Transforming your hair from dull to lustrous is effortless now. There are various hair dyes claiming to make your hair vibrant, however many of them are chemical-based options that can wreak havoc on your mane. So it's time to choose the best vegan hair dyes available online. Unlike their chemical counterparts, these vegan dyes work wonders without compromising your hair's health. Crafted from plant-based ingredients, they steer clear of any animal-derived elements and harmful ammonia, ensuring your eyes and skin remain irritation-free. 

What sets these vegan dyes apart is their innovative formulas and soothing natural components. Hence, you can enjoy flawless and smooth results every time. Our research has led us to compile a comprehensive list of the best at-home vegan hair dye options for every hair type. Whether you fancy green, purple, red, or pink, our selection covers a diverse range of vegan hair colors. These dyes not only offer a vibrant rainbow of shades but also boast hair-friendly ingredients and varying levels of permanency. You have the flexibility to tailor your choice according to your preferences. Furthermore, they provide salon-worthy results well under your budget. So, scroll down and explore our curated list of the top vegan hair dyes.

• 1
  Best Overall

  ARCTIC FOX Semi-Permanent Hair Color

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Transform your hair color affordably with ARCTIC FOX Semi Permanent Hair Color Dye, which offers a wide range of vibrant shades for your adventurous spirit. This Iridis Green shade has a lush grassy hue and shines best on pre-lightened level 8 or lighter hair. It's crafted from 100% natural vegan ingredients and is free from harsh chemicals like peroxide and ammonia. This DIY hair color is gentle, conditioned, and highly pigmented.  Our team found that it not only treats hair gently but also boasts stain-resistant, long-lasting qualities, leaving your hair vibrant,  hydrated, and healthy.

2

Most User-friendly

MANIC PANIC Rock 'N' Roll® Red - Classic High Voltage®

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For warm and vibrant red hair, the Classic High Voltage dye by Rock N Roll should be your first choice. This brand lets you blend different dyes, creating your unique shade with mixable colors. This vegan semi-permanent hair color choice works well for pre-lightened hair at level 8 and is also suitable for medium to light brown hair shades. If you have short hair to bob length, one bottle is enough. For shoulder to waist length, you'll need 2 and if your hair is longer than that, go for 3 or more. This red vegan hair dye lasts 4-6 weeks without penetrating your hair cortex, preserving your bold look damage-free.

Quick Tip:

Wash your hair with a mild cleanser and dry using a blow dryer. Apply this dye using a brush and comb through the hair to make sure it is evenly applied. Wear a shower cap and rinse it off after 30 minutes.

3

Best Long-lasting

Naturtint Permanent Hair Color Gel - 4N Natural Chestnut

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This vegan permanent hair dye is certified by the USDA BioPreferred® Program, ensuring it's natural and safe. It's packed with ingredients like oleic acid derived from olives and meadowfoam seed oil that adds shine. Plus, it's enriched with organic shea butter, quinoa, and baobab proteins. These ingredients are rich in vitamins and fatty acids that can deeply nourish and moisturize your hair. This at-home hair color provides 100% grey hair coverage and gives natural, long-lasting results. In addition, it delivers safe color, exceptional softness, and a glossy finish effortlessly.

4

Best Fragrance

Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Full Coverage

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This DIY hair dye from Lime Crime is easy to apply. It offers long-lasting vibrancy while fading gradually over time. With 30+ trendy shades, this vegan range lets you express yourself boldly. Moreover, these dyes are enriched with conditioning agents that enhance shine and provide moisture to your hair. In our tests, the Lipstick (Pink-Red) shade proved its vibrancy and would be great on pre-bleached platinum to medium blonde hair. This Unicorn Hair Full Coverage dye is highly pigmented and also comes with a delicious sugary smell. Its damage-free formula is ideal for achieving vibrant and shiny hair.

5

Best Gray Coverage

Revlon Total Color - 6R Light Auburn

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This dermatologist-approved hair dye from Revlon is known for its efficacy. It's packed with nourishing ingredients like hemp seed oil and camellia oil that ensure vibrancy and nourishment. The formulation covers stubborn grays and gives long-lasting results for up to 6 weeks without touch-ups. When we tested, Light Auburn worked as a perfect shade on light hair, delivering a natural-looking auburn hue. However, on darker hair, it might result in a deeper reddish-brown tone. This hair dye comes in an affordable range and is a convenient option for mess-free hair coloring at home.

6

Best Pigmentation

Lunar Tides Hair Dye - Fuchsia Pink

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Experience long-lasting and rich hair color with Lunar Tides Hair Dye's highly pigmented formula. This semi-permanent dye, available in the striking Fuchsia Pink shade, delivers stunning pink hues for light hair and deep violet tones for dark hair. This product is enriched with hydrating components such as hydrolyzed oats and rice proteins, making it gentle on your hair. What's even better is its non-damaging formula, and it doesn't need a developer, making the application a breeze. In just 20-30 minutes, this hydrating and gentle dye deposits brilliant color on your hair, without disrupting your hair shaft or melanin content.

7

Best Nourishing Dye

XMONDO Color - Sapphire Color Depositing Mask

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The semi-permanent color depositing mask from Xmondo is your all-in-one solution for hair transformation. This innovative mask not only imparts high-quality, vibrant pigments but also enhances hair health and amplifies shine for a lasting effect. It's enriched with hair-friendly ingredients to provide ultimate hydration to your mane. This sapphire color hair mask, specifically designed for blondes and light brunettes gives a bright and lively blue shade.

8

Best for Sensitive Skin

Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel

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Crafted with natural extracts, the Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel effectively conceals all your gray hair with just one application. You can choose from a variety of shades and experience odorless and even hair color application with their N (Natural) series. Enriched with plant-protein extracts, this hair color not only ensures excellent coverage but also leaves your hair irresistibly soft and shiny. During our testing, we discovered that its thick gel formula makes application a breeze. Furthermore, the brand prioritizes health-conscious consumers, providing a seamless blend of convenience and hair care.

9

Most Affordable

Splat Midnight Tanzanite Complete Hair Dye Kit

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This electric and vibrant color dye from Splat offers a revolutionary way to transform your hair without any damage. Its super gentle formulation is packed with natural ingredients like quinoa to make your hair strong and hydrated. This stunning Midnight Tanzanite shade adds a vibrant purple hue, which is perfect for brunettes and blondes. Also, no pre-bleaching is required and thus your hair stays safe while you play with bold colors. The kit includes everything — the dye, gloves, instruction sheet, and a deep conditioner for extra care. Thus, whether you're going for subtle highlights or a fully global, this kit will give you that salon-like glossy hair color right at home.

10

Most Easy Application

Adore Semi Permanent Hair Color

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The semi-permanent range from Adore has a variety of unique shades, all made from natural ingredients. These dyes contain no ammonia, drying alcohols, or peroxide, ensuring a gentle touch for your hair. Furthermore, it's packed with hydrating elements that not only add vibrant colors but also enhance shine, leaving your hair soft and silky. This light pink shade in this range intensifies your hair's vibrancy, giving each strand a burst of rich color. For light blondes, it creates a lovely cotton candy effect, while on dark browns, it turns into a deep pink hue.

Embracing a vegan lifestyle is wonderful, but finding the perfect vegan hair care products can be a bit tricky. It's important to understand your hair type and what you need. Also, think about the color you want and make sure the dye matches your specific requirements and ethical values. Here are some tips to help you pick the best vegan hair dye for you.

1. Plant-based Ingredients

Before buying a hair dye, make sure to check the ingredients list to ensure it's vegan. Natural hair dyes generally contain stuff like plant extracts, oils, and minerals. Plant-based dyes use extracts from stems, fruits, leaves, bark, and more to make bright colors. They're kind to your hair and the planet. Keep an eye out for ingredients like henna powder, aloe, sunflower extracts, baobab, or avocado; they give your hair vibrant colors and a nourishing experience.

2. Oil-based Formula

Vegan hair dyes that use oils like coconut, jojoba, or argan are super gentle. They mix these oils with natural ingredients like coffee or green tea to change hair color. These oils not only color your hair but also make it soft and shiny. Plus, they're fantastic for dry or damaged hair because they hydrate while adding color. So, your hair not only looks great but also feels healthy and moisturized. 

3. Mineral-based Formula

These vegan dyes use minerals like iron oxide to create strong, enduring colors. They last a long time and suit different hair types. These dyes give vibrant shades without harmful synthetic chemicals, which is why many people who prefer vegan hair dyes love them.

4. Ingredients to Avoid 

When you're going for a vegan hair product, steer clear of animal-based stuff like keratin, honey, or guanine. Typically, vegan dyes avoid using peroxide or ammonia. To keep your hair healthy, it's also wise to avoid parabens, silicone, or sulfates. Plus, check for any allergies you might have, like soy or gluten, to be safe.

5. Ensure It Is Long-lasting

Think about how long you want the color to stay in your hair. Some vegan dyes give a short-term color and are great for trying out new shades. These are usually called semi-permanent and last about 4-6 weeks. There are others, not labeled as such, which should last even longer, around 1-3 months. To make any color last longer, use sulfate-free shampoos and protective conditioners. These simple steps can help your color stay vibrant and beautiful for a longer time.

6. Ease Of Use

Choose a hair dye that's simple to use without any tricky steps. Check if it needs pre-lightening, which might be crucial depending on your hair color. Also, when you're picking a vegan hair dye, go for ones that are easy to use. Look out for thick gels or creams. These are great because they usually come with simple instructions, making the process smooth. Make sure the dye won't stain your skin or drip, keeping things mess-free and stress-free while you color your hair.

7. Vegan Validation

Make sure the hair dye has a certified vegan logo from a well-known organization. You can find these logos from vegan societies on the packaging. In addition to vegan certifications, check for Leaping Bunny or PETA stamps on the product. These symbols indicate that the product is not only vegan but also cruelty-free, ensuring it hasn't been tested on animals. This certification assures you that the product is animal-friendly and matches your ethical beliefs.

When you use permanent or demipermanent hair dye or bleach, it triggers a chemical reaction. This reaction lifts protective proteins in your hair, allowing the dye to change the chemical structure and color of your hair strands. Let's see how it impacts hair and health. 

Harmful Chemical Ingredients

Most chemical hair dyes contain ingredients like ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and PPD derived from coal tar and petrochemicals. These substances can harm your hair and overall health. For example, ammonia in dyes swells hair cuticles, causing dryness, split ends, and breakage. This weakens hair bonds, leading to extensive damage.

1. Hair Damage: Temporary dyes don’t deeply penetrate your hair but they can still damage it. On the other hand, permanent and demi-permanent dyes change your hair's protein structure, leading to potential side effects such as reduced strength, thickness, and heat tolerance. 

2. Cancer Risk: Studies have found out that frequent use of chemical hair dyes might increase the risk of certain cancers, although specific compounds responsible for this aren’t fully understood (study published in the PubMed).

3. Allergic Reactions: Hair dye chemicals, especially PPD, can irritate the scalp, leading to redness, itching, and hair loss. Also, some people are more prone to allergic reactions when it comes to chemical dyes.