13 Best Temporary Hair Dyes for a Quick Color Boost

For vivid hair colors, you can’t do better than Pravana, which is a professional brand loved by hair colorists. The color range reminds us of the rainbow, and since it’s semi-permanent, the colors also have a lovely conditioning effect. They’re technically made for bleached hair, but if you use them on level 5-3 hair or lighter, you will still end up with a subtle tint. They will start fading out of natural hair after a few washes, although they’re more persistent in bleached hair. Get yours from Amazon!

These semi-permanent hair dyes from Arctic Fox are pretty classic. They make the hair smell amazing and feel super soft, with colors that last for up to 16 washes (though it’ll start fading by the 5th or 6th wash). As with other semi-permanent dyes, it deposits color into the hair, so it’ll only show up on blondes – those with light or medium brown hair might get a lovely tint, however. If you’re obsessed with the vivids, you may need to use some bleach first. You can pick it up from Ulta.

If you have gray hairs you would like to cover, this is the best temporary hair color to choose. The formula deposits color into your gray hairs, helping to blend them into the rest of your hair. There are 4 shades available, ranging from golden blonde to dark chestnut. The color slowly starts to fade as you shampoo it but will usually last 5-7 washes.

It’s a unique formula that can be helpful if you only want to cover your grays for a week or two, like in between salon visits, because you have long-term plans to totally change up your color, or because you want to grow out your grays and need to get through the awkward period of having roots. Buy it at Sephora!

This is like the colored hair spray from your childhood, but upgraded! It’s a spray that comes in a ton of super fun colors and washes out with a single shampoo (or maybe two if you’re a very light blonde). It’s totally commitment-free, and as a bonus, it’s super easy to use. The formula is similar to a typical hair spray, which helps prevent the color from rubbing off on clothes or pillows. Controlling the spray can be a little difficult, so it’s best for more diffused applications like along the roots or ends. You can order it from Amazon.

This temporary hair dye depositing mask comes in a massive range of colors, which we adore. It’s like an all-in-one dye, mask, gloss, and hair toner. It nourishes the hair with plant oils and soy proteins and adds an amount of color that’s comparable to a semi-permanent dye. Keep in mind that the color will only take if your hair is already a few shades lighter or darker than what you’re going for. Purchase it from Sephora!

This temporary hair color comes in the form of a wax, and it works on all hair types! It does generally look better on curls or on shorter hair since it offers a bit of a hold, but the colors are vibrant and cover the hair thoroughly. The silver is especially popular and trendy, though we’re partial to the beautiful purple, which works well even on super dark hair. It’s super easy to apply in a controlled manner, especially if you just want a few streaks. Shop for it on Walmart! 

This is a unique product that combines a few benefits for shiny, tinted hair. It’s a deep conditioning treatment that deposits a tint of color into the hair, and it comes primarily in natural colors, including multiple shades of blonde, brown, black, and even strawberry or copper. It doesn’t alter the hair radically, so you should always pick a color that’s just two shades different than what you already have.

This temporary hair color can also be a great choice for slightly changing the effect of highlights or a balayage or for maintaining the vibrancy of a permanent hair color. You can use it as often as you like, but if you only use it once, you can expect the color to fade after 4-7 washes. Get it from Sephora! 

This is another fantastic hair gloss that boosts natural and dyed hair, with a color range that sticks to natural shades. It can be used in the shower on a weekly basis after you’ve shampooed and conditioned your hair. All it takes is a few minutes, and it leaves a glossy sheen while enhancing the vividness of your hair color. You can use it alone over lighter hair in order to give yourself a very subtle change, and like a semi-permanent color, it’ll wash away within a few washes. You can purchase it from Amazon. 

This citrusy temporary hair color is very fun to use! It’s another nice semi-permanent option that comes in some super vibrant shades like teal, neon green, and bright orange. As with other gentle, semi-permanent dyes, it comes out the most vibrant on hair that has already been bleached, but it can still show up as a pretty tint on naturally light or medium hair. The formula itself is nicely conditioning and softening. It’s available at Sephora.

If you’re a fan of co-washing, then this is the best temporary hair color to try! It’s a ‘clenditioner,’ so it cleans, moisturizes, and deposits color into the hair all in one go! The shade range is immense and includes vivids, pastels, and natural hues. You can use it continuously to keep the color fresh or just once and then let it wash out after 10-15 washes. It also works nicely as a toner to fix the undertones of already dyed hair. Order it online from Amazon! 

Nothing is easier or cheaper than colored hair chalk! This temporary hair color is a colored powder that covers the hair in a lovely, pastel tint, and it’s available in shades like green, blue, and purple. You simply clip it over a strand of hair and pull it down to cover in a streak or to create a balayage. The only problem with this type of temporary hair color is that it can rub off on clothes if you don’t seal it with hair spray. Grab it from Ulta! 

If you still haven’t found the perfect fashion color, it’s time to check out Lime Crime! These are the best temporary hair dyes as far as color selection is concerned, with over 19 color options available! Like other semi-permanent options, your hair needs to already be light, or the color will only show up as a tint. The formula smells sweet and has conditioning effects, although you might need a couple of jars if you want to dye your entire head. Order it from Ulta!

Colored waxes are the best temporary hair color option for curly hair. They cover the strands beautifully with a vivid color while also keeping the curls neatly in place and retaining their bounce. The color range is stunning, from fashion shades like blue and gray to peachy copper to shiny gold. Since it’s a wax, it stays put in the hair very well, so you can go a few days without washing and still enjoy the vibrant color. Find it on Amazon!