Is it okay for a male to use womens' hair dye?

Question

There's a dark brown color that I really like, but the hair dye seems to be tailored to women. Is there any problem if I use it, or should I get a specific male hair dye?

Note: I'm a college student, my hair is black and doesn't have any graying, so the hair dye is more for cosmetic reasons than myself wanting to get rid of gray hair.

Answer 1

Of course it's okay! Especially if you have no grays to cover, although they make womens hair dye for that too. Mostly the only difference between men and womens hair dye is that portions are just smaller for mens since most of you guys have shorter hair. And yea, it might smell different or more masculine or whatever. Good old marketing schemes :)

The one thing I'm worried about is that you have black hair but you're trying to dye it brown? Almost always in that case you'd have to strip your hair of all of its color (bleach it out) and then dye it the brown color you want. Like they say, its always easier to darken than to lighten. This is true just because actual dye has no bleach in it so you could skip the ligthening step which is extremely damaging to your hair. This is exactly why I wouldn't reccomend bleaching then dying again (although it might be okay if your hair is really short or grows quickly). If you did that, you'd need to moisturize (use conditioners) way more than you normally would if you just dyed it.

Pretty much, I'd go to a salon... (a good one, like the link below for Aveda salons) and just get a consultation at least. They probably wouldn't cost much, if anything. You might even be able to just call around. Or better yet you could just get it dyed there.

Answer 2

It's absolutely OK! One thing about hair color lines, either retail or professional, that are tailored for men is that they tend to be more ash based. In plain English: they're a flatter color. Men are not used to coloring their hair and sometimes it can leave a "warm" hue. Many people's eyes see these hues as red or orange. Lines like "Just For Men" as a consumer example or "Color Camo" from Redken as a professional example are very cool. THese cool tones cancel the warm red/orange tones we call remaining pigments. They look very flat and devoid of warmth like most virgin hair would. So, if you've found one that you like, weather marketed for women or men, keep right on using it!

Answer 3

I have used it because a hair specialist stylist that I used for years told me that men's hair dye has stronger chemicals and can ruin your hair resulting in possible baldness.
I have use Clairol 106A for years dark blond and it works fine. If the chemical manufacturing companies that make the dye would be more intelligent and market he hair dye for everyone there would be no social embarrassment factor in using a "woman's " hair dye for men.

Answer 4

its pretty much the same. Wait, it IS the same. Its just dye. No one can tell if there was a male or female on the front of the package just by looking at your hair. GO FOR IT!

Answer 5

There's no reason why it wouldn't work. Except, of course, that you probably won't get the colour you're looking for if you're trying to dye from black to a dark brown.

Answer 6

yes, it's okay. Men and women have the same hair structure/hair chemical composition (i strongly believe)

Answer 7

My brother used women's hair dye, he didn't care at all, it worked fine for him.
So, yeah, there's no problem at all.

Answer 8

nobody'll know the difference.

Answer 9

If thats what you like.

Answer 10

go ahead use it it doesnt matter