How to Dye a Human Hair Wig for Salon-Quality Results at Home

Have you been longing to change up your look with a bold new hair color? Dyeing your human hair wig allows you to experiment with fun colors without damaging your real hair.

The process is very similar to coloring your own tresses. With the right supplies and techniques, you can easily dye a human hair wig at home.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to dye a human hair wig like a pro!

Why Dye a Human Hair Wig?

Dyeing a human hair wig offers many advantages:

• Test drive bold hair colors without commitment

• Refresh old wigs by restoring vibrancy

• Customize colors to perfectly match your complexion

• Complement your natural hair color

• Save money compared to buying a new wig

• Change up your style in an instant

• Have fun with your look for costume parties, holidays or events

• Easily go back to your natural color whenever you want

Compared to synthetic wigs, human hair wigs can be colored because they are made of real hair that absorbs and holds onto dye.

Choosing a Hair Color

With the ability to transform your wig into any shade, the options are endless! Consider the following when selecting a color:

• Skin tone – Warm tones like caramel and gold pair best with warm skin while cool shades like platinum and ash complement cool tones.

• Current color – For subtle changes, choose a shade lighter or darker than your current wig color.

• Undertones – Green and blue dye add cool undertones while red and orange create warm undertones.

• Permanence – Semi-permanent dyes wash out over time while permanent dyes last 4-6 weeks.

• Purpose – Try temporary brighter colors for costumes and natural tones for everyday wear.

• Complexion – Lighter skin looks great with darker dyes and vice versa. Avoid matching your skin exactly.

• Gray coverage – Darker permanent dyes work best to disguise grays.

Consulting a color wheel is helpful when selecting complementary shades. Do strands tests to ensure you love the color before applying it all over.

What You’ll Need To Dye A Human Hair Wig

Dyeing a wig isn’t complicated, but having the proper supplies is key for flawless results. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Hair dye kit – Select permanent, demi-permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary dye.

• Developer – Most permanent and demi-permanent dyes require developer. Choose 10, 20, or 30 volume.

• Applicator brush – A tint or dye brush makes application easy.

• Mixing bowl – Use glass, metal, or plastic. Avoid ceramic or wood.

• Gloves – Protect yourself from stains. Opt for rubber versus latex.

• Hair clips – Section off hair for easier dyeing.

• Towels – Have them on hand to wipe spills or drips.

• Shampoo and conditioner – Requirements vary by wig type; see product recs below.

• Dye remover – Helpful if you want to reverse or alter color.

• Styrofoam head – Provides a base to keep the wig’s shape.

• Comb or wig brush – Ensures even color distribution.

• Blow dryer – Dries freshly dyed wig hair. Use a cool setting.

How To Dye A Human Hair Wig Step-By-Step

Once you have all the supplies, follow these steps for gorgeous color from root to tip:

1. Prep the Wig

• Shampoo with a clarifying shampoo to remove residue and oils for best dye absorption.

• Allow wig to fully air dry. Damp hair won’t absorb color well.

• Detangle strands by gently brushing through the wig from bottom to top.

• Secure the wig on a styrofoam wig head using T-pins to maintain the style and shape.

2. Mix the Dye

• Don protective gloves to avoid staining your hands.

• Combine dye and developer according to box instructions in a non-metal bowl.

• Stir thoroughly until uniform in color. The amount depends on your wig’s length and thickness.

• If doing an ombre look, dilute some of the dye by adding conditioner.

3. Section the Hair

• Separate the wig into four sections using hair clips.

• Start with two sections near the wig’s base or top, then add two more.

• Sectioning allows you to methodically apply dye from root to tip.

4. Apply the Dye

• Use a tint brush or gloved hands to apply dye to the first section, coating every strand from root to tip.

• Repeat until dye covers all sections. Add more as needed to saturate.

• For highlighting or ombre, only dye select strands of hair sections.

• Cover all strands evenly so hair doesn’t look splotchy.

5. Process and Rinse

• Allow dye to process for the time listed on the box instructions.

• Rinse in lukewarm water until it runs clear and no more excess dye comes out.

• Shampoo and condition with sulfate-free wig products. Rinse well.

6. Dry the Wig

• Wrap wig in a towel to absorb moisture. Don’t rub vigorously.

• Air dry or blow dry using a cool setting to avoid damaging hair.

• Style as desired once completely dry. Then show off your new look!

Tips for Even Color Results

Follow these pro tips and tricks to get flawless, natural-looking color:

• When applying dye, start 1⁄2 inch away from roots to prevent dark regrowth.

• Work in 1 inch sections for precise application control.

• Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute dye from roots to ends after brush application.

• If using foil highlighting method, make sure foils tightly seal dye-coated strands.

• Process for the minimum time first. You can always leave on longer for more vibrancy.

• Rinse with lukewarm water and gently run fingers through hair to remove all excess dye.

• Shampoo twice to eliminate residual dye, but limit washing to keep color locked in.

Maintaining Your Wig Color

To extend the lifespan of your wig color:

• Wash less frequently, ideally every 5-7 days. Use dry shampoo to refresh.

• Always use color-safe sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.

• Rinse hair in cool water instead of hot to prevent cuticles from opening.

• Let air dry instead of blow drying to minimize fading from heat damage.

• Apply weekly conditioning masks or gloss treatments to boost shine and vibrancy.

• Keep wig stored away from direct sunlight when not being worn.

• Consider having two wigs – one as a backup so you don’t have to wash as often!

Removing or Changing Wig Hair Color

If it’s time for a change, you have options for removing or altering color:

• Let it fade. Over several washes, semi-permanent color will gradually wash out.

• Use a color remover. These remove permanent dye without bleaching your wig.

• Try baking soda. Create a paste with baking soda and anti-dandruff shampoo to strip dye.

• Do a bleach bath. Dilute powder lightener with shampoo to gently lighten hair.

• Bleach and re-dye. For drastic changes, bleach hair then apply a new shade.

• See a stylist. Let a professional colorist safely remove color and revamp your look.

No matter what, always do a strand test first when using any lightning products like bleach. And don’t wash, brush, or style for 1-2 days after dying to set the color.

DIY Hair Color vs Professional Coloring

While it’s possible to dye wigs at home, professional coloring has advantages:

DIY Coloring

• More affordable option

• Total control over color selection

• Can do touch-ups anytime

• Relatively easy process

Professional Coloring

• Expert advice on best shades

• Strand tests ensure ideal results

• Even application minimizes splotchiness

• Color lasts longer when applied correctly

• All-over dyeing plus highlighting/lowlighting

• Safe lightening if you want to go brighter

If you’re nervous about tackling color on your own, leave it to the pros! Stylists at Heather Annz Salons have extensive training in wig coloring. Let us enhance your wig and take your look to the next level!

Caring for Dyed Human Hair Wigs