Transform Your Look: How To Get Blue Hair at Home [Easy Steps]

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So, you’ve decided to take a plunge into the world of vibrant hair colors, and you’re eyeing up blue? Well, bravo for your bold choice!

Changing your hair color to something like blue is a big deal, and it’s important to get it right.

But how do you know if blue hair will suit you? And once you’ve decided, how do you get blue hair at home?

We’re here to tell you everything you need to know to get beautiful blue hair.

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how to dye blue hair at home

Is Blue Hair On-Trend Right Now?

Celebs are rocking it, we’re loving it, and it’s one of the most popular, on trend hair colors that you need to know about this year.

It’s a totally versatile color. All-over blue is a head turner, but it’s also a great color for mixing with others in playful styles.

Deep blues are stunning as lowlights, dipped ends and babylights in dark hair. Pretty pastel blues are fabulous accent colors for ombre or face-framing streaks on light brown and blonde hair.

Blue hair is a a color that takes commitment. Once it’s in your hair, it’s really hard to get rid of. So you need to be sure it’s right for you before you go dyeing your hair blue.

It’s also high maintenance and hard to keep as it can start fading to green! So you’ll need to put the work in to be a beautiful blue.

The best thing is it comes in kabillions of shades which means there’s a hue of blue for everyone to get the look at home.

From midnight blue hair, sky blue, teal, pastel blue and denim. All you need to do is find the right blue hue for you.

How to Dye your Hair Blue at Home

Do you want to stand out and make a statement with a bold, vibrant blue hue? You don’t have to go to a salon and spend a fortune to achieve this look – you can do it yourself at home!

Let’s walk you through all the steps you’ll need to create your own stunning blue hair. So grab your supplies and let’s get started!

What you’ll need:

  • Hair dye kit in your desired shade of blue
  • Gloves to protect your hands
  • Mixing bowl for preparing the dye
  • Tint brush for application
  • Petroleum jelly to protect your skin from staining

Remember, it is also crucial to do a patch test before applying the dye to your entire head to avoid any potential allergic reactions.

Step 1: Choose Your Shade of Blue

The first step in achieving blue hair at home is choosing the right shade of blue.

Do you want a vivid, electric blue or a more subtle, pastel hue?

There are many different shades to choose from, so take your time and pick the one that best suits your style and personality.

You can find hair dye kits in a variety of shades at your local beauty supply store or online. Just make sure to check reviews and do your research to find a dye that will last and won’t damage your hair.

Step 2: Prepare Your Hair

Before you start dyeing your hair, you’ll need to prepare it for the dyeing process.

This means washing it thoroughly a day or two before, so that your hair is clean but not freshly washed when you dye it. This will help the dye adhere better to your hair.

Expert Insights

“If you have bleached hair, we recommend you do not apply heat or color for at least two weeks after the bleaching process. This will give your hair time to repair itself before the next treatment!”

Enza Piazza, Hair Stylist & Color Consultant

You should also use a deep conditioning treatment a few days before dyeing to help strengthen and protect your hair.

And don’t forget to wear old clothes and have plenty of towels on hand to avoid dye getting on your skin or your counter or clothes!

Step 3: Apply the Dye

Now that your hair is prepped and the dye is ready, it’s time to apply it.

Most hair dye kits come with instructions on how to apply the dye, but generally you’ll need to mix the dye according to the instructions, apply it carefully to your hair using gloves, and let it process for the recommended amount of time.

Make sure to read the instructions carefully and follow them closely, as different dyes may have different instructions.

Step 4: Rinse and Style!

Once your hair has processed the recommended amount of time, it’s time to rinse it out!

Rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water until the water runs clear.

Then, apply a conditioner to your hair to help restore moisture. After you’ve rinsed out the conditioner, you can style your hair as you normally would.

Watch and learn: How to dye your hair blue at home.

Here’s a great video tutorial that shows you how to dye your hair blue at home step by step!

Can I get blue hair at home?

Successfully dyeing your own hair blue with box dye does depend on the color your hair is now and the blue hair color you want to be.

Subtle hues are pretty easy to do yourself, but if you want a dramatic change then you’re likely to need to pre-lighten your hair.

If your hair color now is light brown to blonde (and preferably platinum) – you’ve got a good base on which to try dyeing your hair blue at home. Make sure you match up your hair color to the chart of the side of your chosen box dye to get the right results.

If your hair color now is a dark hair color including dark brown and black – you’ll need to take your base color up a level or two with bleach.

This will give you a lighter base to really make the blue pop. Be careful, bleach can really damage your hair. Follow our guide to hair bleaching to learn how to do it safely.

If you’re not feeling sure about bleaching your hair yourself – chat to your hairdresser. You don’t want to get it wrong!

Do I have to bleach my hair to go blue?

If you’re wondering over whether you have to bleach your hair to go blue, the simple answer is – it depends. Here’s why: 

  • Vibrancy: If you want a vibrant, intense blue, then yes, bleaching is a must. Bleaching essentially strips your hair of its natural color, making it a blank canvas for the new color to stand out. Without bleaching, the blue might not pop as much as you may want it to.
  • Hair color: If you’re a natural blonde or have light hair, the blue might show up without bleaching. But for darker hair, bleaching is often necessary to ensure the blue is visible.

Remember, bleaching your hair can be damaging, so it’s essential to prepare your hair and care for it post-bleaching. Always put your hair health first!

Here’s a quick table to help you decide: 

Hair TypeDo I need to bleach?
Blonde or Light HairMaybe, depends on desired shade of blue
Dark HairYes, for vibrant color
Previously Dyed HairYes, for an even color distribution

Which are the best blue hair dyes?

Dark blue, light blue and everything in between, here are the best blue box dyes you can spend your hard earned money on right now to get the gorgeous statement look at home.

Below is our TOP PICK, but you can read more about each one in our Best blue hair dye reviews.

Best blue hair dyes at a glance.

Hair dyeLooks likeBest forBuy it now
L'Oreal Paris Colorista Washout Denim Blue Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

L'Oreal Paris Colorista Metallic Semi Permanent Hair Color Kit for Light Blonde or Bleached Hair, Metallic Blue

Beginner blue for warmer tones.
Clairol Color Crave Semi Permanent Hair Dye, Indigo.

Clairol Color Crave Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, Indigo Hair Color, 1 Count

Purple hues for warmer tones.
Clairol Nice' n Easy Crème, Blue Black.

Clairol Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, 2BB Blue Black Hair Color, Pack of 1

Long lasting colour for warm tones.
Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Bright, Denim Steel

Schwarzkopf LIVE Ultra Bright or Pastel Blue Hair Dye, Pack of 3, Semi-Permanent Colour lasts for up to 15 washes - P121 Denim Steel

Streaks and dips for cool tones.
L'Oréal Colorista Washout Blue Semi-Permanent Hair Dye.

L'Oreal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color for Light Bleached or Blondes, Blue

Experimenting with colours for cool tones.
Schwarzkopf Live Intense Colour Hair dye, Electric Blue

Schwarzkopf Live Color XXL Ultra Brights 95 Electric Blue Semi-Permanent Blue Hair Dye - Pack of 2

Cool tones with a metallic shine.
MANIC PANIC Shocking Blue Color Amplified

MANIC PANIC Shocking Blue Color - Amplified - Semi Permanent Hair Dye - Dark Blue Color with Purple Undertones - For Dark & Light Hair - Vegan, PPD & Ammonia-Free - For Coloring Hair on Women & Men

Vibrant blue shades on light blonde or bleached hair

TOP PICK!

TOP PICK!

Schwarzkopf Live Intense Color Hair dye, Electric Blue.

Schwarzkopf Live Color XXL Ultra Brights 95 Electric Blue Semi-Permanent Blue Hair Dye - Pack of 2

Features & ingredients:

  • Create metallic tones with striking color intensity
  • Maximum color depth
  • Anti-fade effect
  • Creates healthy looking, touchably soft hair

Reviewers say:

“Amazing! When I bought this product I had red hair!! I stripped, bleached and toned my hair so it was blonde and it worked amazingly. I would say it won’t work unless your hair is blonde. I now have blue hair!”

“The best blue dye I have used without having to bleach my hair first.”

“I bleached my hair right before I used mercury blue. It ended up a bit brighter than the box but all blue and great all over coverage.”

Our experience:

This is one of Schwartzkopf’s dazzling urban metallic, permanent hair colors so we were expecting intense results. We weren’t disappointed.

We applied this dye on pre-lightened light blonde hair and the effects were pretty dramatic! It’s almost a steel blue color with it’s shimmery silver tones.

There’s a great color-guide on the box and you’ll need to be blonde to get the box color. Go for it if you want a blue with metallic tones.

Best for: Cool tones with a metallic shine.

How can I care for my blue hair?

Blue hair color is like red in that the pigments are larger which means it washes out quick.

Even permanent shades of blue will fade to green eventually.

This doesn’t mean all the dye will wash out and your hair will eventually go back to the color it was.

Blue will stain your hair so you’ll likely have to remove it with bleach when you want to change hair color again.

You can minimise the fade after you’ve colored your hair by protecting your hair from heat, sunshine and salt and pool water with the right heat protection sprays that contain UV protection.

Try and wash your hair only once or twice a week max after you’ve dyed your hair.

You can help to make the color last longer by grabbing some specially formulated blue shampoo and conditioner.

And as always, don’t forget to keep following our top colored hair care tips in How to look after colored hair and keep it luscious for longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is blue hair difficult to maintain?

Yes, blue hair requires a lot of maintenance. It tends to fade quickly, especially if you wash your hair frequently.

You will need to touch up your roots and reapply the dye every few weeks to keep the color looking vibrant.

Can I dye my hair blue without bleaching it first?

It is possible to dye your hair blue without bleaching it first, but the color may not be as vibrant or long-lasting.

If you have dark hair, bleaching may be necessary to achieve the desired shade of blue. It is important to follow the instructions on the hair dye kit and consult with a professional stylist if you are unsure.

How long does blue hair dye last?

Blue hair dye can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on how well you maintain it.

To make the color last longer, avoid washing your hair too often, use a sulfate-free shampoo, and avoid heat styling tools. 

Parting words

And there you have it, folks! Everything you need to know about going blue. Remember, it’s your hair, your choice.

So, if you’re feeling the blue vibes, embrace it! And don’t forget to have fun with it. After all, life’s too short for boring hair, isn’t it?

Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @colouredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.

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Our Research & Review Process

To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.

We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.

Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.

This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.

As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!

This article was written by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!