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While most guys want to dye their beads to a darker shade, cover grey spots, or stop greying, some of you contacted us and asked how they can dye their beards white.
When it comes to dyeing your beard white, there are two options available. Using a temporary beard dye and using a permanent beard dye. So, which one should you use?
Should I use temporary or permanent beard dye?
It depends on what you want to do and what is your current beard color. If you want to dye your facial hair white for Christmas to surprise your kids, you should use temporary beard dye. If you want a long-term look, you should use a permanent beard dye. Keep in mind that if you have a jet black beard, a temporary white beard dye will give you more of a grey beard or salt and pepper look. For a total white look, you should bleach your beard first and use a permanent beard dye, but we will talk about it later. If you want to know more about beard dyes, you can read our best beard dyes review article.
How to dye your beard white using a temporary beard dye
Let’s start explaining how to do it using a temporary beard dye. There are 2 main types of temporary beard dyes you can use. We recommend using one that contains all-natural ingredients:
- Spray beard dye
- Wax beard dye
The process is the same with both types of temporary beard dyes. The only difference is that if you go with the spray, you should be very careful and cover your nose, eyes, and mouth when you are spraying your facial hair.
So let’s break down the process into easy steps
- Wear an old t-shirt
The probability of staining your clothes as you are dyeing your beard is high, so wear an old t-shirt during the process. If you get stained, read this article to learn how to remove beard dye. - Apply petroleum jelly
You should apply petroleum jelly to the skin around your beard. This will prevent it from getting stained. - Apply the dye
Depending on the type of dye you are going to use, you should apply it according to the instructions. If you are using a spray, be extra careful and try not to spray your nose, mouth, and especially your eyes. Also, consider doing it outdoors as you will need to use a lot of it, and it will suck the oxygen out of your bathroom. If you are using wax, apply it to your beard using your fingers, and finally, if you go with mascara, use the applicator that comes with it. - Let the dye dry
Let the dye dry for 5 to 10 minutes, and depending on the result, decide if you should go for a second layer.
If you decide to use a temporary beard color, these are the products we recommend
If you want to use a spray, I recommend High Beams Intense Temporary Spray-On Hair Color – Wicked White.
It is probably the easiest way of dyeing your beard white. All you have to do is sprat your beard, and you are done. The downside is that you are not going to get a total white look if you have dark hair, and you will need a lot of it.
If you want to use beard wax, I recommend EFLY MOFAJANG. It is really easy to use, and the results are better than any other temporary product. A pro tip is to mix it with a leave-in conditioner for better results. The only flaw of this product is that you will need to use a lot of it (about a container for a full beard).
How to dye your beard white using a permanent beard dye
Dyeing your beard white is a bit trickier than dyeing it any other color cause you will need to bleach it first.
Bleaching is the process of removing the natural hair color of your beard and is usually done with hydrogen peroxide. This is a crucial step if you want to get a really white beard, especially if you have darker hair.
Bleaching your beard is trickier than bleaching the hair on your head because beard hairs are coarser than head hairs, and at the same time, the skin on your face is way more sensitive than the skin on your head. You can check this video to check how to do it if you are a visual guy.
Let’s see how to do it:
- Prepare the bleach
Follow the instructions on the bleach container and mix the developer with the bleach, wearing a pair of rubber gloves. - Apply the bleach
Do a spot test and apply the bleach to a small area of your beard. Wait for the recommended minimum time. When you see the hair changing color and getting lighter, rinse it with warm water till it runs clear. If there is no irritation or allergic reaction, apply it to the rest of your beard and wait for the recommended time, rinse. - Wait for an hour
You should wait for an hour or so. Bleaching contains many chemicals, and temporary beard dyes do, too, so you should wait a bit before putting a lot of chemicals on your face. - Apply Petroleum jelly
Now the process is the same as dyeing your beard any other color. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the skin around your beard to protect it from getting stained. - Prepare your dye
Mix your dye according to the instructions on the package. It should be a smooth paste with no lumps. - Dye your beard white
Now is the time to finally dye your beard. Apply the dye with the applicator brush and coat your whole beard. - Wait
Wait for the indicated time and rinse with cold water till it runs clear. Then wash your beard with beard wash. Add beard oil
We recommend using Schwarzkopf Professional Silverwhite . It is one of the few total white permanent dyes out there. Schwarzkopf is one of the most established hair products brands on the market
FAQ
How can I make my black beard white?
As mentioned above if you have a black beard and you want to make it white you should bleach it first and dye it later. If you try a temporary beard dye without bleaching it, you are going to get grey hair.
What is the difference between beard bleaching and beard dyeing?
When you bleach your hair you are removing the natural color of it and you make it lighter. When you are dyeing your color you are just changing the color of it. We recommend bleaching first if you want white hair because if you just add a white color to a black beard without bleaching it, the result will be grey hair. Makes sense right? But you should be really carefull with bleaching especially if you have sensitive skin.
Is bleaching bad for my beard?
Yes, bleaching is not that good for your beard hair neither for your facial skin. Bleaching is done by harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and extensive use of it can damage your hair, irritate your skin and cause allergic reactions. Make sure to do a spot test before using a bleaching agent and not use it that often.
Conclusion
Dyeing your beard white can be funny, but you should do it with caution. If you are doing it for the first time or you want to dress up as Santa for a night, use a temporary dye and choose one that contains natural ingredients. If you are going to use a permanent beard dye, do your homework and be cautious.
Russell is the founder of themensattitude.com. He is a barber a beard enthusiast and he is obsessed with trying men’s lifestyle products and blog about them. If you have any questions you can hit him up via the contact page.
