Half And Half Hair | How To Rock The Two-Tone Look.

Want to make a statement with your hair? There’s no better way than with half and half hair. This on-trend, split dye hair style makes an unforgettable impact that has got diva written all over it.

It’s an awesome look that has been around for some time, but you need to be super brave to take the plunge.

If you’re thinking of dyeing your hair two different colors, then this guide will give you some hair inspiration and help you make an informed decision.

We’ve put together everything that we wish someone had told us before going through with this dramatic hairstyle change.

From choosing which color combination to go for, to what products to use and how to get the look at home.

Get ready for compliments from friends and strangers alike!

What is half and half hair?

This edgy style (aka split hair dye or bicolor hair) is when your hair is dyed with two hair colors or shades that contrast each other.

With this hairstyle, one side of your head will have its own distinct shade while the other has its own unique hue.

This two-tone hair trend allows individuals with wild imaginations to have two different colors of their choosing applied onto one head simultaneously.

It’s the perfect dye job for people who are indecisive about their hair color but still want to show off some personality and sass.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to this on trend hair style. 

The contrasting colors can be chosen from different ends of the spectrum such as black and white (not just for Cruella DeVille!), black and red, pink and purple or purple and red. Or they could be more complementary like pink and blue or green and orange.

You could even have your hair cut into a long pixie crop with half of it dyed a dark ebony shade and the other a flaxen blonde.

Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.

What does split hair color mean?

Split hair color is the same two-tone effect as half and half hair.

It’s when two complimentary colors of hair dye are ‘split’ between each half of your head!

The key to nailing the this fabulous style is all in finding the right hair colors to wear together.

Think about colors that really contrast and compliment each other like red and black.

Who can wear half and half hair?

As mentioned previously, this style is perfect for people who want to experiment with their look and test out new colors.

So if you’re the kind of person who likes to be different from the crowd or push boundaries, then this hairstyle is definitely for you.

Perfect for those days when you feel like doing something extreme but don’t wanna go too overboard.

You also don’t have to be naturally artistic or creative to get this look.

It’s actually very easy to do and you can create different color combinations in a matter of minutes! Plus you don’t need to go the salon for every new dye job either.

There are plenty of ways you can experiment with colors without making too much effort.

Can I do half and half hair dye at home?

The good news is, if you have the time, the attention to detail, and the patience, you can totally achieve this radical look at home.

You’ll need to right hair dyes, the right tools and the time to make it work. If you’re familiar with dyeing your hair and have done it before, you’ll find it easy. It’s just dyeing one side of your head and then the other!

Just follow our step-by-step guide below.

Should I dye half of my hair?

If you want to get an even more radical look, dyeing one half of your hair is an option.

However, it won’t look as good as if you dye both sides at once. Keeping the colors even and looking good together is how to really rock this look.

How to get half and half hair at home.

Step 1: Choose your colors.

First thing’s first – choosing your colors. The best thing to do is choose two contrasting, block colors that will look fantastic together.

If you’re unsure which colors suit you, you can head to our What hair colors suit me? Quiz!

Buy one box of hair dye in each color.

Separate your hair with a perfect parting right down the centre, and get ready to dye just one half.

Step 2: Dye half of your hair one color.

Open the hair dye box and follow the instructions contained in the pack to dye one side of your hair.

It’s a good idea to start with the strongest color as it will be in your hair for slightly longer than the color on the other side.

Make sure your hair is fully saturated only on ONE SIDE. Let not even one drop of hair dye touch the other half of your head.

You can use a hair dye brush along the parting and back on your head for accuracy.

Step 3: Dye the other half of your hair.

Now do the same for the other side of your hair using the other box dye.

Be careful not to mix the colors along the parting where it will be noticeable.

Get a friend to do the back as you’ll need a straight straight line that you won’t be able to do yourself.

Step 4: Leave to develop.

Next, leave both sides of your hair dye to develop.

Set a timer according to the longest time on the hair dye instructions. It should be 35-45 minutes for the best results.

Step 5: Rinse and shampoo your hair.

When the time’s up, rinse your hair dye out and shampoo it twice to remove any residue.

Don’t worry about mixing the colors at this stage. The dye is already set. Just rinse it all out.

Condition your hair as usual afterwards.

Step 6: Style and admire!

Blow dry and style your hair as normal and voila! Welcome to on-trend, split-dye, statement hair fabulousness!

Watch and learn: How do you dye your hair half?

Here’s a great video that shows you how to split dye your hair step by step!

How do you wash split hair dye without bleeding?

“When you’ve dyed your hair, don’t wash it the next day. It’ll make the color bleed.”

You may have heard this saying before? If not, then I guess there’s no harm done!

But if yes, then you’re probably wondering why washing your hair will cause your dye to run or fade off faster than usual?

Well, that’s because dye molecules are quite large and they need time to bind with the keratin in our hair.

When you wet your hair, all of a sudden these molecules become free again and float away with the water. Bad!

So forget what you’ve read so far about using shampoo once every two days, the less you wash your hair, the longer lasting your color will be.

Instead of using shampoo, conditioner is a great alternative to wash your hair as the ingredients are way more gentle on dye molecules and they won’t cause any bleeding or fading that easily.

How to care for half and half hair.

Caring for this hairstyle is pretty simple actually. Just shampoo and condition as usual, making sure not to overdo it on the shampooing because this can strip the dye.  

And make sure you use a good quality shampoo too!

When conditioning, always be gentle with your tresses especially when detangling or using any products.

Don’t rub the products in too much because this may agitate the scalp which can cause some serious damage to your locks after prolonged exposure to harsh products.

Apply mousse or a serum to protect your hair from heat styling tools which can further damage your locks.

Apply a leave-in conditioner and scalp elixir for added protection and shine.

It’s also important to use sulfate-free products as this will ensure that the dye stays longer on the hair.

Be mindful of how often you wash your hair too because if you shampoo it everyday, then it’ll fade away really quickly. Try using dry shampoo instead so you don’t have to deal with oily locks.

It’s a style that’s a true labour of love when it comes to re-dyeing. If you want to commit, you’ll need to re-top your color anything from every 3-6 weeks.

Half and half hair FAQs

What is peekaboo hair?

Peekaboo hair color transforms your locks into a multi-dimensional masterpiece.

It’s different from split hair dye or half and half styles as it’s where hair dye is applied to the underside of your hair, against your head.

At first glance, your hair will appear the same color all over. But when you run your fingers through your hair, the pop of bright color beneath lets out some flair that’ll leave everyone surprised.

This hairstyle is also popularly known as the ‘reverse’.

It’s perfect for those who want to experiment with their look without going too wild.

What are hair streaks?

Hair streaks give the appearance that you have a streak of highlights running through your locks as opposed to an actual two-tone hair color.

They’re also another alternative for those who want a statement look using block colors.

Hair streaks are typically short, choppy pieces of color that can be added to any style.

This “streak” is achieved by applying a contrasting color onto your base color and it can be worn on any type of hair including wavy, kinky or curly.  

It’s great for those with naturally dark hair because it makes lightening your locks up really easy and looks striking too!

The best part about this hairstyle is that anyone can pull off wearing streaks no matter the age group.

Skunk Stripe Hair is another variation. It’ll definitely make people stop and stare when they see you walking down the street!

What is dip dye hair?

Dip dye hair is hair that has been dyed in different colors, one color being concentrated at the end of your hair.

Dip dye can be done on any length or type of hair and looks awesome on bob or lob cuts where the pop of color brings out your skin tone.

If you’re not feeling too adventurous you can always stick with a soft ombre that blends the two colors in a more graduated effect.

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Parting words

So there it is. Everything you need to know about dyeing your hair two different colors to get the split hair dye effect.

Hopefully, we’ve given you enough information so that your decision is an informed one about whether this style is wholly for you!

Go for it, and you’ll never look back.