How to Dye Braiding Hair: A Step-by-Step Guide

Braided hairstyles are a fun and creative way to change up your look. Adding vibrant hair dye takes these styles to the next level! Dyeing synthetic braiding hair allows you to easily experiment with bright, eye-catching colors.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the complete process for dyeing braiding hair at home. Whether you want to go for a subtle ombre or make a bold rainbow statement, we’ve got you covered on how to mix dyes, prep hair, and achieve stunning results.

Overview of Dyeing Braiding Hair

• Synthetic braiding hair takes acrylic-based dyes best. Look for specially formulated braid dyes.

• You can dye braiding hair multiple colors by dip-dyeing separate sections.

• Allow 12-24 hours for the braid dye to fully set before rinsing and styling.

• Dye braids before installing them to avoid staining your natural hair.

• Take precautions like wearing gloves and working in a ventilated area.

What You’ll Need

Dyeing braiding hair is an easy DIY project with minimal supplies needed. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

• Synthetic braiding hair (kanekalon, toyokalon, etc.)

• Acrylic braid dye or acrylic ink

• Plastic bowls for mixing

• Spray bottle for dye application

• Rubbing alcohol (70% or higher)

• Measuring cups or spoons

• Wooden spoon for mixing

• Gloves to protect hands

• Old shirt or smock to avoid stains

• Towels or plastic sheeting as work surface

How to Prepare the Braiding Hair

Before applying any dye, you need to properly prep and section out the braiding hair. Follow these steps:

• Detangle strands: Gently brush through the braiding hair pieces to remove any knots or tangles. This allows the dye to coat evenly.

• Wash if needed: If the hair has lots of product or oil, wash with mild shampoo and let air dry completely before dyeing.

• Separate sections: Divide hair into the parts you want to be different colors. Use rubber bands or clips to keep sections separated.

• Protect ends: Tie plastic bags around the ends of each section to keep those parts from being dyed if desired.

• Put on gloves: Wearing disposable gloves will keep the dye from staining your hands.

Now the braiding hair is prepped and ready for dye!

How to Dye Braiding Hair a Single Color

If you want your braids to be one solid, vibrant color, follow these steps:

1. Mix the Dye

• Pour 3 parts rubbing alcohol into a bowl. Use 70% or higher strength.

• Add 1 part acrylic dye or braid dye in your chosen color.

• Stir well until the dye is fully dissolved.

2. Prepare the Hair

• Lay the braiding hair flat on a protected surface like towels or plastic.

• Make sure the hair is untangled. Detangle with a wide-tooth comb if needed.

3. Apply the Dye

• Place the bowl of dye next to the braiding hair. Dip the pieces into the dye one at a time.

• Fully saturate each piece, tracing the length with gloved hands to distribute the dye.

• Flip hair over and dye the other side the same way.

4. Let the Dye Set

• Place the saturated braiding hair pieces back onto the protected surface.

• Allow the dye to set for 12-24 hours before rinsing. Dye will appear brighter after full setting time.

• Keep hair away from any surfaces that could become stained.

5. Rinse and Dry

• After 12-24 hours, rinse braiding hair pieces under cool water until water runs clear.

• Air dry the braids completely before installing and styling. This prevents dye transfer.

And that’s it – you now have freshly dyed braiding hair ready for braiding!

How to Ombre Dye Braiding Hair

Instead of saturated solid color, you can create a fun ombre effect by dyeing just the mid-lengths and ends of the braiding hair.

1. Mix the Dye

• Prepare dye mixture according to the single color method above.

• Use a darker shade for the ends and a lighter shade for higher up.

2. Section Out the Hair

• Divide hair into top and bottom halves and use clips to separate.

• Cover the upper half with plastic bags so it stays undyed.

3. Dye the Ends

• Dip just the bottom half of the hair into the dye mixture.

• Make sure the lower 3-5 inches of the hair strands are fully saturated with color.

• Let soak 10-15 minutes then remove and let excess dye drip off.

4. Dye the Mid-Lengths

• Remove the bags from the upper half. Dip the mid-length sections into the second dye color.

• Let soak 10-15 minutes then remove and let excess dye drip off.

5. Set, Rinse and Dry

• Lay hair flat and allow dyes to set 12-24 hours before rinsing.

• Rinse braids until water runs clear. Air dry fully before styling.

• The ombre effect will now transition smoothly from your roots down the hair shaft.

How to Dye Braiding Hair Multiple Colors

For a fun, colorful braided style, you can dye separate sections of braiding hair different colors. Here’s how:

1. Mix Multiple Dye Colors

• Mix up 2 or more dye colors in separate bowls, following the alcohol/dye ratios above.

• Use different shades like red, blue, purple, green, etc.

2. Section Out the Hair

• Divide hair into multiple sections using clips.

• Group together the sections you want to be the same color.

3. Dye Each Section

• Dye the first section by dipping it into Dye Bowl #1. Fully saturate.

• Dye the second section by dipping it into Dye Bowl #2.

• Repeat for additional sections using different dye bowls.

4. Let Dyes Set

• Lay the dyed sections of braids flat on a protected surface.

• Allow dyes to set for 12-24 hours before rinsing.

5. Rinse and Dry

• After dyes have set, rinse each section under cool water.

• Air dry fully before braiding and styling the multi-colored hair.

Get creative mixing and matching different vivid dye colors for gorgeous results!

How to Maintain Dyed Braiding Hair

To keep your dyed braids looking vibrant, follow these maintenance tips:

• Wash gently once a week with sulfate-free shampoo and cold water.

• Use an acrylic-specific color protecting conditioner.

• Avoid excessive heat from blow drying, flat ironing or curling.

• Add a weekly color-depositing hair mask or gloss.

• Keep braids covered outdoors to prevent UV fading.

• Plan to re-dye hair every 4-6 weeks as color starts to fade.

Proper maintenance keeps the colors fresh so you get the most wear out of your braids!

Precautions for Dyeing Braiding Hair

While dyeing braids is relatively low-risk, there are some safety precautions to keep in mind:

• Work in a well-ventilated area – fumes can be strong.

• Wear gloves to protect your hands and avoid stains.

• Use petroleum jelly as a barrier around hairline and ears.

• Don’t leave dye mixtures unattended where kids or pets could access.

• Rinse thoroughly with cold water to prevent chemical burns.

• Discard used dye mixtures properly in sealed containers.

• Avoid contact with eyes, and wash immediately if contact occurs.

Taking these simple precautions helps keep the dye process safe. Monitor for any irritation during testing and dyeing. Discontinue use of any products that cause discomfort.

Now that you know how to prep, mix, apply, and care for dyed braiding hair, you can let your creativity run wild! Dyeing braids allows you to frequently change your look and complement your outfits with fun pops of color.

So grab some braiding hair and dyes, follow the steps above, and get ready to take your braided styles to the next level!

Frequently Asked Questions About Dyeing Braiding Hair

What is the best dye to use on braiding hair?

Acrylic-based dyes specifically formulated for braiding hair work best. Look for