10 Best Vegan Hair Dyes
1. Best In Budget:Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Color – Aquamarine
The Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Color is a direct dye that does not require a developer to deposit color on your hair. It is formulated to fade within its original color spectrum, meaning your hair will fade into a lighter shade of the same color. The shade Aquamarine is a vibrant turquoise shade and gives the best results on pre-lightened hair. However, it gives a deep teal tint to darker hair. This product contains no harmful chemicals and conditions your hair to keep it soft and prevent damage. The hair color lasts for 4-8 weeks, depending on your hair type and hair care routine. If you want to know more about the results, take a look at this review on YouTube. Pros
Affordable Sweet scent Does not dry out hair Easy to apply Ammonia-free Ethyl alcohol-free Peroxide-free PPD-free Smears less Long-lasting
Cons
May bleed when wet
2. Best Gray Hair Coverage:Revlon Total Color – 6R Light Auburn
The Revlon Total Color is a dermatologically tested formula containing hair nourishing ingredients like camellia oil and cannabis sativa (hemp) seed oil. These ingredients also enhance the dye’s ability to give vibrant results. The color is long-lasting and stays for at least six weeks without any touch-ups. The shade Light Auburn gives brilliant results on light hair. However, it may leave a darker reddish-brown hue on dark hair. Pros
Long-lasting Provides gray hair coverage Affordable Easy to use Mild scent Paraben-free Mineral oil-free Sulfate-free Gluten-free Phthalate-free Silicone-free
Cons
May dry out your hair
3. Best Ultra-Conditioning Formula:Splat No Bleach Kit – Midnight Tanzanite
The Splat No Bleach Kit is a range of semi-permanent dyes that last for up to 30 washes or more, depending on how you maintain your hair. It has an ultra-conditioning formula that gives vibrant results without pre-bleaching, i.e., it does not damage your hair. It contains quinoa extract that strengthens and protects your hair while improving its shine and locking in the color. The shade Midnight Tanzanite is a brilliant purple color that works on every hair type and color. The kit includes the dye, instruction manual, gloves, and a deep reconstructor for conditioning the hair. You can check this YouTube video for more information about the product. Pros
Long-lasting Easy to use Available in unique colors Potent formula
Cons
Bleeds when wet May stain the skin
4. Best User-Friendly Product:Manic Panic Semi Permanent Hair Color Cream – Rock ‘N’ Roll Red
The Manic Panic Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cream has mixable colors and tones – you can mix different dyes of the same brand to customize your shade. This semi-permanent dye is ready to use and does not require any developer. This hair dye does not penetrate the hair cortex and lasts for 4-6 weeks without causing any damage. The shade Rock ‘N’ Roll Red is a warm, vibrant, and medium-hued red and gives the best results on hair pre-bleached up to level 8. If you are still unsure about purchasing, you can check out a review of this product on YouTube. Pros
Ready to use Does not dry out hair Pleasant fragrance Ammonia-free PPD-free Phthalate-free Gluten-free Paraben-free
Cons
Stains a lot
5. Best Bleach-Free Formula:Lime Crime Unicorn Hair – Valentine
The Lime Crime Unicorn Hair gives semi-permanent results and full coverage. This dye deep conditions the hair while depositing color and keeps it soft and silky with a sweet fragrance. It has a damage-free formula minus any harmful chemicals and delivers a vibrant and saturated color to pre-bleached platinum to medium blonde hair. However, it gradually fades to prolong the color. The shade Valentine has a crimson color and can be used straight out of the jar without any developer. Pros
Does not damage hair Pleasant fragrance Suitable for all hair types Easy to apply Bleach-free No harsh chemicals
Cons
Fades quickly
6. Best Bleach-Free Formula:Lunar Tides Hair Dye – Fuschia Pink
The Lunar Tides Hair Dye has highly pigmented velvet tones that last long and give your hair rich color. This semi-permanent hair dye is non-damaging and does not require a developer. The shade Fuschia Pink imparts a vibrant fuschia color to light hair and dark violet color to dark hair. Pros
Non-drying Easy to use Available in a variety of colors Highly pigmented Long-lasting
Cons
Bleeds when wet
7. Best UV Protection:Good Dye Young Hair Color – Kowabunga Green
The Good Dye Young Hair Color is infused with botanical ingredients like sunflower and bergamot extracts and other hair conditioning ingredients to keep the hair nourished and prevent damage. This professional-grade dye gives vibrant results and is mixable – you can mix and customize your hair color. The shade Kowabunga Green is a vibrant shade of green and works best on light or bleached hair. Pros
Affordable Natural scent Long-lasting Easy to apply Non-drying Ammonia-free UV protection PPD-free Paraben-free Formaldehyde-free
Cons
May stain your skin
8. Best Anti-Inflammatory Properties:Cosmic Element Light Brown Hair Color
The Cosmic Element Light Brown Hair Color is henna powder and perfect for conditioning dry and damaged hair while adding a light brown color. This henna powder has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that maintain your scalp and hair health. It covers gray hair and is best for those who desire a more natural-looking, muted hair color. The product gives you soft and silky hair and is available in a variety of shades. Pros
Natural product Ideal for all hair types Natural fragrance Covers gray hair Non-GMO
Cons None
9. Best Long-Lasting Effect:Special Effects Semi-Permanent Hair Dye – Blue Mayhem
The Special Effects Semi-Permanent Hair Dye is a semi-permanent dye that gives vibrant and beautiful results to even the thickest and darkest hair. This hair dye can last for up to a month without fading and drying the hair. Blue Mayhem is a vibrant navy-blue color. It gives bright results on light hair and a deep blue tint on dark hair. Pros
Easy to use Long-lasting Non-drying Great coverage
Cons
Can stain the skin
10. Best Anti-Fade Formula:Crazy Color Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cream – Anarchy UV No. 76
The Crazy Color Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cream gives vibrant color and stays bright for up to 6-8 washes. This anti-fade UV hair dye conditions your hair, making it feel soft and smooth after use, and also gives it a luxurious sheen. It contains sunflower seed, raspberry seed, and avocado oils to keep your hair healthy. You can also mix different hair dyes to create your custom shade. The shade Anarchy UV No. 76 is a chrome yellow hair dye, suitable for light or blonde hair. Pros
Easy to apply Provides a great coverage Gluten-free Paraben-free PPD-free Ammonia-free
Cons
Color may rub off a bit
Switching to vegan products is a conscious way to ensure that the animal kingdom is not harmed for the benefit of beauty. Also, if you are hoping to keep your hair healthy without using any chemically formulated hair dyes, then vegan hair dyes are a great option. However, consider a few factors while you make the switch.
How To Select The Best Vegan Hair Dyes
Types Of Vegan Hair Dyes
There are three major categories of vegan hair dyes that you can choose from:
- Plant-Based Formula: This is most commonly made with the leaves, stems, bark, fruits, or other parts of plants and are highly effective.
- Oil-Based Formula: These vegan hair dyes are formulated using oil as a base paired with ingredients like green tea or coffee to lighten or darken hair.
- Mineral-Based Formula: These are made with salts and iron that are mainly used to lighten the hair and are rarely used.
Ingredients
Irrespective of your hair type, always check the ingredients of the product that you are about to use. When it comes to vegan hair dyes, look for formulas that have safe ingredients that are beneficial for the hair. Ingredients such as camellia oil, hemp seed oil, sunflower extracts, chamomile tea extracts, forms of vitamin d3, gelatine, honey, carmine, Brazil nut extract, aloe vera leaf extract, or pepsin. Look for products that are free from parabens, silicone, sulfates, mineral oil, and other harmful chemicals that can potentially cause damage to your hair and scalp. Also, check if you are allergic to any ingredients, like gluten or soy.
Longevity
One of the key factors to consider while investing in any hair dye is to ensure its longevity. While some are labelled as semi-permanent which last for around 4-6 weeks, the other which aren’t labelled must last for at least 1-3 months. Follow a good hair care regimen with sulfate-free shampoos and protective conditioners to increase the longevity of color.
Ease Of Use
For dyeing your hair at home, make sure the procedure is easy and convenient. Look for formulas that ensure hassle-free application and come with an easy-to-follow step by step guide. Also, look for a formula that is non-staining and non-drip.
Vegan Validity
Unless the products and its ingredients are clearly labelled as ‘vegan’, assume that it contains animal-based ingredients or by-products. Check for a stamp of certification on the packaging to ensure it is vegan and cruelty-free and is certified by Leaping Bunny or PETA. Vegan hair dyes do not contain ammonia and peroxides, while chemical dyes are loaded with these two harmful ingredients. If you are wondering how the chemical dyes damage your hair, go scroll down to the next section.
What Are Chemical Dyes Actually Doing To Your Hair?
The majority of the semi-permanent and permanent chemical hair dyes are derived from coal tar and petrochemicals to produce chemical compounds like:
Ammonia Hydrogen Peroxide Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) 1,2,4 trihydroxy benzene
All these ingredients in the hair dye may cause harm to your hair and overall health in the following ways:
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a certified skincare coach, who loves diving deeper into the science and technology behind the various cosmetics products. She is aware of the many harmful effects of chemical-based hair dyes and how they affect your skin and hair over time. She has researched the various beauty forums and reviewed several customers’ feedback to curate this list of the best vegan hair dyes for you. These are not only vegan and cruelty-free but also free of harmful toxins and chemicals. These help nourish and strengthen your hair from within along with giving your hair that natural shine and color. What’s the difference between cruelty-free hair dyes and vegan hair dyes? Vegan hair dyes are eco-friendly and do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. On the other hand, cruelty-free dyes are not tested on animals. Will a vegan hair dye be better for my allergies? If you are allergic to dyes, it is best to avoid hair dyes altogether. However, if you are allergic to an ingredient, you can use a dye that does not contain it. Always consult a doctor before using hair dyes. Are henna hair dyes also vegan? Yes, henna-based hair dyes are vegan. Is Schwarzkopf hair dye vegan? Schwarzkopf is not a vegan brand. However, their 100% Vegetal range has vegan hair dyes. How long should you leave vegan hair dye on? Gently cover your hair with vegan hair dye and leave it on for 30 minutes to show good results. How long does vegan hair color last? If the vegan hair dye is permanent, it will last anywhere from 5-7 weeks. Otherwise, temporary hair dyes last up to a few days. What’s the difference between cruelty-free hair dyes and vegan hair dyes? Cruelty-free hair dyes are not tested on animals, and vegan hair dyes indicate they do not contain animal-derived ingredients. Is vegan hair dye better for curly hair? Yes, vegan hair dyes work well on curly hair as they provide a chemical-free coverage. How to use vegan hair dye at home? • Mix the vegan hair dye properly. • Apply it to your hair and massage it properly. • Leave it for an hour. • Rinse your hair with a color-safe shampoo and conditioner.
de Sanjosé S, Benavente Y, Nieters A, et al. Association between personal use of hair dyes and lymphoid neoplasms in Europe. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2006 Jul;164,1:47-55.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16731576/
