Dying hair... It won't stay black!

Flay

I promised a friend I'd be part of their cosplaying group this weekend, and in order to do so I need to dye my hair black.

I've tried twice to dye my hair, and neither time has worked. My hair goes a little darker, but not completely black. The first time was a while ago (also for a costume), using a mousse or something that was supposed to last only for a day or two. The second time was two days ago, with a product that was supposed to come out after eight washes. Both times I simply followed the instructions. With the 8-wash dye I left it in my hair somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes, perhaps a bit longer. However, this was pretty much the cheapest stuff on the shelf (around $8 AUD).

So, any advice on getting my hair to turn black and stay black before I go out and blow any more money? I have until Saturday to get this right.

(By the way, the person I'm cosplaying as is Mori from Ouran High School Host Club. Not my choice of character, I'm doing this as a favor.)

EDIT: Thanks for all the advice guys. I ended up using a 6-8 week dye and leaving it in for about 45 minutes. Did the trick. Here's a picture of the result.

Ponge

What colour is your hair originally? Darker colours might need to be bleached before black die will stay.

Liiya

Ponge wrote: »

What colour is your hair originally? Darker colours might need to be bleached before black die will stay.

This is how hairdressers do it, you've got a 'base-coat' to work on so to speak, you'd have to bleach your hair first and then add the black, but I'm not sure what time length you'd need to leave - I'd guess at least a few hours.

Good luck with the cosplay, I like Ouran High School.

Willeth

If you're only doing it for the weekend a wig might be preferable.

Flay

Ponge wrote: »

What colour is your hair originally?

It's a medium brown. I don't seem to have any pictures readily avaiable, so I can't really show you.

It's strange, I would have assumed darker colours would be easier to dye black. I don't really have the option of bleaching my hair though, and I don't know if I'll be able to get my hands on a wig.

Willeth

If you're spending time with cosplayers you'll be able to find a wig

Flay

Willeth wrote: »

If you're spending time with cosplayers you'll be able to find a wig

It's not that I won't be able to find one...

Taterskin

Are you trying to avoid permanent dye? Have you tried blue-black coloring?

Rhaven

I haven't had much luck with semi-permanent dyes, but as far as permanent dyes go, I like the Clairol L'Image brand. I have medium/dark brown hair and it dyes jet black and stays black. Your roots will grow out long before the colour will fade.

If you go the permanent dye route I would suggest you dye it asap before the weekend so you have a few days for the excess dye to fade/get scrubbed off your skin. If you don't have much experience dyeing your hair you're liable to wind up with dye all over your forehead, ears and neck. Putting vaseline or lotion around the hairline helps a bit, as does keeping a warm, wet cloth handy to scrub the drips as they occur.

Improvolone

Actual dye will do the trick, but its not normally something I recommend people do. Black can be a bitch to get out or color over.

Caramel Genocide

I can't stress the vaseline trick enough, especially if you're doing it by yourself.

Aegis

If you don't have much experience dyeing your hair you're liable to wind up with dye all over your forehead, ears and neck.

Hands...arms...other arms...legs if you sleep funny.

I've never attempted the temporary dye route, but my hair is dark brown and I dye it dark blue. Notwithstanding the initial darkness of my hair, it still requires bleach to hold for any length of time, so I'd imagine something similar's going on with you given that you're attempting to use a dark colour.

Also, when you're washing, go with colder water and if you have some colour-resistant shampoo about use that (though I wouldn't shampoo so early, personally, especially with temporary stuff).

Do you have a hairdresser you normally go to that might recommend quality temporary dyes? Failing that, semi-permanent stuff (Joico is really great) will get the job done but be a tad bit more expensive, though you still have some time until Saturday.

Improvolone

And buy the cheapest damn towel you can, its going to turn into a rag soon.

Aegis

Alternatively, buy a quality tower that is the same colour of the dye you're picking since noone will notice.

matt has a problem

If it's just for a day, why not use a spray product, the kind you see around Halloween? Just spray your hair black the morning of, and it'll wash away once you're done.

Marslo

Just go to a hair dresser.

I got my hair dyed black at a hair dressing school for 27 bucks .can (hair cut included).
Its been 4 months and it has yet to fade (mind you i do have blond hair tought).

Liiya

To avoid getting dye around your ears/hairline put vaseline on, it acts as a barrier.