11 of the Best Temporary Hair Dyes for Commitment-Phobes

Best Overall: L'Oreal Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color

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There are over 50 shades of this formula available, helpfully split into options for bleached, blonde, brunette, and red 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.

Best Drugstore: John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss

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One bottle of this color-boosting gloss has six treatments, meant to be used weekly to keep your shade rich and vibrant. It deposits just enough of the tones you need, while also eliminating any unwanted brassiness or dullness, and works in just three minutes, an easy add-on step you can do in the shower. It comes in seven shades, offering an option for pretty much all hair colors.

Best for Bold Colors: Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Semi-Permanent Hair Color Full Coverage

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An array of 19 rainbow-inspired shades make up this collection. They’ll deliver the most saturated color when used on platinum or light blonde hair, though 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 color, actually smells good.

Best Gloss: dpHue Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Hair Color and Deep Conditioner

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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 strands.

Best Budget: Sephora Collection Semi-Permanent Hair Color

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To add a fun pop of color to your hair, without having to shell out big bucks, try this affordable option. It comes in bright pink, teal, and purple, all of which can be used even on darker brown hair, and has specific directions to help you figure out exactly how long to leave it on based on your desired end result. Plus, it lasts for seven to 10 shampoos.

Best Conditioner: Keracolor Color + Clenditioner

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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 softness, too, and results can last up to 15 shampoos.

Best Mask: Cristophe Robin Shade Variation Care Mask

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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 color that has more underlying warmth to it). Plus, the formula is packed with hydrating almond butter and buriti oil, and specially formulated at a pH of 4.5 to minimize 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.

Best for Highlights: IGK Amaro Ombre Highlight Spray

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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.

Best Shampoo: Punky Colour 3-in-1 Depositing Shampoo + Conditioner

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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 create a protective shield around the color to lock it in.

Best for Brown Hair: Overtone for Brown Hair Coloring Conditioners

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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 dark dark brown hair. Granted, the end 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 strands ingredients to keep your mane soft and shiny.