Temporary, permanent, semi-permanent, demi-permanent. Conditioning, low ammonia, no ammonia, peroxide free. I don't know about anyone else, but when I go down the dye aisle, my head starts to spin. Do I want triple the highlights, or natural lowlights? Do I want a cherry chocolate, or a chocolate cherry? It's all terribly confusing. Which is why I will attempt to explain it all, as well as name products and give reviews where I can.

Temporary Hair Dye

Temporary dye is a dye that will wash out with one shampoo. It generally is an aerosol spray, and it doesn't really show up on darker hair. It also comes in a product called hair mascara. Hair mascara is in a tube just like lash mascara. It has the same type of brush, but a bit larger. You simply take the piece of hair you want to color and run the brush through it. It shows up a little better on darker hair. It's better for streaking, not all-over color. Recently, a lot of cosmetic companies have come out with colored spiking glue. The spiking glue can be used just like pomade and gel, and it washes out in one wash. It shows up much better on darker hair than the spray or mascara.

Temporary Dyes

Semi-Permanent Hair Dyes

Semi-permanent hair dyes are designed to last about 3-6 weeks. Most unnatural hair dyes are semi-permanent. Even though it says it's not permanent, that's no guarantee that it will wash out. Generally it does wash out if you applied it over unbleached hair, but if you bleach your hair, it's likely that you're never getting that color out all the way.

Semi-Permanent Dyes

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Demi-Permanent Hair Dye

Demi-permanent dye lasts a little bit longer than semi-permanent. It is supposed to wash out anywhere between 8 and 12 weeks. I only know of one demi-permanent brand that is sold in the US. It's called Raw, and it's sold at Hot Topic.

Raw Color

Permanent Hair Dye

Permanent dye is, well, permanent. Permanent dye will fade, but never wash out completely. There are a few permanent unnatural colors out on the US market. There are millions of natural colors out, too.

Permanent Dyes

Hair Bleach

Hair bleach strips your hair of all its color. When left in long enough, it will leave your hair a pale blonde color. Some people can't achieve a very pale blonde. If your hair is very dark, it's hard to get extremely light results. Bleach ravages your hair. It is very important to condition your hair after you bleach it, or you risk having it break off.

Bleaches