It is safe to combine dye and conditioner. When you dye your hair, combining conditioner and hair dye will dilute the dye and produce a softer tone and color.

You’ve probably wondered whether mixing dye and conditioner is a good idea, whether you want to temporarily hide damage or are a hair chameleon. You should read on to learn more about the right way and time to do it.

What Happens When You Mix Dye With Conditioner?

The first thing you should know is that mixing dye with conditioner only works with semi-permanent hair dye.

In addition to interfering with the developer required for permanent dye, the conditioner will cause your color to apply unevenly if you add it to your dye mixture.

When working with fantasy colors that will unavoidably fade eventually, it is best to employ the conditioner trick. Keep in mind that the finished product will be a little bit lighter than the one shown on the box.

In spite of this, your hair will be more moisturized. You should be aware that the final shade of your hair won’t be as vivid as you might like. The conditioner serves as a barrier and might give the color a matte or subdued appearance.

But since you’ll be working with semi-permanent dye and perhaps vibrant fade-out colors, the extra moisture will still be worthwhile for a distinctive shade. The better, the more vivid your color should be.

Read More:

• How Long Does Hair Dye Last – When It Fade Completely?
• How Often Should You Condition Your Hair – What to Pay Attention

How to Choose the Right Conditioner

You’ve made the conscious decision to proceed. Perhaps you’re trying to fix damage from a previous bad dye job. It’s also possible that you have a color you want to use up and believe that adding conditioner will help. Here’s how to make sure everything goes according to plan.

Step One: Evaluate Your Goals

Assessing your situation is the first step. Are you attempting to improve your color between colorings with the least amount of harm? If so, opt for a color-depositing conditioner.

You can easily find one of these that complements your dye because they come in all shades. Using a formula for treated hair is a safe bet if you’ve already colored your hair.

More importantly, this kind of hair conditioner is adaptable and can be used with any dye color. Dyeing already-damaged hair is it a thing? Think about using a leave-in conditioner or a formula with more hydration.

Step Two: Know What Ingredients to Avoid

Whatever conditioner you choose, make sure it is free of the following:

• Parabens
• Silicones, such as dimethicone
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Formaldehyde
• Synthetic fragrance and color

The aforementioned ingredients are harsh and dangerous chemicals that can further weaken your hair color or result in more damage and faster fading. Anything waxy that affects your color and texture should be avoided for the best results.

Using a white conditioner is also the best option unless you’re using a color-depositing one (keep in mind that the shade may change at the end).

Mixing Dye and Conditioner in 3 Steps

Adding conditioner doesn’t significantly alter how you apply hair dye. However, you should ensure you’re as prepared as possible for your unique shade.

Step One: Start Mixing

After choosing the right conditioner, you can start by gathering the following simple items:

• A small bowl or plastic container (never use metal)
• A third of a cup of conditioner
• Application brush
• Dye
• Gloves

Depending on how much you want the dye color to be diluted, adjust the amount of conditioner you add. Generally speaking, you can add more as you go if you feel like you need it. Start by pouring the conditioner into the bowl and then the hair dye. Always remember to protect your hands by wearing gloves.

Step Two: Prepare for Application

Before starting, make sure you’ve given your hair a good brushing. Then, pin it up after dividing it into four sections as you would before getting it dyed. Protect your clothes and your skin.

To prevent skin color from getting on your hairline, if necessary, apply some Vaseline or cream. Last but not least, stir with the dye brush while keeping an eye out for any last white specks that may be visible.

After ensuring that your dye and conditioner combination is thoroughly mixed, you’re ready to start applying the mixture with a dye brush. from the root to the tip.

Step Three: Rinse

Read the directions on your hair dye bottle and follow them exactly to the letter. A simple rinse with water will do if you have already shampooed your hair before beginning the dying process.

If you do use shampoo, remember that even the gentlest formula will get rid of a bit of color. This shouldn’t be a big deal if you want a pastel version of your shade or if you know you want it lighter than the color shown on the box.

But if you do decide to shampoo after dying, be sure to use a formula without any of the same ingredients you stay away from in the conditioner. Additionally, look out for the following elements in shampoo as they will further strip color:

• Triclosan
• Sulfates

Sulfates are a foaming agent in shampoo that acts as a detergent. If you want to avoid stripping your hair color, avoid it at all costs. Triclosan is an antibacterial ingredient and is very harsh on your hair.

The purpose of combining conditioner with dye is defeated because this ingredient will also harm your hair and ruin its texture. Make sure you don’t use hot water to wash off as the heat can also strip more color. Your hair can be dried and styled as usual once the last of the dye has completely rinsed out.

Pros and Cons of Putting Hair Dye in Conditioner

Pros:

• Applying hair dye can be made simpler by combining it with conditioner because the conditioner can spread the color more evenly.
• Additionally, because the conditioner can serve as a sealant, it can help the hair dye last longer.
• The color will be more subtle if you mix it with conditioner.
• Addition of conditioner can help to enhance the quality of your hair color when using a box hair dye.

Cons:

• It might be more challenging to thoroughly rinse it out, which might result in buildup on the scalp.
• It could potentially weaken your hair if used too often.
• If you mix conditioner and hair dye, your hair is more likely to develop streaks.
• The color may not be as vibrant as it would be if you applied the dye separately.
• It might be necessary to use more conditioner than you typically would, which can be expensive.
• Additionally, because the conditioner may act as a barrier, it might be more difficult to take out the hair dye.

Things to Consider

Before you begin the process of mixing conditioner with your next hair dye, you will need to consider your needs and goals:

• Analyze the damage you have done. If the reason you choose to mix conditioner and dye is that your hair is already damaged, consider whether you should wait longer to dye your hair. It will help if you mix conditioner with the dye if your hair isn’t overly fragile or prone to breakage.
• Determine how frequently you’ll dye. It’s a great idea to add conditioner if you frequently change the color of your hair.
• Never be afraid to invent new hues. There are numerous ways to have fun with conditioner when using a fantasy dye. Use the slight dilution to your advantage.
• Use only plastic containers or bowls for dye. Metal poses a particular threat because it can result in undesirable chemical reactions. Additionally, the dye is oxidized, which could significantly alter your color.

Conclusion

Can you dye your hair while using conditioner? After reading our article, we bet you now know the best solutions to this query and how to combine conditioner and hair dye.

While conditioners are ideal for moisturizing and nourishing dyed hair, not all of them can work with dye colors.

Thus, if you put conditioner in hair dye by accident, don’t worry; make sure to use this mixture at the right coloring stage. To avoid causing a mess, white and clear conditioners would be a better option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about mixing conditioner with dye: