How to dye a wig without hair dye

If you've been thinking about playing around with a new color, but you're worried about hair damage (or simply not liking it), a wig might be the way to go.Dyeing a wig gives you the opportunity to have the exact look you want — and it really isn't that difficult to pull off.

Thankfully, Loretta Thomas, a Toronto-based stylist and wig colorist, is also here to help, and she knows her stuff.

After the birth of Thomas' daughter, postpartum hair loss led her to the land of wigs.

"I wanted it to look real and to look like me," Thomas shares with InStyle. So she flew from Toronto to New York City, where she met with Hadiiya Barbel, an Emmy award-winning stylist who has worked with celebs like Wendy Williams, Iman, Ashanti, and more.

"She made me my first wig," says Thomas. Afterwards, the Toronto native became obsessed with the craftsmanship of her new 'do.

Over the next few years, Thomas was tutored by Barbel, and learned how to make her own wigs for herself and other clients. "I love color, so I started experimenting more," shares Thomas. "I wanted to go beyond the boundaries of coloring hair, and wigs helped with that."

There's a true art to coloring hair — wigs included. But if you can't get in touch with a celebrity stylist, follow Thomas' top tips that she shared with us, instead.

How I Fooled Everyone Into Thinking My Synthetic Wig Was My Natural Hair

What Tools Do I Need to Dye My Wig?

First, make sure you grab a couple garbage bags to protect your floors and counters.

"The best places to work are on a clean flat counter or a hard surface floor, like in the bathroom or kitchen," the stylist suggests. "You want to avoid carpet, walls and furniture."

You also want to make sure you have a styrofoam wig stand and T-pins to secure the wig in place. Next, grab bowls and brushes for color mixing and application, foil (if you plan on doing highlights), and clips and combs to separate the hair.

Depending on the color you're going for, you may also need some of your favorite bleach (Thomas likes Wella's Blondor Multi Blonde Powder Lightener), peroxide (20 volume is safe), and your chosen color. Then you're ready to go!

What's the Best Method to Follow?

You can follow the directions on your box of color, or you can try to follow along on YouTube if you're feeling ambitious — it's all up to you!

"If you watch YouTube videos on coloring techniques, be sure to watch more than one from each stylist to be sure they consistently get their desired results," advises Thomas.

However, Thomas does offer up some of her own personal suggestions, and you should definitely keep them in mind.

"Blonde wigs can be dyed one color with ease if you're using the water color method," she explains. "This procedure is where the wig is immersed in a hot water bath with your favorite bright color."

"Box dyes are best for when you want to lift the hair one or two shades lighter," she continues. "If your desired color is in the blond, vibrant red, or copper family, a combination of bleach and tube colors would be advised. And don't forget your toners and purple shampoo to complete [and maintain] your final look." The stylist likes the paraben and sulfate-free cleansers and conditions from Verb.

"These are more gentle on the wig and will keep your wig and its color looking great," said Thomas.

It's also important to remember that only virgin hair can be colored. And once you dye your wig, you can't use a lighter shade to change the tone. That's why Thomas recommends doing a strand test before diving into any new color to be sure of the results.

If you’re running out of closet space to store new wigs or looking to refresh an old synthetic wig, you may have considered dying your wig. Before you start, there’s a few things you need to know:

Can You Dye Synthetic Wigs?

Yes, you can technically dye your synthetic wigs, but we do not recommend dying synthetic wigs as you run the risk of completing ruining your wig. Some wigs are easier to dye than others like wigs made with human hair. Learn more about the different types of hair fibers you can find in wigs.

Synthetic wigs are more affordable than real human hair wigs and often come in a variety of fun colors and classic colors. The best thing to do when you’re getting bored of your current collection is to purchase a new wig in your desired color. But if you’re looking for a quick DIY project and willing to risk an aging wig, then read on!

Challenges of Dying Synthetic Wigs

Synthetic wigs are created from processed fibers such as polyester, acrylic, and polyvinyl which makes them difficult to dye. These synthetic materials don’t have the natural pigments that real human hair does, which means that regular hair dyes won’t work on synthetic wigs. Instead, we recommended using fabric dyes that are specifically made for polyester and synthetic materials.

You’re also probably wondering how to dye a synthetic wig a lighter color, unfortunately synthetic wigs can’t be bleached. This means that whatever dye you’re using has to be a darker color than the wig you’re dying. White wigs, silver wigs, and pastel wigs are usually the easiest to dye.

LAVENDER FROSE' MONO LACE FRONT WIG by Hairdo

What You Need

To dye a synthetic wig, you’ll need:

• 1 heat-resistant synthetic wig

• 1 bottle of fabric dye (for polyester and synthetic materials)

• 1 large pot

• A stove

• Water

• Newspapers

• Disposable Gloves

We also recommend wearing old clothes that you don’t mind getting dye on or an old apron to protect your clothes. Also, make sure that the wig you’re dying is heat-resistant.

Steps to Dying Your Wig

Here’s how to dye a synthetic wig:

1. Take protective measures. Throw on some old clothes or an apron and put on a pair of disposable gloves to avoid getting dye on your favorite shirt or on your hands. If the dye gets on your hands, you can wash it off with soap and water or a mix of baking soda and water. Otherwise, it’ll shed on its on in one to two weeks. We also recommend laying down newspapers around your workspace to avoid damaging your floors.

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. You want the pot to be large enough to fit the wig you’re dying. Be sure to measure the amount of water you’re boiling, for every 1 cup of water, you’ll want to add about 3 teaspoons of fabric dye.

3. Add in the dye. Once the water has boiled, add the fabric dye and reduce the water to a simmer.

4. Rinse your wig with water. Before you add the wig to the pot, you’ll want to make sure it’s a little damp so it is easier to dye.

5. Add the wig to the pot. The longer you leave your wig in the pot, the darker it will be. Keep a close eye on the wig and remove it when it has achieved your desired color. Getting the perfect color can take anywhere from just a few seconds to a few minutes, so don’t walk away from your wig!

6. Remove your wig from the pot and rinse it in cold water until the water runs clear.

7. Place the wig on a wig stand and allow it to air dry.

Dying a synthetic wig is a tricky process and it doesn’t always go as planned. We do not recommend dying synthetic wigs, even though the results can be very rewarding. Before you risk your wig, we recommend browsing the Fantasy Color Wigs by Hairdo collection. You might just come across the perfect new addition to your wig collection (and get to keep your old wig too)!

What can I use to dye a wig?

Can you dye a wig with food coloring?

How can I dye my hair wig at home?