Dip dye is one of the easiest ways into bold colour. Only the lower part of the hair is lightened or coloured, so your roots stay natural and regrowth is not a worry. When you get tired of the shade, the ends can simply be cut off. In this gallery, you’ll see teal tips on a jet-black bob, emerald green woven through black curls, copper hair with cherry-red ends, smoky grey balayage finishing in purple, and pastel pink on chocolate brown.
Your natural colour affects your choices. Darker hair usually needs bleach on the ends before blues, greens or pastels will show, while deep reds, burgundy and plum can work over less lightening. Blondes have the easiest time, since almost any semi-permanent shade will take on pale hair.
Think about where the colour starts too. Beginning at mid-length or lower looks more natural, especially on curls, and it keeps bleach away from the hair closest to your scalp. On bobs, a shorter band of colour keeps the shape looking crisp.
1. Edgy Emerald Green
Emerald green balayage on black hair makes a bold yet wearable dip dye. Green comes in many tones, from deep forest to bright jade, so there is a shade for most natural colours. On very dark hair, the ends need to be lightened first for the colour to show.
Inspiration: @Instagram
2. Blue on Black
Jet-black roots dipping into teal ends give this bob an edgy, striking contrast. Teal pairs naturally with very dark hair. For a deep, vivid shade, the tips must be bleached before colouring, and cool rinses help the blue last longer.
Inspiration: @Instagram
3. Shocking Pink
Black hair fading into bright pink at the ends is fun in any season. Pink blends well with many natural colours and is easy to match with your wardrobe. Lightening the ends first will make the colour brighter and more even.
Inspiration: @Instagram
4. From Office to Date-Night
If your workplace prefers subtle hair, try a gentle dip dye like this copper bob with cherry-red ends. The two warm shades blend smoothly, so the change looks polished rather than loud. It works for the office and still adds interest for evenings out.
Inspiration: @Instagram
5. Fairy Tones of Purple
Purple and blue ends on black hair give a magical, slightly edgy finish. Purple suits dark brown and black bases especially well. Because purple is darker than many brights, it often needs less lightening to show up clearly.
Inspiration: @Instagram
6. Mix-Up and Down-Play
Platinum blonde hair with lime and yellow tones at the ends looks bright and playful. Blondes can add almost any shade easily, since the colour shows without bleaching. Mixing a few tones of the same colour adds more sparkle and depth.
Inspiration: @Instagram
7. Emerald Green for Black Hair
Emerald green ends on black curls make a striking yet dark-toned dip dye. Deep greens are a good first step if you have naturally dark hair and want to try colour. The curls show off the shade as they twist and catch the light.
Inspiration: @Instagram
8. Rocking Red and Orange Tones
Red and orange ends add warmth to a natural brown bob. These shades look rich against brunette hair and are fairly easy to do with a lightening kit followed by your chosen red or copper. Keep the colour from fading with a sulphate-free shampoo.
Inspiration: @Instagram
9. Magenta and Chocolate Brown
Pink was one of the first shades to make dip dye popular, and it still suits almost everyone. Here, chocolate-brown hair fades into magenta and purple at the ends. Choose a pale or deep pink depending on your colouring and personal style.
Inspiration: @Instagram
10. Sleek Purple Essence
Long brown hair melting into purple at the ends gives a smooth, glossy ombre. Purple suits many skin tones and works for both work and evenings out. Sleek styling shows the gradient best, so finish with a straightener or a smooth blow-dry.
Inspiration: @Instagram
11. Greyed Out Purple Class
Smoky grey balayage on brunette hair can sometimes look like natural greying. Purple ends make it clearly intentional and add a fashionable accent. The look works well with casual, relaxed styles such as loose waves or a low ponytail.
Inspiration: @Instagram
12. Flamingo Pink Dip Dye
A burgundy bob finishing in flamingo pink stays within the red family, which makes the blend look soft. Reds can be bold or subtle depending on the tone you choose. This combination sits nicely in the middle, playful but still easy to wear.
Inspiration: @Instagram
13. Red and Black Vamp
Wine-red ends on a sleek black bob look both glamorous and refined. Deep reds suit most brunettes and add richness without seeming too loud. The look moves easily from a night out to the office.
Inspiration: @Instagram
14. Blonde and Blue Combo
Light brown hair fading to blue at the ends shows how well blue works on lighter bases. There is a blue for nearly every natural colour, from soft denim to bright cobalt. Lighter hair needs less bleach for the shade to show clearly.
Inspiration: @Instagram
15. Perfection of Pastel Dip Dye
Soft pastel pink at the ends of brown hair looks both pretty and playful. Pastels can be adjusted to suit dark or light bases, though darker hair needs more lightening first. A purple shampoo now and then keeps the pink from turning brassy.
Inspiration: @Instagram
16. Lovely Lavender
Lavender ends on natural hair look soft, feminine and slightly mystical. Purple tones are among the most flattering fashion colours for dark hair. Use a deep conditioner regularly, as lightened coily ends can dry out quickly.
Inspiration: @Instagram
17. Branch Out with Color
Naturally curly hair that is half black and half red looks bold and full of life. Start the colour at mid-length or lower so the blend looks natural and the hair near the scalp is not lightened. The curls make the change between the shades look soft.
Inspiration: @Instagram
Getting a clean dip dye line on dark hair
- Pre-lighten the ends first, and blend the top of the bleached section with your fingers or a brush so there is no harsh band.
- Use a bond-building treatment when you bleach, because ends are the oldest and most fragile part of the hair.
- Apply colour to the lightest part first and work upwards. This keeps the brightest shade at the tips and a gentler blend above.
- On curly hair, colour while it is stretched or in its natural pattern, as the curl changes where the line will fall.
Making the colour last between trims
Semi-permanent brights like teal, green and pink fade faster than reds and purples. Rinse with cool water, use colour-safe shampoo and limit washes to keep the ends vivid. A colour-depositing conditioner in the same shade can be smoothed over just the dipped lengths once a week. Because the coloured section sits at the ends, regular trims also stop it from looking frayed. Cutting about a centimetre every couple of months keeps the colour line neat and the tips healthy.