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.

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. (How often you shampoo also impacts longevity.) To that point, if you’re using a temporary hair dye to create what you want to be 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 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 chemicals that are found in permanent hair dyes. If you want to permanently dye your hair, we recommend going to a salon instead of DIYing it at home.

The 17 Best Temporary Hair Dyes of 2022

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.

Byrdie Researched & Approved

With 16 bold shades and a gentle, long-lasting formula, L’Oréal’s Colorista Semi-Permanent Color is our top choice for a commitment-free change in hair color. We also love the budget-friendly Splat 10 Wash Temporary Hair Color, which is bleach-free and comes in vibrant shades that last for 10 weeks.

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.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

L'Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Color at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Splat 10 Wash Temporary Hair Color at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Bold Colors:

Lime Crime Anime Hair Color at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Gloss:

dpHue Gloss+ at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Gloss, Runner-Up:

Kristin Ess Signature Hair Gloss at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Conditioner:

Keracolor Color + Clenditioner at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Mask:

Cristophe Robin Shade Variation Care Mask at Sephora

Jump to Review

Best Mask, Runner-Up:

Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Highlights:

IGK Permanent Hair Color at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Shampoo:

Punky Colour Depositing Shampoo + Conditioner at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

4.8

Courtesy of Ulta

View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart

What We Like

Gentle
Ammonia-free
Shades for both blondes and brunettes

What We Don't Like

Only available in fantasy shades

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: $10

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Splathaircolor.com

What We Like

Can adjust vibrancy
Affordable
Bleach-free formula

What We Don’t Like

Limited number of shades
Long/thick hair may need two boxes

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

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Limecrime.com

What We Like

Nourishing and conditioning
Gentle
Great scent

What We Don't Like

Subtle on dark hair

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

dpHue Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Hair Color and Deep Conditioner

Courtesy of Ulta

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

What We Like

Nourishing and conditioning
Increases shine
Natural look

What We Don't Like

Won't cover grays

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

Courtesy of Target

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What We Like

Subtle results
Good value
Effects last three to four weeks

What We Don’t Like

Takes 20 minutes to work
Contains phosphates and ethanolamine

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

Courtesy of Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Walmart

What We Like

Strengthening
Cleanses and conditions

What We Don't Like

Takes a few uses to build color

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

Cristophe Robin Shade Variation Mask Chic Copper

Courtesy of Sephora

View On Sephora View On Christopherobin.com

What We Like

Adds warmth to all hair colors
Minimizes hair porosity
Nourishing and conditioning

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it doesn't work as well on virgin hair

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

Nordstrom

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

What We Like

Multi-tasking formula
Comes in two sizes

What We Don’t Like

Bottle could be bigger

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

Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Igkhair.com

What We Like

Easy-to-use spray formula
Provides UV and heat protection
Hydrating

What We Don't Like

Only lasts through your next wash

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

Punky Color 3-in-1 Depositing Shampoo and Conditioner

Courtesy of Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta

What We Like

Cleanses and conditions
Strengthening
Highly-pigmented

What We Don't Like

Somewhat messy formula

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

Overtone

View On Amazon View On Overtone.co

What We Like

Deeply nourishing
Highly-pigmented

What We Don't Like

Subtle on dark hair

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

Maria Nila

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Marianila.com

What We Like

Softening
Customizable color intensity

What We Don't Like

Won’t cover grays

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

eSalon

View On Amazon View On Esalon.com

What We Like

Easy to use
Subtle results
Softening

What We Don’t Like

Bottle could be bigger

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

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

What We Like

Blends seamlessly
Quick-drying
Also absorbs oil

What We Don’t Like

Contains octinoxate

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

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

Target

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

What We Like

Affordable
Don't need gloves to apply
Many shades

What We Don't Like

Lasts one wash

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

Crown Paint Colors

View On Crownpaintcolors.com

What We Like

Works on dry or wet hair
Extensive shade range
Easy to use

What We Don't Like

Not available on other retailers

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

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Sephora

What We Like

Contains hair nourishing ingredients
Works on all hair types

What We Don't Like

Not Byrdie Clean

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

Final Verdict

When 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.

Meet the Expert

Karissa Schaudt is a professional colorist and the owner of Scarlet & Co. Hair Salon in Chicago.

What to Look for in a Temporary Hair Dye

Bleach-Free

Make 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 Lasts

To 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

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.
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. (How often you shampoo also impacts longevity.) To that point, if you’re using a temporary hair dye to create what you want to be 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 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 chemicals that are found in permanent hair dyes. If you want to permanently dye your hair, we recommend going to a salon instead of DIYing it at home.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie 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.

The 18 Best Shampoos for Colored Hair of 2022 That Will Preserve Your Dye Job

Updated by Shannon Stubbs

Article Sources

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.

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