Last Reviewed:March 22, 2023 by Gabrielle Marks
Coloring hair with Kool-Aid® is a fun and inexpensive way to experiment with hair color. Before getting started, here are some things to consider.
Precautions: Anything that can dye hair has to potential to stain other things such as skin, towels, and clothing. Take the same precautions you would with any dye.
Supplies
To dye hair using Kool-Aid®, you will need:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- One packet of unsweetened Kool Aid®
- Tinfoil
- Plastic wrap
- Towel
- Disposable bowl
- Spoon
- Gloves
Unless you plan on bleaching your hair, this type of hair coloring works best on lighter hair.
Getting Started
- Measure one tablespoon conditioner. Place it in a bowl.
- Add a packet of Kool Aid® and stir.
- Gloves should be worn as Kool Aid® will stain skin.
- Once mixed well, massage into hair.
- If highlights are desired, section off hair and apply to selected areas, encasing with tin foil and rolling up in a pile on top of the head. Continue until all sections are complete.
- If an all-over color is desired, massage through the entire head, pile loosely on top and cover with plastic wrap to keep the mixture from seeping. Applying the plastic wrap over the foiled highlights may also be done to stop any potential leakage.
Processing
In order to attain a deep color, leave the mixture on hair as long as possible. Any time frame can be used, in fact, 20 minutes can yield results; however, such shorter processes lead to quicker fading of color. After processing, wash with shampoo, conditioner, and style as usual.
Choosing Your Kool-Aid® Flavor/Color
Kool-Aid® is not actually intended to be a hair dye but is often used as a short-term solution for costumes. It is also used to get “unique” colors that are harder to find in stores, like bright blues and purples. The different Kool-Aid® flavors can be mixed to create new shades; try out Orange and Tropical Punch for a bright red-orange or Lime and Blue Raspberry for an electric blue-green. Just like any dye job, Kool-Aid® can be used with different tools and effects to result in anything from a realistic auburn to a rainbow gradient. As a warning note, most users try to find sugarless Kool-Aid® to prevent a sticky after-effect. Even with sugarless Kool-Aid®, the hair will take on the scent of the drink mix. This can attract bugs during the summer, so be careful!
How Long Will Kool-Aid® Hair Dye Last?
Most Kool-Aid® dye jobs will fade out within a few washings, especially if the hair is dark or the dye job is weak. If proper steps are taken, or if the hair is lighter, the dye job may last for many weeks. How long the dye job will last depends on the hair’s state and the dying method. If the hair is dry or damaged, or the Kool-Aid® mix is hot, the color will be more vibrant and last longer. If the hair is conditioned or greasy, and the Kool-Aid® is at a cold temperature, the color will last for a shorter time. In addition, the longer the dye is left in, the more permanent the color – some people leave the Kool-Aid® dye in for a few minutes, others all night.
