The 17 Best Temporary Hair Dyes of 2023

Best Overall

L'Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Color

4.8

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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: $10

Active Ingredients: Amodimethicone | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 16 | Size: 4 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Budget

Splat 10 Wash Temporary Hair Color

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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

Best for Bold Colors

Lime Crime Anime Hair Color

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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

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 hair.

Price at time of publish: $37

Active Ingredients: Dimethicone | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 11 | Size: 6.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Gloss, Runner-Up

Kristin Ess Signature Hair Gloss

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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

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 results can last up to 15 shampoos.

Price at time of publish: $22

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, hydrolyzed keratin | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 16 | Size: 12 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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 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

Best Mask, Runner-Up

Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask

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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

Best for Highlights

IGK Permanent Hair Color

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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.

Price at time of publish: $28

Active Ingredients: Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, coconut extract | Type: Temporary | Shades: 1 | Size: 5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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 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

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 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

Best Vegan

Maria Nila Colour Refresh

4.2

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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

Best for a Subtle Effect

eSalon Tint Rinse

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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

Best for Roots

Oribe Airbrush Root Touch-Up Spray

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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

Best for Roots, Runner-Up

L'Oreal Paris Colorista 1-Day Washable Temporary Hair Color Spray

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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

Best Hair Makeup

Crown Paint Hair Shadows

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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