Most of us can't afford salon prices for bold new hair colours, so you may have considered wandering into the world of semi-permanent hair dye. It's the best hair dye option for those who are accident-prone or just indecisive. It washes out after anywhere between one and 30 washes. If you're using it to cover greys, you need to be aware that it won't cover the colour 100%", says The Colour Guru and Global Head of Technical Training at Fudge Professional, Tracy Hayes. "Semi-permanent colour will not completely colour grey hair 100%, but it can blend up to 20% and therefore mask the grey, to give a slightly translucent look to the colour and the appearance of highlights," she says. What's the best semi-permanent hair dye?

Make sure you do your research on the right shade for your hair," says Katie. "Go by the colour that is coming from your roots, not the ends. This is because the ends are always a lighter shade. With no bleach, developer or ammonia, it's the way to go if you want a funky colour change, for example, a vibrant neon or perhaps a darker hair dye shade. In a hurry? Here's our best semi-permanent hair dye at a glance: Yes. Semi-permanent dyes are designed to wash out, leaving your hair the same colour it was before you dyed it. We spoke to some snazzy hair colouring experts about how to use semi-permanent hair dye to achieve great results. Katie Allan, founder of MAYFIVE salon and hairstylist to London Fashion Week stars and beyond, says there are some key things to remember when you're dying your hair at home.Some dyes last longer than others and can go anywhere between one and 30 washes without losing colour.

They are generally easy to apply," she says. "Simply massage through on clean towel-dried hair and leave for the recommended time, which is generally up to around 20 minutes. These colours do not penetrate the hair completely but just coat the surface layers and therefore last around 3 - 10 washes depending on the colour chosen." If you want to keep it looking more natural, you can do root touch-ups and then leave out some pieces of the lighter colour you already naturally have, along with pieces of the gloss brought down," she says. Katie says there's no need to be worried about hair damage after using semi-permanent dye. "It only gently lifts the cuticle for the colour to sit in-between, whereas a permeant will lift the cuticle to sit inside the hair." The best way to make your semi-permanent hair dye last longer is to avoid overwashing. With a brand new barnet, it can be tempting to keep washing it with conditioning shampoos to keep it looking fresh. However, over-shampooing can wane your colour faster, and you'll end up with a faded-looking 'do. If you're looking to boost your undertones between salon appointments, you could use a conditioning hair dye mask or treatment (like the SHRINE Drop It Kit) or a hair toner. If you want a couple of days of jazzy colour, you could opt for something fun like BLEACH LONDON's pastel hair creams.

Semi-permanent hair dyes: FAQs

No, is the short answer. Semi-permanent dyes are designed not to damage hair, as they don't contain hydrogen peroxide. They only change the surface of your hair, not inside the cortex of the strands.