Oh great, your hair extensions just arrived! But oh, no. They’re the wrong color. What’s a girl to do? While you could suffer or try to send them back for the right shade (only to possibly be let down again), the better option is to color them!
If you’re in a predicament where you are considering coloring your hair extensions, you’ve come to the right place. I’m sharing some of the top dos and don’ts for color your hair extensions.
In the end, you will have glamorous, perfectly colored extensions you can be proud to wear on top of your head. Let’s dive in!
Can You Color Hair Extensions
The good news is that yes, you can color hair extensions. You can do them in your very own bathroom! However, going from a lighter shade to a darker shade will be exponentially easier than trying to bleach hair extensions.
That’s because bleach is a bit trickier than darker colors. So, if you can’t find the right shade but are set on a certain pair of extensions, go with a lighter shade that will easily take to a darker hue.
When you’re ready, coloring your hair extensions is a cinch. All you have to do is the following:
- Gather your products. You want to go with a semi or demi-permanent solution. Don’t opt for drugstore coloring products. They won’t get the job done correctly.
- Wash the extensions with a sulfate-free shampoo. You want to start with a clean, blank slate. Washing beforehand will ensure no buildup stands in the way of the color.
- Thoroughly let the hair air dry before placing them on a strip of foil.
- Mix the solution.
- Do a spot test. You want to start with a single weft. Never dye all of your extensions at once. It’s best to ruin a single weft than your entire supply. If you’re satisfied with how the hair turned out, you can then move onto all of the hair.
- Slather onto the extensions, top to bottom. It’s always better to overboard with the solution than not enough. Too little color can cause unsightly streaking. Make sure you slather immensely.
- Cover with plastic wrap and wait. Covering with plastic wrap will let the color seep in without drying out the locks.
- Check on the hair every 10 minutes until you’re satisfied with the shade.
- Thoroughly rinse in cold water, condition, and let air dry.
Yes, it’s that easy to color your hair extensions at home. Pretty thrilling, right? Now, all of your hair styling dreams can come to life.
Dos and Don’ts
To make sure your coloring goes as planned, here are a few must-know tips.
- DO ask a professional for help if you’re not confident. The last thing you want to do is ruin your hair extensions. If you’re unsure about coloring your extensions, ask a professional for help. This is especially true for those that want to bleach their hair.
- DO use a semi or demi-permanent hair color with a low volume developer. Over-the-counter hair coloring products can lead to undesirable damage. Opt for a semi or demi-permanent color mixed with a low volume (10 or 20) developer for the best results.
- DON’T use products with sulfate or alcohol. These ingredients can seriously harm your hair extensions. Avoid them at all costs.
- DON’T overwash the hair. Washing the extensions too often can lead to faded color and dried-out locks. Avoid this by going on a washing and conditioning schedule and try to stick to cool, not cold or hot, water.
Final Thoughts
Coloring your hair extensions from home is a cinch. However, it’s best to have a professional do them, especially when it comes to bleach. If you do them on your own, use a semi or demi-permanent solution and make sure it is thickly slathered to avoid streaks.
