The effects of micelle forming surfactants hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, sodium dodecyl sulfate and igepal CA~6JO on the visible spectra of merocyanine dyes of the form 1-alkyl-4-[(3', 5'-alkyl oxocyclohexadienylidene)ethylidene]- 1,4-dihydropyridine were studied. In all cases the visible spectrum shifted to the red when the dye was incorporated into the micelles. The magnitude of the shifts was found to be dependent on the substituted groups and the positioning of the chromophore of the dye in the micelle aggregates. The shifts indicate a highly hydrated environment about the surfactant head groups and an environment equivalent to that of pure ethanol solvent at some undetermined penetration distance.