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If you've ever experimented with your hair, you know that mistakes are almost inevitable. Especially if you're dyeing it — so many things can go wrong. The color can turn out to be totally different than you expected, the hair dye bottle can spontaneously explode and cover all of your bathroom in pink or your head might turn into a watermelon because you're allergic to the product. It's pretty wild.

So in order to show you the possible side effects of going full Dennis Rodman, Bored Panda has compiled a list of the funniest (and saddest) hair dye fails ever. Continue scrolling, upvote your faves, and tell us if you've experienced something like this in the comments!

#1

Do You Think My Grandma Would Notice I Dyed My Hair?

Do You Think My Grandma Would Notice I Dyed My Hair?

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Jessica Cole
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd be whooping some major blue ass if I was Grandma and that was my shower!

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Peter Regan, a hairdresser in Manchester city center, UK, who specializes in permanent hair straightening, precision cutting, and natural-looking color, thinks people can face different challenges if they're dyeing their hair for different reasons. "If the goal for coloring hair is to cover greys, then the main challenge is choosing the correct color," he told Bored Panda. "Most domestic tints turn out darker than expected. For example, mid-brown which is a common color used at home, when looked at on a color chart looks to the untrained viewer very nearly black."

"If the goal is to make a statement, then the appropriateness of color is the biggest challenge."

Hairstylist and colorist Jahlesa Taylor thinks "the biggest challenges when coloring your hair yourself is being able to see your whole head, and timing things properly, especially when you're doing touch-ups."

"When I have clients who need me to correct a color that they did themselves, the majority of the damage/unevenness is in the back and I know it's because we can't see back there properly, even with a mirror," the professional who works in Lauderhill, Florida, told Bored Panda. "Proper color application requires an understand of timing, as well as an understanding of tones and undertones, and many people think they can just spread the color or lightener all over their head and it will balance out in the end."

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#2

This Girl Used Walmart Plastic Bag To “Keep The Heat In” While She Bleached Her Hair. The Logo From The Bag Came Off And Is Now Dyed Into Her Hair

This Girl Used Walmart Plastic Bag To “Keep The Heat In” While She Bleached Her Hair. The Logo From The Bag Came Off And Is Now Dyed Into Her Hair

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Lunar Bicycle
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once it’s dried and brushed or mussed about, it might just look like some neat random blue spots in her hair. Also, isn’t this picture like ten years old?

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#3

Allergic To Hair Dye

Allergic To Hair Dye

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Jahlesa has noticed that color blocking is super popular again. "Personally, I’m a huge fan! Sometimes you want a little pop of color in the front or a little peek of color in the back and the color blocking method allows you to have fun without the commitment or responsibility that comes with a total hair makeover."

Regan, the author of The Hair Colour Book: A Practical Guide To The Theory Of Colouring Hair, noted that during the pandemic, the trends haven't evolved like they usually do as salons have been closed in most places. The last thing that caught his attention was balayage which is a kind of freehand painting on the hair.

However, if you want to infuse your hair with color but can't decide on the particulars, you might want to take it slow. "Whatever looks people are thinking about applying to their hair, they should understand a few things," Regan said. "Firstly, domestic hair color will only lift about 2 levels and if they have artificial color on their hair then it cannot be made lighter using a tint, only bleach can lighten existing dye."

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#4

The Time I Accidentally Dyed My Hair Orange And Then Accidentally Dressed Like A Bag Of Oranges

The Time I Accidentally Dyed My Hair Orange And Then Accidentally Dressed Like A Bag Of Oranges

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#5

How’s College Going? Well My Roommate Is Now A Smurf

How’s College Going? Well My Roommate Is Now A Smurf

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#6

I Didn't Notice That My Glove Broke While Dyeing My Friend's Hair And Now My Hands Are Stained

I Didn't Notice That My Glove Broke While Dyeing My Friend's Hair And Now My Hands Are Stained

CriticalReality Report

"If it says lightener or something similar on the box, then it is most likely a bleach of some description and must be handled very carefully," the hairdresser stressed. "If their hair is partially grown out then the dye will react differently on the virgin hair than it will on the previously colored hair."

"Also, make sure that you do a skin compatibility test at least 2 days prior to applying hair dye – this is important as it is about safety." Judging from the pics, many people, unfortunately, skip this step altogether.

#7

My Friend's Child Got Into Her Hair Dye Before She Woke Up

My Friend's Child Got Into Her Hair Dye Before She Woke Up

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#8

Guess Who's Severely Allergic To Hair Dye? This Girl

Guess Who's Severely Allergic To Hair Dye? This Girl

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#9

2021 Dad Of The Year: I Told Her To Shower Instead Of Rinsing Her Hair Out, Right After Dyeing It

2021 Dad Of The Year: I Told Her To Shower Instead Of Rinsing Her Hair Out, Right After Dyeing It

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dad of the year indeed... What do you do after you get your daughter covered in purple stains? You humiliate her publicly online, of course!

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When people want to use a semi-permanent color, Regan said they should check the following: are there two things to mix together? If the answer is yes then it is not a true semi-permanent color!

"One of the ingredients will be a developer (hydrogen peroxide). This will either be a permanent color or a quasi-color which is supposed to fade off the hair but in my experience is almost permanent," the hairdresser said. "True semi-permanent hair color is pre-mixed in a single bottle and lasts about 6-8 washes."

"There's little point in looking at photographs showing a color that is a long way away from the person's natural color as it would be too difficult for them to create at home."

#10

I’m Sharing This For Educational Purposes Only. She Bleached Her Box Colored Hair At Home And Then Put A Relaxer On It To Control Frizz. Her Hair Is Beyond Recovery

I’m Sharing This For Educational Purposes Only. She Bleached Her Box Colored Hair At Home And Then Put A Relaxer On It To Control Frizz. Her Hair Is Beyond Recovery

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you want to randomly mix chemicals... don't do it on your body!

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#11

Today I Learned That Hair Dye Smudges

Today I Learned That Hair Dye Smudges

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Mihai Mara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet he didn't read the instructions that clearly say to put the mix on your hair and not to spread it on your forehead, on your neck or on your abdomen....

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#12

I Think My Mom Is Allergic To Hair Coloring

I Think My Mom Is Allergic To Hair Coloring

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Lastly, if you really like your bathroom, Regan believes you should think twice about coloring your hair in it. Some of the people on this list would definitely agree. The whole thing is very likely to get messy.

"Always change your pillowcase for an old one for the first few days after coloring," Regan added. "It's likely that you haven't washed all of the residues off the hair. Red is the worst color for this."

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Just make sure you're comfortable (with unexpected results), have everything you need, and aren't pressed for time. Good luck!

#13

So, My Friend Had A Pretty Ridiculous Allergic Reaction To Hair Dye. Pic On The Left Is What She Normally Looks Like

So, My Friend Had A Pretty Ridiculous Allergic Reaction To Hair Dye. Pic On The Left Is What She Normally Looks Like

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Serial pacifist
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The explanation in the caption solves the dilemma. Glad to hear that the pic on the right isn't what she normally looks like.

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#14

Purple Dye Disaster. I Was A Walking, Wide-Eyed Eggplant

Purple Dye Disaster. I Was A Walking, Wide-Eyed Eggplant

On the one hand, I was purple, we were going out later, and this was mortifying. On the other, it was absolutely hilarious

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Mihai Mara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aren't there instructions on the boxes of these hair colouring products in order to avoid such results?

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#15

This Is Why Hair Dye Says To Test It On A Small Spot Before Applying Everywhere. Bad Allergic Reaction

This Is Why Hair Dye Says To Test It On A Small Spot Before Applying Everywhere. Bad Allergic Reaction

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#16

So, My Bottle Hair Dye Just Exploded

So, My Bottle Hair Dye Just Exploded

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#17

So My Wife Colored Her Hair Yesterday

So My Wife Colored Her Hair Yesterday

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Andy Acceber
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha! Yeah, no cuddling directly after dyeing. Hopefully it was cool enough for you to wear long sleeves for a couple days.

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Fluffy Griffin
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had my hair professionally dyed blue and it bled whenever it got even just slightly damp (like if this guys arm was just a little sweaty), for at least 2 weeks.

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Let’s All Just Try And Be Decent
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't tell if this is the wife's arm, or the husbands arm, but judging by the rest of the photos so far, they got off pretty lightly and this actually looks pretty nice!!

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Karen Grace
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like the husband's arm after cuddling with her. She left a hair print.

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Irish
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Life hack! Grab a black marker and outline the stain. It would look like a cool tattoo.

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#18

What My Hair Looked Like - What I Asked For - And How It Turned Out

What My Hair Looked Like - What I Asked For - And How It Turned Out

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Ivo H
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Luckily it looks easily fixable.. Just go to another (probably more experienced) hairdresser

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#19

My Friend's Little Brother Had An Allergic Reaction To Hair Dye

My Friend's Little Brother Had An Allergic Reaction To Hair Dye

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#20

We Had An Incident - I Think It Was A Faulty Bottle. But, Nora Is In Heaven That She’s Dyed Head To Toe In Pink. So We Will Call It A Lose-Win

We Had An Incident - I Think It Was A Faulty Bottle. But, Nora Is In Heaven That She’s Dyed Head To Toe In Pink. So We Will Call It A Lose-Win

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#21

Didn't Realize One Of My Glove Fingers Broke Until I Was Done Dyeing My Hair

Didn't Realize One Of My Glove Fingers Broke Until I Was Done Dyeing My Hair

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#22

My Friend Wants To Go To School To Be A Hairdresser, I Let Her Practice On My Hair

My Friend Wants To Go To School To Be A Hairdresser, I Let Her Practice On My Hair

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#23

Dyed Everything Except For My Hair. Including My Tongue, Nail Beds And Corneas

Dyed Everything Except For My Hair. Including My Tongue, Nail Beds And Corneas

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Gin. No tonic
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It probably also dyed their hair, but since it's dark brown, it only got a tint of blue, and you can't really see it. To get really blue hair, dark hair has ti bleached first.

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#24

What Could Go Wrong If I Dye My Hair In Front Of My Laptop?

What Could Go Wrong If I Dye My Hair In Front Of My Laptop?

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#25

I Will Be Suing The Company Who Marked This Box Of Hair Dye As Dark Brown

I Will Be Suing The Company Who Marked This Box Of Hair Dye As Dark Brown

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to know how the hell that effect happened! I dye my hair with box dye, I just don't see how it's possible!

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#26

An Allergic Reaction To Hair Dye

An Allergic Reaction To Hair Dye

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Ryan Deschanel
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1 : I want a coat made out of puppies. 2 : take me to your ruler. 3 : mmmbrphlibplrt...

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#27

Someone Used A Plastic Walmart Bag To Keep The Heat In While Bleaching Their Hair... With Predictable Results

Someone Used A Plastic Walmart Bag To Keep The Heat In While Bleaching Their Hair... With Predictable Results

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#28

When You Dye A New Wig And It Straight Up Looks Like Barbie Has Just Been Murdered In Your Sink

When You Dye A New Wig And It Straight Up Looks Like Barbie Has Just Been Murdered In Your Sink

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#29

When You Ask Your Husband To Dye Your Hair

When You Ask Your Husband To Dye Your Hair

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#30

During... And After. Yep, Neil's Hair Doesn't Do Dyeing

During... And After. Yep, Neil's Hair Doesn't Do Dyeing

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#31

Don't Dye Your Hair Blonde If You Have Black Hair

Don't Dye Your Hair Blonde If You Have Black Hair

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#32

So My Hair Dye Decided To Bleed Onto My Whole Body In The Shower

So My Hair Dye Decided To Bleed Onto My Whole Body In The Shower

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#33

When You Practically Burn Off About Half Of Your Hair But You're Still Basically Orange. Oops Guess This Stuff Is Stronger Than The Stuff I Used To Use, I'll Know For Next Time

When You Practically Burn Off About Half Of Your Hair But You're Still Basically Orange. Oops Guess This Stuff Is Stronger Than The Stuff I Used To Use, I'll Know For Next Time

Well if I lose all the hair guess I can start fresh.

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#34

Accidentally Put The Hair Dye Gloves On Backwards. My Stupidity Knows No Bounds

Accidentally Put The Hair Dye Gloves On Backwards. My Stupidity Knows No Bounds

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#35

Oh No

Oh No

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Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.