Hair dye has become an increasingly popular way for people to express themselves and change up their look. Splat hair dye is one brand that has gained a lot of attention, particularly among teens and young adults looking for vivid, eye-catching colors. But does Splat actually work well or is it all hype? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Splat hair dye reviews to see if it really works and lives up to its reputation.
Splat Hair Dye Overview
Splat hair dye first launched in the 1990s and was one of the early semi-permanent hair dyes that provided bright, unconventional colors like blue, pink, purple and green. The brand has expanded over the years and now offers over 15 shades of hair dye in various colors and vibrancies.
Here are some quick facts about Splat hair dye:
- Made by a company called All Goodz Industries
- Designed to work on all hair types including virgin, color-treated and bleached hair
- Uses direct dyes rather than oxidative dyes so doesn’t require developer
- Semi-permanent formula that washes out over 4-8 weeks
- Free of peroxide, ammonia and alcohol
- Vegan and cruelty-free
The formula is designed to gently coat the hair for vivid color that doesn’t damage or dry out the hair. Splat states its dyes are non-damaging and don’t require a bleaching or preparation process. The ready-to-use formula simply needs to be applied to clean, dry hair.
How to Use Splat Hair Dye
Using Splat hair dye is a relatively straightforward process. Here are some tips for applying it:
- Start with clean, dry hair. Don’t use conditioner prior as it can act as a barrier.
- Put on gloves and an old shirt you don’t mind getting stained.
- Shake the container well before using.
- Apply petroleum jelly around hairline and ears to avoid staining skin.
- Separate hair into sections and use applicator brush to apply dye from roots to ends.
- Let sit for 45 mins up to 2 hours for maximum vibrancy.
- Rinse until water runs clear.
- Shampoo and condition as normal.
- Avoid washing hair for 1-2 days after to let the color set.
It’s also recommended to strand test a small section of hair first to test for any allergic reaction before applying all over.
Splat Hair Dye Reviews
Now that we know the background about Splat, let’s look at some real user reviews to see if it works well and lives up to expectations.
Positive Reviews
There are many positive Splat hair dye reviews from people who achieved bright, vivid coloring with no issues:
- Easy to apply and didn’t irritate scalp
- Bright, intense shades as shown on the box
- Long-lasting – over a month before fading
- Didn’t dry out or damage hair
- Good value for money compared to salon dye jobs
Many teens and younger users mention liking the fun colors for festivals, costumes and experimenting with different colorful looks. Older reviewers also said it worked well and gave them vibrant coverage to cover greys.
Negative Reviews
There are also some negative reviews from users reporting issues with Splat dye:
- Didn’t take to hair as bright as expected
- Stained scalp and was difficult to wash off skin
- Caused dryness, breakage and damage to hair
- Unpleasant chemical smell
- Allergic reactions like itching and burning
Many complaints seem to be around the formula being overly drying and damaging to the hair, especially for people who bleach or lighten their hair before dyeing. The staining of skin is another big complaint, suggesting the dyes may not be rinsed out fully during application.
Key Factors Impacting Performance
Based on reviews, there seem to be some key factors that impact how well Splat works on different people’s hair:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Hair condition | Healthier virgin and conditioned hair had best results. More damage and dryness on bleached or brittle hair. |
| Desired vibrancy | Needs to be left on 45+ mins for brighter color. Quick rinses gave more subtle tint. |
| Hair type | Works best on lighter hair. More faded or uneven results on darker hair. |
| Application technique | Proper sectioning, saturation and cleanup helps avoid patchiness and skin staining. |
This indicates the results can vary quite a bit depending on the individual’s hair condition and dyeing techniques. When used correctly it seems Splat can give bright lasting color, but people may run into issues if trying to use it improperly or on damaged hair.
Best Splat Hair Dye Colors
Within the Splat brand, some colors seem to get better reviews and results than others. Here are some of the best Splat shades according to reviews:
Purple Shades
- Lavender – Soft pastel purple that builds well for a subtle look.
- Purple Desire – Richer, deeper purple for a more striking look.
- Plum – Darker shade close to a violet/burgundy.
Blue Shades
- Blue Envy – Classic mid-range blue that applies evenly.
- Atomic Turquoise – Vibrant neon blue/green that pops.
- Denim – Darker blue more like traditional denim jeans.
Pink Shades
- Magenta Madness – Deep pink shade with strong color payoff.
- Fuchsia Shock – Bright pink for a playful look.
- Crimson Red – For a vibrant redhead look.
While not every shade is loved universally, these seem to have a good track record of coming out nicely on most people’s hair when used correctly.
Making Splat Dye Work Better
Here are some tips and tricks users recommend for making Splat work and look its best:
- Lighten hair first – Splat shows up most vibrant on light blonde to medium brown hair. Bleaching first helps the colors pop.
- Shampoo thoroughly – Remove all traces of oils and conditioners so the dye adheres best.
- Apply thickly – Saturate hair thoroughly focusing on the ends.
- Leave on long enough – At least 45 mins, up to 2 hours for very bright shades.
- Rinse carefully – Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear. Check behind ears and neck for any leftover dye.
- Use sulfate-free shampoo – Helps extend the lifespan of the color.
- Use cooling toners – Can help prevent drying and damage to already fragile hair.
Using these best practices can help maximize the vibrancy and longevity of Splat dye while minimizing the risk of damage and unwanted fading.
How Long Does Splat Hair Dye Last?
As a semi-permanent dye, Splat doesn’t last forever. Here’s an overview of how long it tends to last:
- With no fading: 2-4 weeks
- Before major fading: 4-6 weeks
- Total lifespan: 4-10 weeks
The dye molecules gradually wash out over time with shampooing. Warmer water and clarifying shampoos speed up the process. Cooler water and sulfate-free formulas can help extend the color a bit longer.
New growth coming in at the roots will also be obvious as early as 2-3 weeks as your natural color starts to show through. So expect to need touch ups around every 4-6 weeks if trying to maintain full color vibrancy.
Does Splat Damage Hair?
Whether Splat damages hair or not depends on a few factors.
The dye itself is designed to be conditioning and gentle on hair. But some users still report dryness after prolonged use. This is likely because:
- Repeated dyeing can dry out hair over time
- Ingredients may still be drying for some
- Lightening hair first causes chemical damage
- Overlapping with other chemicals like bleach causes added stress
So while Splat aims to be a gentle formula, it can still contribute to cumulative damage done to hair. It’s best to give hair recovery time between dye sessions. And minimize damage by not overlapping chemical processes, using conditioning treatments, avoiding hot tools, and getting occasional trims.
Does Splat Fade Nicely?
The fading effect of Splat varies quite a bit depending on the original shade.
For darker shades like blues, purples and browns, the fading is usually subtle and graceful. As the color washes out, it simply becomes a more pastel and muted version of itself.
But brighter pinks, reds and oranges are trickier. These tend to fade unevenly into weird hues of green or yellow.
| Original Shade | Faded Shade |
|---|---|
| Bright pink | Dull greenish hue |
| Vibrant red | Yellow/orange brassiness |
To keep these colors looking their best, be prepared to do more frequent touch ups. Or transition strategically into a darker shade as it fades.
Conclusion
Does Splat hair dye work well? Overall, the reviews indicate that Splat can deliver vibrant, semi-permanent color when used correctly. The formula itself seems relatively gentle compared to bleach and permanent dye. But user error and misuse can still damage hair. To get good results, focus on proper prep and application techniques. Healthier virgin hair shows the true vibrancy better than damaged hair. Manage expectations on longevity and fading. Touch ups every 4-6 weeks can help maintain the color. Take proper aftercare steps to maximize color retention too. While not universally loved, Splat creates fun and expressive looks when used strategically.