The Ultimate Guide to Dyeing Your Beard: Tips, Tricks, and Everything In Between

If you're curious about Beard Dye, we have you covered! I’ll never forget the first gray hair I found in my beard…Surely the light was just playing tricks on me, right?

WRONG.

There it was…a lone gray hair staring right at me clear as day. I quickly removed said hair and frantically began searching for more. 30 minutes later and a dozen or so gray hairs later, I thought I was in the clear….boy was I wrong! Like an army on an attack…more grey hairs began coming from every direction over the next several months. I freaked out and researched EVERYTHING there is to know about beard dye… And to help any of you guys who may be struggling with gray hairs…I’ve put it all together right here to make it easier on you.

Here is what you will learn in this post:

• Pros & Cons of Dying Your Beard
• Deciding If You Should Dye Your Beard?
• How To Dye Your Beard
• Step 1: Choose a Dye
• Step 2: Choose the Right Color
• Step 3: Get Ready to Apply
• Step 4: How to Apply Beard Dye
• Step 5: Keep It Healthy & Preventing Damage To Your Beard

Pros & Cons of Dying Your Beard

Pros of Using Beard Dye:

1. Eliminate gray hairs
2. Regain uniform color
3. Potential for a "younger look"

Cons of Using Beard Dye:

1. Risk of unnatural looking beard
2. Difficult to find the right color
3. Requires regular touch-ups
4. Yes, beard dye will damage your beard

Deciding If You Should Dye Your Beard?

There are pros and cons to both sides, and I want to highlight them so you can make the best decision for YOU.

It’s inevitable that dying your beard will cause damage, it’s a lot of upkeep (potentially weekly touchups) and quite frankly it’s not cheap. So before you decide to jump on the beard dye train, you really need to stop and think

“Why am I considering dyeing my beard?”

Are you doing it because YOU want to get rid of the grays? Or are you thinking that others will like you better without them? At the end of the day you need to do what YOU want. Not what you think others want… I opted to NOT dye my beard…I embraced my wisdom whiskers and kept them growing in their natural form…what's so great about this is that every beard coloring is so unique! It truly sets mine apart from everyone else! Here are some of our brothers who opted for the natural look...

Can I Dye a Patchy Beard to Make It Look Fuller?

You can absolutely dye a patchy beard to make it look fuller. The concept is to use beard dye to darken the lighter, finer, or "invisible" hairs that are already present, creating the illusion of a denser, more uniform beard. This can help to fill in sparse spots and make the overall beard appear thicker.

Here are some key things to know if you're considering this:

How It Works:

• Darkening Fine Hairs: Many people have light, thin, or even blonde hairs that are part of their beard but are not easily visible. By applying a dye that matches your natural color (or is slightly darker), you make these hairs stand out, which helps fill in the gaps.

• Creating Uniformity: Patchiness can also be caused by a mix of different hair colors, where some areas appear lighter than others. Dyeing the beard to a single, consistent color can help it look more cohesive and full.

Important Tips for a Natural Look:

• Choose the Right Shade: Don't go too dark. A shade that is one or two levels darker than your natural hair color is usually best. Choosing a color that is too dark can look unnatural and make the dye job obvious.

• Focus on the Patchy Areas: Apply the dye to the sparse areas first, using small, controlled strokes. Then, blend the dye into the rest of your beard to ensure a uniform color.

• Don't Overdo It: Leave the dye on for the recommended time, usually 10-15 minutes. Leaving it on for too long can result in a color that looks too intense and fake.

But at the end of the day..it’s up to you. NO SHAME in what you do. Walk with confidence whichever way you decide to go.

How To Dye Your Beard

Step 1: Choose a Dye

Just like anything, there are several options to choose from when it comes to brands. If it’s your first time, you might consider seeing a professional to help you select color and brand, and show you first hand how to apply the beard dye. Just For Men is the most popular brand on the market. We’ve all heard of them before and their Beard Dye is easy to apply and comes in a variety of color options. RefectoCil is a commonly used professional grade dye. Redken For Men has a product that is available and is an easy 5-10 minute application process. This is a great option for those wanting to leave “some” of the gray hairs showing. PRO TIP: These options are full of chemicals and very harsh on your beard. If you want to avoid these chemicals you should consider a henna or all natural dye. Henna is more difficult and time-consuming to use, but it is less intense and will be less harmful on your beard.

Step 2: Choose the Right Color

All beard dye formulas are semi-permanent, meaning they wash out rather than grow out. This means it will fade as you wash and will require touchups every few weeks. Your beard hairs are more coarse and do not absorb dye as well as your head hairs, so the process here can be tricky. You do NOT want to go too dark or your beard will look extremely fake. I suggest getting a color the closely matches your head hair and apply for less time with multiple passes to get the color you want (rather than going for the right shade on the first pass).

Step 3: Get Ready to Apply

This is your face we’re talking about here so don’t just rush into slapping it on. I recommend testing for reaction. Mix as per the directions and apply a half teaspoon (roughly) to the inside of your arm near your elbow. You really should wait 24-48 hours to see if your skin reacts before applying to your beard. When you’re ready to apply, apply a light layer of Vaseline on your neck and cheeks around your beard to protect the skin (you’ll thank me).

Step 4: How to Apply Beard Dye

I don’t need to get into the details here guys, simply follow the directions on the box, they are there for a reason. If your kit doesn’t come with a brush to apply, a toothbrush works great. As I said before, I recommend doing a couple shorter passes with the dye as you can always add more, you can’t take it back! PRO TIP: Don’t wash or condition your beard prior to dyeing to allow the dye to absorb properly.

Step 5: Preventing Damage To Your Beard & Keep it Healthy

If you decide to dye your beard, it will be EXTREMELY dry and damaged. You MUST take the proper steps to keep it healthy. Use a quality Beard Oil daily which will help moisturize the skin and promote healthy growth. This will also help with any irritation the beard dye might cause. Use Beard Butter daily which will be a deep conditioner for your beard and give it the nourishment it needs while also giving you some styling control. And finally, you will want to use an all natural Beard Wash that isn’t too harsh. This will strip away less oil from the hairs, and also help preserve the color from your beard dye a bit longer than a traditional shampoo.

How Do I Touch Up My Roots As My Beard Grows Out?

1. Permanent Dye Touch-Up: For a long-lasting solution, you can use a small amount of permanent beard dye. Instead of applying it to your entire beard, focus on the new growth.

• Application: Using a small brush (a clean toothbrush or a precision brush that often comes in root touch-up kits works well), carefully apply the dye only to the roots.

• Timing: Leave the dye on for the minimum recommended time, usually 5-10 minutes, to avoid over-darkening.

• Blending: Just before rinsing, you can use your fingers or a comb to lightly distribute the dye through the rest of the beard for a seamless blend.

• Warning: Be very careful not to get the dye on your skin, as it can stain. You can apply petroleum jelly or a barrier cream to the skin around your beard to prevent this.

2. Temporary & Semi-Permanent Options: For a quick fix or for those who don't want to use permanent dye frequently, a variety of temporary products can hide new growth.

• Beard Pens/Markers: These are like felt-tip pens filled with temporary color. They offer precise application for small, specific areas and can be used to fill in gaps.

• Root Touch-Up Sprays: These sprays deliver temporary color that instantly covers roots. They are quick and easy to apply but can sometimes transfer or feel slightly stiff.

• Beard Fibers/Powders: Applied with a small brush, these products are made of colored keratin fibers that cling to your existing hair, instantly making roots and thin spots look fuller and darker. They are a great, natural-looking option but can be messy if not applied carefully.

• Tinted Waxes: A tinted beard wax or pomade can provide a subtle color boost while also styling your beard.

These temporary products are designed to last until your next wash, giving you the flexibility to touch up as needed without the commitment of a full dye job. They are also gentler on the skin.

How Does Beard Length or Thickness Affect the Dyeing Process?

The length and thickness of your beard has a big impact on the dyeing process, from product selection to application technique and final results. Knowing these differences is key to getting a natural looking, even color.

Beard Length

• Short Beards (Stubble to 1 inch): Dyeing a very short beard or stubble is hard because the dye can stain the skin beneath the hair. With minimal hair length the dye has a hard time clinging to the shaft without touching the skin. For this reason many people opt for temporary, skin safe products like beard pens, color enhancing shampoos, or brush on dyes that are less likely to stain. If you use a traditional permanent dye, you must be super precise with your application. Use a tiny brush and apply a barrier cream like petroleum jelly to your skin.

• Medium to Long Beards: A longer beard gives more hair for the dye to grab onto, so skin staining is less of a concern. The main challenge is getting an even, consistent color throughout the dense hair. You'll need to use enough product to saturate the entire beard, from root to tip. It's often recommended to section off the beard and work in small areas to make sure no spots are missed, especially on thick beards where hair can be layered.

Beard Thickness

• Thin/Patchy Beards: The goal here is to create the illusion of a fuller beard. The dye darkens fine, light colored hairs making them visible and filling in sparse areas. But because there is less hair it's easy to over saturate the beard and end up with a harsh, unnatural color. Start with a smaller amount of product and consider a lighter shade or a shorter processing time to avoid a "shoe polish" look.

• Thick/Coarse Beards: Thick beards are more resistant to dye absorption due to their coarser texture. You may need a stronger dye formula or a slightly longer processing time to get the color to penetrate each strand. The denser hair also requires more product to get full coverage. While a thicker beard is more forgiving of minor application errors you must be precise with your application to avoid patchiness.

We are here to support you and answer any questions you might have. Whether it's product related, styling related, or about anything at all. Don't hesitate to reach out to us anytime at support@livebearded.com or on Facebook. If you found this article helpful, hit the SHARE button and spread the word! As always, Live Bearded Brother!

***Disclaimer*** All information from Live Bearded is meant for educational and informational purposes only. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and/or information are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. Readers are advised to do their own research and make decisions in partnership with their health care provider. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any medication, please consult your physician.