Wella Tango is a semi-permanent hair color that allows you to achieve bold, vibrant colors without the damage of permanent dye. If you’re looking to experiment with fun hair colors like pink, purple, blue or red, Tango is a great option. Here’s a complete guide on how to use Tango for beautiful results.
What is Wella Tango?
Wella Tango belongs to a category of hair color known as direct dyes. Direct dyes coat the outside of the hair strand, rather than penetrating the cuticle and changing the natural pigment like permanent hair color does. This makes Tango less damaging than permanent dye.
The pros of using a direct dye like Tango include:
- Less commitment – the color washes out over 4-8 weeks
- Less damage to hair
- Vibrant, intense colors not achievable with permanent dye
- No need to lift or pre-lighten hair
- Can be applied to unbleached hair
The cons of direct dye include:
- Color washes out quickly and needs frequent refreshing
- Can stain skin and fabrics
- Harder to achieve natural-looking colors
Overall, Tango is great for anyone wanting a temporary pop of fashion color without excessive damage. It’s easy to use at home and washes out gradually as your hair grows.
What Colors Does Wella Tango Offer?
Wella Tango comes in 22 bright, vivid shades. Here are some of the most popular Tango colors:
- Pink – Choose from delicate petal pink to vibrant fuchsia
- Red – Options range from rich auburn to bright cherry red
- Purple – Both bold orchid and soft lilac shades available
- Blue – Navy, turquoise and teal blue hues to choose from
- Green – Emerald, mint and lime green colors available
- Orange – Varying intensities of orange and copper
- Yellow – Bright lemon, golden yellow and neon options
Tango can also be mixed to create custom color combinations. It’s best for achieving bright, fanciful colors rather than natural hair tones.
How Long Does Wella Tango Last?
Wella Tango is not permanent like traditional hair dye, but it does last longer than temporary coloring sprays or gels which wash out in 1-2 shampoos.
On average, you can expect Tango color to last:
- 4-6 weeks on hair that hasn’t been pre-lightened
- 6-8 weeks on lightened blond or bleached hair
Various factors affect how long Tango lasts, including:
- Your natural hair color – darker hair means the color won’t appear as vibrant
- How porous your hair is – more porous hair absorbs more color
- How often you wash your hair – less washing means longer lasting color
- Use of hot styling tools – heat fades the color faster
- Exposure to sun – UV rays accelerate fading
- Use of chlorinated water – swimming pools can cause the color to wash out
To make the color last as long as possible, use a coloring conditioner or gloss between full Tango applications. Lower the water temperature when you wash your hair. Also, wear a hat outside to shield your hair from the sun.
How to Prepare Your Hair for Wella Tango
Preparing your hair properly before coloring will help the Tango shade absorb evenly and last longer. Here are some tips for prepping your hair:
- Wash your hair the day before applying Tango – natural oils can act as a barrier
- Brush your hair thoroughly – this helps the dye penetrate every strand
- Use a clarifying shampoo – removes any product buildup
- Exfoliate your scalp – sloughs off dead skin cells
- Blow dry hair – removes excess moisture that can dilute the color
- Protect clothing and skin – wear an old shirt and cover your neck and ears
It’s also smart to do a strand test first, especially if you’ve chemically treated your hair. Clip a small section and apply Tango according to the instructions. This helps you determine how your hair will absorb the color for maximum results.
How to Apply Wella Tango Hair Color
When you’re ready to begin the coloring process, follow these steps:
- Put on gloves – Tango can stain your hands as well as skin and clothes
- Divide your hair into sections – use clips to separate your hair into four quadrants
- Start applying color at the back – begin at the nape area and work upwards
- Saturate your roots first – then work the Tango through to the ends
- Use a tint brush to paint on color – apply Tango using a brush for added control
- Massage color thoroughly into hair – evenly distribute with gloved hands
- Leave on for 20-30 minutes – don’t exceed 45 minutes max
- Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear – use lukewarm water to avoid fading
- Shampoo and condition as usual – be gentle when washing out the color
- Blow dry and style – heat will help seal in the color
- Avoid washing hair for 1-2 days – let the color settle and become more durable
Be sure to thoroughly rinse the color using tepid water and rinse for a few minutes longer than you think necessary. Traces of leftover dye can continue to develop and leave splotches of color, so rinse, rinse, rinse!
Wella Tango Application Tips
Follow these tips when applying Wella Tango for best results:
- Wear gloves – Tango will stain fingers and nails if you apply with bare hands
- Use a tint brush – for precise, controlled application especially at roots
- Section hair cleanly – prevents uneven coloring or splotches
- Saturate every strand – use a comb to ensure full coverage
- Avoid direct skin contact – can lead to staining around hairline, ears and neck
- Monitor color development – check after 10 minutes then every 5 minutes
- Mix colors for customization – but know it may alter the final shade
- Save a bit of dye – to touch up any missed spots after rinsing
- Prevent rub-off on linens – tie hair up and use dark towels & pillowcases
Taking your time and applying Tango methodically will give you salon-quality results safely at home.
Can You Mix Wella Tango Colors?
Yes, you can mix together different shades of Wella Tango to create custom, one-of-a-kind hair colors. Some fun color combos to try include:
- Pink + Purple = Fuschia
- Blue + Green = Teal
- Red + Yellow = Orange
- Red + Blue = Violet
When mixing Tango colors, stick to a 1:1 ratio to start. Add more or less of each shade to adjust the tone. Mixing too many shades together can turn hair brown or muddy so stick to 2 colors only.
Test your custom Tango blend on a hair strand first to make sure you achieve the desired result before applying to your whole head.
Does Wella Tango Damage Hair?
Wella Tango results in less hair damage than permanent dye since it only coats the outside of hair rather than penetrating the cuticle. However, there are still some risks of using Tango repeatedly or improperly which can lead to damage over time.
Potential risks include:
- Dryness from frequent washing to remove semi-permanent color
- Breakage if Tango is left on too long or applied to already damaged hair
- Weakened strands if you overlap applications without letting hair rest
You can minimize the risk by:
- Doing a patch test before each application
- Following the timing directions precisely
- Using a deep conditioner with each use
- Allowing hair to rest 4-6 weeks between colorings
- Using a bonding treatment to strengthen hair
Used correctly at proper intervals, most hair types can handle Tango with minimal damage. But know your hair’s condition and don’t overdo the coloring.
Can You Use Wella Tango on Dark Hair?
Wella Tango will show up on dark brunette and black hair, but the colors won’t appear as vivid. For the most vivid results, hair needs to be pre-lightened first before applying fashion shades like blue, purple or pink.
There are a few options for using Tango on darker hair:
- Red shades – Rich auburns and burgundies show up best on dark strands.
- Underlights – Dye just the bottom layer of hair that hasn’t seen as much sun exposure.
- Foil highlights – Lighten sections of the hair first by applying bleach, then color with Tango.
- All-over lightening – Lighten your whole head to a brown or blond base before coloring Tango.
No matter what your base color, always do a strand test first to see if the Tango shade you want will show true to tone before coloring all of your hair.
Wella Tango and Bleached/Blonde Hair
Wella Tango shows up exceptionally bright and vibrant on bleached and blonde hair. The lighter base provides the perfect canvas for vivid color.
If you want to go from blonde to a fun shade like blue or pink, Tango is an ideal option since permanent dye can be too harsh on bleached strands.
On lightened hair, you can expect Tango to last 6-8 weeks or more before fading. To avoid damage, wait at least 2 weeks after lightening before applying Tango and deep condition regularly.
Also, choose a lighter intensity Tango shade for bleached hair if you don’t want it to grab too dark or bright.
How to Remove Wella Tango Hair Color
Since Tango washes out gradually on its own as your hair grows, you don’t have to take special measures to remove it. However, there are some things you can do to help speed up the fading process if you want to change your Tango color more quickly.
Methods to help remove or fade Tango faster include:
- Washing with clarifying shampoo 2-3 times a week
- Using anti-dandruff shampoo to help strip color
- Bathing hair in salt water or vitamin C solution
- Applying coconut oil or anti-fade treatment before washing
- Avoiding heat styling tools to prevent sealing in color
- Getting frequent trims to cut off the colored ends
- Dying hair a darker shade on top of the Tango color to camouflage it
However, time is still the most effective method for removing Tango completely as the color washes away with each shampoo over 4-8 weeks.
Wella Tango Coloring Maintenance Tips
To keep your Tango hair color looking vibrant between applications, follow these maintenance tips:
- Wash less frequently, every 2-3 days
- Use sulfate-free shampoo and cold water
- Apply a color-depositing conditioner or mask weekly
- Reapply Tango roots after 4-6 weeks
- Use a tinted dry shampoo between washes
- Rinse hair in cool water after swimming
- Limit use of hot styling tools
- Wear a hat when outdoors
Also, be gentle when washing, brushing and styling your Tango-colored hair. Rough handling can lead to breakage of the compromised strands.
Wella Tango Coloring Risks and Considerations
Before using Tango, consider the following risks and factors:
- Can cause stinging or irritation of sensitive scalp
- May not achieve desired shade on darker hair without lightening first
- Color results can vary based on application skill
- Heat and frequent washing accelerate fading
- Can transfer to skin, clothes and bedding
- More damage if overlapping applications without rest periods
Do a patch test before each use to check for any skin irritation or allergic reaction. Strand tests are also advisable to determine how your hair will absorb the color.
Consider trying a semi-permanent color similar to Tango before committing to permanent fashion shades. And consult a professional stylist if you have questions or concerns about at-home coloring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wella Tango
Does Wella Tango contain bleach?
No, Tango does not contain any bleach. It can be used to color hair that has been pre-lightened with bleach, but does not lighten or bleach hair itself.
Does Wella Tango work on gray hair?
Tango can work on gray and silver hair but may require a longer application time for the color to take. Using 10 volume developer can help the color absorbbetter. But for the most vibrant results, lighten hair first before using Tango.
Is there a Wella Tango color remover?
Wella does not make a specific remover for Tango. Since it’s semi-permanent, the color fades out over time with washing. You can help remove Tango more quickly using methods like clarifying shampoo, anti-dandruff shampoo, vitamin C soaks or dyeing hair a darker color.
Does Wella Tango damage your hair?
Wella Tango results in less damage than permanent dye since it coats the outside of hair rather than penetrating the cuticle. However, overuse or incorrect application can still lead to some dryness or breakage over time. Allowing 4-6 weeks between applications helps prevent excessive damage.
What volume developer do you use with Wella Tango?
Most people use Wella Tango straight from the container without adding developer. However, you can use a 10 or 20 volume cream developer to help open the cuticle and allow better color penetration. Do not use higher volumes like 30 or 40 with Tango.
Summary
Wella Tango offers a fun way to experiment with trendy semi-permanent hair colors. Following the proper application and maintenance steps will give you vibrant, beautiful results. Just be mindful of overuse and overlap to prevent excessive damage to hair.
Test Tango on a strand first to see how it reacts with your hair before committing to an all-over application. And patch test each time before coloring to avoid any
