How To Chalk Dip Dye Your Hair

When a new hair trend like dip dying is introduced it only takes a short amount of time before the trend morphs into one or more new directions.

Such is the case with chalk dip dying.

A version of chalk dying is similar to dipping hair in paint.

Before discussing chalk dying hair, it's helpful to understand basic dip dying.

The technique originally was created with temporary, semi, demi or permanent hair color.

Multiple Color Options

Dip dying means that the ends of the hair was dipped to create a unique color.

This color is usually different from the roots and middle sections of the hair.

Dip Dying Basics

The concept of dip dying evolved from other industries such as the fashion world.

Fashions have been dipped in the past to create unique patterns in the fabrics.

The color used for the dipping depended upon the starting based hair color and the desired result.

Dip dying hair isn't complicated, but it does require a few tips and tricks to achieve the best results.

Celebrities Have Helped Make Dip Dyed Hair A Trend

Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Adam Lambert and Nicki Mina, to name a few of the many celebrities have helped to push dip dying from the celebrity  hair world into the mass market.

While true dip dying often involved contrasting colors, Ombre hair color was a distant cousin of the dip dye.

Dip dying doesn't necessarily mean coloring only the ends.

It can also be used to create a series of multicolored sections of hair much like large chunky highlights and low lights.

Chalk Hair Dye

Dip dying has been around for quite some time.

Depending upon which hair expert you talk to, chalk color kits or paint dying has only really become popular since 2020.

Whether you're dip dying, chalk dying or paint dying, it's important to choose the best hair colors for your current hair base.

Although light hair color bases such as platinum, blonde or light brunette work best.

It's also possible to create stunning dip dying results with dark hair colors but you may have to use a special kit.

Colorful hairstyles have cycled in and out of hair fashions since the late 1990s.

Note:  One quick option for achieving the dipped dye look is to use brightly colored clip-in or fusion hair extensions instead of a chalk pain kit.

Chalk Dye Tools

Chalk dye utilizes chalk instead of traditional hair color to create contrasting chunks and stripes of color throughout the perimeter of the hair.

Water color paints may be used instead of chalk.

The advantage of chalk dye over traditional dip dye is that it's temporary and will not damage the hair.

One key disadvantage to hair chalk is that it can be messy.  It will start to dissolve when touched by any type of water or moisture.

Although you can experiment with many different types of chalk, fans of the technique have found that using soft watercolors may work better.

However, remember that when regular paint pastels like Rembrandt colors are used there is a risk it can permanently stain the hair.

This is especially true if it's been bleached, dyed or is porous from chemical treatments.

When dip dye initially became popular, dip dye kits were not available like they are now in 2021.

Instead, people had to use traditional black and white board chalk or actual water colors which were water soluble.

People would also use traditional water colors on their hair.

How To Create Dip Dyed Hair Chalk

Whether you use chalk or a variety of water colors or pastels, the process is messy.

Be sure to wear old clothes you don't mind getting messy.

Do the chalk dipping in a confined area which is protected with old towels or sheets.

To avoid staining your hands, fingernails or skin, wear latex style disposable gloves and apply a light layer of Vaseline or similar hair jelly around the hairline to avoid staining your face and skin.

Keep a spray bottle filled with warm water available along with sectioning hair clips and a tail comb for creating different sections.

Pull Out The Wax Paper Or White Butcher Block Paper

You may want to use wax paper or white butcher block paper covering a flat surface.

When using a paint style brush to apply the chalk or water colors, if you lay the ends on the paper, it will prevent dripping or unnecessary mess.

It will also be easier than trying to paint against the rest of your hair.

Some hair chalk dippers suggest buying the best chalk from the art store but make sure

it's always water soluble.

Others recommend a variety of soft oil pastels producing water miscible oil paint.

Popular Brands

While the part of “chalk” in hair chalks may make you think you could just go ahead and use any type of chalk, please consider before how you may be damaging your hair.

While these offers are a bit more pricey than your average black board utensil, they have been approved for safe use in your hair, and contain better ingredients that will help the color to last and stay bright for a few hours.

When in doubt always be sure to only buy one tube of a particular paint brand.

Always do a small strand test on hair before applying any chalk product.

Do the strand test in the back of your head where it won't show up in case you don't like the results.

Once you find a chalk kit or paint which you like which works with your hair.

Use A Water Soluble Paint

For a list of other hair color brands which are water miscible (soluble) see list at end of this blog.

Step By Step Instructions

Start on hair which is dry or slightly damp.

Decide if you want a diverse or precise pattern. You may want to sketch some possible designs.

If you want a precise pattern and your hair is naturally wavy or curly you may wish to get your hair damp first.

Then blow dry your hair straight with a paddle brush and a blow dryer.

If you don't care about the pattern you can chalk dip on top of your natural texture.

Follow The Steps Below to Chalk or Paint Your Hair:

Follow the steps below to chalk or paint your hair:

1.  Apply cream or hair grease to hairline to protect against unwanted colors.

2.  Put on gloves.

3.  Section out hair with a tail comb or similar.  It's easier to work with hair that has been already sectioned.

4.  Work on one section at a time and clip all other hair out of the way.

5.  Mix the paint or water color so that it has a consistency like icing unless you're using chalk.  When using chalk you'll use the sticks.

6.  Split the bottom section of hair in half.

7.  Spritz bottom 3" of hair with water bottle getting the section very damp.

8.  Use a hair paint brush.  Lightly feather your paint from the ends halfway up the strands.

If you use chalk, swipe the chalk stick onto the damp ends to transfer the chalk onto the hair.  Make sure you cover completely.

Note:  Alternatively take a section of damp hair, hold it taut and use fingers to rub colored pastels in a downward direction until the color completely adheres.

9.  To allow the color to set you may wish to apply a traditional hair coloring foil. Fold it to allow the color to remain segregated from the rest of the hair as you work on the other sections.

10.  Move to the next section of hair. Split and repeat.  Alternate colors or even use similar colors on the same section.

11.  After you have finished coloring all the sections, allow them to remain in the foils.

12.  Unwrap one foil at a time.  If it's still damp, heat the ends lightly with a blow dryer.

13.  Continue to unwrap and dry as necessary until all of the ends have been unwrapped.

14.  Style hair as desired.

Optional Dip Dying Techniques

There really is no right or wrong way to dip dye with chalk, water colors or paints.

You can do a quick chalk/paint dye by first braiding hair and then doing a random painting on different sections of the braids.

Or you can pull hair into an array of ponytails and randomly select different strands to paint or rub with chalk.

Experiment with a wide range of temporary color tools and techniques until you find the one which works best for your hair and goals.

Manufacturers With Dip Dye Sets

There are several manufacturers producing water miscible oil paint, including:

1. MSDADA — A custom chalk hair color kit packaged in a set of hair color combs about 3.99".  Six bright and vibrant color, red, blue, green yellow, purple and rose.  Use individual colors or mix and match.  Safe and easy to use.  Washes out easily with water and shampoo.  Non-allergenic, non-tox and water-soluble.  Can last up to 3 days.  Works best on light colored hair.

2. Kalolary Metallic Temporary Bright Hair Chalk Set -  Custom chalk hair color kits with 10 temporary hair chalk combs.  Vibrant colors in vibrant shades.  Washes out easily with water and shampoo. Works best on light colored hair. Non-Toxic and safe.

3.  Allstar Innovation - HotHuez Temp Hair Chalk - This hair chalk kit works on all hair colors from light to dark.  Unlike the hair chalk comb, the HotHuez in a compact.  It offer four color including Hot Pink, Electric Blue, Fiery Fuschia and Neon Green.  It's very easy to use. 

Best wishes to all.