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 easy way to temporarily dye the ends of your hair. Just follow these directions for some dip dyed hair.

1. 
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   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.
2. 
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   Brush out any tangles. Use a brush or comb to detangle your hair, and make sure that there are no styling products (gel, hairspray, etc.) in your hair prior to coloring.

EditPart 2 of 4: Dyeing Hair

1. 1
   Repeat this section twice.
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   2
   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), blue (mixed berry) 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.
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   3
   Remove the pot from heat. Put Kool-Aid into mug or bowl. Dip the ends of your hair into the liquid. Hold the ends in the colored mix for 3 to 5 minutes, and 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 (2.5–5.1 cm) of hair in the liquid. For a more dramatic look, try dipping 4–5 inches (10.2–12.7 cm) of your hair.
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   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).
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   Allow your hair to dry completely before washing. Enjoy your new look!

   • Remember that some Kool-Aid contains sugar, so after it dries, rinse your hair promptly to get rid of stickiness and avoid attracting bugs.

EditPart 3 of 4: Maintaining the Color

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   1
   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.
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   Change your shampoo. Use a shampoo made specifically for color-treated hair, or switch to an all natural shampoo that does not contain sulfates or other chemicals that may damage hair or speed up color fading.
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   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.

EditPart 4 of 4: Removing the Color

If you've decided that you no longer want the color in your hair, here are some possible ways of removing it.

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   1
   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.
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   2
   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, then wash your hair immediately. Be sure to use conditioner to restore moisture.
3. 
   3
   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.

EditVideo

Tips

• Be sure to make sure the packages you use come in powder form and are sugar free. Otherwise your hair could attract bugs, such as ants.
• If you have thick hair, try dying it in sections.
• 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.
• 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.
• If your school does not allow coloring in your hair, and the summer is almost over, then use blue for a lighter color.
• If you have darker hair, leave it soaking in the stain longer.
• The color will stain your hands, so wear rubber or plastic gloves. If you don't, try washing your hands with toothpaste or shaving gel to wash off the stain.
• Red (cherry) shows well on darker hair, dark auburn.
• If the tips of your hair are dark and you want red, use two packets of purple and let it sit in your hair for 15 minutes. The purple will stain and leave a bright red stain instead.

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