Ever asked “can you mix semi permanent hair dye with conditioner?” If so, you’re not alone. This is actually a pretty common question from many individuals who dye their hair. Some people wonder if mixing semi permanent hair color with conditioner can help protect their hair from the hair dyes, lighten the colors, or bring other benefits. Well, if you’ve been thinking about mixing hair dye with conditioner, keep reading to find out whether it is a good idea and something you’ll want to try.
Table of Contents
- Can You Mix Semi Permanent Hair Dye with Conditioner?
- Mixing Semi Permanent Hair Color with Conditioner
- Conditioner and Hair Dye
- What Happens if You Mix Conditioner with Hair Dye?
- Mix Hair Dye with Conditioner
- Best Conditioner to Mix with Hair Dye
- Conditioner that Dyes Your Hair
- Mixing Hair Dye with Shampoo
- Adding Shampoo to Hair Dye
- Can You Mix Semi Permanent Hair Dye with Conditioner: FAQs
- Can you mix semi permanent hair dye with developer?
- Can you mix semi permanent hair dye with permanent?
- Can I mix hair dyes?
- Can I use conditioner instead of developer?
- Will leave in conditioner affect hair dye?
- What is white conditioner?
- Can you mix box hair dye?
- What happens if you mix red and purple hair dye?
- Enjoy Different Colors with Healthy Hair
Can You Mix Semi Permanent Hair Dye with Conditioner?
Can you put conditioner in hair dye? Yes, but the results may not be exactly what you’re expecting.
Many people want to mix hair dye with conditioner to protect their hair from the chemicals found in the dye. Experts and hair stylists seem to have mixed opinions about whether or not conditioner will offer protection to the hair. Some individuals think it acts as a barrier between the chemicals in the dye and your hair, while others think conditioner can’t actually offer this protection.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t mix conditioner and hair dye. Mixing some hair dyes with conditioners can soften color. For example, with really vibrant dyes, mixing the dye in with some conditioner before applying it to your hair may result in more of a pastel hair color. This is a pretty popular look, and may be something you’re interested in trying.
Some people have also found success mixing hair color with conditioner to refresh color. They use this method to help keep their color from fading in between color treatments.
Mixing Semi Permanent Hair Color with Conditioner
Here are the steps to take if you want to mix hair dye with conditioner.
- Start with a vibrant hair color dye, such as bulge, pink, purple, orange, or green, that you would like to lighten by mixing it with conditioner.
- Choose a white conditioner rather than one that has its own color, as the ingredients that give it that color might interfere with your hair dye.
- Combine ⅓-cub conditioner with 1 tablespoon of hair dye in a disposable cup.
- Mix the two ingredients fully until the hair dye is fully integrated into the conditioner.
- Next, add the conditioner/dye mix into the rest of the hair dye solution.
- Follow the directions on the hair dye box or the steps you normally take to dye your hair.
Conditioner and Hair Dye
Aside from the standard and well-known uses for hair conditioner, many individuals have found success dying hair with conditioner as well. By mixing conditioner with hair dye you can dilute the color of the dye for a less vibrant finished look. Since many dyes are often very bright or dark, diluting hair dye with conditioner may be an appealing option to consider. This is especially true if you would love to make your hair more of a pastel pink, purple, blue, or green color.
However, if you’re looking to put hair dye in conditioner and achieve the same color you would without the conditioner, you’ll likely be disappointed. Conditioner will dilute hair dye, so if you want a darker or more vibrant color, it is best to use the hair dye as directed on the box.
What Happens if You Mix Conditioner with Hair Dye?
So, what effect does putting conditioner in hair dye have and can you use conditioner to dilute hair dye? Adding hair dye to conditioner is a great choice if you’re looking for how to make hair dye lighter before applying. The conditioner works to dilute the dye and will result in a less vibrant finished product. If you want to know how to dilute permanent hair dye, trying conditioner is a great option to consider.
What happens if you mix hair dye with conditioner? Well, another way you can use hair dye and conditioner mixed together is to refresh the color of your hair. Mixing hair color with conditioner to refresh color is a way you can keep your hair color looking its best between full treatments. Adding a little hair dye to your conditioner and using it periodically between full coloring sessions may help you stretch the amount of time you can go before your hair will need to be colored again.
Some individuals also believe that mixing hair dye with conditioner can help protect their hair from the chemicals in the dye. We still have more to learn on this one, but some hypothesize that the conditioner works to create a barrier between the hair and the chemicals. Other individuals question this theory, so the verdict is still out on how effective conditioner is at protecting hair from hair dye.
Mix Hair Dye with Conditioner
Now that you know that you can mix hair dye with conditioner, you probably have some questions before giving it a try.
Let’s start with, how much hair dye should I put in my conditioner?
The exact amount of hair dye you should use may vary depending on the results you want to see. If you’re going for a darker color, aim to the standard recommended amount. But, if you want a lighter color, use a little less. If you aren’t sure, it is always better to start with less and repeat the steps again with more since making your hair darker will be a lot easier than making it lighter!
Next question, how to lighten hair dye with conditioner? Adding conditioner to your hair dye will dilute it. Simply mix the two together for a less vibrant and more reserved finished color. The exact ratio for how to lighten hair dye mix will vary based on the finished look you desire.
Best Conditioner to Mix with Hair Dye
TRESemmé Conditioner for Dry Hair
Conditioner Highlights
- White conditioner that is good for mixing
- Moisturizers hair and may protect against damage
- Softens hair
TRESemmé is a go-to for many individuals looking to mix semi-permanent dye with conditioner. The Moisture Rich Conditioner is a white conditioner that can prevent the colors from bleeding into one another. It is also formulated to bring moisture to hair and keep it from getting too dry, which can help protect it from some of the damage the hair dye may cause. The vitamin E and biotin in the formula also work to soften hair.
Sheamoisture Restorative Conditioner
Conditioner Highlights
- Silicone-free
- Color-safe formula
- Moisturizes hair
Try Sheamoisture’s Restorative Conditioner when mixing semi-permanent hair dye. This color-safe formula is also sulfate-free, which is often recommended when choosing a conditioner to mix with hair dye. The conditioner includes shea butter which allows it to help moisturize hair and protect it from damage from chemicals in the dye. You can also use this as a leave-in conditioner, which could help protect your newly colored hair and keep it from fading.
Conditioner that Dyes Your Hair
Looking for a conditioner that dyes your hair? Try one of these options, and you won’t need to worry about mixing hair dye and conditioner on your own!
Keracolor Clenditioner Hair Dye
Conditioner Highlights
- Colors and cleanses hair
- Non-lather conditioner
- Infuses color with each use
- Can be used to maintain color between treatments
- 18 different color options
Use Keracolor’s Clenditioner Hair Dye to condition hair and refresh its color. This is a non-lather conditioning cleanser that is available in 18 different color options. Each time it is used, it infuses color into hair to improve the look of hair and stretch out the amount of time you can go between salon or in-home hair coloring treatments. The formula is paraben-, sulfate-, gluten-, and cruelty-free.
ArtNaturals Purple Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Conditioner Highlights
- Shampoo and conditioner set for brightening blond hair tones
- Formula includes coconut extract for moisture and hydration
- Cruelty-free and vegan formula
This purple shampoo and conditioner set from ArtNaturals can help blondes achieve silvery and shiny platinum blonde hair. The formula is cruelty-free and vegan and will gently get rid of brassy shades without the use of any harmful chemicals. Coconut extract in the shampoo and conditioner also help to keep the scalp hydrated and ensure hair stays moisturized, bouncy, and voluminous.
RELATED: Best Sulfate Free Purple Shampoo
Mixing Hair Dye with Shampoo
Can I mix my hair dye with shampoo is another common question. The answer is also yes. If you want to know other ideas for how to dilute hair dye without conditioner, using shampoo is a great option. It will also help soften the color of the dye and leave you with a less vibrant finished shade.
Adding Shampoo to Hair Dye
Using a purple shampoo is often the best choice when mixing hair dye and shampoo. This is even more true for individuals with blond hair or those who are looking to get rid of the yellow shades in their hair.
Another option to consider is a blue shampoo. This would be an ideal choice for brunettes, since it can help remove the brassiness in darker hair before coloring.
Follow the steps below for adding hair dye to shampoo:
- Mix one part shampoo to one part hair dye. So, you should use the same quantity of shampoo as hair dye.
- The exact amount of each liquid you should add will depend on how much hair you have and how much solution it will take to cover all of it.
- After mixing the shampoo and hair dye in a disposable cup, apply as normal.
- Let the mixture sit on your hair for about 10 minutes before washing it off.
- The finished result should be a refreshed or less vibrant hair color than you would have achieved without the shampoo.
Can You Mix Semi Permanent Hair Dye with Conditioner: FAQs
Can you mix semi permanent hair dye with developer?
No, you shouldn’t mix semi permanent hair dye with developer. Mixing semi permanent hair color with developer can yield a really patchy hair color that will not be at all what you want for your hair.
Can you mix semi permanent hair dye with permanent?
No, semi permanent hair dye and permanent hair dye should not be mixed together. Each product is formulated with different chemicals and work to change the color of hair in different ways and mixing the two together can result in an uneven dye job.
Can I mix hair dyes?
Yes, you can mix hair dyes together to create a new shade. However, be sure to only mix the same type of dye (permanent vs semi-permanent) together.
Can I use conditioner instead of developer?
No, conditioner is not a true replacement for developer. Hair developer is designed to open the cuticle on the hair and allow the hair dye to deposit its color onto the hair. This is not something that can be achieved with conditioner. If you wish to color your hair without using developer, consider trying a semi-permanent hair dye that doesn’t require it.
Will leave in conditioner affect hair dye?
Leave in conditioner shouldn’t affect hair dye. In fact, it may be a better option than taking a full shower and washing your hair immediately after coloring your hair to give the color time to set.
What is white conditioner?
White conditioner is simply conditioner that is white in color. It contains fewer ingredients that could interfere with hair dye and is often the recommended choice for coloring hair with conditioner.
Can you mix box hair dye?
Yes, you can mix two different box hair dye colors. This can help you create a custom shade for your hair.
What happens if you mix red and purple hair dye?
Mixing red and purple hair dye together will result in a magenta or burgundy color.
Enjoy Different Colors with Healthy Hair
Knowing the best hair color hacks can help you achieve the look you’re after. As we shared above, if you want to achieve a softer hair color, mixing hair dye in conditioner may be a great option to consider. What are your hair color goals?
Be sure to check out more related hair posts on our blog!
Hi Antoinette, probably best to use it right away! Mixing it together alters the chemicals, won’t be a good idea to keep it for very long.
How long can you keep conditioner that you have mixed with hair dye?
Deep conditioning treatments definitely help before and after a dye job to keep all that moisture locked into your scalp!
I’ve never dyed my hair but my mum’s has a habit of going crazy colours when she dyes it and her hairdresser always gives her deep conditioning treatments to soften the colour and keep it nourished if it needs to be done again x