Having vivid hair is a feature no one can gloss over. It instantly makes you interesting, shows creativity, and sets you apart from others. However, there is no other color that’s brighter and riskier than green.
It’s rebellious, daring, and clashes with stereotypes. The shades of dark green hair dye available on the market range from vibrant greens to deep, mossy shades. Each variant can create a different vibe — you can become a mermaid goddess, a punk, or a forest witch in a matter of hours.
If you want to transform your appearance, here is a guide for you. We’ll unpack which shade to pick, how to dye and maintain your hair, whether the dye will stain, and how to wash it out.
Which Shade of Green to Pick
There are so many different shades of green available nowadays that you might be confused about what to try first. Arctic Fox carries pastels, vivids, and dark shades. Pistachio Macaron, for example, is a pastel that looks like soft, sweet ice cream, while Emerald Fortune is dark and deep like a gem. Naturally, you might want to try all of them. However, the choice will depend on the desired color and your natural shade.
Unfortunately, not all hair can be dyed bright colors without bleaching. If yours is dark brown or black, deeper green tones are more likely to show up on your strands. It will be a light glimmer of color in the sun. People with naturally light locks, however, have more freedom without damaging them with bleach. Blondes can easily experiment with vivids.
Neons, pastels, and mixes of colors often require a lightened base first. The bleaching process can affect the hair cuticle, making it more brittle and dry, while the ends may become prone to splitting. Yet, bleach-blonde hair is generally more receptive to bright semi-permanent dye, as there is no dark pigment to affect the green. Just remember that it will require more care to keep it shiny and healthy.
How to Dye Your Hair at Home
Start either with natural hair and a suitable dark shade or with a bleached, toned base and any green dye of your choice. Make sure the strands are clean and fully dry.
Don’t use anything apart from shampoo before dyeing, as conditioners, masks, or oils will prevent the dye from properly coating the hair. The result might come out patchy and uneven. If the hair was colored before, the new pigment might turn out a little differently based on the previous color left in the locks. Follow these steps:
- Put all your dye into a bowl, then mix it up, even if it’s just one color. Some semi-permanent pigments separate when not in use.
- Put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands and wear an old T-shirt that can get stained in the process.
- Brush the hair, then divide it into small, thin sections. This makes it easier to work the dye in without missing pieces.
- Start applying the color from the roots to the ends evenly, then comb through for a better result.
- Once you’re done, let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Some dyes work better when it’s warm, so you can put a shower cap on and carefully heat it with a dryer.
- Rinse thoroughly with cold water. You will see a lot of pigment in the water, which is normal because it’s the excess.
The main process is done. Now, dry your hair, style it how you usually do, and show off the new color.
Green Hair Maintenance
Just like any other color, green will not stay in your hair for long if you don’t maintain it properly. The first step is to use only cold or lukewarm water on it. Avoid hot water at all costs, as the heat opens up hair cuticles, making the pigment wash out faster. If your hair is bleached, the cuticles may already be more vulnerable, so hot water can make your strands feel even drier.
Additionally, stop using your usual shampoo and conditioner and switch to more suitable products. Choose only those labeled as “color-safe.” They are often sulfate-free and designed to help preserve the pigment. They can also help care for damaged hair and keep the color vibrant longer.
When possible, avoid excessive heat, including saunas, sun exposure, or hot tools. Once it’s hot outside, wear a hat or headscarf to protect your locks. Prolonged UV exposure can dull green shades. If you absolutely have to use a blow dryer, curling iron, or similar tools, apply a heat protectant beforehand.
Salt water and chlorine also flush out the bright pigment. So, swimming in the sea, ocean, or pool can be damaging to your strands, dulling the color. Minimize dipping your hair in the water or use a swimming cap.
When It’s Time to Refresh the Color
At some point, you will see the green washing out. That’s normal. Semi-permanent dyes last up to 12 weeks, depending on the formula, base, or care routine. Pastels and neons have to be refreshed more often.
In general, you might want to repeat the process at home once regrowth appears or the color starts fading. If the base is bleached, you will need to lift your roots before reapplying the dye. But the lengths can be redyed at any moment.
Arctic Fox semi-permanent dyes act like conditioners without damaging the hair cuticle, so you don’t have to worry about overdoing it and leaving your strands fried. You can even leave the formula on for more than an hour without any consequences, except your color being more vivid.
Staining Skin and Clothes
The dye can leave marks on the skin when you’re applying and processing it, green included. Since darker green will be more visible, if it lands on the forehead or ears, it may stay there for a few days. Always apply some cream or petroleum jelly around these areas, the back of the neck, and the hairline to prevent staining.
You might also see your scalp turn green after you rinse out the dye. This is a normal occurrence, too, as it happens to many people who dye their hair at home. The color usually fades after a few washes and is temporary.
However, many people with bright hair worry more about staining their pillowcases and towels. Green can be pretty intense in that sense, but it depends on the formula of the dye. Some formulas may turn your bedding and linens a bit green. A quick wash at a slightly higher temperature, according to the care label, often solves this problem. Also, let the hair dry completely before sleeping, as this can help reduce color bleeding onto pillowcases or other fabrics overnight.
It’s recommended to avoid light clothes or hats you treasure right after dyeing, especially in hot weather. The color can bleed when you sweat, since the heat opens up hair cuticles and sweat contains salt, staining the fabric.
How to Wash Out Green Dye
You shouldn’t use permanent green hair dye if you want to experiment with colors. It doesn’t wash out fully and can remain in your strands until it completely grows out. Usually, professional color correction may be needed to remove it sooner. Semi-permanent and temporary color are the best choices. People usually go for semi-permanent because of the fun color wheel and the fact that it stays in the locks for up to 12 weeks.
Eventually, you can have it completely gone by just washing it like usual. The key to washing it out is not refreshing the color. Some people may prefer to fade the color more quickly. In that case, you can use a clarifying shampoo and wash your hair with comfortably warm water to help speed up the process. There’s no need for the water to be very hot — choose a temperature that feels comfortable.
Some brands make color-stripping products specifically to wash out semi-permanent dyes. They come in mask-like formulas and help remove the pigment from the strands. In some cases, they might damage and dry the hair, so you should always check the product instructions before use. When all else fails, you can book a trip to a salon, where a professional can apply a mild bleach solution to the locks to get rid of the color.
Get Ready for Green Hair
Green is one of the most daring colors on the color wheel, especially when it comes to hair dye. It comes in many variations, from pastels to neons, and requires some knowledge about the shades, maintenance, staining, and the coloring process. Yet, you can do all of that at home.
After you dye your hair green, make sure you get color-safe products to keep it as long as possible and avoid heat, salt, and chlorine. Once you are ready to let it go, just wash your strands with clarifying shampoo in hot water.
