Semi-permanent hair dye & scalp treatments
38 products7 brandsfrom £6.45
Semi-permanent hair dye in bright, pastel and natural shades, with scalp treatments, hair oils and styling mists alongside.Semi-permanent hair dye in bright, pastel and natural shades, with scalp treatments, hair oils and styling mists alongside. Bright and pastel shades show best on pre-lightened hair, while burgundy and natural black show on brown, so check your starting colour before you choose.
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Choosing a semi-permanent hair dye
A semi-permanent hair dye coats the outside of the hair with colour that fades gradually over several weeks of washing. Permanent dye lasts longer, so semi-permanent earns its place for experimenting and for brights. Glisten Cosmetics makes the range here, with shades including vermillion, canary yellow, lime twist, pine green, hot purple, cyclamen pink and natural black. Glisten Cosmetics is a vegan brand, and every product here met our standard on ingredients, ethics and transparency. Shades can mix together for custom colours, and a drop in conditioner makes a softer pastel.
Hair dye for bright and pastel colours
Bright and pastel hair dye shows best on pre-lightened blonde hair, while darker shades such as burgundy and natural black work on brown hair. Most semi-permanent dyes contain no ammonia or peroxide, so they cannot lighten hair. That makes them a gentler choice for hair dye without bleach, as long as you pick a shade darker than your own. Do a strand test, and a patch test 48 hours before every use, even with a brand you have used before. Wear gloves and old clothes while you apply it.
Scalp treatment and hair oils
A scalp treatment cleans or conditions the scalp itself, rather than the lengths. SuperfoodLx makes a follicle treatment and a clay detox, Haoma makes an organic hair revitaliser, and Sintra Naturals makes a hair and scalp repair oil. Bouclé makes organic rosemary and lavender hair oils, and Wild Rising Skincare makes a Moroccan argan hair oil. For styling, Moo & Yoo makes a sea salt spray and a volumising mist. Stop using any product that stings, and see a pharmacist if your scalp stays sore or flaky.
Making colour last
Wash with cool water and a gentle shampoo, and wash less often if you can. Heat speeds up fading, so keep straighteners and dryers on a lower setting. Use a dark towel for the first few washes, because bright dyes can bleed. Sulphate-free formulas in Shampoo are kinder to colour, Oils & Serums has more hair oils, Hair Masks has deep conditioners, and Vegan Hair Treatments lists the vegan options.
Common questions
How long does semi-permanent hair dye last?
Semi-permanent dye usually lasts four to eight weeks, fading a little with each wash. Bright shades fade faster than dark ones, and cool water helps colour last.
Does semi-permanent hair dye damage hair?
Semi-permanent dye sits on the outside of the hair and usually contains no ammonia or peroxide, so it is gentler than permanent colour. Most damage comes from bleaching first, not from the dye.
Can you use semi-permanent hair dye on dark hair?
Darker shades such as burgundy, deep purple and natural black show on brown hair. Bright and pastel shades need pre-lightened hair to show true to colour.
How do you get hair dye off skin?
Apply a barrier of balm or oil around the hairline before dyeing. If dye gets on skin, wipe it straight away with an oil-based cleanser or micellar water, and any stain fades within a few washes.
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