Can You Dye Hair Extensions? Here's What The Experts Have To Say...

Wondering can you dye hair extensions to match your new colour, or maybe you ordered the wrong shade? As a sneak peek at the answer, it’s probably a no.

Synthetic hair extensions are made from synthetic materials (spoiler alert), so they don’t react to colour the same way human hair does. Human hair essentially has cuticles that can ‘absorb’ colour, but synthetic hair doesn’t have this quality.

That means whilst you might be able to dye human hair extensions a different shade, your synthetic ones will just end up a total mess.

So, what’s the solution when your extensions don’t match your natural hair? Scroll forth, hun, for we have the answer.

If you're ready to get a new set of extensions that actually matches your hair, look at our hottest styles right now! Get 10% off * when you add them to your basket, too.

We'll keep it short and sweet, just like Miss Sabrina Carpenter – no , you should not be dying your synthetic extensions .

Synthetic hair is made from different types of fibres, which can be damaged by the dyeing process .

When you attempt to dye synthetic hair extensions, the dye will either not take to the hair or damage the fibres .

Synthetic hair extensions are usually coated with a sealant, like acrylic or nylon, which can repel the dye. The fibres can also become brittle and break off, causing a tangled mess.

Using hair dye that you'd use on human hair can cause the fibres to break down or become brittle, causing them to look and feel like a tangled mess. You might even experience breakage and shedding.

The same goes for synthetic wigs , which are made from the same man-made fibres as synthetic hair extensions, so the same rules apply.

Sorry to burst your bubble, girls, but knowledge is power, and you don't want to damage your gorgeous wefts .

You've got a little more wriggle room when it comes to colouring hair extensions made from human hair, but it still needs to be done with care.

Remy human hair extensions are the best type of extensions to dye , as they've been treated and processed to keep their natural integrity.

Because the strands are, well, human, you can typically dye them with the same hair dye you'd use on your own.

We'd recommend getting them dyed professionally and steering clear of drugstore box dyes. That way, you can be sure your extensions won't suffer any damage or lose their quality.

We know you've probably paid a lot of money for those extensions, so of course, you want to look after them as well as possible.

You can also dye non-Remy hair extensions because they're human hair, too, just of a lower grade.

Bear in mind that non-Remy hair can be harder to manage and more prone to tangling, so take care when using dye on them – you don't want to apply dye to tangled hair.

If you're planning on switching up your natural hair colour, but you have hair extensions installed, you may be wondering if you can dye your hair and extensions at the same time.

The same advice applies as above: if you have synthetic extensions installed, you shouldn't be dying your hair with the extensions in. 

If you have Remy human hair extensions in, you can dye your hair and the extensions together, carefully.

It's important that you get your hair dyed by a professional as you want to avoid getting any dye onto the wefts or bonds. This is especially important for semi-permanent hair extensions, like tape-ins, micro-bonds and fusions. 

The dye can cause the bonds to weaken, and the extensions could slip out prematurely, and nobody wants that.

It's important to get your hair dyed by a professional to avoid getting dye on the wefts or bonds. This is especially important for semi-permanent hair extensions, like tape-ins , micro-bonds, and fusions.

The dye can cause the bonds to weaken , and the extensions could slip out prematurely, and nobody wants that.

Whether you're switching up your natural hair colour or just fancy giving your extensions a new look, your best bet is to buy a new set .

While you might not want to splash out on new hair, it's the safest way to ensure you won't end up with damaged extensions. So, although it is possible to dye your hair extensions in some circumstances, we recommend opting for a new set over all else .

But how do you know what colour to buy, you ask?

We have a completely FREE personalised  colour match service  (and a colour chart ),where one of our very talented team will pair you with one of our gorgeous colours.

You'll never get a dodgy mismatch again!

Our RiRi extensions are also available at unreal prices , so when it's time for a change, it won't cost you the earth.

We have synthetic and Remy hair extensions in tons of styles, lengths, and colours – you definitely won't be stuck for choice, girls.

Plus, we've always got amazing offers ; just ask our TikTok followers ! You could really get some bargains if you joined some of our daily Lives .

Our Classic range is our cheapest option, and yet the quality is amazing. They're priced at £19.99 , so you can get your hands on some high-grade extensions without breaking the bank.

They're available in over 30 shades , from light golden blonde to chocolate brown and everything in between.

Whatever colour you need, we've got it!

Our Deluxe range is like our Classic, but even better. If that’s possible. These synthetics use even softer and thicker fibres , resulting in a more realistic look and feel.

They're available in straight, wavy and curly styles in the same spectrum of hair shades – so you'll find your perfect match.

They're priced at £39.99 , so there's definitely a set to fit your budget.

For the girls who really want to go all out, we have our Remy human hair extensions.

These extensions use seriously incredible, high-grade human hair, giving you the most natural look and feel. They're available in straight, wavy and curly styles, both clip-in and tape-in and in a stunning choice of natural colours.

Our human hair extensions range from £105 to £220 , so they're a great option for those looking to make an investment in their hair.

As we said earlier, we have a totally free colour match service where one of our team will advise you on what colour to buy at the checkout.

The decision is completely out of your hands. Perfect. No stress buying needed.

All you have to do is take a picture of your hair in natural light (this step is important because you don't want us to get it wrong) and send it to us at RiRi!

Super quick and super easy – what's not to love? 

No...and yes.

If you're a wearer of synthetic extensions, you should most definitely stay away from the dye. You risk ruining your extensions, and you'll have to purchase a new set anyway.

For Remy human hair extensions, it can be done with care and caution – but we'd still recommend getting them dyed professionally. That way, you're guaranteed to get the best result.

But the best way to switch up your style is to purchase a new set of extensions. You don't have to worry about damaging your extensions, and they'll last you a whole lot longer, too.

Take your pick from our synthetic and human hair RiRi's in tons of shades to match your natural hair for the perfect seamless blend!

Shop our faves below and get 10% off*!

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Article last updated: 03/01/2025