Over the years, I have grown my passion for hair by attending classes and becoming a certified stylist. Having my salon has allowed me to work on a variety of colors and cuts. I have witnessed first-hand the positive effects of using quality dyes on hair.
Types of Blue Dye
There are so many shades of blue that you can choose from. the most common ones, some of which I have included in this review, are:
- Cobalt
- Midnight blue
- Dark blue
- Electric blue
- Teal
- Navy blue
- Ice blue
- Stormy ocean blue
- Cloud blue
Aside from the tens of shades for this color, the length of time such dye lasts in your hair also varies. Here are the four types of dyes based on how long they last:
- Temporary – coloring hair blue for a night, or trying out a new look before you decide to commit to it are two reasons why you should use temporary dye. Such dyes fade out after the first wash, and gradually disappear by the third wash. If kept unwashed, such dye will last a little longer but eventually fade completely by the second week.
- Semi-permanent – if you are looking to dye hair without causing too much damage, the semi-permanent dye will work for you. It does not penetrate the hair strands the way permanent dye does. Instead, it coats the strands. After about 7 washes, this dye starts to fade. By the 12th wash, it has faded completely. Most of the dyes I have included in this review are semi-permanent.
- Demi-permanent – this type lasts a little longer than the semi-permanent, but not as long as the permanent type. It fades after 12 washes but completely disappears by the 28th wash. If you wash your hair twice a week, you should expect this dye to last for at least 3 months.
- Permanent – this requires full commitment. You cannot get rid of permanent dye unless you cut your hair or let it grow out. Growing it out takes a lot of time, and you will be tempted to touch up your roots at some point. Before settling on this type of dye, it is advisable to consult with a professional.
Today, I review 10 products that everyone should consider in the search for a professional blue hair dye. Each of these dyes stands out for a unique reason. By the end of this review, you will know which dye is suitable for your hair type. You will also understand the difference between different types of dyes and have answers to many common questions.
Top 10 Best Blue Hair Dyes
- Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash – My Top Pick
- Punky Lagoon
- Adore Indigo
- Sparks
- Arctic Fox
- Manic Panic Blue Moon
- Keracolor Clenditioner
- Got2b Blue Mercury
- RAW Twisted Teal Demi-Permanent Hair Color
- Manic Panic Bad Boy Blue
These hair dye reviews are based on how each dye lasts, which ingredients it contains and whether it stains during and after application.
1. Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash – My Top Pick
This colorwash is the only guaranteed way to maintain blue dye intensity. It offers cleansing without fading the color. It also keeps colors vibrant and boosts their appearance. Made with a combination of color-sensitive ingredients and gentle, vegan components, it adds shine and makes dyed hair look much better than before.
When blue dyes fade, they can easily look jaded. Such hair requires a boost that makes the color pop, and this colorwash does exactly that. For best results, it must be used immediately after coloring hair. It can be used continuously throughout the period of having blue hair and only takes 30 minutes to work. It does not stain skin, fabrics, or surfaces. However, this product might not be effective on unprocessed hair.
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2. Punky Lagoon – Best Blue Hair Dye for Dark Hair
The rule of thumb when using blue dye for your hair is that you have to whiten or bleach it first. This rule applies to all dark hair, regardless of shade. However, Punky Lagoon has changed this rule, and this aspect has made it one of the best hair dyes out there. It can be used on dark, brown, and red hair effortlessly.
The colors given by this dye are so vivid that it is impossible to compare it with other brands. When mixed with white conditioner, it still gives impressive shades of pastel blue colors. the reason behind its vivid and long-lasting color is the keratin infusion. the manufacturers of this color-infused it with keratin to ensure that it looks good and lasts long.
Users who worry about their carbon footprint would love this dye. It is free of most toxic ingredients that pollute the environment. It is free of parabens, sulfates, and many other harmful ingredients. It is also vegan.
Punky Lagoon’s nice smell is an added advantage. It has grape seed flavor, which gives hair an amazing scent. Once applied, it gives hair a healthy shine and soft feel. the only downside to this dye is how much it stains.
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3. Adore Indigo – Bright Blue Hair Dye
Most blue hair dyes come in cream form. Adore stands out from the rest because it comes as a liquid that is super-fast and easy to apply. the best quality of this dye is that it does not stain at all. It is a very rare quality, but not the only reason why Adore made it to this list of top hair dyes.
The dye comes in several scents, that are all pleasant. It is an added advantage that it doesn’t strip hair as harshly as some dyes do. It eliminates the brassiness that can be on most colored hair and gives it a cool, toned color. It can work on dark hair and fades well to leave the hair with its natural color. While fading, it still looks vibrant and does not give a jaded look that is common with fading dyes.
Unfortunately, this dye works better on processed hair than it does on natural hair. It leaves very little color on natural hair and is better used to color the roots instead of the whole head in such cases.
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4. Sparks – Best Permanent Blue Hair Dye
The first three dyes in this review were semi-permanent. Sparks is the first permanent dye, and for a good reason. It’s electric blue shade has one of the most impressive variations when fading. It is good enough that Sparks retains its vivid color for weeks after application, but the fact that it looks good even while fading is an added bonus.
When buying such a permanent dye, you want to get the most use out of it. Sparks is well absorbed in hair and takes a very long time to fade. Furthermore, due to its rich shades, it is well suited for kinky hair.
This hair color is very easy to apply, that makes it the perfect addition to your home care DIY kit. Because it is fortified with conditioner, applying it is quite straightforward and does not require any additional ingredients.
This dye does not work well on dark hair. Initially, such hair may get a fair amount of color. However, this color will not appear as vividly as it does on light hair. It is better to strip hair before applying this permanent dye.
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5. Arctic Fox – Long Lasting Blue Hair Dye
Most dye manufacturers will advise that you stay away from swimming, and avoid washing your hair too much in order to retain the bright blue color. When using Arctic Fox, you can rest assured that your blue hair will remain bright and vividly colored despite frequent washes. This hair color lasts the longest of all blue hair dye brands I have reviewed.
It lasts long until it starts to fade, and even when this eventually happens, it fades quite well. It can even look better while fading than it looked after the initial application. It works better on bleached hair but can be used on dark hair too.
The only criticism I have of this dye is that it has a very strong green apple scent. While most users might find it appealing, it can be difficult for people with allergies to handle it. Each time hair that has been treated with this dye gets wet, and this smell will increase.
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6. Manic Panic Blue Moon – Best Navy Blue Hair Dye
This brand has a range of colors that work quite well, so it is no surprise that I am reviewing a second color from the same manufacturer. the best quality of this hair dye is its vegan ingredients, which are very gentle on hair. Considering the fact that hair must be bleached before applying this dye, its gentle ingredients come in very handy in controlling the damage.
Since it is a temporary blue hair dye, it lasts long enough. It starts fading after 3-4 weeks, and by this time, it has given you value for your money. Its affordable price is another reason why this dye is worth buying.
On the flip side, the dye stains very badly. It can easily damage fabrics and surfaces if not applied well. If applied on wet hair, it can drip all over and become quite difficult to remove. It can also give an unfavorable tint on porous hair.
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7. Joico Intensity – Vibrant Blue Hair Dye (unavailable, try this one instead)
This dye is beautifully colored, easy to apply, slow to fade, and does not stain after application. It is the most vibrant shade of blue in this review, and anyone who wants an eye-catching look should go for this dye. Although it works best on processed, bleached hair, it also gives good results on hair that is naturally light.
The ingredients are gentle on hair; they are ammonia-free and do not cause any damage. the dye is also fortified with a conditioner that keeps your hair healthy and shiny for quite a while. It does not work well on dark hair.
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8. Got2b Blue Mercury – Permanent Cobalt Blue Hair Dye
Lovers of all things metal will enjoy wearing this color due to its shiny hue and shimmering undertones. For a very affordable price, this hair dye works on a range of hair colors ranging from blonde to dark, curly hair. Its shades change with processing, drying hair using a blow dryer will give lighter shades while air drying will leave a darker shade.
Unfortunately, this dye does not last as long as most that I have reviewed so far. Considering that it is advertised as permanent color, one would hope to get more use out of it. It also transfers quite a bit, although the stains can easily be washed off.
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9. RAW Twisted Teal Demi-Permanent Hair Color
Teal is an interesting color choice that stands out from the vibrant blue colors. This RAW brand is known for having unique colors that have only vegan ingredients and are gentle on hair.
Another winning quality of this hair dye is its affordable price. In comparison to other brands, RAW has an affordable set of products. This particular dye also smells quite good and is bound to draw many compliments. It does not require mixing with any activators before use.
The downside of this product is that it stains very badly, and getting rid of these stains is very difficult. It can stain skin, fabric, and surfaces. This makes it difficult to apply the dye at home due to the risk of permanent stains.
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10. Manic Panic Bad Boy Blue – Best Blue Hair Dye Overall
This brand tops most reviews simply because of its staying power and the bright blue color it has. When dyeing your hair, you want colors that last long before fading, and this particular cream gives exactly that. Of course, people who wash their hair frequently will not get the most use out of this cream.
Since it is a semi-permanent dye, it does not contain harsh ingredients such as ammonia that are known to be harmful when used long term. In line with their mission to be a cruelty-free brand, the manufacturers of this cream have only included vegan ingredients. They have also packed it with moisture that stays locked in hair strands. This makes it the best semi permanent blue hair dye.
Because most blue colors can be very harsh on hair, it is a relief to find one that is gentle but also vibrant. As with everything, this hair dye is not free of criticism. It stains quite a lot. To prevent damage on clothes and furniture, one must always dry their hair completely and wrap it in something waterproof to avoid leaking.
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Pro Tips to Consider When Buying Blue Dye
Dyeing hair is a good idea, but also it can have disastrous consequences if done wrong. Whether you are dyeing your hair for the first or tenth time, consider these things before going out to buy blue dye:
Dyed Hair Requires Maintenance
Color fading is inevitable but, depending on the dye type you choose, some brands require more maintenance than others. the average time until you need to add color is usually four to six weeks. However, with the wrong purchase, you might find yourself dashing to the salon sooner than this.
Choose a dye that lasts long enough to serve the purpose. If you want blue hair for a one-day event, you can go for dyes that fade fast. If you are having a makeover, you should look into dyes that last for more than a month.
Your Skin Tone Matters
You may see a celebrity with electric blue hair and want the same look, but before you add that dye to your Amazon cart, consider your skin tone. Pink skin tones go well with cool blue dyes, and yellow skin tones go well with warmer colors. There is a variety of blue shades for almost every brand, so you have many options to choose from.
Your First Try Might Not Give You the Color You Want
Transitioning from a brunette to having teal blue hair may not happen overnight. Dyeing hair is a journey that should not be rushed. Your hair will evolve through various underlying tones before reaching your desired color. In order not to damage your hair, buy enough blue dye to last you a few cycles and give the process some time.
Dye Can Damage Your Hair
Opting for a complete change of your hair color can result in it being damaged. Most professionals will advise that you change your hair color gradually. But, if you insist, you should know how to take care of your hair afterward.
Before dyeing hair, you should use a clarifying shampoo that removes all the build-up and enhances color penetration. the hair will color faster and last longer if you do this. However, avoid this type of shampoos on your blue hair because they will weaken its color and cause it to fade.
Once you have gone blue, you shouldn’t wash your hair often. Obviously, this will cause it to fade faster. It will also strip it of whatever little oils and nutrients it has left after the bleaching and dyeing process. To take care of blue hair, you should protect it from the sun and harsh swimming pool chemicals. If you have to go swimming, mask it with a product that protects hair from being stripped of color.
Answers to Common Questions
Even after going through this review, you might have a number of unanswered questions. Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about going blue.
How to Dye Dark Hair Blue Without Bleach?
The results of dyeing hair blue without bleach may not be as vibrant as expected. However, if you still want to do this, you should start by washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo. You will then pat it dry and apply the dye. Cover it with a waterproof cap and let it set before rinsing it out. Drying with heat is best.
How Long Does Blue Hair Dye Last?
The life span of blue hair dye depends on its type. Temporary dyes can only survive three washes. Semi and Demi-permanent dyes last longer. They fade after 12 to 28 washes. Permanent dyes last the longest, and you can only get rid of them when you get a haircut or let your hair grow out.
How Light Does Hair Have to Be to Dye it Blue?
The best results of dyeing hair blue are achieved when hair is stripped of all color. Although the dyes can still work on hair that has some color, the blue shade will not be very vibrant and eye-catching. So, before dyeing hair blue, bleach it and ensure that it is as light as possible.
Final Take
Manic Panic is hands down the best blue dye you can buy. It has a vibrant color that lasts long before it starts to fade. Although it stains fabrics and surfaces, during application, you can get around this flaw by ensuring your hair is as dry as possible before applying the dye. You can also wrap it in a waterproof shower cap as the color sets. Arctic Fox, Sparks, and Joico Intensity are equally good dyes that are worth buying.
Before going out to get the best midnight blue hair dye, find out your skin tone to understand which shade of blue suits you. Be prepared for any damage that might happen to your hair after dyeing. Most of all, buy products that are made for colored hair.
Have you used any of the blue dyes in this review? What has your experience been so far? What is the best dark blue hair dye in your opinion? Are there any dyes I should have included in this list? Let me know in the comment section below. I look forward to hearing from you.
