In the winter of 2020, while Allure's deputy editor Kara McGrath was bored at home with grown-out roots, she cracked open a tub of pastel-pink color-depositing conditioner. About 40 minutes later, she had cheery, rosy hair and 58 selfies to mark the start of what has become a long-term relationship with temporary hair color. Even though we're not stuck at home 24/7 anymore, you never know when you'll look in the mirror and suddenly see your hair as a blank canvas, ready for some DIY hair color magic. Luckily, you've come to the right place to prepare for those moments. Show When determining which hue is right for you (and your hair), colorist Matt Rez says warm shades like peaches, reds, and pinks will "always grab more evenly and are more forgiving," so they're probably your best option for the first foray into at-home color. Colorist Rachel Bodt advises that you test dyes on wet or damp hair first, so you can see how your hair will grab the color. (Use an inconspicuous strand, perhaps by the nape of your neck, for your test run.) Unfortunately, hair-dyeing is an area where blondes really do have more fun: While some brands make a brunette option, you'll get the most vibrant results from bright hair colors on bleached hair. Bodt strongly advises against using at-home dye kits, however. "You can do more damage than good," she says. Instead, if you can't make it to a colorist first, Kener suggests trying colorful clip-in extensions instead. Because not everyone is ready to take the plunge into the world of vibrantly colored hair quite yet (even in temporary hair dye form), we've included a couple of temporary hair color products that can also enhance brown hair, cover up stray grays, and disguise persistent roots until your next colorist appointment. Gone are the sticky hair chalks of the past — some of these innovative formulas even have hair care and styling properties, because who says switching up your hair color from home has to come at a cost? We gathered up a few of the best color hair dyes to try at home, including the products that McGrath personally put to the test. All of the choices below span the color spectrum for root touch-ups or full-on fantasy switches. While they're all temporary or semi-permanent, Nine Zero One stylist Sierra Kener says you can extend their life by adding a couple of drops of the color to your conditioner — that way you'll get a light refresh every washday. A version of this story originally appeared in the September 2021 issue of Allure. Learn how to subscribe here. All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Byrdie / Chloe Jeong Unlike changing your haircut (which will have some pretty long-term consequences if you don’t like the results), changing your hair color is an easy way to switch up your look without any major commitment. And in that realm, temporary or semi-permanent at-home dyes are the lowest-commitment option of all. Rather than altering the actual hair strand, these bleach-free dyes only coat the outside of it with color, explains colorist Karissa Schaudt. Depositing temporary pigments that usually wash out after about 10 shampoos, they’re ideal for a result that lasts long enough for you to get a feel for your new hue but not so long that it’s the end of the world if you hate it. And if a week's worth of commitment is still a turn-off? Some will only last until your next shampoo. Temporary dyes are the best way to play with bold, fashion-forward shades, though there are plenty of natural colors available, too. The other upshot? They’re not damaging to the hair, which means they're especially great for someone who's always changing their color, notes Schaudt. To find the best temporary and semi-permanent hair dyes on the market, we conducted hours of research—evaluating them on their ingredients, shade range, and lasting power. After consulting an expert and considering dozens of formulas, we landed on these top rated picks. Ahead, find the best temporary hair dyes for at-home color.  What We Like
What We Don't Like
What do buyers say? 74% of 5,700+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. There are 16 shades of this formula available, split into options for blonde and brown hair. They’re bright and bold, though there’s also a clear mixer available that lets you create more of a pastel hue from any of the existing shades. Ammonia-free, it’s super gentle, not to mention affordable, as well. Expect results to last anywhere between four and 12 shampoos. Reviewers loved that the color was easy to apply and long-lasting, and that the shades are bright. They also noted that it was able to cover up their grays. Price at time of publish: $9 Active Ingredients: Amodimethicone | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 16 | Size: 4 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Amazon What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Temporary hair dyes are ideal for when you want to experiment and play with bright hues, and this formula makes it easy to do so. As the name suggests, it lasts for just 10 washes, and you can easily tamp down or increase the vibrancy based on how long you leave it on. It comes in seven shades, each of which specifies what base colors it will work best on. Price at time of publish: $13 Active Ingredients: Polyquaternium 37 | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 7 | Size: 6 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No What We Like
What We Don't Like
An array of 25 rainbow-inspired shades make up this collection. They’ll deliver the most saturated color when used on platinum or light blonde hair, though they can also be used on dark blonde or light brown hair for a more subtle tint. The formula is completely vegan and cruelty-free, and, unlike lots of other hair colors, actually smells good. Price at time of publish: $17 Active Ingredients: Hydrolyzed adansonia digitata seed extract | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 25 | Size: 6.8 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Courtesy of Ulta What We Like
What We Don't Like
A tinted hair gloss is choice for anyone seeking a more subtle, natural effect, and we particularly like this option. Rather than creating a dramatic color change, it enhances and deepens your current color—it comes in 11 shades—while also deeply conditioning hair. To that point, you can also use it as often as you want since there’s no risk of damaging your hair. Price at time of publish: $37 Active Ingredients: Dimethicone | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 11 | Size: 6.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Courtesy of Target What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Here we have another amazing tinted gloss, this one available in 10 shades to help enhance the tone of your color without necessarily changing it. The formula also leaves your hair with mega-watt shine; think of it as the haircare version of a nail polish top coat. It’s silicone- and ammonia-free, too, and while you’ll only get one use out of the bottle, the results do last for three to four weeks—longer than many other comparable products. Price at time of publish: $15 Active Ingredients: Isopropyl alcohol, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 10 | Size: 4 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Courtesy of Ulta What We Like
What We Don't Like
Yes, this delivers color—13 shades, a mix of both natural and vibrant options—but it also conditions, and even gently cleanses, your hair at the same time. All you have to do is use it as you would any shampoo or conditioner, working through wet hair and letting it sit (up to 20 minutes) before rinsing. If you’re starting with a darker base, you can repeat for a more intense result. The formula is keratin-based to boost strength and results can last up to 15 shampoos. Price at time of publish: $21 Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, hydrolyzed keratin | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 16 | Size: 12 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Courtesy of Sephora What We Like
What We Don't Like
Contrary to what it may sound like based on the name, this hydrating, color-depositing mask isn’t just for redheads. Yes, it enhances copper tones, but it works surprisingly well on red hair, brunettes, and even blondes alike (so long as you want a color that has more underlying warmth to it). Plus, the formula is packed with hydrating almond butter and buriti oil, and it is specially formulated at a pH of 4.5 to minimize the porosity of the hair. Why is that important, you ask? It keeps the color evenly distributed and minimizes the likelihood of ending up with splotchy spots. Price at time of publish: $53 Active Ingredients: Glycerin, buriti oil | Type: Temporary | Shades: 4 | Size: 8.3 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Nordstrom What We Like
What We Don’t Like
A product that can improve both the color and condition of your hair? Yes, please. On the color side of things, there are eight shades, a mix of fun, trendy colors (lilac, aquamarine), and more natural options (cocoa, champagne). On the deep conditioning side of things, a trifecta of argan oil, apricot kernel oil, and an amino acid blend help to add hydration, shine, and antioxidant protection. FYI, unlike a regular mask, this needs to be applied onto clean, towel-dried hair, then rinsed out. Price at time of publish: $30 Active Ingredients: Dimethicone | Type: Temporary | Shades: 8 | Size: 6.7 fl. oz and 1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Ulta What We Like
What We Don't Like
Temporary color can be tricky on highlighted hair, given that the base shade and highlighted pieces will pick up pigment differently. Enter this spritz, which you can use to strategically add dimension and pigment, essentially faking the look of highlights. The one drawback? It only lasts until you wash it out. Still, for a quick fix, or if you can go a few days without washing, it’s a great solution. Price at time of publish: $24 Active Ingredients: Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, coconut extract | Type: Temporary | Shades: 1 | Size: 5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Courtesy of Ulta What We Like
What We Don't Like
The easiest way to color your own hair? With a color-depositing shampoo, of course. You just have to use it like you would a normal shampoo (although you’ll want to leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing and make sure to rinse your hands right after). Not only does this formula both cleanse and condition hair, but it also delivers surprisingly intense color, which can last up to 18 washes. Credit a unique delivery system that helps the pigments better attach to the hair, coupled with amino acids that work to retain color. Price at time of publish: $15 Active Ingredients: Glycerin, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, quinoa | Type: Temporary | Shades: 10 | Size: 8.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Overtone What We Like
What We Don't Like
Generally speaking, many of the temporary hair colors out there—particularly the more vibrant colors—are formulated to work best on hair that’s already bleached or super light blonde. Enter this line of seven different coloring conditioners, specially made to add color to medium, dark brown, and even deep brown hair. Granted, the result will be less dramatic the darker your base is; still, it’s nice to see an option out there that’s just for brunettes. No matter which shade you pick, the conditioning color is loaded with hydrating and good-for-your-hair ingredients to keep your hair soft and shiny. Price at time of publish: $32 Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, avocado oil | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 7 | Size: 8 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Maria Nila What We Like
What We Don't Like
This somewhat under-the-radar Swedish brand offers standout vegan, cruelty-free hair products (they’re PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Vegan Society certified), including temporary hair color. The 15 shades feature a mix of brighter and more natural options, and there are also two sizes available. Also nice: You can choose the desired intensity based on how long you leave it on, anywhere from three to 10 minutes. Price at time of publish: $33 Active Ingredients: Argan oil, panthenol | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 15 | Size: 10.1 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No eSalon What We Like
What We Don’t Like
If you’re looking to just tweak or slightly enhance your color (no matter whether it’s natural or dyed), but don’t want to change it, per se, this is the way to go. The professional-grade treatment comes in nine “boosting” shades—meant to intensify your existing color and add salon-worthy shine—and three “balancing” iterations, which help to tone down unwanted warmth. The results last for a few washes either way, but the wheat protein-enhanced formula is gentle and safe enough that you can use it a few times per week. Price at time of publish: $18 Active Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl betaine | Type: Temporary | Shades: 9 | Size: 3.9 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Sephora What We Like
What We Don’t Like
To quickly camouflage telltale growth until your next color appointment, reach for this easy-to-use spray. Microfine, mineral-based powder pigments add the ideal amount of color (it comes in seven natural shades), though the color does only last for one wash. It also acts as a dry shampoo of sorts, thanks to the addition of rice starch to help absorb dirt and oil at your roots. Price at time of publish: $34 Active Ingredients: Isobutane, dimethylimidazolidinone | Type: Temporary | Shades: 6 | Size: 1.8 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Target What We Like
What We Don't Like
Another great option for covering your roots, this temporary hair spray is well-loved for many reasons: It's quick and easy to use, it can cover up grays and roots, and it washes out easily without leaving stains. It's also extremely affordable and can most likely be found at your local drugstore. Price at time of publish: $9 Active Ingredients: Hydrofluorocarbon 152a | Type: Temporary | Shades: 9 | Size: 2 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes Crown Paint Colors What We Like
What We Don't Like
These handmade hair shadows are the perfect choice if you want to add a bold look to your hair temporarily. Coming in dozens of shades to you from, this temporary hair color can be applied to dry hair or wet hair and works on all hair types, lasting for three to five days. We also love that they're formulated with cocoa and shea butters to nourish the hair. Price at time of publish: $30 Active Ingredients: Dimethicone | Type: Temporary | Shades: 20+ | Size: 4 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes Amazon What We Like
What We Don't Like
If you're looking for something that can just match your natural hair color to cover grays growing in, this color gel is the perfect match. Apply with the applicator brush to the spots you want to cover, leave on for 40 minutes, and then rinse. It lasts about 3 washes, but you can reapply as many times as needed. Price at time of publish: $35 Active Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl betaine | Type: Temporary | Shades: 4 | Size: 3.4 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Final VerdictWhen you’re looking for a fun and commitment-free hair color change, try L’Oréal’s Colorista Semi-Permanent Color. It's available in a whopping 16 shades that last anywhere from four to 12 shampoos—plus it's super affordable. We're also big fans of the Splat 10 Wash Temporary Hair Color, which has a vegan and cruelty-free formula that lasts for 10 weeks. What to Look for in a Temporary Hair DyeBleach-FreeMake sure the dye you choose is actually temporary, warns Schaudt. Some might be labeled as temporary but can contain ingredients such as bleach or ammonia, which will permanently change your hair color, she says. Indication of How Long It LastsTo that point, not all temporary hair dyes are created equal. Some will completely wash out after just one shampoo, while others will gradually fade with each wash and can last for days on end. FAQ
Why Trust ByrdieByrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Since she doesn’t color her own hair (not even with a temporary dye), she relied on expert intel and tons of reviews and consumer input when researching this article. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Can you color dark hair without bleaching it?You can dye your black hair any color without bleach. Light brown, red, dark red, blue, magenta, purple, and even lighter colors, like blonde, are possible without bleach. Just because you're not using bleach, it doesn't mean that you can't achieve your desired shade. What is this?
Can you use temporary dye on dark hair?The first option for coloring dark hair without bleach is to use temporary hair color that's made to work with a dark base color. These hair dyes are specifically formulated to be vibrant and true without having to lighten your dark strands prior. They're also super convenient for experimenting since they wash out.
What hair dye works best on dark hair?The Best Hair Dye for Dark Hair (Without Bleach!). Splat Midnight Hair Dye.. Clairol Flare Me Dark Permanent Cream Color.. Jerome Russell Temporary Hair Color Spray.. L'oreal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup.. Overtone Hair Coloring Conditioner.. Ion True Tones For Dark Hair Permanent Crème Hair Color.. As I Am Curl Color.. What hair color is best for black hair without bleach?What hair color is best for black hair without bleach?. Dark brown. If your hair is naturally black and you just want to make it 2-3 shades lighter, a dark brown is all you need. ... . Chestnut brown. ... . Mahogany. ... . Burgundy. ... . Auburn. ... . Warm purple. ... . Oil your hair at least once a week. ... . Use a mild organic shampoo.. |
Temporary hair dye for dark hair without bleaching
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 boxhoidap Inc.
