Less intense than buying a permanent dye but far more longer-lasting than reaching for a wash-in, wash-out number: semi-permanent hair dye is your best bet for elevating your look without quite the same level of dedication required for a permanent job.
Semi-permanent dye, as its name suggests, doesn't permanently alter the structure of your hair, making it a good choice for you if you want to experiment with different shades, enhance your natural colour or refresh your existing colour without damaging your hair or committing to a long-term change.
It's also a great option if you struggle with thin or damaged hair, as the semi-permanent dye doesn't contain ammonia or peroxide, which can be harsh on your hair and scalp. It's far gentler and more moisturising than permanent dye and some boxes or dyes can even improve the condition and shine of your hair.
For the commitment phobes around, semi-permanent dye excels thanks to the fact that it gradually fades away with each wash, which not only ensures an eventual return to your original colour but also means you don't have to worry about visible roots or regrowth. Better yet, you're free to change your colour more frequently without damaging your hair or spending too much money - a win-win all around.
You'll find semi-permanent hair dye in a huge range of colours from natural to vibrant and, due to the lack of mixing process, you can also combine different colours together to create your own unique shade. The only struggle? Deciding which colour to try first.
We've rounded up all of the best semi-permanent hair dyes
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L’Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
One of the best things about L’Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss Semi-Permanent Hair Dye is how fast it works: designed to deliver vibrant colour without the extra effort and taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
Offering a quick, effective way to refresh your look and achieve a glossy finish that looks and feels natural, these budget-friendly hair dyes are the perfect solution to trying a new colour without hours of trial and error in the bathroom or an expensive salon trip. Bonus points: this dye is also free from ammonia, making it kinder to your strands, while also leaving them seriously smooth.
Buy now £8.99, lookfantastic
Schwarzkopf LIVE Shocking Pink 093 Semi-Permanent Hair Dye
Schwarzkopf’s LIVE range is one of the best for vibrant shades and this LIVE Shocking Pink 093 Semi-Permanent Hair Dye is a top contender for festival season or anyone who’s done with more conventional shades.
A semi-permanent vegan formula hair dye designed for bleached blonde to light brown hair, it comes with a few options: use the colour cream alone to achieve an intense colour, add conditioner for a pastel shade or mix multiple shades to create your own new colour, lasting up to 15 washes.
Buy now £5.00, Boots
dpHUE Gloss
dpHUE is home to problem-solving hair care heroes that prove you can emulate that fresh-from-the-salon bounce without the fresh-from-the-salon price tag. Specifically centred around the needs of coloured hair, trust these talented formulas to fight fading, brighten your tone and remedy unwanted roots while also doubling as a semi-permanent hair dye and deep conditioning treatment.
A little more curated than your standard semi-permanent colour, it works by staining the exterior of your strands with pigment, enhancing and deepening your current shade rather than achieving dramatic change.
Buy now £25.60, Cult Beauty
BLEACH LONDON Awkward Peach Super Cool Colour
BLEACH LONDON’s semi-permanent dyes come in a huge range of colours, meaning endless opportunities for trying a new shade. Arriving in a kaleidoscopic spectrum of mesmerising hues, this cream mask transforms (fair or pre-lightened) hair in just 30 minutes, into a show-stopping mane of brilliant colour from fire engine red and turquoise to soft lavender and dusty rose – whatever suits your mood. It’s also vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.
Buy now £4.88, lookfantastic
Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent No Ammonia Hair Dye
Another option that’s ideal for gentle colour and a less harsh experience for your precious mane, this Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent No Ammonia Hair Dye is a top choice for natural colours across the blonde and brunette spectrum. Made with 80 per cent naturally derived ingredients, this semi-permanent formula lasts for up to 28 washes and won’t damage your hair the same way that more permanent dyes can.
Buy now £6.99, Amazon
Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask
Looking for something a little more nourishing than your standard hair dye? Try Moroccanoil’s Colour Depositing Mask: a shine-boosting, colourless hair mask that combines the benefits of an at-home deep conditioning treatment with a professional-strength gloss service.
The high-powered formula includes ArganID technology to help repair and seal the cuticle for hair that’s silky soft and radiantly healthy-looking. This pigment-free mask can also be mixed with other Colour Depositing Mask shades to customise shades or pastel hues.
Buy now £28.85, Amazon
Josh Wood Colour Glaze Pink Quartz
Award-winning Josh Wood Colour is one of the best brands for salon-ready results and this gorgeous Colour Glaze Pink Quartz shade is one you’ll run to if you’re a fan of pastel tones. Professionally formulated to last up to 3-5 washes, the dye creates a modern pink pastel with subtle violet undertones. It’s ammonia-free, vegan and full of shea butter and pequi oil for hair that’s nourished, conditioned and shiny.
Buy now £10.00, Boots
L’Oreal Paris Magic Retouch Black Root Touch Up
Maybe you’re not ready to re-dye your whole head but your roots need a refresh. Enter: L’Oreal Paris’ Magic Retouch Black Root Touch Up. This low-commitment spray is ideal for those in need of a quick fix between home colourings and salon appointments or the sudden appearance of grey hair. Suitable for people who use permanent or semi-permanent hair dye, it can be matched with your hair colour (or your salon colour) for a natural-looking finish and lasts until you wash your hair next.
Buy now £9.99, Boots
Wella Professionals Care Color Fresh Semi-Permanent Colour Mask
This Wella Professionals Care Color Fresh Semi-Permanent Colour Mask is ideal for those looking for a temporary change and combines conditioning care with semi-permanent colour. Available in a variety of shades from natural to bright, the mask works to revive the appearance of faded colour with zero damage.
Working in just 10 minutes, the mask is packed with conditioning ingredients like avocado oil to offer rich care, leaving your tresses feeling smooth and moisturised. Better yet, its temporary colour fades gradually with no harsh grow-out lines, offering the perfect low-commitment home transformation.
Buy now £11.81, lookfantastic
Redken Shades EQ Demi Permanent Hair Colour Red Kicker
Redken’s Shades EQ Demi Permanent Hair Colour Red Kicker is one of the best hair colour changers around and lasts for up to 28 washes. Called “demi-permanent” rather than “semi-permanent”, it’s ammonia-free and pH balanced for reliable, even colour without the harsh chemicals. The high-shine-giving liquid formula is perfect to gloss, refresh, tone and correct with no lift in as little as 20 minutes, making it ideal on days when you really need a quick refresh but don’t have much time.
Buy now £15.99, Amazon
Verdict
For a great colour range, ease of use and seamless finishing look, L’Oréal Paris' Casting Crème Gloss Semi-Permanent Hair Dye takes our top spot.
