Try a New Color Without the Commitment: Our 5 Favorite Temporary Hair Dyes (2024)

Our Top Picks

Key Ingredients: Baobab seed extract, glycerin | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 26 | Size: 6.76 fl. oz.

With an array of 26 rainbow-inspired shades to choose from, Lime Crime’s temporary hair dye delivers some of the most saturated color we’ve seen (especially when used on platinum or light blonde hair—it comes across as more of a tint on darker hair). The formula is completely vegan and cruelty-free, and unlike lots of other hair color dyes, actually smells good.

As for application, the color comes mixed, so all you have to do is apply it—no developer needed. In our experience, it wasn’t messy, per se, but the dye can stain the scalp and hairline, so start small and work your way through your hair to avoid color in unwanted areas (a little goes a long way here). The directions say to leave the formula on for anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours, so to play it safe, we went with an hour. Those of us with dark hair found that the color deposited really well, but it’s not as stark as areas of the head that might have lighter hair (like highlights). We’d also recommend showering exclusively with dark towels for the first few washes—we accidentally stained a few towels in the process.

Key Ingredients: Citric acid | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 14 | Size: 8 fl. oz.

Completely dedicated to offering semi-permanent hair dyes, Arctic Fox has pushed the boundaries on the variety of shades to experiment with. The brand highlights visuals of exactly how each shade will deposit on blonde, medium blonde, and light brown base colors on their website, so there are no sudden surprises about what to expect—no matter if you’re going Aquamarine or Periwinkle.

We will admit the application process is messy. We recommend using gloves and dark-colored towels to mitigate stains on your skin and linens while the colors process. (Sadly, we did notice some staining regardless.) The instructions did say to put Vaseline around the hairline, and this helped tremendously to prevent stains.(Our guide to removing hair dye from skin can help you out, too.)

When we used a deep red, the color came out beautifully on bleached blonde and gray hair. It made a slight tint on brown hair, but it wasn’t as noticeable unless under bright lights. The color faded with every wash—so it started with a dark red and then became a lighter red before transitioning into a dark pink and then rose gold.

Key Ingredients: Castor oil, various fruit extracts, glycerin | Type: Wash-off gel | Shades: 5 | Size: 3 fl. oz.

If you have curly hair and have always dreamt of trying a fun, new color but don’t feel like committing to it for more than a week, you’ll want to check out Curlsmith’s Hair Makeup. The temporary hair color doesn’t quite dye hair, but it rather coats curls with a pop of pigment that washes off in one shower. Because it’s not a dye, you don’t need gloves to apply it, and it won’t stain your bathroom—so it’s basically all the fun of changing your hair color without the damage or worry.

Although the brand specializes in curly hair products, this formula works on any hair color, texture, or porosity. The only con is that it requires a bit more gel than we would normally use in order to cover the whole head. (On shoulder-length hair, we’d guess you could get three to four applications from one tube.) The gel can also make hair a bit dry, so we recommend working some leave-in conditioner or hair oil through the hair before applying the gel.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 12 | Size: 6.5 fl. Oz.

A tinted hair gloss is a nice choice for anyone seeking a more subtle, natural effect, and we love this particular option. Rather than creating a dramatic color change, it enhances and deepens your current color while also deeply conditioning hair. To that point, you can also use it as a mask as often as you want since there’s no risk of it damaging your hair.

Whether you have virgin or color-treated hair, this all-in-one dye-slash-hair-gloss will enhance the shine of your natural hair. This is a great option for maintaining color between salon appointments, as it basically brings lackluster strands back to life and helps to tone highlights at home without having dye penetrate (and potentially damage) your hair cuticle.

Key Ingredients: Amodimethicone, squalene, prickly pear cactus, meadowfoam oil, quinoa | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 18 | Size: 6 fl. Oz.

This color-depositing mask adds gloss to your existing hair color and enriches the hue. (It can also conceal highlights as well as tone them down). Color-wise, you can expect results to last two weeks—that's when your natural tone will start to seep through.There are 18 shades ranging from unexpected pastels to hues that enhance dark brunette, blonde, and caramel tones. Also nice: The formula is chock-full of nourishing ingredients, including squalane, prickly pear cactus, meadowfoam oil, and quinoa, all of which help soften and smooth hair.

The simple application process gives you two options: A sheer finish or an intense color payoff, depending on how you apply it. For sheer color, you use the gloves to squeeze out some product and apply it to clean, wet hair, combing through your hair to help evenly distribute the formula. Then, leave it on for up to five minutes before rinsing it out. For a more intense color payoff, apply the formula to dry hair and leave it in for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it out. Whichever way you choose, it’s easy to work with and even easier to wash out. In our experience, the color begins to fade after about three shampoo-and-conditioner washes. Over time, our hair began to look ombré, but we didn’t mind, it was really pretty.

FAQ

• How does temporary hair dye work?

  Rather than chemically altering the hair strand—either by removing pigment or depositing color into it—these simply sit on top of the hair, coating it with temporary color pigments. Temporary hair dyes can come in several forms, from wash-off formulas to full-on dyes.

• How long does temporary hair dye last?

  This depends on the particular product you choose; some will last longer than others, but generally, none will last more than a few weeks. The longevity will depend on how often you shampoo and the type of formula you use. To that point, if you’ve been using a temporary hair dye to create what you’d like to be a long-lasting color, plan on frequent touch-ups, notes Schaudt.

• How do you remove temporary hair dye?

  In short, it’s not hard to get rid of temporary color if you’re unhappy with it. Since the dye is only on the hair’s outer surface, something as quick and easy as washing with a clarifying shampoo—which helps to eliminate build up and restore color—will usually do the trick, says Schaudt.

• Can temporary hair dye damage your hair?

  When it comes to changing your hair color, using a temporary hair dye is probably the least damaging option since it doesn’t have bleach or other harsh chemicals that are found in permanent hair dyes.

• How does temporary hair dye differ from permanent hair dye?

  Permanent hair dye will permanently alter hair color, so it’s best to work with a professional for optimal results. We recommend going to a salon instead of DIY-ing it at home. Alternatively, temporary hair dye lasts only a few washes and can easily be done at home without any experience.