Dyed dreads are a fun and hip way to style your dreads. Dreadlocks may sometimes seem like it doesn’t give you many styling options, so if you’re looking for a way to level up your locs, dyed dreads are the way to go.
What are Dreadlocks?
“Dreadlocks” is a traditional hairstyle achieved by twisting, interlocking, and braiding hair like ropes. It is also a popular protective style as it prevents your hair from breaking and drying out.
Most people think this hairstyle results from dirty and unkempt hair, but it’s the opposite. Dreadlocks protect your hair from dirt and product build-up. And the only way you can knot your hair faster is when it’s clean.
So don’t get fooled by what others say.
Whether you’re a veteran in coloring your hair or someone new to the craft, we’ve got your back. Here’s everything you need to know about dyed dreads and a style guide for your reference.
Best Color for Dyed Dreads
Not sure what color to dye your dreads in? No worries. Let me help you out. These different colors are trendy and, at the same time, suit almost all types of skin tones.
Blonde or Brown Dyed Dreads
Brown is a classy color and is one of my go-to colors when I want to give my hair a makeover. It’s the perfect color to start with when you’re still getting used to getting dyed dreads. Ask your hairstylist to add shades of brown to give your hair natural-looking highlights.
You can always opt for a platinum blonde if you’re not one for bright, vivid colors. Fair warning, though. It’s a bit hard to get to that level of bleached hair, so it might take a few bleaching appointments to get the color right.
Pink/Red Shades
You can never go wrong with the color pink. It’s pretty, subtle, and not that much of a head-turner. This color is great because it matches cool and warm skin undertones, so if you’re a beginner in dyed dreads, this is the color you should get.
Do you want to make a statement? The best way to do that is by employing a bold red color on your dreads. If you have a warm undertone, red may work well for you!
Purple/Green Dyed Dreads
Purple and green are other stand-out hair colors you may want to get. It’s a great color for those with cool undertones, making your complexion stand out even better.
Dyed Dreads Style Guide
Pink Colored Dreadlocks with Hair Ties
Pink dreadlocks are a work of art. They’re beautiful because they’re unique and can be styled in many different ways. Adding hair ties to accentuate the color is a great way to make them stand out even more.
And because pink is such a versatile color, you can wear your pink dreadlocks with almost anything. Whether rocking a casual look or dressing up for a special occasion, pink dreadlocks will turn heads.
Red/Maroon Dreads
Any shade of red is an excellent hair color for any skin tone, and it can match any clothing you wear, whether casual or formal. If you have a pale skin tone, go for cooler shades of red. If you have a darker skin tone, go for the deeper shades of red like this maroon.
Red Dyed Dreads for Men
Who said men can’t rock dyed dreads? The color red is a great option for men as men tend to wear clothes with muted colors. The shades of red will stand out against the neutral colors.
Blonde Dreads for Men
Blonde dreads are great if you want to keep a simple look. This will also save you another trip to the hairstylist because this look can be achieved by just bleaching your hair. It’s also easier to match clothes with this hair color.
Purple Dyed Dreads for Men
Purple is a deep, rich color that looks good on literally everybody. Like red, if you have a fairer skin tone, go for a bright, vivid purple shade. If you have a darker skin tone, opt for a deeper shade.
White Dyed Dreads with Curly Ends
This ombre-colored hairstyle is an excellent look for any occasion, whether a black-tie event or a wild night out. The Ombre look is also very sustainable, as it looks better the more you grow your hair.
Blonde Dreads in Top Bun with Face Framing Strands
If you have a round face, this loc bun will look great. Face framing strands help slim your face down a bit, and the large top bun also helps to make your face look longer and slimmer.
Purple Dyed Dreads with Braids
If you’ve got time on your hands, this look is something you should go for. You have a combination of hairstyles and a mixture of cool-toned colors that make your hair stand out among others.
Green Dyed Dreads in Top Bun
This wicks dreads look is great if you’re still growing out your short hair. The color green is excellent for those with cool undertones. But a fair warning for those experimenting with this color. Green is hard to remove and often leaves residual colors even if it has already faded.
Blonde Dreads with Beads
Make your hair more fun and trendy by adding hair accessories like beads. This hair color is also easy to achieve and can be done in a single bleaching appointment with a low-volume developer that won’t damage your hair. You can easily re-create dreads with beads look.
What do I need to create dyed dreads?
Found the hairstyle and color that you want to recreate? Here’s what you need to start recreating your desired look.
Hair Bleach
If you have dark hair, bleach your hair first before adding any type of dye. Not doing so will make it difficult for the color to be visible on your natural hair.
If it’s your first time bleaching your hair, let a professional colorist handle it. If you prefer to do it yourself, make sure to get the proper volume developer to lift your hair to the blonde level you need.
For starters, 6% or 20 volume developer is enough to lift your hair to one or two levels. This is already a good enough base for hair dye in natural hair colors.
A 9% or 30-volume developer will lift your hair to three levels of blonde, and a 12% or 40-volume developer is enough to raise it to eight levels of blonde.
Dye
After bleaching your hair, you will want to grab a box of hair dye to color your hair. Depending on how you want your dyed dreads to look, you can get hair dye in natural colors or fun, vibrant hues.
You can choose between permanent hair dyes (usually in natural hair colors like brown, copper, or black) or semi-permanent hair dyes.
Remember that some colors tend to fade faster than others when choosing a hair dye, especially semi-permanent ones. Red and purple are two of the colors that fade the fastest. Blue and green fade quickly, but they tend to leave residue colors on your hair that are pretty difficult to remove.
Old shirts and towels
Coloring your hair is messy and can make permanent stains on your bathroom tiles, depending on what dye you use. Grab an old towel and wear an old shirt you don’t mind getting stained before you start dyeing.
Hair dye mixing bowl and brush.
A hair dye bowl and brush will prevent mess and make applying hair dye easier. Before handling bleach or hair dye, make sure to wear gloves.
Aftercare products
Bleaching can cause hair damage by making it dry, frizzy, and more susceptible to breakage. In some cases, bleached hair can also become rubber-like, which makes it very hard to wash and brush.
If you bleach your hair, use the proper aftercare products like a purple shampoo (this will take the brassy tones away), sulfate-free shampoo, and a deep conditioner.
As a serial bleacher, my tip would be to drink loads of water to rehydrate your hair.
How do I make dyed dreads?
Bleach
Set a bleaching appointment with your trusted professional stylist, or ask someone to bleach your hair. If you’re bleaching at home, use the right developer and check your hair every few minutes to ensure that you’re not overbleaching.
Avoid washing your hair before bleaching, as the hair’s natural oils will protect you from scalp irritation. You may also opt to use coconut oil as an alternative.
Let your hair rest for a few days before coloring or bleaching again. Use purple shampoo if the color is too brassy.
Color
Once you have your preferred bleach level (preferably a level 6 or higher), you can apply semi-permanent dye to your hair. Part your hair into sections and apply hair dye.
Leave the dye on your hair for 30 to 40 minutes or depending on your dye’s instructions. Rinse thoroughly. It’s best to see a hairstylist ensure your hair is evenly colored and well taken care of.
Twist
Once the color has set in your hair, you may create your rope twist dreads locs. Part your hair into small 1-inch square sections and start twisting. Use hair clamps or clips to keep stray hair strands away from the section you’re working on.
Rip
After twisting, start ripping the section into two. Continue twisting and ripping until you get to the end of your strands. Be careful when ripping the strands apart. As your hair is bleached and colored, it is more prone to hair breakage.
Roll
Once done twisting and ripping, your locs may still be messy. Apply dread wax on your palms and start rolling the section.
FAQs about Dyed Dreads
Will dyeing my dreads damage my hair?
Bleach and hair dye can make your hair feel frizzy and dry and more prone to breakage. If you’re committed to dyed dreads, you can use hair products that rehydrate your hair. Use shampoo explicitly made for locs, and drink as much water as possible.
How long will dyed dreads last?
Semi-permanent hair dye lasts about 6 to 8 weeks on normal hair, depending on how often you wash it. Since dreadlocks only require you to wash them once or twice a week, you could expect that the color on your dyed dreads would last longer.
Can I wash my hair after dying?
Most semi-permanent hair dyes are conditioner-based and have a cream-like consistency, which means washing your hair after dying is necessary. Don’t worry about the trail of color from your hair. It’s just the excess hair dye. However, I recommend not washing your hair for a few days as the color is still setting on your strands.
Do I dye my hair before or after twisting?
Before, doing so would ensure that all of your strands are evenly colored. This would also prevent damage only on certain parts of the hair.
You can try dyeing or bleaching your dreadlocks. But it would only color or lift certain parts of your hair. These areas would look patchy should you choose to comb out your dreadlocks.
Bottom line…
Dreadlocks are a great protective hairstyle you might want to get if you want to grow your hair and keep it from drying out. It might seem difficult to style initially, but dyed dreads can make it look fun and trendy. With this guide, you only need a bleaching kit, a hair dye set, and some confidence to help you rock your dyed dreads.
