How to Color Hair With Food Dye

You may need to dye your hair for only a short period of time, such as for Halloween or Saint Patrick's Day. Food dye can serve as a temporary hair dye. Food dye is significantly cheaper than hair coloring products and will do the job when you need to change your hair color for a day or two. Food dye lasts longer than temporary hair color sprays, which means you won't have to reapply the product during a weekend.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Food dye
• Hair conditioner
• Hair color bowl
• Hair color brush
• Latex gloves
• Shampoo

1. Choose the color of food dye that you would like to use to dye your hair. Keep in mind that the color will not come out as vibrant on your hair as it would if you used it in food. If you choose red, for example, plan on your hair being pink.

2. Place 1 tbsp. hair conditioner into a hair color bowl.

3. Squeeze 4 to 5 drops of food dye into the conditioner.

4. Mix the dye and conditioner together with a hair color brush.

5. Add more drops of food dye as needed.

6. Wash and rinse your hair. This opens the cuticles of your hair, which will allow the hair to absorb the color.

7. Towel dry to remove excess water.

8. Place latex gloves on your hands to protect your hands from the dye.

9. Use your hands and the hair color brush to coat your hair with the mixture.

10. Allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes so that the hair absorbs the mixture.

11. Rinse your hair thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a few drops of food dye to a leave-in conditioner, if you need additional color.
• Blond hair will take food dye much better than darker hair. Those with dark hair will only see a tint of the dye. Do not sleep on a white pillowcase when the food dye is in your hair. as the dye will bleed onto the case. The food dye will last 24 to 48 hours and can be shampooed out. For a more permanent change, use hair dye products.