The 22 Best Temporary Hair Colors for Commitment-Phobes

This temporary dye, which can last through 10 shampoos, is perfect for those weeks where you want to go a little crazy without damaging your hair. Let it sink in for 30 to 45 minutes, and be amazed with the color payoff. This one-step dye is calling your name!

By "natural tint," we mean both natural-looking and naturally formulated. This 100 percent vegan formula (which comes in eight additional hues) leaves lighter hair shades with a soft, copper-colored tint and darker hair shades with a subtle auburn wash that fades after a few weeks.

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.

A brush-on hair chalk that goes on like a mascara, ideal for rinse-out streaks in a range of tones. 

Work this beeswax-based pomade into your coils, spirals and curls and get a new look with none of the mess (or the commitment). 

You can’t write about hair dyes and not include the most famous of famous brands: Manic Panic. This vegan formula is thick and creamy, making it super easy to spread throughout your hair. And the insanely bright colors will leave darker hair with a subtle, navy tint, while on white or blonde hair the dye will result in a rainbow-worthy shade.

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.

An unmessy semi-permanent wash that works best on hair that's already color-treated, and rinses out in ten to 15 washes. If you have dark hair, do consider prepping your strands first with a lightener if you're after a more intense result.

While the color isn't permanent, per se, it is worth reading instructions and wearing gloves because it does mean business, delivering a serious color punch depending on how you prep your hair and how long you leave it on. Also: The customer service team is excellent and responsive, so feel free to reach out with detailed, specific questions and expect helpful feedback.

Add fun streaks in minutes that wash out at the end of the day with this range of non-messy, non-permanent chalk. (Why don't more people use hair chalk, btw?)

Available in nine shades—from hot pink to indigo and pumpkin—this vegan, cream-based semi-permanent dye seems to deliver the best results on hair that's already color treated but wants a change or lift. Users rave over the pleasant smell (a huge upgrade from most toxic-olfactory experiences). This is a perfect way to accent tips or add streaks. 

Here are the pros: You can either apply with a brush, or with your hands, rather than covering your bathroom in plastic, Dexter-style. Here are the cons: The product really works best on blonde hair of all tones. If you like the color this tinted conditioner dyes your hair, simply keep using it weekly to keep it going.  Otherwise, the unfussy hues will rinse out naturally after about eight washes.

Add ribbons of color to curly hair by scrunching in this tinted styling gel. Each of the five shades is particularly flattering on dark strands, which are usually reticent to hold color.

Most temporary formulas rinse out immediately, or stick around a tad longer than you might like. What's cool about this—which has to be applied to damp hair, with gloves—is that it lasts through a single wash, meaning you could likely stretch it a week. 

While these won't drastically change the color of your hair, they  can enhance the dye you already have going. Available in three colors—violet for blondes, teal for brunettes, or gold for adding warm to any hue—the idea is that you mix a few drops into any oil-based product you already use (most people opt for conditioner or a leave-in mask). The before and after pics on Sephora's website don't lie—the results are a richer, fuller color after just one wash, which is especially useful when we're all stretching time between visits to the colorist.  

This one isn't for the timid, but if you're eager to dye your hair a vivid, eye-catching shade that'll disappear in just a month or two, Arctic Fox is for you. Bonus: It's vegan and cruelty-free, and promises to nourish your hair while it colors it.

A gentle, pigmented conditioner that can be applied to wet or dry hair for a subtle wash of new color, or a refresh of dull tones. 

A tinted conditioning cleanser? Sign us up. Ideal for maintaining vibrancy on already-colored hair, it's gentle enough to brush on as frequently as you see fit. 

This striking paste delivers bold color to your strands without the time commitment. Perfect for parties, brunch, or just getting weird on Zoom calls, this dye gives you a bold new look until you decide to wash it out. 

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. 

These dyes are also super temporary—as in, they’ll wash out with your shampoo. But with shades ranging from copper, to red, to yellow, to violet, they’re the perfect little tool to give you subtle highlights on face-framing layers. Paint them over a small section of hair (they even show up on inky black and brunette strands), let dry for 15 minutes, and then live your life.

This one's not technically a temporary hair dye, but a coloring conditioner that injects a bold new shade into your hair with every wash. You just wash your hair as usual, leave the conditioner in for 10-15 minutes, and bingo. If you don't like your new color, just stop using the conditioner; if you love it, keep going.