In today’s world, more and more people are looking for ways to change up their hair color without causing excessive damage. Using hair wax dyes allows you to temporarily transform your locks into a vibrant new shade. Hair wax dyes are semi-permanent dyes that coat the outside of your strands, so they don’t penetrate the cortex the way permanent dyes do. This makes them gentler on your hair. Wax-based dyes wash out over 4-10 shampoos, letting you test drive fun colors without a lengthy commitment.
But with so many hair wax dye options on the market, how do you choose the right one? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to find the best hair wax dye for you.
How Do Hair Wax Dyes Work?
Hair wax dyes contain pigments suspended in a waxy base. When you apply the product to your hair, the waxy formula coats the outside of your strands in color. Because wax dyes don’t penetrate the hair shaft, the color remains on the surface and gradually fades over several washes as the waxy coating dissipates.
These dyes are semi-permanent, typically lasting 4-10 shampoos depending on your hair type. Those with dry or damaged hair may retain the color a bit longer since porous strands absorb more of the dye. Normal shampooing will slowly strip the color over time.
You’ll get the most vivid results by applying hair wax dyes to pre-lightened or bleached hair. They can also work well to touch up permanent hair color between salon visits.
Benefits of Hair Wax Dyes
Here are some of the advantages that make hair wax dyes a great option:
- Less damaging to hair – Since they only coat the outside of your hair, wax dyes are less damaging than permanent options that penetrate the cortex.
- Easy to apply – Hair wax dyes typically come in a tub or tube for easy application at home.
- Fun colors – These dyes allow you to experiment with vibrant shades from pastels to neons.
- Temporary – The color washes out gradually over several shampoos so you can switch up your look.
- No long-term commitment – You can test out bright shades without being stuck with them for months.
- Can be layered on top of permanent color – Use wax dyes to refresh permanent hair color between salon appointments.
- More affordable – Hair wax dyes are cheaper than getting multiple professional dye jobs.
What to Look for in a Hair Wax Dye
With so many options on the market, here are the key factors to consider when shopping for a hair wax dye:
Color Range
Look for a brand that offers a wide range of colors and shades. Options like Manic Panic and Lime Crime have over 20 shades from natural hues to bold neon brights.
Formula
The formula should be creamy but not too greasy. It needs to be thick enough to coat your hair evenly. Avoid runny or overly stiff formulas that are hard to apply.
Non-damaging
Ensure the dye is free of harsh ingredients like peroxide or ammonia that damage hair. It should be conditioning to counteract any drying effect from the wax base.
Fades Evenly
The color should fade out smoothly and evenly over washes, not leaving random splotches of color behind.
Easy To Apply
Look for a wax dye that glides easily onto your hair for simple application. The packaging should make the product easy to distribute through your strands.
Intensity
If you want really bold, vivid color, go for options advertised as “high intensity.” Pastel shades will show up better on pre-lightened hair.
Long-Lasting
For longer wear, opt for a hair wax dye that claims to last 8-10 washes or more.
How To Apply Hair Wax Dye
Here are some tips for applying hair wax dye:
- Start with clean, dry hair. Any product residue or oils can inhibit the dye.
- Put on gloves. The dyes can stain your hands.
- Divide your hair into sections. Work in 1-2 inch sections for the easiest application.
- Scoop out a dollop of dye. Use the applicator or a tinting brush to distribute it evenly from roots to ends.
- Massage the dye into your hair. Ensure every strand is fully coated for vibrant, even results.
- Let the dye sit for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
- Shampoo and condition as usual. Be sure to wash your hands after rinsing out the dye.
- Style as desired. Let your freshly colored locks air dry or blow them out smooth.
It’s always smart to do an allergy test 48 hours before your first application. Just dab a bit of dye on your inner elbow and check for any reaction.
How Long Does Hair Wax Dye Last?
On average, hair wax dyes last for 4-8 shampoos, depending on the formula and your hair type. Pastel shades tend to wash out faster than darker or brighter pigments. Very dry or damaged hair may hold onto the color for up to 10 washes since the wax coating soaks in more.
Certain brands use technology to extend the life of hair wax dyes. Manic Panic High Voltage, for example, utilizes cationic and humectant ingredients to make the color last up to 6 weeks. Using a sulfate-free shampoo helps lock in hair color for longer wear.
Best Hair Wax Dye Brands
Now that you know what to look for, here are our picks for the top hair wax dye brands on the market:
Manic Panic
One of the most iconic brands, Manic Panic offers the classic vibrant punk rock colors it’s known for. Their dyes are vegan, cruelty-free and last up to 6 weeks for extended wear.
Lime Crime
For gorgeously saturated neons, check out Lime Crime’s Unicorn Hair dyes. They have both full coverage and sheer tint options for over 25 unique shades.
Arctic Fox
This brand features a proprietary fade-resistant formula for extra long wear. They have versatile mix of bold brights and pastels.
Iroiro
Iroiro has one of the largest color selections with over 45 vivid dyes. Their coconut oil-enriched formula leaves hair soft.
Manic Panic High Voltage
An upgraded version of their classic formula, High Voltage dyes offer next-level vividness and staying power for up to 6 weeks.
Punky Colour
Punky Colour delivers rich, salon-quality results without the damage. Their dyes are vegan and come in a huge range of shades.
Best Hair Wax Dyes for Bright Vivid Colors
If you’re looking to make a bold statement, these hair wax dyes deliver the most vibrant, electric shades:
| Brand | Best Bright Shades |
|---|---|
| Manic Panic | Electric Lizard, Electric Amethyst, Ultra Violet |
| Lime Crime | Anime, Salad, Gummy Bear |
| Arctic Fox | Virgin Pink, Sunset Orange, Poison |
| Iroiro | Neon Red, Neon Yellow, Neon Blue |
| Special Effects | Nuclear Red, Sonic Blue, Hi-Octane Orange |
Best Hair Wax Dyes for Pastels
Want a softer, more whimsical look? These brands offer gorgeous shimmery pastels:
| Brand | Best Pastel Shades |
|---|---|
| Lime Crime | Cloud, Pony, Bunny |
| Manic Panic | Frosé, Blushing Bride, Cotton Candy |
| Arctic Fox | Purple Rain, Angel, Cosmic Sunshine |
| Iroiro | Pastel Mint, Baby Pink, Lilac |
| Lunar Tides | Apricot, Cotton Candy, Bubblegum |
Best Hair Wax Dyes for Natural Colors
If you want to enhance your natural shade with subtle dimension, try these hair wax dyes:
| Brand | Best Natural Shades for: |
|---|---|
| Clairol Natural Instincts | Blondes, brunettes, redheads, grey coverage |
| Overtone | Brown, black, blonde, ginger, grey |
| Bigen Semi-Permanent | Black, medium brown, dark brown, light brown |
| Lunar Tides | Smokey Silver, Chocolate Brown, Dark Red |
Best Hair Wax Dyes for Dark Hair
Those with dark strands can still experiment with fun colors using these hair wax dyes made for brunettes:
| Brand | Best Dark Shades |
|---|---|
| Punky Colour | Purple, Violet, Plum |
| Manic Panic | Raven, Enchanted Forest, Blue Moon |
| Special Effects | Deep Purple, Siren’s Song, Blue Haired Freak |
| Joico Color Intensity | Sapphire Blue, Mermaid Blue, Amethyst Purple |
Conclusion
Hair wax dyes offer an easy, damage-free way to temporarily transform your tresses. Key tips for success include lightening your hair first for bolder results, doing an allergy test, and applying dye to clean, dry hair section-by-section. Let the wax dye work its magic for 15-20 minutes before rinsing.
From neon brights to soft pastels, brands like Manic Panic, Arctic Fox, and Lime Crime offer just about every shade imaginable. For more natural or darker colors, try options from Clairol, Overtone, and Joico. With the wide range of hair wax dyes now available, you can rock a different stunning shade every week!
