color-treated hair, or switch to an all natural shampoo that contains less harsh chemicals, such as sulfates and other chemicals that may damage hair and increase color fading.

Use sun-protecting products. Prolonged exposure to the sun will cause hair color to fade more rapidly. Protect your hair from the sun by using hair products that contain sunscreen, a scarf or a hat.

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EditTips

Try not to use that much water, only use about half a teaspoon of water or else the koolaid will not stay on and nothing will happen at all.

Red (cherry) shows well on darker hair, dark auburn.

Avoid using shampoo soap on the dyed portion of your hair, if you want it to last a long time.

Kool-aid can easily stain clothes and towels, so wear a t-shirt you don't mind getting rid of. Alternatively, wear a plastic garbage bag around your neck and shoulders to protect clothing.

The color will stain your hands, so wear rubber or plastic gloves--if you don't want to walk around with funky colored hands for a few days.

Use conditioner, if you want a more paste like dye.

If you are unsure about what color or opacity you'd like, try testing one strand of hair first to see how the color turns out.

If you have darker hair, leave it soaking in the stain longer.

If you have long hair, you may want to use a pony tail or braid it.

How long the color lasts will depend on your natural hair color. For darker hair, color will be less apparent, washing out in 2-3 washes. For very light hair, color may be visible for over a month.