How to Dye My Beard White for Christmas?

Dying one’s hair is something a lot of women are used to but fewer men are familiar with it. The same goes for the long and tricky process of bleaching your hair. We’re nearing a time of the year, however, when knowing how to dye your beard white is a question some men start to ask. After all, sporting a nice white beard is a pretty cool thing for the Christmas period regardless of whether you’re an older gentleman that wants to role-play as Santa or whether you just want to do something weird and fun with your beard for the holidays.

As fun as it is, however, dying your beard white can be a complicated process, especially if it’s a natural black color. If your beard is blond or ginger, or if it has started going grey, the switch to white will be easier. Still, if you’re determined that you want to go through all the trouble, the end result can be indeed spectacular. Everybody loves a cool Santa role-play after all.

So, how to dye my beard white? Let’s go over the whole process step by step.

Bleach your beard of necessary

If you thought bleaching hair is annoying, wait till you try bleaching your beard. Still, if you have a jet black beard and you want to dye it white, bleaching will be necessary.

Facial hair is typically much coarser than scalp hair, yet, at the same time, the skin on our faces is softer and more sensitive than that on our scalps. This means that very often the bleaching agents for facial hair are different than those for scalp hair and picking the right product for your needs is key.

Depending on exactly which product you decide to use, the instructions can vary a bit so in any case, you should follow the instructions that are mentioned on the particular bleach you’ve chosen. Nevertheless, a lot of the main principles apply to all bleach products so here’s what you’ll want to do:

  • Start by applying petroleum jelly to the skin around your beard. This will protect it from the burn of the bleach which is vital as the said burn is not only painful but can leave visible red marks on your skin.
  • Wear rubber gloves during every step of the process. Most bleach products will include a set of gloves with them.
  • Mix the bleach and the developer into a smooth paste as per the product’s exact instructions.
  • Apply a single and even coat of the paste on your beard.
  • Leave the bleach on your beard for the minimum time that’s indicated on the bleach. Depending on how strong the bleach is this can vary anywhere between 10 and 40 minutes. After the minimum time has passed, start checking the color of the beard. Once it has reached the desired color, prepare to remove the bleach – you don’t want it staying on your face for any longer than that. If the maximum time has been reached – remove the bleach even if you’re not fully satisfied with the color yet.
  • Rinse your beard thoroughly until the water starts running 100% clear.
  • Apply toner on your beard.
  • Rinse again.
  • Apply a good beard oil throughout your beard.
  • Use a beard conditioner as well, especially if your beard has become considerably rougher than before.
  • If your beard is still not white enough, you’re going to need to bleach it again. However, you’ll first need to give your beard a couple of weeks to recover from the effects of the bleach. Needless to say, you’ll need to start bleaching a significant amount of time before Christmas for that reason alone.

Choose between temporary and permanent dyes

Now, onto the dying itself. Should you go for a permanent or a temporary dye If you’ve had to bleach your beard because it was too dark, you’ll want to go with a permanent dye – after all, why bleach your beard otherwise? If your beard was light enough to begin, you may go with a permanent dye anyway even without having to bleach first.

Alternatively, you can go with a temporary spray-on color dye. These are much safer and more temporary than box dyes. In theory, they can cover even darker hairs well but it’s unlikely that you’ll achieve the perfect white color you would with bleaching plus a box dye. Still, the simple fact that spray-on colors are not permanent and are less invasive is a positive enough.

How to temporary dye a beard white?

Using a spray-on color is relatively easy but it has its risks and fineness. Here’s a quick walk-through:

  • Cover your clothing with an old t-shirt or something else you won’t feel bad for ruining.
  • Apply petroleum jelly to the skin around your beard to protect it from the dye.
  • Hold a tower over your mouth to protect it from the spray.
  • Ideally, get a buddy to spray you while you lay down. This will greatly reduce the risks of any accidents.
  • Hold the spray about 10 inches away from your face. Apply an even coat with the spray all over your beard.
  • After the first coat has dried off, decide if the color is what you want it to be. If not – apply a second coating in the same way.
  • Use a damp cloth to wipe the petroleum jelly off your face.
  • Important – protect your mouth, nose, and eyes at all costs while spraying the color dye on your face!

How to permanently dye a beard white?

Applying a box dye after you’ve bleached your beard is the second and simpler step of the process. Remember to get a beard box dye and not a regular hair dye as there are differences between the two. Aside from that, simply follow the instructions of the particular box dye and apply it carefully on your beard.

Should you just visit a professional?

Generally, yes. You can go over every step of the process successfully at home, but if you’ve decided to bleach and box dye your beard, and if this is your first time, we’d definitely recommend talking with a professional hairstylist first.

Categories Boldbarber beard advice
Comments
  • Sam Reply

    I can’t find a white beard dye to save my life! Any recommendations or can you point me in the right direction?

    • boldbarber Reply

      Try searching for white hair makeup or white temporary hair and beard dye instead. There are several options available on Amazon.

Add your comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *