If you're craving an at-home colour switch-up and want to swerve the commitment of permanent hair colour then semi-permanent hair colour is for you. Sales of the stuff sky-rocket at this time of year too as the masses get their makeover kit together ahead of Halloween. This year has already given us some eclectic celebrity hair inspiration - fromGigi Hadid's Jessica Rabbit redtoChrissy Teigan's Bubblegum pink, and after seeing Megan Fox's recent spooky smoky grey look, we've been on the hunt for a nifty means to hair colour revamp ourselves. Enter semi-permanent hair dye.emi-permanent hair dye is the chance to experiment with a bold new look, or an exciting colour without the pressure of salon shade matching or regular maintenance.
Semi-permanent hair dye is your change to be bold with hair colour without dedicating yourself to an eye-catching shade longterm. Whether you’ve just always wondered how you'd look with a pastel dip dye, or even a Squid Games style red crop, or even if you want to try out that pumpkin spiced blonde shade you've been seeing everywhere, semi-permanent hair dye is the answer.
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How Does Semi-Permanent Dye Work?
Permanent dye works by opening the cuticle of the hair with ammonia or bleach, and then depositing the colour inside the hair shaft before sealing it up. It is over-processing at this stage of the dye process that can cause hair to dry out and weaken. But semi-permanent hair dye only colours hair at its surface level, coating the outside rather than penetrating deeper into the hair shaft. This is why the hair colour fades over time and with each wash.
How Long Does Semi-Permanent Dye Last?
Semi-permanent hair colour can last for around 4-6 weeks - so if you plan of being rid of it the very next day proceed with the utmost caution and maybe steer clear altogether. In that time you can top up on your colour to make it bolder and last longer, or simply continue to let it fade with every wash. If you're looking for something even more short term, there are always 'wash in wash out' colours in the form of drops or sprays, these can last for just one day, and can be just as easily removed as applied.
So if you're feeling inspired to opt in to semi-permanent hair dye scroll on down. We have rounded up some of the best semi-permanent hair dyes for you try now and love for, well, as long as you like:
Shop: The Best Semi-Permanent Hair Dyes To Buy Now
SHOP NOW: Semi Permanent Hair Dyes To Switch Up Your Look
1 of 8Bleach London, Tangerine Dream, £6.50
With nearly a decade's worth of experience as the first salon with a focus on colour rather than cut, Bleach London's salon-quality colour can be replicated at home. We love this punchy orange that can can be applied and worn as a hot tangerine, or left to fade to an equally flattering peachy pastel orange.
2 of 8Bleach London, Hair Elixir, £6
Even semi permanent coloured hair needs looking after, and this avocado oil-based serum will quench dry ends and impart shine without weighing hair down, stripping colour or leaving residue.
3 of 8Josh Wood Colour, Pink Quartz Hair Glaze, £19
Formulated to last up to 3-5 washes, Josh Wood's Hair Glaze range is ammonia free, vegan and full of Shea Butter and Pequi Oil to nourish as it colours. Pink Quartz Glaze is a pastel with subtle violet undertones ideal for dip dyed ends or an all over wash.
4 of 8Schwarzkopf LIVE Electric Blue 095 Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, £5.79
Depending on your natural hair colour, the Schwarzkopf Live colours can pack an intense, vibrant punch. Light blondes can expect an Electric blue and lighter brunettes an inkier navy. You can even go pastel by mixing the colour cream with the conditioner included!
5 of 8Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Semi-Permanent Hair Colour, £14.50
The ultimate fantasy hair colour, Lime Crime's Unicorn Hair is a range of full coverage, conditioning dyes in high intensity, rainbow shades. Valentine is a cherry red a la Gigi Hadid that works on even naturally dark brunette. The best part? the formula is also vegan and cruelty-free.
6 of 8SHRINE Drop It Hair Colourant Purple, £12.99
Shrine's colour drops are totally bespoke, meaning you can mix your very own shade. Simply add drops to your own conditioner and apply to damp hair, 6 drops will add a lilac hue to blondes, all the way up to 30 drops for a bold blackberry on brunettes.
7 of 8Kristin Ess Rose Gold Temporary Tint, £11
Hair dye novices, this in-shower watercolor is for you. Sprayed onto wet hair in the shower and simply rinse out for no fuss no mess colour at home. The intensity is also up to you, on towel-dried hair colour is a vibrant rose gold, and on wet hair the spray leaves a subtle tone and that rinses out faster in 1 to 3 washes.
8 of 8L'Oreal Paris Colorista Washout Green Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, £6.48
L'Oreal Paris Colorista Washout colours have a creamy, hair mask base designed to condition while gently colouring. The fade is gradual, usually over 1-2 weeks, and even works on dark brunette tones. Happy colouring!
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