Best Semi-Permanent Hair Dye of 2026

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 11, 2026

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Semi-permanent hair dye is a popular choice for those who want to experiment with color without a long-term commitment. Unlike traditional permanent hair dye, semi-permanent dye does not penetrate the hair shaft, but rather coats the hair cuticle, resulting in a more subtle, temporary change. These dyes typically last anywhere from 4-6 weeks, depending on the frequency of washing and the individual's hair type. They are available in a wide range of colors, from natural hues to bold, vibrant shades, and are often formulated with nourishing ingredients to help protect and strengthen the hair. Overall, semi-permanent hair dye is a great option for those looking to switch up their look without the commitment of a permanent change.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Adore 107 Mocha Semi Permanent Hair Color Cover #TOP 1
Adore 107 Mocha Semi Permanent Hair Color
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ARCTIC FOX Semi-Permanent Hair Dye WRATH Cover #TOP 2
ARCTIC FOX Semi-Permanent Hair Dye WRATH
ftb score rating icon 9.7
ARCTIC FOX Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye (Purple AF) Cover #TOP 3
ARCTIC FOX Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye (Purple AF)
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Semi-Permanent Hair Dye

#TOP 1

Adore 107 Mocha Semi Permanent Hair Color

AD-107
107 Mocha
4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Adore 107 Mocha Semi Permanent Hair Color Cover
Adore Semi Permanent Hair Color (107 Mocha) | Vegan & Cruelty-Free Brown Hair Dye | No Ammonia, No Peroxide, No Alcohol | 4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

The Adore Mocha Brown Dye offers a rich, vibrant brown shade that lasts up to four weeks or around 20 washes, giving you long-lasting color without constant touch-ups. Its gentle formula is free from ammonia, peroxide, and alcohol, making it kind to your hair and scalp while still providing intense color. You can easily apply the dye at home, as it comes ready to use straight from the bottle and works smoothly on all hair types, whether your hair is straight, wavy, curly, or coily. Plus, it’s a vegan and cruelty-free option, so you can feel good about choosing a product that’s ethical and plant-based.

What We Like
Long-lasting vibrant color
No harsh chemicals
Easy at-home application
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 2

ARCTIC FOX Semi-Permanent Hair Dye WRATH

WRATH
4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
ARCTIC FOX Semi-Permanent Hair Dye WRATH Cover
ARCTIC FOX Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye (4 Fl Oz, WRATH)

ARCTIC FOX WRATH Hair Dye gives you a vibrant red shade with beautiful berry tones that fade nicely to pink, especially if your hair is lightened to a certain level. You can also mix it with other colors, like Transylvania, to create your own unique crimson look, making it easy to experiment with different styles. This dye is made only with vegan ingredients, so it’s a cruelty-free choice that avoids harsh chemicals, which helps protect your hair. Plus, it gently conditions your hair while coloring, leaving it soft, nourished, and healthy-looking after each use.

What We Like
Vibrant red color
Custom color mixing
Vegan ingredients
Hair conditioning formula
#TOP 3

ARCTIC FOX Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye (Purple AF)

PURPLE AF
8 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
ARCTIC FOX Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye (Purple AF) Cover
Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Conditioning, Ammonia-Free, Long-Lasting, Purple AF, For All Hair Types, 8 Fl Oz

ARCTIC FOX Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye in Purple AF is a deep, true purple that works well on a variety of base colors from platinum to light brown. It's made from vegan ingredients with no animal by-products and no harmful chemicals that damage the hair. It's gentle for frequent use and conditions your hair as it restores vibrancy. It's long lasting, smears less, and has a sweet scent.

What We Like
Vegan and cruelty-free
Gentle for frequent use
Long lasting and smears less
Sweet scent
Works well on a variety of base colors
#TOP 4

ARCTIC FOX Purple AF Hair Dye

PURPLE AF
4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
ARCTIC FOX Purple AF Hair Dye Cover
Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Ammonia-Free, Conditioning, Long Lasting, Vibrant Purple AF Color, For All Hair Types, Unisex, 4 Fl Oz

ARCTIC FOX Purple AF Hair Dye is a vegan and cruelty-free semi-permanent hair color dye that comes in a 4 fl oz bottle. This versatile deep purple shade works on a variety of base colors from platinum to light brown, giving deep tints of color to darker hair and showing vibrantly on lightened hair. It even works well to cover up other faded colors effectively. ARCTIC FOX Purple AF pairs well with other AF shades, such as Wrath for a burgundy or Poseidon for a deep indigo. Made with vegan ingredients and no harmful chemicals, this hair dye is gentle and conditions your hair as it restores vibrancy. It is long-lasting, smears less, has a sweet scent, and contains no peroxide, ammonia, ethyl alcohol, or PPD.

What We Like
Vibrant, long-lasting color
Soft, shiny hair after use
Easy to apply
Pleasant, mild scent
Works well on pre-lightened hair
#TOP 5

KISS Tintation Semi-Permanent Hair Color

Jet Black
5 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
KISS Tintation Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cover
Red by Kiss Tintation Semi-Permanent Hair Color, Aloe Vera Water Based, Argan Oil, Olive Oil, Collagen & Keratin, Long-Lasting Color Dye (Jet Black, 5 Fl Oz)

KISS Tintation Hair Color offers a bold way to change your look while keeping your hair healthy. With 48 vibrant shades to choose from, you can express your unique style without limits. This semi-permanent treatment is packed with natural ingredients, starting with Aloe Vera Water, which helps repair your scalp and maintain a balanced pH. The formula also includes nourishing agents like Argan Oil and Collagen, ensuring your hair stays conditioned and vibrant throughout the coloring process.

What We Like
Vivid color options
Healthy hair benefits
Aloe Vera for scalp care
Natural conditioning ingredients
#TOP 6

Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dye in Anime (Candy Blue)

L002-01-0000
Anime (Candy Blue)
Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dye in Anime (Candy Blue) Cover
Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dye Full Coverage, Anime (Candy Blue) - Vegan and Cruelty Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Conditions & Moisturizes - Temporary Blue Hair Dye With Sugary Citrus Vanilla Scent

Transform your hair into a vibrant candy blue with Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dye in Anime. This DIY-friendly, semi-permanent color dye is vegan and cruelty-free, and contains conditioning ingredients like fatty acids and vitamins to moisturize and boost shine. It is free of harsh chemicals and has a sugary citrus vanilla scent. The life cycle of the color depends on the shade and condition of your hair and how often you wash it. Always do a patch and strand test before coloring your full head because results may vary.

What We Like
Vibrant candy blue color
Contains conditioning ingredients to moisturize and boost shine
Free of harsh chemicals like PPD, Peroxide, and Ammonia
#TOP 7

Punky Flamingo Pink Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Color

97465
Flamingo Pink
Punky Flamingo Pink Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Color Cover
Punky Flamingo Pink Semi Permanent Hair Color - Vegan & Cruelty-Free Conditioning Hair Dye, Lasts Up to 35 Washes, 3.5 fl oz

Transform your hair with Punky Flamingo Pink Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Color! This non-damaging and conditioning hair dye is vegan, PPD and paraben-free. Achieve a vibrant raspberry sorbet pink hair that lasts up to 40 washes. The easy-to-use and apply hair tint is perfect for all hair types. Trusted by professionals for ultimate hair care, Punky Colour is a leader in the hair color industry.

What We Like
Vibrant and long-lasting color
Non-damaging and conditions hair
Easy to use and apply
#TOP 8

MANIC PANIC Electric Amethyst Hair Dye

HCR 11036
Electric Amethyst
4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
MANIC PANIC Electric Amethyst Hair Dye Cover
MANIC PANIC Classic Electric Amethyst Semi Permanent Hair Color - Bright Purple Hair Dye for Women & Men That Lasts 4-6 Weeks - Vegan, Ammonia & Cruelty-Free - Create & Mix Custom Shades (4oz)

The MANIC PANIC Electric Amethyst Hair Dye is a semi-permanent hair dye that comes in a glowing medium violet color with cool blueish undertones. Its mixable colors and tones offer endless possibilities of shades and it comes ready to use, no developer needed. The cruelty-free and vegan formula is safe to use and gradually fades in four to six weeks without penetrating the cortex of your hair. For best results, it is recommended to lighten hair to the lightest level ten blonde with MANIC PANIC Flash Lightning Bleach Kits before using the hair dye.

What We Like
Customizable shades with mixable colors and pastelizer
Semi-permanent formula gradually fades without damaging hair
Cruelty-free and vegan formula with no harmful ingredients
#TOP 9

Red by Kiss Tintation Semi-Permanent Hair Color

Jet Black (2 Pack)
5 Fl Oz (Pack of 2)
Red by Kiss Tintation Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cover
Red by Kiss Tintation Semi-Permanent Hair Color, Aloe Vera Water Based, Argan Oil, Olive Oil, Collagen & Keratin, Long-Lasting Color Dye (Jet Black, 2 Pk, 5 Fl Oz)

The Red by Kiss Tintation offers a fun way to change your hair color without causing damage. It comes in 48 vibrant shades, so you can easily find the perfect color to express yourself. Instead of regular water, it uses Aloe Vera Water as the main ingredient, which helps heal your scalp and keeps its natural balance. This means your scalp stays healthy while you enjoy a fresh look. Plus, it includes nourishing oils like Argan and Olive Oil, along with Collagen and Keratin, to keep your hair smooth and strong. With this product, you get bold color and healthy hair care all in one.

What We Like
Wide color selection
Aloe Vera scalp care
Argan and Olive Oil
Collagen and Keratin
#TOP 10

Clairol Jazzing Semi-Permanent Ruby Red

99240013680
No.058 Ruby Red
3 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Clairol Jazzing Semi-Permanent Ruby Red Cover
Clairol Professional Jazzing Semi-Permanent Hair Color, No.58 Ruby Red, 3 oz.

The Clairol Jazzing Ruby Red is a versatile hair color designed to brighten up your hair, especially if it's colored, permed, or relaxed. You can use it right after a relaxer treatment to add a fresh temporary shade, making your hair look lively without waiting. Applying it is easy—just put the color directly on towel-dried hair in sections, then let it set for 5 to 10 minutes. Plus, you have the option to use it as a temporary color without heat or as a semi-permanent color with heat, giving you flexibility depending on how long you want the color to last.

What We Like
Brightens colored, permed, relaxed hair
Use immediately after relaxer
Easy direct application
Quick 5-10 minute process
Temporary or semi-permanent use
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does semi permanent hair color wash out completely?

Semi-permanent dye does eventually wash out completely. That's because it does not bind permanently to the hair strands. If you like your new hair color and want to prevent it from fading, it's a good idea to apply a touch-up color every few weeks.

2. How long does a semi permanent hair color last?

Semi-permanent hair dye typically lasts about six weeks, but you could see it gradually start to fade prior.

3. Is semi permanent color damaging to hair?

Does Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Damage Hair? Since semi-permanent hair color just coats the outside of the hair, it generally does not cause any damage to the hair structure itself. Semi-permanent hair color does not penetrate the cortex of the hair, so it does not permanently alter your natural hair color or melanin.

4. What is the difference between demi and semi permanent hair color?

The primary difference between semi- and demi-permanent hair color is how long they last after repeated washing and exposure to sunlight. Both methods are temporary compared to permanent hair color, with demi- lasting up to 30 washings, and semi- lasting about 5.

Editor's Notes

During our semi-permanent hair dye research, we found 48 semi-permanent hair dye products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 1,578,783 customer reviews through our big data system to write the semi-permanent hair dye list. We found that most customers choose semi-permanent hair dye with an average price of $10.84.

The semi-permanent hair dye are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of semi-permanent hair dye, including Adore, ARCTIC FOX, Red By Kiss, Lime Crime, Punky. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 2,841 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.