10 Best Vegan Hair Dyes That Actually Work – 2023’s Top Picks
Ditch those chemical hair colors and shift to organic dyes that prevent hair damage.
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Color-dyed hair looks attractive. Many chemical-based color dyes are easily available in the market. But these color dyes may damage your hair if your hair is constantly exposed to those chemicals. This is why you can shift to using the best vegan hair dye that can dye your hair without damaging your hair strands, even if you use it in the long run. These vegan dyes are free from animal-derived ingredients and include only plant-based ingredients. In addition, they are available in different shades as well. Scroll down and take a look at our list of the 10 best hair dyes made with vegan ingredients.
In This Article
10 Best Vegan Hair Dyes
1. Best In Budget: ARCTIC FOX Semi Permanent Hair Color Dye
Image: Arctic Fox Do multiple hair color touch-ups without drilling a hole in your pocket with the ARCTIC FOX Semi Permanent Hair Color Dye. This dye is free of harsh chemicals and you can use it frequently without getting your hair damaged. Its color comes out well on pre-lightened hair and lasts up to 1 month. This highly pigmented dye does not drip and gives you a mess-free experience. You can mix it with a drop of iris green color from the same brand to make it fluorescent neon green. This semi-permanent dye does not smear off.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Sweet scent
- Ammonia-free
- Ethyl alcohol-free
- Phthalate-free
- GMO-free
Cons
None
Quick TipWash your hair with a clarifying shampoo a day before coloring to prevent product buildup and balance out the porosity of your hair follicles so that the color is absorbed evenly across strands.
2. Best Gray Hair Coverage:Revlon Total Color – 6R Light Auburn
Image: Revlon 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 and delivers natural-looking auburn tresses. 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
Image: Splat 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 for a glossy, salon-quality finish. 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
Pro TipPreserve your hair color by steering clear of heated styling tools and chlorine-filled swimming pools. Additionally, integrating sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners into your hair care regimen can further help to maintain the vibrancy of your color.
4. Best User-Friendly Product:Manic Panic Semi Permanent Hair Color Cream – Rock ‘N’ Roll Red
Image: Manic Panic 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 hair dye
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Stains a lot
5. Best Bleach-Free Formula:Lime Crime Unicorn Hair – Valentine
Image: Lime Crime 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
Image: Lunar Tides 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
Image: Good Dye 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 Herbal: Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel
Image: Herbatint The Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel is a natural solution made from 100% certified 8 natural extracts. With just one application, it can effectively cover all of your gray hair. It offers 36 different shades to choose from. In addition to its excellent color coverage, this brand contains plant-protein extracts that nourish your hair, leaving it soft and shiny. It’s an excellent choice for people with sensitive and flaky skin, as it does not lead to chemical build-up and has a gentle scent. The thick gel formula of this natural hair dye makes it easy to apply, making it a convenient solution for those seeking a natural and effective hair color.
Pros
- Ammonia-free
- Alcohol-free
- Reusable leftovers
- Paraben-free
- Fragrance-free
- Allergy-friendly
- Non-irritating formula
Cons
- Some shades may look darker than expected
9. Best Long-Lasting: Punky Color Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Color
Image: Punky The Punky Color Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Color sticks around for a long time and still remains vibrant, after multiple shampoos and showers. It is a non-damaging, non-toxic hair color that conditions your tresses and leaves them soft and healthy-looking. It is an affordable hair color, which gives you that bold blue shade that you have been wanting to achieve! The product uses a light formula that would not damage your hair and will leave it looking healthy and shiny. This anti-frizz formula smooths the tresses and it takes over 35 shampoo sessions to fade out, making the product long-lasting.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Prevents hair breakage
- Frizz-free formula
- Easy to use
- Long-lasting formula
- Affordable
- Non-GMO
- Paraben-free
- PPD-free
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
- Ammonia-free
- Environment-friendly
- Fade-resistant
Cons
None
10. Best Anti-Fade Formula:Crazy Color Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cream – Anarchy UV No. 76
Image: Crazy Color 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:
1. Plant-Based Formula: This is most commonly made with plant extracts from the leaves, stems, bark, fruits, or other parts of plants and are highly effective.
2. 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.
3. 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 labeled as semi-permanent which last for around 4-6 weeks, the other which aren’t labeled 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 labeled 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:
- May Cause Cancer: Using chemical hair dyes may increase the chances of developing lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. A study analyzed 2,302 cases of lymphoid neoplasms (an abnormal mass of lymphocytic cell population) and found that people who used hair dyes more than 12 times a year had a higher risk of lymphoma. However, the compounds responsible for cancer were not explained in the study (1).
- May Cause Allergic Reactions: The chemicals in the hair dye may irritate the scalp and cause irritation, redness, itching, and other allergic reactions. It may eventually cause hair loss.
- Dry Out The Hair: The ammonia in chemical hair dyes swells up the hair cuticles, causing extensive hair damage. It weakens the hair bonds, causing hair breakage, dryness, and split ends.
Infographic: Vegan Hair Dye: How To Choose And Key Ingredients
Vegan hair dyes are your best bet if you want to try out varied hair colors but fear hair damage. They are usually made of organic ingredients that are potentially harmless. To know about these hair dyes, take a look at the infographic below, which deals with the key ingredients and certain factors that one must consider before choosing a brand for their next hair styling session. Keep scrolling! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.
Download Infographic
The Bottom Line
The best part of vegan hair dyes is that innocent animals haven’t been killed or tortured to curate them. These products include natural or organic ingredients that offer long-lasting effects. The Arctic Fox Semi Permanent Hair Color Dye is a non-drip formula that does not damage your hair, while the Splat No Bleach Kit – Midnight Tanzanite helps you change your hair color without bleaching. The Manic Panic Semi Permanent Hair Color Cream is gentle on the hair and lasts for several weeks. Many of these products are free of parabens, sulfate, phthalate, and mineral oils. After checking the product descriptions and reviews, choose those dyes that provide full grey coverage and won’t damage your tresses. Steer clear of products that might stain the scalp or fade away quicker than expected.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Sources
Stylecraze has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- 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/
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