How to wash split dyed hair

Want to make a statement with your hair? There’s no better way than with half and half hair. This on-trend, split dye hair style makes an unforgettable impact that has got diva written all over it.

It’s an awesome look that has been around for some time, but you need to be super brave to take the plunge.

If you’re thinking of dyeing your hair two different colours, then this guide will give you some hair inspiration and help you make an informed decision.

We’ve put together everything that we wish someone had told us before going through with this dramatic hairstyle change.

From choosing which colour combination to go for, to what products to use and how to get the look at home.

Get ready for compliments from friends and strangers alike!

Contents

  • 1 What is half and half hair?
  • 2 What does split hair colour mean?
  • 3 Best colour combos
  • 4 What is peekaboo hair?
  • 5 What are hair streaks?
  • 6 What is dip dye hair?
  • 7 Pros and cons of half and half hair style.
  • 8 Who can wear half and half hair?
  • 9 Can I do half and half hair dye at home?
  • 10 Should I dye half of my hair?
  • 11 How to get half and half hair at home.
  • 12 Watch and learn: How do you dye your hair half?
  • 13 TOP TIPS
  • 14 How do you wash split hair dye without bleeding?
  • 15 How to care for half and half hair.
  • 16 Parting words

What is half and half hair?

This edgy style (aka split hair dye or bicolour hair) is when your hair is dyed with two hair colours or shades that contrast each other.

With this hairstyle, one side of your head will have its own distinct shade while the other has its own unique hue.

This two-tone hair trend allows individuals with wild imaginations to have two different colours of their choosing applied onto one head simultaneously.

It’s the perfect dye job for people who are indecisive about their hair colour but still want to show off some personality and sass.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to this on trend hair style. 

The contrasting colours can be chosen from different ends of the spectrum such as black and white (not just for Cruella DeVille!), black and red, pink and purple or purple and red. Or they could be more complementary like pink and blue or green and orange.

You could even have your hair cut into a long pixie crop with half of it dyed a dark ebony shade and the other a flaxen blonde.

Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.

How to wash split dyed hair

What does split hair colour mean?

Split hair colour is the same two-tone thing.

It’s when two complimentary colours of hair dye are ‘split’ between each half of your head!

The key to nailing the this fabulous style is all in finding the right hair colours to wear together.

Think of colours that really contrast and compliment each other like red and black.

Best colour combos

  • Silver/Pink
  • Copper/Black
  • Green/Blue
  • Lilac/Lavender
  • Red/black
  • Purple/Green
  • Pink/Blue
  • Brown/Blonde
  • Black/White
  • Brown/Black

What is peekaboo hair?

Peekaboo hair colour transforms your locks into a multi-dimensional masterpiece.

How to wash split dyed hair

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It’s different from split hair dye as it’s where hair dye is applied to the underside of your hair, against your head.

At first glance, your hair will appear the same colour all over. But when you run your fingers through your hair, the pop of bright colour beneath lets out some flair that’ll leave everyone surprised.

This hairstyle is also popularly known as the ‘reverse’.

It’s perfect for those who want to experiment with their look without going too wild.

How to wash split dyed hair

What are hair streaks?

Hair streaks give the appearance that you have a streak of highlights running through your locks as opposed to an actual two-tone hair colour.

They’re also another alternative for those who want a statement look using block colours.

Hair streaks are typically short, choppy pieces of colour that can be added to any style.

This “streak” is achieved by applying a contrasting colour onto your base colour and it can be worn on any type of hair including wavy, kinky or curly.  

It’s great for those with naturally dark hair because it makes lightening your locks up really easy and looks striking too!

The best part about this hairstyle is that anyone can pull off wearing streaks no matter the age group.

Skunk Stripe Hair is another variation. It’ll definitely make people stop and stare when they see you walking down the street!

How to wash split dyed hair

What is dip dye hair?

Dip dye hair is hair that has been dyed in different colours, one colour being concentrated at the end of your hair.

Dip dye can be done on any length or type of hair and looks awesome on bob or lob cuts where the pop of colour brings out your skin tone.

If you’re not feeling too adventurous you can always stick with a soft ombre that blends the two colours in a more graduated effect.

How to wash split dyed hair

Pros and cons of half and half hair style.

Pros

It allows you to wear two fantastic hair colours at once.

You can express your personality.

It’s a bold, stand-out statement.

Cons

It’s tricky to do yourself at home.

One side may fade faster than the other.

Some schools or employers might not like it.

Who can wear half and half hair?

As mentioned previously, this style is perfect for people who want to experiment with their look and test out new colours.

So if you’re the kind of person who likes to be different from the crowd or push boundaries, then this hairstyle is definitely for you.

Perfect for those days when you feel like doing something extreme but don’t wanna go too overboard.

You also don’t have to be naturally artistic or creative to get this look.

It’s actually very easy to do and you can create different colour combinations in a matter of minutes! Plus you don’t need to go the salon for every new dye job either.

There are plenty of ways you can experiment with colors without making too much effort.

Can I do half and half hair dye at home?

The good news is, if you have the time, the attention to detail, and the patience, you can totally achieve this radical look at home.

You’ll need to right hair dyes, the right tools and the time to make it work. If you’re familiar with dyeing your hair and have done it before, you’ll find it easy. It’s just dyeing one side of your head and then the other!

Just follow our step-by-step guide below.

Should I dye half of my hair?

If you want to get an even more radical look, dyeing one half of your hair is an option.

However, it won’t look as good as if you dye both sides at once. Keeping the colours even and looking good together is how to really rock this look.

How to wash split dyed hair

How to get half and half hair at home.

Step 1: Choose your colours.

First thing’s first – choosing your colours. The best thing to do is choose two contrasting, block colours that will look fantastic together.

If you’re unsure which colours suit you, you can head to our What hair colours suit me? Quiz! Just click on the button below!

How to wash split dyed hair

Buy one box of hair dye in each colour.

Separate your hair with a perfect parting right down the centre, and get ready to dye just one half.

Step 2: Dye half of your hair one colour.

Open the hair dye box and follow the instructions contained in the pack to dye one side of your hair.

It’s a good idea to start with the strongest colour as it will be in your hair for slightly longer than the colour on the other side.

Make sure your hair is fully saturated only on ONE SIDE. Let not even one drop of hair dye touch the other half of your head.

You can use a hair dye brush along the parting and back on your head for accuracy.

Step 3: Dye the other half of your hair.

Now do the same for the other side of your hair using the other box dye.

Be careful not to mix the colours along the parting where it will be noticeable.

Get a friend to do the back as you’ll need a straight straight line that you won’t be able to do yourself.

Step 4: Leave to develop.

Next, leave both sides of your hair dye to develop.

Set a timer according to the longest time on the hair dye instructions. It should be 35-45 minutes for the best results.

Step 5: Rinse and shampoo your hair.

When the time’s up, rinse your hair dye out and shampoo it twice to remove any residue.

Don’t worry about mixing the colours at this stage. The dye is already set. Just rinse it all out.

Condition your hair as usual afterwards.

Step 6: Style and admire!

Blow dry and style your hair as normal and voila! Welcome to on-trend, split-dye, statement hair fabulousness!

How to wash split dyed hair

How to wash split dyed hair

Watch and learn: How do you dye your hair half?

How to wash split dyed hair

TOP TIPS

  • Try and buy two different hair dye colours from the same brand.
  • Start with the strongest colour dye.
  • Use a hair dye applicator brush to get those lines super straight.
  • Leave the dye in for longer for a dramatic colour change.
  • Get a friend to help you with the back.
  • Make a messy parting if you want more of a colour blend.

How do you wash split hair dye without bleeding?

“When you’ve dyed your hair, don’t wash it the next day. It’ll make the color bleed.”

You may have heard this saying before? If not, then I guess there’s no harm done!

But if yes, then you’re probably wondering why washing your hair will cause your dye to run or fade off faster than usual?

Well, that’s because dye molecules are quite large and they need time to bind with the keratin in our hair.

When you wet your hair, all of a sudden these molecules become free again and float away with the water. Bad!

So forget what you’ve read so far about using shampoo once every two days, the less you wash your hair, the longer lasting your color will be.

Instead of using shampoo, conditioner is a great alternative to wash your hair as the ingredients are way more gentle on dye molecules and they won’t cause any bleeding or fading that easily.

How to care for half and half hair.

Caring for this hairstyle is pretty simple actually. Just shampoo and condition as usual, making sure not to overdo it on the shampooing because this can strip the dye.  

And make sure you use a good quality shampoo too!

When conditioning, always be gentle with your tresses especially when detangling or using any products.

Don’t rub the products in too much because this may agitate the scalp which can cause some serious damage to your locks after prolonged exposure to harsh products.

Apply mousse or a serum to protect your hair from heat styling tools which can further damage your locks.

Apply a leave-in conditioner and scalp elixir for added protection and shine.

It’s also important to use sulfate-free products as this will ensure that the dye stays longer on the hair.

Be mindful of how often you wash your hair too because if you shampoo it everyday, then it’ll fade away really quickly. Try using dry shampoo instead so you don’t have to deal with oily locks.

It’s a style that’s a true labour of love when it comes to re-dyeing. If you want to commit, you’ll need to re-top your color anything from every 3-6 weeks.


Parting words

So there it is. Everything you need to know about dyeing your hair two different colours to get the split hair dye effect.

Hopefully, we’ve given you enough information so that your decision is an informed one about whether this style is wholly for you!

How do you wash a partially dyed hair?

After the initial dye appointment, wait at least 24 hours before you wash your hair to allow the hair color settle into the hair shaft. If you must wash your hair, run your scalp under cool water and scrub with your fingertips. No, this won't give you a soapy lather, but it will give you that just-cleaned feeling.

How do you wash out hair dye without bleeding?

One of the biggest reasons why color bleeds is because the water is too warm, which is why the number one rule when rinsing vibrant colors is to always, always, always use cold water. Here's why: Hot water will open the cuticle, letting a huge portion of the color you just applied to rinse right out.

How do you take care of half and half hair?

Shower with cold water and sulfate-free shampoo at home. “Try not to smudge the colors together, and wash them separately. That will give you the best results.” To wash your hair separately at home, just clip one half to the side and shampoo and condition the loose half as you normally would.

How do you wash your hair after coloring it?

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty..
Wash your hair less often. After you dye your hair, wait two days before shampooing. ... .
When you shower, use a sulfate-free shampoo. ... .
Dry your hair immediately after showering. ... .
Deep condition your hair. ... .
Use less heat. ... .
Use color conditioners or purple shampoo for high maintenance colors..