What Are the Best Colors for Kool Aid Hair Dye

I am married, and I have kids. I used to be a barber in a former life.

Hair is a great way to express yourself. This style has a combination of pink and teal dye on the tips.

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Want Funky Hair? Let's Do Something Fun: Colored Tips!

Do you always have the same boring hairstyle? Are you looking to mix things up?

So, maybe you've thought about it, and you finally want to take the plunge. You want fun hair; you want funky hair; you want to color your hair with the new "in-style" hairstyle that has been seen all over the place. You want to tip the ends of your hair with fun colors!

Unfortunately, you don't have any clue how to do it, and going to the salon can be a bit expensive. So, what is a person to do?

Fortunately, with a little guidance, and maybe a little help from a friend, you can get some fun hair—and it doesn't have to break the budget!

Warning

As a professional hairstylist and a trained cosmetologist, I have been taught techniques for working with hair. Therefore, the user assumes all risk and liability. These tips are a means of guidance. When using chemicals, there are many hazards, including allergic reactions, blindness, and, of course, damaging the hair. However, for the best results, you should always seek the help of a professional.

What You Will Need

Chemicals

A hair bleach kit (Clorox Bleach and/or peroxide WILL NOT work!)
A semi-permanent hair color of your choice (We used Beyond the Zone Color Jamz, which can be bought at Sally's Beauty Supply.)
Shampoo and conditioner

Tools

A brush/comb
Two rubber bands
A plastic hair coloring bowl and brush
Gloves
Aluminum foil
Timer
Plastic hair cape
Towel
Blow dryer

Now that you have everything you need, it is time to get ready to have some fun!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Dyeing Hair Tips

Step 1: Get Comfy and Put on Safety Gear

Get a comfortable chair for the person to sit in, and wrap them in a hair cape or a towel. Remember, you are working with chemicals. If any of the bleach or color gets onto their skin or their clothes, it can be damaging. Not only can it stain, but it can also burn! Safety first! Make sure you take these precautions so you don't make a mess!

If you want the color to show up, you need to lighten the hair first. If the hair is already blonde, this step can be avoided.

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Step 2: Braid the Hair, Bleach It, and Watch It Carefully

The next thing you need to do is part the hair straight down the middle and braid each side. The amount of hair left at the end is the amount of hair you will be tipping. So, obviously, the more hair you leave at the end of the braid, the more fun color the person will have at the bottom of their hair. In addition, this technique will only work on those whose hair is long enough to braid. Secure the ends of the braid with rubber bands. I prefer to use rubber bands because I can throw them out when I am done.
Now put on some disposable rubber gloves. I would also suggest removing any rings or jewelry you are fond of, just to avoid possible damage. You are working with chemicals, and you want to protect your skin and your stuff.
Mix together the bleach according to the package directions and apply to the ends of the hair. Use aluminum foil underneath the hair to keep things clean and protected. Try to cover all the hair evenly with the bleach and do not go above the rubber band. Remember, whatever hair the bleach does not touch will not lift. This means that, if you don't spread the hair out, you will be left with darker spots in the middle of the ponytail. So, be sure to spread the hair out and get every single piece.
Watch the bleach carefully as the color lifts out. Every person's hair is a little different, so the amount of time it takes for the bleach to lift will depend on how dark the hair was when you started and how strong the bleach kit is. In the photographs, the bleach was left on for about 20 minutes. This was also a professional-quality bleach with a fast developer. Regardless of what you use, the key is to PAY ATTENTION. Any chemicals used in the hair can be very damaging. If the bleach is left on too long, your hair will break—and instead of fun colors, you will be left with a chemical haircut.

Once the bleach has processed, you should have a nice blonde color. The lighter the blonde, the more intense the color.

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Step 3: Rinse Out the Bleach and Towel-Dry the Hair

Once the bleach has lightened the hair to the desired level, go ahead and wash it out. Keep the braids intact as you will be adding the color next and will want to leave them in to help guide you.
Towel-dry the hair. The dye I use, Beyond the Zone Color Jamz, is applied to damp hair. However, depending on the color product you use, always check the directions on the product for the best results. There are a variety of different colors out there, and each color will produce different results. My favorite color to use is the Beyond the Zone Color Jamz Raspberry Kamikaze.

Having all your tools set up on a little table makes the job much easier. Put your color in a plastic color bowl and have your tin foil to the side, ready to go!

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Adding the color is when the fun really begins! This color is called Raspberry Kamikaze.

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Step 4: Apply the Color

Now put those gloves back on. I prefer to use disposable gloves because I can take them off in between steps and throw them out. When I go back to rinsing, I can just put on a new pair of gloves.
Place more aluminum foil behind the hair and apply the color evenly. Make sure to cover all of the hair. If the color doesn't touch the hair, you will have uneven results.

Wrapping the colored hair in packets keeps the job nice and clean!

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Step 5: Wrap the Hair in Foil, Let the Dye Set, and Wait

Fold the aluminum foil around the hair and let it set for 10–20 minutes. For more intense results, leave the dye on the hair for even longer.
At this point, you can even add heat to the color in the foil packets. The heat will actually cause the hair cuticle to open up and accept the dye more easily. Using heat may actually allow the color to stay in your hair longer. Remember, this is a semi-permanent hair color. That means it washes out. When applying the heat, hold the hair dryer at an angle, and blow the hot air up and down the foil packet. The aluminum will get hot, so take precautions when you place the foil packet back down to avoid burning the person. In addition, it gets HOT. Take precaution when using the heat so you don't burn yourself!
Once the color is applied, it becomes nothing more than a waiting game. Here you can allow the person to sit and read to pass the time or just chat for a while. Just don't forget to set the timer.

What Can You Expect?

Of course, when you dye your hair, you have to be prepared for the consequences. First off, chemicals can be damaging to your hair. If the hair is not in healthy condition, the person must understand the risks they are taking by using these chemicals. And, once again, I warn you: For the best results, seek out the help of a professional.

However, dyeing your hair can be fun. It can be a welcome change and a great way to really show off your personality! Now, what can you expect after dyeing your hair—other than the obvious compliments from being so bold and doing something so fun with your hair?

1. The Color Is Semi-Permanent

I know, I have said this before, and I am going to say this again! This dye will wash out. In fact, depending on how often you wash your hair, the fun color will begin to fade soon after you have done this and will be mostly gone within 1 to 2 weeks. The results will depend on which color you use, but either way you look at this, it is going to be high-maintenance!

2. It Stains!

Yes—you now have fun hair, but now your nice white shirt is fun-colored as well and ruined. It should not stain if your hair is dry. But, if you do not dry your hair, the color may transfer to your clothing . . . or your couch. So just be careful. You can still have fun. Just don't do it with wet hair, especially within the first couple of days!

3. Bleach Is Permanent!

This seems obvious to some, but while jumping out on a ledge and doing something fun, you might not really think about this. Bleaching will pull the pigment out of your hair. Therefore, the only way to get rid of the bleach is to cut off the bleached part.

If you like this style and you want to stick with it for a while, then by all means, have some fun. But, if you are attached to your long hair and cutting off a couple of inches doesn't appeal to you, then remember that you will be stuck with the blondish tips long after you decide to stop coloring them!

4. You May Be Breaking the Rules

Your hair is wild and fun and carefree. However, not all employers may feel this is appropriate. Before doing this, be sure that there isn't a specific dress code for your workplace.

Also, if you are searching for employment, you might want to avoid this style for the time being. Potential employers may judge you based on your hairstyle. While it may not be fair, they could potentially use it against you. You should always maintain a professional look when going to job interviews. Therefore, be sure this is something you can do with your hair before you do it!

Want More Fun?

So now that you have pink tips in your hair, you are probably wondering what is next!

How to Refresh Your Color

Maybe you like the pink, and you just want to stick with that for a while. That is fine. When it starts washing out, or you want to intensify the color, go ahead and put more pink in.

You don't have to braid the hair again. (Unless your hair is blonde. If your hair is dark, the semi-permanent hair will only really show on the spots that have been bleached!) All you need to do is spritz the hair down with some water. (Remember, the color is applied to damp hair—depending on the brand of color you use!)
Put aluminum foil behind the strands of hair and add more color. Easy as that! (Although if you have a friend to assist you, it will be a much faster and cleaner process!)
Wait for it to set, and then rinse like you would have when you first put the color in your hair.

But what if the pink just isn't your cup of tea anymore? What if you want something crazier . . . different. How about trying this on for style!

If you are looking for something different, trying adding a variety of colors!

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Each piece is separated to keep the colors from mixing before they are washed out. The result was a rainbow of fun. Imagine all the possibilities!

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This was done with the teal and the pink. The picture, however, doesn't make it easy to see the variety in colors, and it looks much better in person!

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Try Multicolored Hair

After having pink tips for a couple of weeks, pink was getting old. Not that it still wasn't a fun look, but it was just time to try something new.

So, what we did was add a bit of teal here and there, freshen up the pink, and package each chunk of hair in little tiny foil packets. The result was a flurry of color! The photographs of the hair you see at the top of this article and directly above are the results.

Mixing Hair Colors

Just be prepared—the color may not turn out as intended. We should remember from our elementary school days that mixing colors results in other colors. So, if the previous color wasn't entirely washed out, you might end up with something you weren't expecting!

However, if you are open to trying new things, the sky is the limit! Heck, maybe you can color-code your hair for the holidays! Orange for the fall, red and green for Christmas, purple and pink for Easter! How fun would that be?

Want to do something fun with your hair? How about pink tips for the summer!

Barbergirl28

Hairstyles and Kids

Hairstyles are a great way to express your personality. With children, parents usually choose what is done to their child's hair. As a cosmetologist, I often see a struggle when the kids start to grow older and their personalities start to change. There is often an argument over their hairstyle. Is it up to the parents? Is it up to the person who has to wear it?

As a professional, I find it is better to let the children show their personality through their hair. After all, it isn't hurting anybody, and as long as it is within reason (or dress code, depending on the school), what does it really matter?

Haircut vs. Hair Color

Now, as young girls get older, the issue of color may arise. Haircuts and color are two different things entirely. A haircut can be changed. However, color is permanent, for the most part. That means parents who allow young children to color their entire head or add highlights will also be dealing with the maintenance. This can get pricey.

Dyeing the Tips Is a Great Compromise!

That being said, tipping the ends of the hair is the perfect way to allow a younger girl to have color in her hair but not do the damage that all-over color might do. It can also be more affordable because the color is at the ends, so you don't have to worry about the outgrowth. However, it can still be high-maintenance as you constantly have to re-color the hair to keep it popping.

As you can see, the girl in the picture above with the pink tips is rather young. She is only 10 years old. However, before she was allowed to do this, we had a discussion on what chemicals do to the hair. She knew this was going to be permanent, and when she was done with the pink, it meant her hair would need to be cut. She thought about it and decided she still wanted the pink tips.

In her eyes, this was a great treat. She knew she would be getting a school haircut, so she at least got have some fun for the summer!

What Do You Think?

My daughter absolutley loved having this done to her hair. I will admit though, she wasn't too careful of making sure it was pulled off her clothes when it was wet so she stained a few shirts... but I have to admit, it actually washed out very easy with a little oxyclean. I wouldn't do this too my hair either, but my friend has now had it done for several months and is still not sick of it! I think it looks cool but too picky about having everything match! LOL

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on August 24, 2012:

Cute idea for kids with long hair just to color the tips. That way if they do not like it or if the school they are attending has a rule against it, it will be easy enough to cut off. Doubt that I will be doing this at my age...did I say "doubt?" I mean absolutely I won't be doing this. Haha! Fun to read this hub and I am sure many others will enjoy it. Up and useful votes.

Stacy Harris (author) from Hemet, Ca on August 03, 2012:

@theraggededge - I wont' do it on my younger daughter because I am so attached to her beautiful hair. She really wants it done too but she won't let it get cut either because she wants to keep it long. I would suggest doing this a few weeks before getting a haircut. That way, you only need to put it on a few inches and then it can easily be cut off for a trim. Although with hair that long, I bet she wouldn't be up to cutting much off! I would be curious as to what she says about this.

Bev G from Wales, UK on August 01, 2012:

This is a brilliant idea. My daughter has hair down to her backside and would love to try this. Maybe I'll show it to her.... but maybe I won't :-)

Stacy Harris (author) from Hemet, Ca on July 31, 2012:

@Just Ask Susan - I was really excited to have girls because of all the girly stuff that I could do with them. Ironically, I ended up working in a barbershop and specializing in men's haircuts. I can do both, obviously, but I really enjoy barbering. But, I am glad I have my girls for when I want to do fun stuff with hair! :)

Stacy Harris (author) from Hemet, Ca on July 31, 2012:

@lovedoctor926 - Your hairdressers hair sounds really cool. I love the pink color but one of the benefits is also one of the downfalls. I wish it stayed in longer. But I still love the look! :)

Stacy Harris (author) from Hemet, Ca on July 31, 2012:

@Ruchira - That is definitely a bonus... no chemicals on the scalp. Love the look and love the lack of commitment. If your done with it... you just cut it off!

Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on July 31, 2012:

And people ask me why I want girls .... Here yet is another reason in your hub. All my boys don't have hair long enough to do this to :(

Great hub!

lovedoctor926 on July 31, 2012:

The pink looks really cool on the little girl. My hairdresser has dark hair and several strands of dark red underneath the dark. Nice way to experiment. good thing that you can wash it off easily. I wonder how it would look on me. I am trying to grow out my highlights. Voted up!

Ruchira from United States on July 31, 2012:

this is awesome sally. I would love to get this done to my hair..esp since it's the end of the hair so the scalp is not getting chemical overdosed...lol

so, when can i come over girl :)

many votes and interesting hub. sharing it across

Stacy Harris (author) from Hemet, Ca on July 31, 2012:

@Ebower - I love the pun! ha ha... I think the reason the braiding works so well is because it makes it look more natural when it falls. When I first did this on a friend it looked like fire. I love the effect. And I love that it doesn't look like a straight line across the back. Glad you enjoyed this!

Erin Bower from Georgia on July 26, 2012:

These are some great tips! (pun not intended, but works nonetheless) I never would have thought that you would have to braid your hair before dyeing it to get this look. This is a great hub and I love the result. I voted this up, useful, and beautiful!

Stacy Harris (author) from Hemet, Ca on July 25, 2012:

@tammyswallow - I just think this is so much fun... Oddly, even though this is kind of what my profession is about, I never have done the wild stuff to my hair even though I will gladly do it to others. As for the feathers, I have never really gotten into those although it seems I have seen so many that have! Maybe you will get a chance to try this soon! :) Bet your step daughter would love it on you!

Tammy from North Carolina on July 25, 2012:

I guess I am cool too because I would agree to this at a certain age. It is so pretty. I love the teal. I had that rocker look before and did my bottom layers black. My stepdaughter loves the feathers. Very cool!

Stacy Harris (author) from Hemet, Ca on July 25, 2012:

@ChristyWrites - My daughter absolutely loves this in her hair and I have heard good and negative comments about it. One being that when school starts it will be a distraction and she will be sent home. However, I think it is fun, especially for the summer. If people would watch what they say, they would have found out I plan on cutting my daughters hair before school starts. Now, I might just press the rules! Glad you liked this and maybe you will get a chance to try it someday! :)

Christy Birmingham from British Columbia, Canada on July 25, 2012:

Hey this is neat! I have had highlights but not dyed the ends of my hair before. Great photos to explain your points - a neat trend for summer :) I vote up and sharing too.

Stacy Harris (author) from Hemet, Ca on July 24, 2012:

@SweetiePie - I don't know if I would do it on myself either because I like to be able to see what I am doing, but maybe you can convince someone else! ha ha! It is fun but I like to coordinate my colors too much so if I have pink in my hair I would have to completely change up my wardrobe! LOL

Stacy Harris (author) from Hemet, Ca on July 24, 2012:

@twentyfive - Salons can be pricey and so can the schooling so hopefully these tips come in handy for those that want the fun hair but not the cost!

SweetiePie from Southern California, USA on July 24, 2012:

This is a cool idea, but I would be too scared to try it myself.

twentyfive on July 24, 2012:

These info are much safe and relieving than going to the salon lol Voted up!