A popular question from women who use hair toppers is ‘can I color my hair topper’. Yes you can, if your hair topper is made from human hair. If it’s a synthetic hair topper, it’s best to not color it. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to color your hair topper.
Why you may want to color/ dye your hair topper?
You may want to color your hair topper for various reasons, such as:
- The shade you have received does not match your hair and returning the piece is not an option
- You are bored of the same color and want a change of style, so you would like to add some highlights or an ombre
- With use the color of your topper has faded and you would like to revive it by coloring it. This happened once with a topper I was using. After using it for over a year, it had started to look like hair that had been ‘henna’ treated, and I did not like that, so decided to color my topper.
Can I dye my hair topper at home?
Technically, yes you can! But you may not want to do it, there is a risk of ruining your topper. And toppers are not cheap, so think twice before you decide to experiment. I always suggest to take the hair topper to a hair stylist or a topper manufacturer and ask them for the customization you are looking for.
If you still prefer to do it by yourself, read on.
Two things you will require if you want to color your hair topper
Of course you will require hair color and your hair topper, but you will also require some oil and a mannequin head. Once you have decided what colour or style you want to give to your topper, do these two things
Step 1: Apply a coating of oil [any oil] to the silk or lace part of the topper. So take some oil on your hands and apply the oil well covering the silk or lace part fully. This will ensure that no colour gets on to the silk or lace part. Remember you don’t want to skip this step, because if you do end up dyeing the silk/lace, your topper is ruined.
Step 2: Brush the hair well, de tangle any knots and then attach the topper to a mannequin head before you start the colouring process. A mannequin head is not a mandatory requirement, but it is better if you have one. If not, you could place the topper flat on a paper or plastic sheet and colour it too, but that is tricky and may not give great results as you may miss out on some parts. Sectioning the hair is a breeze when you use a mannequin head.
How to color a human hair topper?
After you have oiled the lace and attached the topper to a mannequin head, mix your color and apply it as you would to your own hair. Keep sectioning the hair and applying the color well to each part. You want to rub it in the hair nicely to make sure that the hair is well saturated with hair color.
Then leave the color on for 20-25 minutes and then wash off with a sulfate free shampoo followed by a conditioner. And let the topper air dry.
Can I dye my synthetic hair topper?
Dyeing synthetic hair can be a bit more challenging. Regular hair dye doesn’t work well on synthetic fibers, and the results can be unpredictable. There are special synthetic hair dyes available, but they might not give you as wide a range of color options. Additionally, the dyeing process for synthetic hair can be tricky and might require more expertise.
Before attempting to dye a hair topper, it’s recommended to:
- Check Manufacturer Guidelines: Some manufacturers might provide specific instructions on whether or not their toppers can be dyed and how to do it properly.
- Consult a Professional: If you’re unsure about dyeing the topper yourself, it’s best to consult a professional hairstylist with experience in working with hair toppers or extensions.
- Consider Quality: The quality of the hair or synthetic fibers in the topper can affect how well it takes the dye and how long it retains the color. Higher quality toppers might offer better results.