12 Top Tips on How to Dye Hair Extensions Right

Are your clients asking for extensions in colors your hair supplier doesn’t provide? Why not try dyeing your hair extensions yourself?

When you can’t find extensions in the correct shade, dyeing might be a lucrative option to meet your client’s needs.

If you’ve never dyed extensions before, here are some tips to help you get it right!

1. Choose Human Hair Extensions

Synthetic hair doesn’t have the same cuticles as human hair, preventing the dye from adhering to the strands. Whether you’re planning to color extensions or style them, human hair extensions are the best choice.

Make sure to order high-quality wholesale hair extensions like Remy hair or Virgin hair. Do not use chemically treated extensions.

You can simply use the same over-the-counter hair coloring products as you would for natural hair, and you’re good to go!

2. Comb the Extensions

Make sure the extensions are free of tangles before coloring them. Take each section and comb it out separately. This will ensure the dye is distributed and saturated evenly across all the strands.

3. Do a Strand Test

Before you go ahead and dye extensions, take a strand of hair and apply the dye to confirm the results. Once you see and like the resulting color, you can begin dyeing the rest of the strands.

4. Pick Extensions a Shade or Two Lighter

If you’re shopping for extensions for dyeing, order them in a shade or two lighter. This way, you can add color without lifting the extensions’ color and damaging the quality.

If you’re trying to go for lighter colors, we suggest ordering virgin hair, as they haven’t been dyed previously.

5. Go For Demi- Or Semi-Permanent Dyes

Permanent color puts too much strain on the extensions, affecting their quality and lifespan. Opt for semi- or demi-permanent colors. They’ll give you the same effect without harming the hair.

6. Avoid Going More Than Two Shades Darker

When choosing your dye and extension colors, avoid coloring the hair more than two shades darker than the original.

7. Use the Right Products

Don’t use products high in ammonia, which can lead to discoloration.

Furthermore, during the coloring process, do not use more than 20 volumes of hydrogen peroxide. This is to prevent drying and discoloration.

8. Separate Extension Bundles

Separating the extensions into smaller bundles will help ensure the color permeates all strands properly. This will prevent the hair from clumping and uneven distribution of the dye.

9. Wrap Extension Roots

This is to protect the roots from getting damaged. When exposed to the coloring chemicals, the roots might not support the adhesive later on. So, keep them wrapped in plastic throughout the coloring process.

10. Color Extensions Before Application

It is much easier to color extensions before applying them. It is also much safer for the scalp and the strands.

11. Check on the Extensions Every 5 Minutes

Once you’ve put the color on the extensions, make sure to check them every five minutes. This is to ensure the colors on the extensions dry out well and aren’t damaged.

12. Don’t Wash for the First 24 Hours

You can rinse the hair after it’s completely dried. Remove the wrap from the roots after rinsing the strands. Then, take a towel to pat dry the extensions gently.

You can use a brush to shake out the hair and use very low heat to dry thoroughly.

Wrapping Up

Whether your clients want to add some streaks to their extensions or go for a new look entirely, this guide will help you bring their ideas to fruition.

Make sure to practice plenty!