How to Dye a Human Hair Wig at Home

An expert guide to finding your new look by coloring a human hair wig

Co-authored by Nikia Londy and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: November 28, 2022 References

Choosing a Color and Mixing Dye

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Applying Dye

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Washing and Drying Your Wig

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

Trying to shake up your look? Or maybe your wig has faded just a bit too much and needs a refresh. Luckily, human hair wigs can be dyed relatively easily (unlike synthetic wigs) —you can use the same hair dye, the same developer, and even the same tools to dye your wig as you would natural hair. We’ve put together a simple, easy guide to choosing a hair color, mixing your dye, and dyeing and drying your wig. Let’s put the luster back in those locks.

Things You Should Know

Purchase a developer, as well as a natural color hair dye that complements your natural skin tone, or an artificial color that matches your personality.
Mix the dye and developer together in a plastic bowl before you apply them to the wig.
Paint the hair dye into the wig in sections, or soak the wig in the hair dye, and let the color set for 30-40 minutes.
Wash the wig with wig shampoo and conditioner, then pat it dry and finish drying it with a blow dryer.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Color and Mixing Dye

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Choose a dye color that’s darker than the wig itself. You can only darken a human hair wig, not lighten it, since the bleach in the dye can damage the hair. To achieve light colors, start with a light-blonde wig or a wig that’s naturally closer to white.^{[1]
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- If you’re going for a natural look, find your skin’s undertones, and use a hair dye color that matches your skin tone: gold and caramel hair tones work well with warm skin tones, blonde and yellow hair tones work with cool skin tones, and neutral skin tones work well with pretty much any hair color (lucky you!).^{[2]
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- For artificial colors: blues are outgoing, oranges are warm and friendly, and purples are imaginative and spiritual.^{[3]
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  Research source} Bright colors like pinks and yellows are fun and bold.
- Don’t dye human hair with fabric dye, which can damage the hair (the last thing we want). Only use hair dye.^{[4]
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2
Purchase a 20-volume hair developer. Hair developer opens your cuticles to allow hair dye to penetrate your hair, and is sold by “volume,” or penetrating power.^{[5]
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Research source} A 10-volume may be too weak, a 20-volume developer will let you change the color by one or two shades, while a 30-volume will let you make the hair even darker. In most cases, a 20-volume developer will be just enough to get you that perfect color.^{[6]
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3
Mix the dye and the developer in a plastic bowl. Read the instructions on your dye to see how much dye you should combine with the developer in the plastic bowl. Mix with a plastic spoon. If the dye looks a little light, don’t worry. It will darken over time. Use rubber gloves to protect your hands from irritation or staining.^{[7]
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- If your wig goes down below your shoulders, you may need two boxes of hair dye. It’ll be pricier, but don’t skimp on your hair.
- Do not use a metal bowl or spoon to mix your dye. The metal can oxidize the dye, causing it to change colors.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Applying Dye

1
Mount the wig on a stand and separate it into 4 sections. A wig stand will keep your wig's shape and style intact while you dye it, and will make it easier to work with the hair. Place the wig on the stand as you would put it on your own head, securing it by pushing T-pins through the wig cap and into the stand.^{[8]
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- If you don’t have a wig stand, you can use a styrofoam mannequin head, or simply use the soaking method below to dye the wig.
- The dye might drip off of the wig. To prevent any stains on your furniture, you can put a towel or plastic tarp around the wig stand.
2
Gather the hair into 4 separate sections. Use hair ties to make 4 buns on the wig: 2 at the base of the wig, and 2 more toward the front. This will make it easier to manage as you brush-dye the wig, holding strands of hair that you’re not currently dyeing out of the way.^{[9]
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- If your wig is longer or more voluminous, divide it into as many sections as you need to feel comfortable handling the hair.
3
Test the dye on a few strands of hair. With your fingers or a dye paintbrush, apply the dye to a small section of hair. Test it somewhere that is not easily seen. Wait 30 or 40 minutes. If you like the color, apply it to the rest of the wig. If you don’t totally love it, try a different shade of hair dye.^{[10]
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- Also, do an allergy test prior to applying the dye to the wig if you have particularly sensitive skin. Dab a tiny dot onto the back of your hand and monitor it for 30-40 minutes. If your skin becomes irritated, use a different brand of dye.^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nikia Londy
  Hair Augmentation Specialist
  Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.}
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Paint the dye into the hair. Starting at the bottom of the wig, take sections of hair and brush the dye into the hair, working from the root to the tip. When you’ve finished applying it to a section, let it hang loose and move on to the next section. Repeat this technique for each of the sections of hair.^{[12]
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- You can also dye by soaking the wig in the bowl with the dye. With your hands, gently scoop the dye over the wig and spread it through the layers of the wig. Be gentle. Try not to roughly rub the dye into the wig.^{[13]
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- You can achieve lowlights by only painting the dye into some strands, or dye either the roots or the ends for a cute dual-tone look.
5
Brush through the hair. Once you’ve completely coated the hair in dye, use a comb or a wig brush to distribute the dye throughout the wig and ensure that the dye is evenly applied to the entire wig. This will help the dyed hair look more natural, which is key when it comes to human hair wigs.^{[14]
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- Use a clean but old hair brush that you don’t mind staining with hair dye.
6
Leave the wig for 30-40 minutes to let the color set. Read the package on the dye to see how long you should leave it. In most cases, this will be about half an hour to an hour. If you can’t find this information, check the wig every 10 minutes. When it has reached the right color, you can wash it.^{[15]
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- If you do not have a wig stand, leave the wig in the bowl to set and cover it with plastic wrap.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Washing and Drying Your Wig

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Shampoo the wig. Use a color-safe shampoo or a special shampoo manufactured for human hair wigs in particular. Wash the wig by placing it under a tap with warm water to get rid of any excess dye before lathering the wig with shampoo. Rinse out the shampoo when you are done.^{[16]
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- Handle the wig gently, and avoid unneeded tugging or pulling, as this could damage the wig.
2
Apply conditioner to the tips of the wig. This will give extra shine to your wig. As with the shampoo, only use products approved for or made especially for human hair wigs.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Nikia Londy
Hair Augmentation Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.} Avoid using any conditioner near the roots of a lace-front wig—it could damage the knots that keep the hair in place.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
BreastCancer.org
Patient-focused nonprofit organization providing resources for those affected by breast cancer
Go to source} Rinse out the conditioner with cool or lukewarm water.
3
Pat the hair dry with a towel and blow dry it. Gently squeeze the wig with the towel to remove excess water. Hold it with one hand or mount it back on the wig stand, and use a blow dryer on low heat to dry the hair in sections.^{[19]
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Research source} While you’re drying it, you can style the wig to your liking. Once dry, try it on in the mirror and admire your new ‘do.
- A blow dryer can damage some wigs, or cause some hair dyes to discolor if used immediately after dyeing. Check the dye’s packaging instructions for drying tips, and hang your wig to air dry if you’re unsure.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can you color a human hair wig?

Nikia Londy
Hair Augmentation Specialist
Nikia Londy is a Hair Augmentation Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Intriguing Hair, a one-stop solution for women from all ethnicities wanting to purchase high-quality human hair extensions, hairpieces, and wigs. With over 16 years of experience, she specializes in artificial hair integrations, hair extensions, hair loss, hairpieces and wigs, and non-surgical hair replacement. Nikia holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak State College and received her Cosmetology Certification from Blaine Beauty School. She is also a member of the American Hair Loss Council.

Nikia Londy

Hair Augmentation Specialist

Expert Answer

Definitely! Despite popular belief, dyeing your wig does not damage the hair if you do it correctly.
Question

Why doesn't the dye stain the cap/flesh colored part of the wig?

Community Answer

Since the dye is only meant for real hair, it will likely not dye the cap part of the wig. In most wigs, that part is somewhat resistant to staining. That said, all wigs are different so you should test a very small part to see if yours stains or not.
Question

Can I use hairspray on a human hair wig?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Just realize each bit you add to a wig makes it permanently that way.

Warnings

The more you dye your wig, the more brittle the hair will become. Dying your wig can shorten its lifespan.

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Make sure the temperature of the room is hot, as you won't have the natural heat from your body to help with the dyeing process.^{[24]
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Expert Source

Nikia Londy
Hair Augmentation Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 October 2021.}

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