Female FashionBeautyHair

What are the best semi-permanent hair dyes for unnatural colors?

18

Options
Considered

241

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Recs.

Mar 31, 2019

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

18 Options Considered

Best semi-permanent hair dyes for unnatural colors	Price	Platforms	Secure
-- Jerome Russel Punky Color	-	-	-
-- Pravana ChromaSilk Vivids	-	-	-
-- Manic Panic® - High Voltage® Classic Cream Formula Hair Color	-	-	-
-- Fudge Hair Colour	-	-	-
-- Arctic Fox	$7.99	-	-

Jerome Russel Punky Color

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Top Pro

Pleasant smell

Rather than the chemical-y scent most dyes give off, Punky Color smells strongly of grape. See More

Top Con

Some colors don't wash out completely

Many reviewers have mentioned the color still being quite noticeable months after being dyed. The color doesn't always come out completely, so it may not be a great option for someone looking to get their natural hair color back. See More

Charlene Linden's Experience

What a rip off. Colors are not bright. I use the original, Manic Panic. See More

Top Pro

Great staying power

Punky Color can last for a month or two before starting to fade. See More

Top Con

Quite messy

The dye bleeds a fair bit, sometimes staining towels even multiple showers after the dye. See More

Top Pro

Fades nicely

Rather than some semi-permanent dyes that fade to ugly shades of the base colors, Punky Color rarely takes on a dull appearance as it fades. It generally remains nice shades of the original color. See More

Top Pro

Variety of colors

Punky Colours comes in a wide range of colours (currently 20 to choose from). There are plenty of shades of reds, blues, greens and purples with a few other options. See More

Pravana ChromaSilk Vivids

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Top Pro

Long lasting

Pravana stays a bright, vivid color for longer than most other semi-permanent dyes. Many people have mentioned 6 weeks before a sight fade is noticed (depending on their hair and the Pravana color). See More

Top Con

Does not entirely wash out

Though the dye is semi-permanent, it leaves a much stronger permanent tint in the hair than the other options. Many reviewers mention that their hair never returned to it's natural colour. See More

Top Pro

Less messy than other semi-permanent dyes

Pravana doesn't bleed as much as other options. See More

Top Con

Does not lift "normally"

If you do not have your hair done at a salon, do not try to remove Pravana at home... it will stain your hair (mint green if it's a cool color and coppery pink coral if it's a warm color) and have to be color corrected if you do not use the correct bleach and formula. See More

Top Pro

Works well on virgin hair

The colors are so vivid that they show quite well even on medium virgin hair. This is a great option for those who don't want to bleach. See More

Manic Panic® - High Voltage® Classic Cream Formula Hair Color

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Top Pro

Vegan friendly & cruelty free

These products are all vegan and not tested on animals See More

Top Con

Staining/Doesn't wash out completely

As the colour washes out, it often leaves the hair with remnants of faded colour is almost impossible to wash out completely. It is best to either cut the hair, or colour over it with a darker shade than the staining. See More

Charlene Linden's Experience

I love this product. It leaves my hair feeling soft and conditioned. I've never had issues with lingering color. However, if you do, Manic Panic has color removal that I've heard good things about. See More

Top Pro

Blend well

Manic Colours blend beautifully, and allow you to create new colours by doing so. You can create a very independent look with these colours. See More

Top Con

Moderately high maintenance and cost

To keep these colours looking their best, it is wise to reapply after 4-5 washes maximum. In Australia, Classic Cream is approximately $25 and Amplified is $30 (Amplified is reported to last 33% longer) See More

Top Pro

UV Reactive options

Manic panic do a select range of neon bright, UV reactive dye. These come in pink, neon green, and neon yellow. See More

Top Con

Some colors don't stick at all

They will wash out when you are rinsing your hair. See More

Top Pro

Stays bright longer

Top Pro

43 colours to choose from

There are 43 colours to choose from ranging from more subtle, darker shades like Plum Passion (dark purple) to bright, outrageous colours like Mermaid (ocean teal) and Cotton Candy Pink. See More

Top Pro

Doesn't damage hair

Manic Panic is gentle and does not damage the hair. It actually has restorative properties, and acts as a conditioner. You can leave it in for hours without any risk to your hair. See More

Fudge Hair Colour

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Top Con

Difficult to find outside of Europe

It's difficult to find the product in Canada and the US. Websites that will ship it outside of Europe (like Amazon) usually put quite a markup on the price. See More

Top Pro

Temporary, not semi-permanent

A less committed colour choice. Washes out much quicker than Manic, with less staining. See More

Top Con

Unpredictable wash out time

The wash time can vary between very few, to quite a lot before the colour disappears (many users say it disappears quite quickly). See More

Top Pro

Decent colour range

Though not as extensive as Manic, there is a diverse colour range that blends together nicely. See More

Top Con

Shampoo and Conditioner do not perform

Their shampoo range makes no difference to colour staying time. See More

Arctic Fox

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Top Pro

Less bleeding

It's bleeding only when I wash my hair with shampoo, and stains the towel. It doesn't stain my skin or pillow right after the dyeing. See More

Top Con

The bottle is opaque

The bottle is not clear so you can’t see the actually color of the dye through it... although I know it saves on shelf life. See More

Jaqueline Mejia's Experience

This makes my hair so shiny and healthy after using it (and trust me I’ve bleached the life out of my hair) and the colors are beautiful. They last forever and fade nicely without staining the hair. I dye my hair myself and when I’ve gone into salons to get my hair cut hair stylists have actually complimented the person cutting my hair for the color I did at home! The owners of the company are kind compassionate people (two of which I’ve been following on YouTube since before they joined the company) and they even donate a percentage of the profits to Arctic Fox habitats or something like that(I don’t recall the details). I also like that they sell 8oz bottles just so that I don’t have to keep repurchasing it over and over again. See More

Top Pro

Colors fade nicely

While some colors fade faster than others, they all fade quite nicely and don’t leave an ugly in between colors shade. They just get lighter. It also takes a while for it to fade out completely but does eventually completely wash out (usually after about 2 1/2 months) (update by some one else) I have NEVER been able to wash it out completely. Even after trying to on purpose for a month straight so i could do another color. It just fades to a pastel and kind of stays there. This is after 6+ months. See More

Top Con

Smell is sickly sweet

The smell was horribly sickly and synthetic .... really it depends on the person. See More

InterestingLempo's Experience

Worst pink hair colour I've tried- the smell is disgustingly sickly, the consistency is thin and watery. Colour is not very rich or vivid very poor quality and fades faster than any other brand I've tried. See More

Top Pro

Against animal cruelty

They donate 15% of their profits to animal cruelty prevention. See More

Top Con

It fades quickly

After two hair washes the color isn't as vibrant. It starts to fade to brownish purple, although it still looks okay. For the best results, you should reapply it after 5 washes....if you lighten your hair as reccomended it wont turn brown. See More

Top Pro

Smells amazing

All 6 different colors smell amazing with a very fruity scent. It's noticeable even without unboxing the dyes. See More

Top Con

Diluting is hard

Top Pro

Conditions hair while coloring

Top Con

Color doesn't stick

You put it in, leave for 45 minutes, rinse and the color doesn't hold. So you have to apply again. This doesn't happen always though. It works better if left on for as long as possible. It will not hatm your hair to do this. See More

Top Pro

Long lasting

In comparison with other brands with red or pastel colors, Arctic Fox's poison and periwinkle colors lasted longer. See More

Top Pro

Beautiful and vibrant color

For bleached hair, using the product for 45 minutes, you get a beautiful and vibrant color. See More

Top Pro

Vegan/cruelty free

Top Pro

Large bottles

It comes in 4oz and 8oz bottles do you won’t have to keep repurchasing it. See More

Top Pro

Vibrant color for months!

It literally stays for months. Yes, a conditioner mixed with dye will touch it up in the shower, but it is not needed. As long as you shampoo quickly in cold water and put in conditioner right away it will stop bleeding while you finish washing up. See More

Crazy Color

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Top Pro

Stays bright a long time

Top Con

The colors fade quickly

The colors often fade before you've even had your next shower. See More

Ion Color Brilliance

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Top Pro

Vibrant colors that lasts a while, even when washed three times a week

Top Con

Color didn't take

The color washes out with the dye, leaving a splotchy discolored look. Works best with lighter colored hair. See More

SmartShivini's Experience

I have darkest brown hair. I bleached it best i could. Used the azure blue hoping it would grab. It didn't. It looked like dull grey. That color would probably only work on someone with super blonde/white hair. See More

Top Con

Only lasted two washes

TallNamtar's Experience

Some of their colors last for 2 weeks tops like their purple color See More

Top Con

Takes a lot of dye for anyone with thick hair

For just below shoulder length you’re looking at at least three boxes to cover all your hair if you have thick hair See More

SupportiveSulis's Experience

It doesnt actually dye the hair at all See More

Top Con

Hard to get out of hair

It takes a few color removers to get the color out to a bleachable level. See More

ModestKrotos's Experience

Colors didn't stick, and washed out with dye. See More

Special Effects

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Top Con

Never fade

I had their atomic pink on the ends of my hair and it tinted any color I put over it pink for six months after I dyed it and that was AFTER diluting it with conditioner. See More

Top Pro

UV reactive colors

Some dyes react under blacklight (Atomic Pink , Nuclear Red ,Cherry Bomb, Hi-Octane Orange, Joyride, Cupcake Pink , Bright as F#@$ Yellow, Napalm Orange). See More

Top Con

Thick formula

The formula is so thick it’s difficult to apply. Also very difficult to get out of the bottle. See More

Top Pro

Variety of colors

Special Effects comes in 28 fun shades. See More

Top Con

Fades quickly

Many of the colors start to fade noticeably after a week or so. See More

Joico's 'Color Intensity'

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Top Pro

High quality professional product

Top Con

Fades so fast

Only after one wash green faded to blue. See More

PatientIstaran's Experience

Green faded to a light blue after only one wash See More

Top Pro

Color stays for a long time

The color will stay lovely and vibrant for weeks on end. See More

Top Pro

High end salon results

Top Pro

You can learn professional techniques from videos on their site

Top Pro

They make metallic colors as well

Top Pro

Consistency of the dye is easy to work with

Top Pro

Helps leave hair gorgeously conditioned + amps up shine

Contains the ultra nourishing Kukui Nut Oil. See More

Top Pro

2O vibrant intermixable shades last 15 shampoos

When applied using their directions and using Joico's Color Endure or K-Pack Color Therapy shampoo as well as K-Pack Cuticle Sealer and finishing product INtesne Hydrator. You will absolutely see a feel a major difference in the health of your hair. See More

Top Pro

Guaranteed healthier hair after every color application

Contains K-PAK’s powerful Quadramine Complex®. See More

Schwarzkopf LIVE Colour Ultra Brights

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Top Con

Harsh on hair

Top Pro

Ultra Bright and Pastel variations available

ToughDeaTacita's Experience

Horrid. Color dulls and washes out immediately. It bleeds out, ruins the hair and to top it off it's not even the color you buy on the box. See More

Top Con

Pastel variations may not latch well

Top Pro

Affordable, supermarket / pharmacy brand

VigorousQuangeio's Experience

a little bit worked on my darkish blonde hair, I am going to use like 4 packets and mix and match the colours. See More

Top Con

Small packet size

May need to purchase multiple packets for long hair. See More

Splat

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Top Con

Stains everything, color washes out for weeks afterwards

Unless you use proper conditioner sealers. See More

Top Pro

Very vibrant color

Top Con

Bleach packet is extremely damaging

Top Pro

Extremely affordable and accessible with many shades

Top Con

Both bleach and dye are extremely damaging and drying to the hair

Top Pro

Red hue is extremely resilient

It will be in your hair until you dye over it or cut it out. See More

Top Con

Lightening kit that comes with it is not of good quality

Top Con

Colors runs when it gets wet

If you have this in your hair when it rains it will run unbelively. Any sort of wetness makes it run even heavy sweat. See More

Top Con

Fades very quickly

After 3-4 washes the color will leave a little tinge of the old color along with the faded color See More

Top Con

Dye itself does almost nothing to re-hydrate your hair

When using splat, make sure to follow up with a protein hair mask or using a sulphate-free shampoo. See More

Top Con

Cheap

You get what you pay for. It’s low quality hair dye that damages your hair and the color doesn’t last. This is what people who don’t know any better use or people who are too stupid to look online for quality dyes. See More

Goldwell Elumen

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Top Pro

Permanent. .color lasts forever! Used with a sealer

Top Con

Needs a cosmetology license to buy

Lunatik Hair Dye

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