The Best Temporary Hair Colors for Commitment-Phobes

Set aside 20 to 40 minutes to let this easy-to-use gel color work its magic and you'll come out the other end with shiny, even color and softer-than-ever strands, thanks to this gentle treatment from Parisian colorist Christophe Robin. Infused with inula flower for shine and oat flakes to protect the skin and scalp, the gel formula (available in four shades) covers grey, is free of peroxide and ammonia, and lasts five to seven shampoos.

If, like your mood, your hair color needs a boost, this subtly tinted lavender foam—in Light and Dark options—deposits just the right amount of natural dye to counteract fading and brassiness between color sessions. Simply comb through clean, towel-dried hair every other shampoo, and style as you normally would. The whipped texture makes for easy and even distribution. Just remember to wash your hands when you're done.  

Usually, darker hair colors are relegated to, well, even darker temporary tints in shades of brown and black, since there's not much you can do to lighten hair without bleach. But this bleach-free, conditioner-and-dye hybrid manages to leave brunette hair with a soft, subtle tint, in either copper or red. Just slather it throughout your damp hair, leave it on for three minutes, then rinse out. Color will fade in about a week.

It's a mask! It's hair color! It's both. And it comes in seven temporary shades from soft Rose Gold for blondes to rich Bordeaux for brunettes.  What's more, these affordable single-use packets mean you can experiment with a few different shades before committing to a full-size bottle.

With its targeted spray dispenser and weightless, transfer-proof formula, celebrity colorist Rita Hazan's root touch-up (available in five shades) delivers on its promise of masterfully concealing root growth, greys and all. An ingenious hack to try: Spritz it along your hairline or in sparse areas to fake the appearance of fuller, thicker hair. 

For those who prefer the control and precision of a brush-and-powder root cover-up, we are getting behind this formula. Each one of the five shade palettes comes with two hue variations to allow you to customize your perfect match. And like spray-on varieties, this also handily fills in sparse, patchy spots to help fake the look of thicker hair. Plus, it's purse and carry-on friendly. 

If you're looking to tip-toe into bold color, this is your best bet. A blast of the concentrated pigment spray, as allover highlights or focused on the ends, lets you flirt with cobalt blue with zero commitment. Like makeup, we recommend you simply wash it out at the end of the day.