How to Dye Your Hair With Manic Panic Hair Dye

Co-authored by Angela Justice

Last Updated: October 10, 2022 References Approved

Manic Panic hair dye is a semi permanent, vegan hair dye that comes in all kinds of vibrant colors. Before applying it, make sure that your hair is light enough to pick up the color by bleaching it if necessary. Use a tint brush to spread the dye evenly over your hair, and wait anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours before rinsing the dye off using cold water. After you dry your hair, enjoy your new hair color!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing Your Hair for the Dye

1
Choose Classic or Amplified dye. Classic is Manic Panic's regular semi-permanent dye, and it lasts 4-6 weeks. If you're testing out a new color, this is a great option. Amplified dye, on the other hand, lasts up to 8 weeks.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Angela Justice
Master Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2021.}
- If you’re thinking about bleaching your hair so the color shows up better, purchase their bleach kit as well.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Choose a Classic or Amplified dye from your local beauty store or online.
2
Bleach your hair to get the best results.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Angela Justice
Master Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2021.} If you have darker hair or want a super vibrant color, it’s best to bleach your hair using the Manic Panic Flash Lightning bleach kit. Read the instructions that come with the kit, mixing the bleach powder with the developer thoroughly before applying the bleach to your hair evenly.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Before you start, protect the surface under you. Lay down newspaper or plastic bags, that way you don't stain your furniture.
- The kit comes with plastic gloves, bleach powder, developer, a plastic container for mixing, a tint brush, and a plastic cap.
- How long to leave the bleach in will depend on the natural color of your hair, so check it every ten minutes to see how light your hair has gotten.
- Wash your hair several times using shampoo if you bleach it to make sure all of the bleach is out of your hair.
- Bleaching your hair beforehand is especially important if you're dyeing it a pastel shade.
Advertisement
3
Wash and dry your hair thoroughly before dyeing it. Use a regular or clarifying shampoo to wash your hair, making sure it’s super clean and rinsed out. Let your hair air dry or use a blow dryer to dry your hair thoroughly before starting the dye process.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Don’t use conditioner on your hair beforehand, as this will prevent the dye from adhering to your hair correctly.
4
Spread petroleum jelly along your hairline to avoid staining your skin. Apply it to your hairline using your fingers, spreading it around your ears and neck to prevent the dye from leaving color on your skin. Keep the petroleum jelly off of your hair or else the dye won’t absorb properly.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Once you’re completely done with the dye process, the petroleum jelly will wash right off.
5
Do a strand test to see how the color will affect your hair. Testing one small section of your hair with the dye will help you get an accurate idea of how your hair will look. Pick out a small section of your hair that’s hidden from view and apply the dye to it. Let it sit for 30 minutes, and then rinse it out with cold water. Dry your hair thoroughly to see what color the dye makes your hair.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- The test section only needs to be about 0.5–1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) in width.
- While it’s not required that you do a test strip, it’s a good way to know for sure how the dye will affect your hair before applying it to your whole head.
- Do a patch test using the hair dye by spreading a dot of it on your skin to make sure you're not allergic to it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Dyeing Your Hair

1
Put on plastic gloves and old clothing before starting. Wear plastic gloves to help keep the dye off of your hands. Pick out clothes you don't mind getting stained, like an old t-shirt or sweatpants.
- Sometimes a hair dye kit will come with plastic gloves, so check the box before purchasing an extra pair.
2
Brush the dye onto your hair starting 0.5–1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) from the roots. Use a tint brush to apply the dye to your hair, one section at a time. Start a small distance from the roots, brushing the dye onto each strand of hair and working your way down to the ends. If desired, you can use your fingers (with gloves on!) to rub the dye into each strand more thoroughly.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Consider separating your hair into sections to make it more manageable to dye, if desired.
- Short hair will likely use about half of a jar of dye, while longer hair will need a full jar.
3
Apply the dye to your roots last, then comb it through your hair. Brush the dye onto your roots last because your roots will develop the color the fastest.^{[9]
X
Expert Source

Angela Justice
Master Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 5 November 2021.} Use a comb to brush through your hair, distributing the dye evenly. When your hair is saturated with color, it will become frothy.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- If you’re not noticing the dye become frothy, apply additional coats onto your hair.
4
Put on a plastic cap and wait at least 30 minutes. Create a pile of your dyed hair on top of your head, and put on a plastic cap. Let the dye soak into your hair for at least 30 minutes, though you can leave it on longer if desired.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- If your hair doesn’t absorb dye well, leave the dye in for at least an hour.
- Set a timer so you know how long you’ve had the dye in your hair.
- Some people rinse the dye out after 30 minutes, while others leave the dye in for hours. Check your hair color after 30 minutes to see if you’d like to keep it in longer.
5
Heat your hair with a blow dryer to make the dye set faster. If you want to speed up the coloring process, keep the plastic cap on your head and use a blow dryer. Move the blow dryer over your hair, keeping it out of contact with the plastic cap.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Only use the blow dryer for part of the processing time, not the entire 30 minutes to an hour.
6
Rinse your hair using cool water. Once you’re satisfied with the color, rinse your hair in a sink or shower using cold water to remove the dye. Try to rinse your hair out away from your face so you don’t get dye on your skin.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Use a stainless-steel sink if possible to avoid stains from certain dye colors.
- Rinse your hair until the water is clear or only a slight tint of your color comes out.
- Consider rinsing your hair with water and vinegar to help the dye last longer.
7
Dry and style your hair as usual once it’s rinsed. After all the dye is rinsed out, you’re ready to blow dry your hair or let it dry naturally. Style your hair the way you like, and enjoy your new color!^{[14]
X
Research source}
- To keep your new hair color looking vibrant, avoid clarifying shampoos or washing your hair too much, as well as chlorine, saltwater, or lots of exposure to sunlight.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is Manic Panic hair dye long lasting?

Angela Justice
Master Hair Stylist
Angela Justice is a Master Hair Stylist and the Owner of Payton Place Salon based in North Little Rock, Arkansas. With over 33 years of experience, she specializes in styling and cutting hair, coloring hair, providing hair repair and strengthening services, and installing tape-in hair extensions.

Angela Justice

Master Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Not especially! Manic Panic dye has really large color molecules that can't penetrate into the hair shaft—instead, they just sit on top. Because of this, the color only lasts for a couple of weeks.
Question

Can you use Manic Panic on wet hair?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You can, but the results may be patchier and less vivid than they would be on dry hair. Dye tends to adhere better to your hair when it’s dry, and dampness can dilute the color.
Question

Can you use Manic Panic without bleaching your hair?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, but keep in mind that it may not show up as well on darker hair. You’ll get the most vivid results if your hair is bleached, lightened, or naturally light in color.