Ready to get dyeing?  Using a polyester dye is a great way to permanently color any synthetic w

Ready to get dyeing?  Using a polyester dye is a great way to permanently color any synthetic wig.  IDye Poly and Rit’s new line of synthetic dye called Dyemore are two great options for wig-coloring - click below the cut for a more in-depth Dyemore review, as well as instructions to jump start your journey into wig dyeing.For folks who want a physical, true-color version of this chart, you can find it in Cosplay Culture Magazine’s August-September issue! I’ve used iDye Poly a lot in the past but never RIT’s new polyester-specific line.  I was really pleasantly surprised with the results to be honest!!Rit Dyemore is a liquid form dye available in 12 colors, which is easy to mix and save for later thanks to its resealable bottle.  During our tests we found that RIT was far less smelly than iDye Poly.  However RIT’s black and darker tones required far more dye in order to achieve a deep color - three times as much dye as iDye.I’m not joking when I say this stuff is less smelly.  I have more or less stopped dyeing wigs partially because it’s so difficult to fully remove all of the iDye from bright colors like true red - it’s tough fully getting the dye out even after running it under water, and after heating or flat ironing you can still get that residual dye smell.  I had none of these problems with RIT and still got the same level of brightness - however I’ve not been able to test if this stands up over time and lots of wear. Also remember that dye can only darken or enhance your wig’s color: it is not possible to create a lighter color from a dark wig.  You can however overdye an already-colored wig in order to achieve a new tone – for instance, dunking a pink wig into a blue dye bath will produce a lavender color.  The longer you keep the wig submerged, the closer to your dye bath color the wig will become.For the above chart I dyed white wefts from Arda Wigs, Epic Cosplay, and a budget Asian brand called L'Email in 1 cup of water with 1TSP RIT Dyemore.  The dyebath was then heated to just under simmering (about 180 degrees F), with the exception of the bottom row that was under-heated to only 120 degrees.  Polyester dye only activates at higher temperatures, so it’s important to keep the water simmering or just below simmering to achieve dark tones.  However wig fiber absorbs dye VERY quickly!  If you need a pastel or lighter tone and a quick 5-second dunk is too difficult, it may help to add either significantly less dye, or to try turning the heat down to prevent adhesion.All three brands absorbed the dye in a similar way and at a similar rate.  At first glance, all three swatches looked almost identical with only slight variations.  However when viewed on a high quality scanner, Arda absorbed the dye most consistently and to a deeper extent cross the fibers , followed by Epic, and then l'Email.Full Dyeing InstructionsMaterials:Dye of choicePaper towelsA large cooking pot not used for foodTongs, a spoon, or a wooden dowel not used for foodA nearby window for ventilationDish soapGloves and paper towelsFlat iron and combs1) Prepare your work area and your wig. Your wig should be free of any oils or product that can interfere with the dye process, so if it has been worn before be sure to wash it in soap and water.  Remember that dye is not food-safe: anything that touches your dye cannot be used later for cooking or food storage!  It’s a great idea to invest in a dye-only cookpot for your projects.  Dye can be smelly and irritating, so be sure to open a window for ventilation, especially if you are using iDye Poly.  Gloves and paper towels are also a great idea to protect your counter and hands from dye stains.2) Fill your pot with enough water to completely submerge your wig.  You want your wig to be able to float freely in the pot - wig fiber willdiscolor if it touches the bottom of the heated pot for too long! 3) Add your dye to the dyebath and thoroughly mix.  Rich, deep colors require more dye, while pastels require much less than you think - as little as 1/10th a packet or bottle.  Long wigs will also require slightly more dye than short wigs as there is more fiber to color.  A pack of iDye or a bottle of rit can dye up to 2lbs of material, so consider the weight and volume of your wig when measuring out the amount of your dye.  One third or half of a pack or bottle should be sufficient for most projects; however if attempting to achieve a very bold or dark color, always err on the side of more.4) Polyester-formulated dye activates at a higher temperature than natural dye. For best results, heat your dye to simmering or just below boiling - around 160-180F.Don’t have a dye pot?  If your fiber only needs a quick, couple-second dunk, try pouring your simmering water into a different container before adding your dye and fiber.  The water will still be hot enough to activate the dye.4) Perform a test with a sample weft in order to determine how long it will take to dye your wig the desired shade.  Remove the weft, wash, and allow to fully dry in order to determine the sample’s color.5) Dampen your wig with water and then completely submerge in the dye bath.  For a lighter color, remove the wig within a few seconds or under a minute.  For a deeper color, keep submerged for over five minutes.  Gently stir your wig in order to help the dye evenly absorb, but try not to tangle the fibers or else you’ll have difficulty combing them out later.Having trouble quickly dunking your wig for a light tone?  Try adding significantly less dye, or try turning down the heat to a cozy 120 degrees.  This will allow you to keep the wig underwater for longer without darkening the color.  Refer to our above chart for the approximate color you can achieve with this under-heated dye.6) Remove your wig and run it under warm water.  Add dish soap and massage it through all fibers before running it under the water again.  Repeat as many times as necessary until the water runs clear.7) Your wig fibers will be bent in new and fun directions thanks to the heat, so you’ll need a little restyling.  Allow the wig to fully dry first and then comb out any large tangles with a wide toothed comb.  Once detangled, straighten the fibers with a flat iron or a hot blow-dryer in a pinch.  While heated, run a fine tooth comb through the hair in order to force the hair straight.  Repeat several times until your wig is once again straight. -- source link

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