When it comes to hair dye, it’s common to wonder how many boxes you need to cover your whole head. The answer depends on a few key factors, including your hair length and thickness, the shade you’re applying, and the specific brand and box size you’ve chosen. Keep reading for a breakdown of how to determine if 1 box is enough or if you’ll need 2 (or more) to achieve full coverage.
How much hair dye comes in a box?
The amount of dye contained in a single box can vary widely across brands and products. Here are some general guidelines:
- Permanent (oxidative) hair dye boxes contain 1-2 fluid ounces of dye, which is enough to cover short to medium length hair.
- Semi-permanent and demi-permanent hair dye boxes contain around 2-3 fluid ounces of dye, which can coat medium to long hair.
- Root touch-up kits and temporary color rinses contain only 1 fluid ounce or less of product.
- Highlighting kits include bleach and generally less dye, closer to 1 fluid ounce.
So a typical box of permanent hair color has enough dye to thoroughly saturate and cover 1-2 inches of hair growth for short hair or touch up roots. For longer hair, semi-permanent formulas contain more dye per box. Root touch-ups and highlights use less product.
How long and thick is your hair?
Your hair length and density are the most important factors in determining how many boxes of dye you need. Here are some general guidelines based on these factors:
- Short hair (1-5 inches long): Most people with short hair will only need 1 box of permanent or semi-permanent dye for full coverage.
- Medium hair (6-12 inches long): Those with medium length hair will need at least 1 box of permanent dye or semi-permanent dye, possibly 2 boxes for maximum saturation.
- Long hair (over 12 inches): People with long locks will need multiple boxes, at least 2-3 for permanent dye and 2 for semi-permanent coverage from roots to ends.
- Thick or multi-textured hair: Those with higher density hair will need more dye than finer hair types of the same length, likely needing an extra box.
- Only coloring regrowth: Root touch-ups require significantly less dye, usually 1 box or less.
So hair length is the primary factor, with thickness also playing a role. For short fine hair, 1 box is plenty. But long, dense hair may require 3 or more boxes for full color application.
What’s your natural hair color and desired shade?
The shade you are applying and how much it differs from your natural or current color also affects how many boxes you’ll go through. Here are some key points:
- Minor shade changes or color corrections require less dye than major lightening or darkening procedures.
- Darker dyes tend to coat hair more readily and evenly than lighter shades.
- Bleaching hair first will increase the dye coverage you get from each box.
- High-contrast color changes like blond to black or black to blond consume more dye to achieve opacity.
As a general guideline, plan to use an extra box if you are drastically lightening or darkening your strands. Minor tweaks to your current shade will be less dye-intensive.
Permanent vs. semi-permanent/temporary color
Permanent hair dye formulas fully saturate the hair shaft during the coloring process, requiring more product than semi-permanent or temporary options. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Permanent dye fully penetrates and changes the hair pigment for lasting coverage. Each box covers 1-2 inches of hair growth.
- Semi-permanent dye coats the outer hair strand only, washing out gradually over 4-8 weeks. Each box covers 2-3 inches.
- Temporary rinses barely coat the cuticle and wash out within a few shampoos. Very little dye needed.
So permanent hair color requires more dye per inch of coverage compared to non-permanent or wash-out formulas. Factor this into your boxes needed, especially for longer hair.
Application method
How you apply the hair dye can also influence how much product you go through. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Salon application uses color brushes and foils to minimize saturation needed.
- Self-application requires more dye to fully saturate every strand.
- Root touch-up tools optimize dye use for regrowth only.
- All-over color requires more dye than highlights or partial coloring.
At-home dyeing typically uses more product per box than professional techniques. But root-focused application or highlights can economize your dye.
Specific brand and box size
Finally, the individual brand you choose and the box size will affect coverage per box. Key details include:
- Professional brands like Wella, Goldwell, and Redken contain more dye per ounce.
- Salon-sized packages contain 2-4 times more dye than standard retail boxes.
- Jumbo boxes may offer 4-8 fluid ounces instead of the usual 1-2 ounces.
- Bulk packs with multiple standard boxes save money for multi-box dye jobs.
So check the ounces each box contains and compare brands. Bigger box sizes or bulk packs can be more economical if you need multiple boxes worth of dye.
Quick tips for maximizing each box of dye
Once you’ve determined approximately how many boxes you need based on these factors, here are some handy tips to make each box go further:
- Divide hair into sections and start applying dye in the back, using color brush for saturation.
- Use foil highlights or balayage techniques to minimize dye usage on sections.
- Apply conditioner generously along the mid-lengths and ends before dyeing roots.
- Mix the dye well and don’t dilute it beyond recommendations to maximize coverage.
- Keep dye on hair for the full processing time to allow complete saturation into strands.
- Save at least 1⁄4 box worth of dye to reapply touch-ups if needed.
With some strategic application techniques and stretching each box to its full potential, you may find you can cover more hair than expected even if you estimated needing 2 boxes of dye.
What if you run out of dye mid-application?
If you underestimate and realize you’re running low on dye before fully covering your whole head, don’t panic. Here are some options to workaround boxes running out too soon:
- Focus just on the most visible sections like the roots, partings, and front hairline if dye is limited.
- Borrow dye from a friend or buy an additional box, then blend it in gently once applied.
- Use a semipermanent rinse to supplement permanent dye for less noticeable regrowth lines.
- Only dye the roots and regrowth for now, fully coloring ends another day when you have enough dye.
- Consider highlights, lowlights, or ombre dyeing to transition from colored roots to untreated ends.
With some creative problem-solving, you can stretch a short dye supply a bit further until you can purchase more boxes.
How to store leftover dye
For future touch-ups, it helps to save leftover dye if you don’t complete a full box. Here are some storage tips:
- Transfer unused dye from mixing bowl into an airtight container like an empty jar.
- Make sure container is labeled with dye brand, color, and date mixed.
- Only store chemical permanent dye for 2-3 months maximum before oxidization occurs.
- Semi-permanent and temporary dyes last 6-12 months when sealed and unmixed.
- Store dye in a cool, dark place like a bathroom cabinet away from direct light.
- Never store dye mixed with developer or bleach – only the original dye cream/formula.
Saving even a 1⁄4 box of dye can come in handy for quick root touch-ups down the road or color blending as your dye fades. Just be sure to label it well and follow safe chemical storage guidelines.
FAQs
Does hair color fade faster if you don’t use enough dye?
Yes, hair color is more prone to rapid fading, spotty coverage, and uneven results if you use too little dye for the amount of hair you are coloring. Insufficient dye leads to porous uneven saturation and washing out quickly. Always use enough dye boxes for full saturation.
Should you dye wet or dry hair?
Dry hair is recommended, as pre-wetting can dilute the hair color and prevent maximum saturation into strands. Towel-dried freshly washed hair is ideal. However, semi-permanent dye can be applied wet.
What if my hair is extra long or thick?
For very long or extremely thick hair, it’s smart to purchase an extra box of dye upfront. Dense hair over 20 inches long may require up to 4 full boxes for full coverage. Having spare dye prevents the nightmare of running out mid-application.
Can I save money by mixing different dye boxes together?
It’s not recommended to mix different brands or types of dye together or with developer. But the same formula can be blended, say blending 1⁄4 old box with a new box to conserve dye. Still, the results may come out slightly different than with a fresh box.
Will hair dye expire if I store it too long?
Permanent hair dye can start to oxidize and expire after 3-6 months of storage. Semi-permanent and temporary dyes last 9-12 months unmixed. For optimal freshness and color results, try to use boxes within this timeframe.
The bottom line
Determining how many boxes of hair dye you need comes down to your individual hair length, thickness, color goals, and application method. For short, thin hair coloring regrowth only, one standard box is usually plenty. But long, thick hair lightening multiple shades may require 3 or more boxes for full saturation.
Optimizing techniques like sectioning, root-to-end dyeing, blending shades, and touching up sparse spots can stretch each box of dye further too. Having an extra box or two on hand prevents running out mid-process. And saving those leftovers allows for easy touch-ups down the road.
With some planning and strategic application, you can determine if you really need 2 dye boxes or can get by with just 1. Either way, eyeballing the amount of product needed and preparing accordingly makes the coloring process go smoothly from roots to ends.
