Homemade Beauty 101: Kool-Aid Hair Dye

With bold, Crayola-colors like green, pink, and burgundy cycling back into style, now might be a good time to consider spicing up your hair color. But even though you’re all read-up on different types of hair dye applications, some of you might be wondering if there’s still another way. Some others of you might have heard about an inexpensive, easy way to try new hair colors and funkier shades, but aren’t quite sure how to do it. Well, there is another method, and it can be a time- and money-saver – hair coloring at home with Kool Aid drink mix. Here are step-by-step instructions.

Before you begin, make sure you’re ready for this step. In addition to all the other considerations that go into picking a hair color, think about the overall final effect you want carefully, especially if you have darker locks. Brunettes and redheads will likely end up with a more subtle tint than any bright, dazzling hue, so keep this in mind when choosing a shade. If you really want the color to pop, consider bleaching or lightening the hair prior to using the Kool Aid hair dye recipe described here.

Now that you know what you want, gather materials:

• 2-3 packets of unsweetened Kool Aid mix
• a disposable bowl or cup
• a popsicle stick or disposable spoon
• petroleum jelly
• plastic wrap
• aluminum foil (optional)
• enough of your favorite rinse-out conditioner to cover all your hair
• Do NOT use pre-sweetened drink mix or add sugar; this will not only interfere with your color application, but leave your hair a syrupy mess that’s hard to rinse out.

Prep hairline and tresses by wetting hair until damp, and coating your hairline and ear areas with petroleum jelly or another thick oil. This will help prevent the color from staining your skin, and color will bond more quickly to wet locks.

Now mix your hair dye. Pour the Kool Aid into the cup and stir in conditioner with the popsicle stick or spoon. (Make sure to use containers and stirrers that you can throw away, as the chemicals in the conditioner will make them unsafe to eat or drink from again.) The mixture should form a smooth paste; keep stirring until all lumps are gone.

Next, apply the Kool Aid-conditioner concoction to your locks, but not your scalp. You may want to ask a friend to help with this, especially if you’d rather have highlights or a creative pattern than all-over color. For highlights, separate dyed strands with foil.

Once you’ve applied the Kool Aid hair dye to all desired sections of hair, wrap lengths in plastic wrap and let process for 2 to 8 hours; the longer you wait, the better the results will be. Afterwards, rinse dye from hair and style as usual. Your new tint should last a few washings, and range from a subtle undertone to a striking splash of color, depending on your original hair shade.

Who knew hair coloring at home could be so easy and fun to experiment with? Enjoy!

Kool-Aid Hair Dye Color Chart: What Colors Work on Different Hair Types

One of the most common questions about Kool-Aid hair dye is which colors will actually show up on your hair. Here's a realistic guide based on starting hair color:

On blonde or lightened hair: Almost every Kool-Aid flavor will show up vividly. Red, pink, purple, and blue are the most dramatic. Even lighter colors like orange and yellow will be visible. This is the best canvas for bright, striking Kool-Aid colors.

On medium brown hair: Darker colors like cherry red, berry, and grape will show as tinted highlights or a subtle color shift. Lighter colors like lemonade or orange won't show at all. You'll see the color most in sunlight or under bright light.

On dark brown or black hair: Very little, if any, visible color on most people. If you want Kool-Aid color on dark hair, you'll need to lighten the sections you want to color first. Expect subtle warmth at most without pre-lightening.

"Experimenting with color is one of the most fun things you can do with hair - whether it's your natural hair or extensions. Kool-Aid is a great low-commitment way to try a pop of color without damaging your hair with bleach or permanent dye."

- Priyanka Swamy, Founder of Perfect Locks

Best Kool-Aid Flavors for Hair Dyeing

Not all Kool-Aid flavors perform equally as hair color. Here are the most popular choices and the color they deposit:

• Cherry / Tropical Punch - Vivid red, great for warm brunettes and blondes
• Grape - Deep purple, one of the most popular for bold color
• Berry Blue - Bright blue, shows best on blonde or lightened hair
• Strawberry - Pink-red, softer than cherry for a rosy result
• Black Cherry - Deep burgundy/wine, flattering warm tone
• Orange - Warm orange, best on blonde hair
• Lemon-Lime - Very light, mainly shows as warm yellow on blonde hair

How Long Does Kool-Aid Hair Dye Last?

Kool-Aid hair dye typically lasts 2-4 weeks on natural hair, with the color fading gradually with each wash. Factors that affect how long it stays:

• How long you left the dye on (longer = more intense and longer lasting)
• Your starting hair color (lighter hair holds the color more prominently)
• How often you wash your hair
• Water temperature during washing (cold water helps preserve the color longer)
• Whether you used heat to process the color (warm water or heat can deepen the color and longevity)

If you want to remove the color faster, wash with clarifying shampoo or use a vitamin C treatment - crushing vitamin C tablets into shampoo is an effective way to fade Kool-Aid color quickly if you change your mind.

Kool-Aid Dye on Hair Extensions

Yes - you can use Kool-Aid dye on 100% human hair extensions! Because our Remy human hair extensions behave just like natural hair, they accept color in the same way. This is actually one of the best ways to experiment with color on extensions before applying permanent dye - or if you just want a temporary pop of color that will eventually wash out.

Apply the same method described above to your extensions while they're off your head for more controlled, even coverage. Clip-in extensions and halo extensions are the easiest to work with for this since they can be fully submerged or laid flat for treatment. Do not apply to tape-in bonds or bead attachment points.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kool-Aid Hair Dye

Kool-Aid hair dye is one of the most fun, low-risk ways to experiment with color. Whether you're doing a full rainbow dip-dye or adding some subtle highlights just for the summer, it's a commitment-free way to play with your look.