oVertone hair color has become a popular semi-permanent hair dye option for people looking to temporarily change their hair color without fully committing to a permanent dye. Many people considering oVertone have questions about how long the color lasts and whether it washes out of hair easily. Here is a detailed look at what oVertone hair color is, whether it washes out, and tips for making it last longer or fade faster.
What is oVertone?
oVertone is a demi-permanent hair color company that offers conditioner-like hair dye products for temporarily coloring hair. The company sells a range of dye conditioners for all hair colors including shades of brown, blonde, red, purple, blue, green, pink, orange, black, and more.
oVertone hair colors are deposited onto the hair cuticle only and do not penetrate the hair shaft like permanent hair dyes. This makes the colors less damaging for hair than permanent color while still temporarily changing the tone and color.
Some key things to know about oVertone hair color include:
- Made with natural plant-based pigments
- Free of harsh chemicals like ammonia and peroxide
- Available in over 60 mixable shades
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Can be mixed to create custom color tones
- Lasts for up to 12 washes typically
oVertone offers hair colors for all hair types and textures. The company sells products for color-treated, virgin, and natural hair. The conditioner-like formula is meant to keep hair hydrated while depositing color pigments.
Does oVertone Wash Out of Hair?
Yes, oVertone hair color will gradually wash out of hair over time. However, it does not wash out immediately in just 1-2 washes like a temporary hair color rinse.
oVertone is considered a demi-permanent hair dye. This means the color molecules are larger than temporary rinses so they remain trapped between the cuticle layers for longer. But unlike permanent hair dye, oVertone does not alter the hair shaft so the color will fade.
Most oVertone users can expect the hair color to last through 8-15 washes typically. It will gradually fade with each wash rather than completely stripping out all at once. Factors like your hair type, washing frequency, and the oVertone color you choose impact the lifespan.
How Long Does oVertone Last?
On average, you can expect oVertone hair color to last:
- 8-12 washes on color-treated hair
- 10-15 washes on virgin hair
- 4-8 washes on naturally gray hair
These ranges depend on a variety of factors. Porosity, texture, density, and other attributes of your hair type and condition will affect oVertone’s longevity. Environment and washing frequency also play a role.
Factors That Affect How Long oVertone Lasts
Here are some of the key factors that influence how long oVertone hair color lasts on hair before fading:
- Hair porosity – More porous hair will hold onto color shorter than hair with tight, smooth cuticles.
- Hair texture – Smoother, straighter hair tends to hold color longer than very curly and coily hair types.
- Environment – Sun, salt water, and chlorine can cause faster fading.
- Washing frequency – Frequent washing and shampooing will quicken fading.
- Hair condition – Dry, damaged hair fades faster than healthy, well-moisturized hair.
- oVertone color – Darker shades typically last longer than lighter colors.
- Product buildup – Using lots of styling products can shorten oVertone’s longevity.
How to Make oVertone Last Longer
You can help extend the lifespan of oVertone hair color by following some best practices:
1. Limit washing
Don’t wash your hair more than every 2-3 days if possible. This gives the oVertone color molecules more time to adhere before being rinsed away.
2. Use cold water
Wash hair with the coolest temperature water you can tolerate. Hot water opens cuticles, causing faster fading.
3. Use sulfate-free shampoo
Sulfate-free shampoos help lock in hair color longer. Opt for a gentle, hydrating formula.
4. Add oVertone to conditioner
Mix a bit of oVertone into your regular conditioner to deposit more color each time you condition.
5. Apply oVertone touch-up
Reapply oVertone 1-2 times per week as a refresher to boost color vibrancy and longevity.
6. Protect hair from sun
Limit sun exposure and wear a hat to prevent UV light from speeding up fading.
7. Avoid chlorine and salt
Chlorine from pools and salt from ocean water can strip oVertone color faster. Wet hair before swimming and rinse after.
8. Use a color-protecting shampoo
Look for shampoos with melanin, keratin, or sunflower seed extract to lock in hair color.
9. Skip hot tools
Limit use of hot styling tools like curling irons and blow dryers to prevent color fading.
10. Deep condition weekly
Nourish and protect hair with weekly deep conditioning masks.
How to Remove oVertone Color
If you want to speed up fading of the oVertone color, here are some tips:
Use clarifying shampoo
Clarifying shampoos are formulated to deep clean and remove buildup from hair and scalp. Using a clarifying shampoo a few times per week will help strip out oVertone color molecules faster.
Try anti-dandruff shampoo
Look for an anti-dandruff shampoo with zinc pyrithione as the active ingredient. This helps lift stain molecules from the hair.
Use vitamin C treatment
Make a paste with vitamin C powder and water and apply to dry hair. Let sit 30 minutes before washing out. The vitamin C works to oxidize and remove color.
Try baking soda soak
Make a solution with 1 tbsp baking soda and 1 cup warm water. Apply to damp hair, massaging into roots and lengths. Let sit 5 minutes before rinsing.
Use clarifying treatment
An intensive clarifying and chelating treatment like Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Kit can help draw out oVertone quickly.
Get a bleach bath
As a last resort, book a bleach bath at your salon. This safely lightens hair just a few shades to help remove the oVertone color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does oVertone completely wash out?
Yes, oVertone is not a permanent hair dye so it will completely fade from hair over time. Most users see the color wash out over 8-15 washes.
Does oVertone damage hair?
No, oVertone is a gentle semi-permanent color that conditions hair while depositing color. It does not contain harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia so it does not damage the hair.
Can you bleach over oVertone?
Yes, you can safely bleach or color-treat hair that has been colored with oVertone. Since it is deposited only on the cuticle, it will not block lighteners or permanent color from penetrating the hair shaft.
Does oVertone fade evenly?
oVertone tends to fade evenly from root to ends in most cases. However, the ends of the hair are often more porous and prone to faster fading in some hair types.
Does oVertone work on natural hair?
Yes, oVertone can be used on natural Black hair but the color payoff may be lighter. Using their Extreme formulas for darker shades can help the color take better on natural hair.
Conclusion
oVertone offers a fun, low-commitment way to temporarily change your hair color without damage. The demi-permanent formula washes out over time, lasting about 8-15 shampoos on average. Factors like your hair type, washing frequency, and chosen color impact its longevity. While oVertone isn’t permanent, you can make it last longer with some simple tips. And when you’re ready to go back to your natural color, there are ways to help speed up the fading process as well.
| Hair Type | Average Duration |
|---|---|
| Color-Treated Hair | 8-12 washes |
| Virgin Hair | 10-15 washes |
| Naturally Gray Hair | 4-8 washes |
Tips to Extend Duration
- Wash hair less frequently
- Use cool water when washing
- Use sulfate-free shampoo
- Mix oVertone into conditioner
- Apply oVertone touch-ups
- Protect hair from sun
- Avoid chlorine and salt water
- Use color-protecting products
- Limit use of hot styling tools
- Deep condition hair weekly
Methods to Speed Up Fading
- Use a clarifying shampoo
- Wash with anti-dandruff shampoo
- Try a vitamin C treatment
- Soak hair in baking soda solution
- Use a clarifying treatment
- Get a professional bleach bath
