Pink hair dye is timeless. There, we said it. Pretty much anyone can pull it off, it works for every season and there is a whole range of hair dye shades to choose from, so you're bound to find one that works for you.
Loved by celebs like Dua Lipa, Olivia Bowen and even a groundbreaking debut of hot pink hair from Kylie Jenner (see below), pink hair can totally revamp your look and will have everyone giving you compliments on the daily about your gorgeous, glossy hair.
We can't deny it - we love a good hair transformation, especially when the end result is a gorgeous pink hue. But, sometimes, it can be a little overwhelming. How exactly do you get the shade of pink that you've always dreamed of?
Luckily, we've pulled in some help from the experts with a few tips. As well as that and putting together a round up of the best pink hair dye, you'll be well on your way to repping pink locks in no time. Here are our top picks below.
SHOP: The best permanent pink hair dyes
Always do a patch test at least 48 hours before using a new product.
Editor's pick
Amazon
If you need to lighten your hair as well as turn it cotton candy pink, this dye from Schwarzkopf is a great choice. The two-in-one formula lightens your hair up to four levels and creates a subtle pastel hue that lasts for up to 28 washes. It comes with an after-treatment that makes your hair gorgeously shiny and lasts really well if you top it up with a pink shampoo occasionally.
Tried and tested, Jade Moscrop, Deputy Commercial Content Editor: "I grabbed this box as I liked the idea that it could lighten my hair as well as turn it pink. I have dyed blonde hair, but my roots were showing so it was time for a freshen up! I needed two boxes to tackle my long hair, so bear that in mind when purchasing. It didn't lighten my roots to the level I'm used to (white blonde) but it still looked good and wasn't noticeable. The pink colour is gorgeous - it was a little dark at first, but it soon faded to a lush pastel pink. I'd definitely use this again, especially now that my roots are lighter. Next time it should be perfect."
Verdict: While this will lighten your hair, it won't do as good a job as pre-lightening it before dying it pink. While it starts out dark, it'll fade to pastel pink. If you have long hair, you'll need more than one box.
Best ammonia-free pink hair dye
LookFantasticIf your pink obsession hasn't subsided yet, you'll love this trending colour from Garnier Olia. It's ammonia-free so it smells great, and it leaves your hair feeling lovely and healthy.
Customer review: "I absolutely love this colour. It caught on the best out of all the pink dyes I tried before and it almost doesn't wash out. The aftercare is lovely as well - lasts for ages and makes hair soft and fluffy."
Verdict: This dye from Garnier is a great choice. It's good for your hair and while it won't last as long as some of the others, you could always top it up with a pink toner.
Best permanent pink hair dye for blondes
AmazonThis pastel pink hair dye is easy to apply, affordable and looks great. The final colour will differ depending on how dark your hair is to begin with (recommended for blondes), and you'll need to top it up with pink shampoo or toner now and then to keep it looking fresh.
Customer review: "Amazing price, perfect coverage, I have very thick mid-length hair so always need two bottles. Colour took well to my pre-lightened hair, but not so well to my dark roots. My hair is now vibrant tones of pink! Thank you!"
Verdict: This dye will give your hair a natural shine, along with a gorgeous pastel pink colour. Those with long hair will need more than one box, and it isn't suitable for hair that isn't pre-lightened or naturally light.
SHOP: The best semi-permanent pink hair dyes
If you aren't ready to take the plunge straight away and want to test out your new colour first, we've rounded up some of the best semi-permanent pink hair dyes, too:
Best highly-rated semi-permanent hair dye
AmazonAnother brand to watch out for is the highly-rated Crazy Colour. This Candy Floss hair dye leaves bleached hair a pastel shade of pink, fab a fresh new 'do with a trending colour.
Customer review: "Have white hair with grey roots and applied this clean, dry hair. Left it on for about 40 mins. Obviously, I didn't expect it to colour the darker, grey roots but was pleased with the colour it deposited on the white. Haven't washed it yet so not sure how it will last but most colours last a few washed. Will buy again."
Verdict: According to reviews, this dye works best on bleach blonde hair, the lighter the better. If your hair is as close to white as you can get it, you might find the colour grabs well to your platinum hair. May fade quick so might need topping up often.
Best semi-permanent pink hair mask
AmazonOkay, if you're one for totally easy hair dying, a hair mask is the perfect option so you don't have to faff around with all the dye. Just slap it on wet hair and leave for five minutes to see the mask work its magic. It will fade in eight washes - or you can keep reapplying it for continuous pinkness.
Customer review: "I have black hair with brown balayage and the pink still showed up SO vibrantly on the ends of my hair - super impressed!"
Verdict: Super easy, comes out bright and will keep your hair nourished. Mostly suited to lighter hair, but darker blondes and highlighted people can have their pink fix too with this option.
Best semi-permanent pink hair dye for a vibrant outcome
AmazonNot only will this dye give you a vibrant neon hot pink colour in every sense of the word, but it's also vegan, cruelty-free and free from any nasty chemicals. It lasts around six to eight weeks and fades beautifully.
Customer review: "I have dyed my hair more times than I can remember and this is the ONLY hair dye that has any sort of colour depth to it. So vibrant I can't recommend it enough."
Verdict: If you have long or thick hair, one pot might not be enough, but the intensity and vibrancy of the Manic Panic dye are hard to match.
Best semi-permanent versatile pink hair dye
AmazonThe thing we love about this dye from Schwarzkopf is that you can get a super vibrant colour or a pastel pink - all that matters is the development time. Lasts up to 12-15 washes.
Customer review: "I've done my second "full" dye with this product and top it up regularly. I just have a few tips which should negate any negative reviews: You'll need more than one packet unless your hair is SHORT. I use one pack and my hair is one inch on one side to jaw length on the other. Adding a bit of water to your head at the end will help you lather it in. Use a product like Bleach London if you are having to pre-lighten... it has the best results. When applying, have a few pairs of gloves to hand. Apply with one pair, rinse with another. Apply, wrap hair in cling film, and leave on for 40 minutes. On subsequent washes, use tepid water. It makes the colour last longer. Overall I love this product so much that I keep going back to it. I have dark brown hair naturally."
Verdict: With the versatility to decide your own colour, plus great results for up to 15 washes, this dye's a solid contender for your next favourite.
Best semi-permanent pink hair dye for pre-lightened hair
Bleach Londonbleachlondon.com
As we've mentioned previously, Bleach London knows what it's doing when it comes to hair colour, so it's no wonder this product made our list. It fades out in two to 10 washes depending on colour intensity. Recommended for use on bleached or light blonde hair.
Customer review: "I have dark blonde hair and didn't expect much. But gave it a go as was on offer. I love it. The colour is totally amazing. It does stain though like others have said (I now have pink tile grout) and it fades to a light pink after a week but I do wash my hair every day. So no real complaints. I've not got the second bottle on to see how long it lasts this time. But I'm totally in love with this product."
Verdict: Yet another great product from Bleach London. This will work best on bleached/lightened hair but will give even brunettes a lovely pink hue.
Best long-lasting semi-permanent pink hair dye
AmazonAloe vera-infused, this hair dye will give you the most gorgeous raspberry pink tone that will glow in intensity. The gently nourishing ingredients will also leave your hair feeling softer and shinier than ever.
Customer review: "LOVE this hair dye. I'm a huge fan of brightly coloured hair and I'm always changing from colour to colour. I've always used the same directions for hair dye but I decided to try something new and came across this. Everyone has complimented how bright and silky my hair looks. Will be definitely buying again!"
Verdict: Most effective on pre-lightened hair, the Adore dye applies well, is zero per cent patchy and contains more than enough product even for longer hair.
SHOP: The best pink toner and pink shampoo
Have pre-lightened hair? A pink toner or pink shampoo is all you need to get a lush pink rinse.
Best pink hair drops
Shrinewww.thegypsyshrine.com
This toner counts Olivia Bowen as a fan and allows you to choose your perfect shade. Simply add your required drops to your own conditioner, mix and apply to damp hair.
Tried and tested, Lily Anderson, Commercial Content Writer: "Over the years I have tried lots of different semi-permanent and pink toners on my hair to create that PERFECT pink vibe. Because I don't bleach my hair, I've found that colours don't take to my hair at all - however, this was not the case with this babein' dye. OK, so it only lasted three washes, but my hair was a cute shade of pink each time. I love how easy it is to apply to my conditioner and I'm adding a couple of drops each time to keep up my banging pink 'do. Would totally recommend it for anyone looking for vibrant locks without the commitment."
Verdict: Although this only lasts for a few washes, it's great for anyone who wants to try out pink from time to time.
Best pink shampoo
Bootswww.boots.com
This shampoo is the perfect way to keep your pink hair looking fab. Whether you've dyed it and want to top it up, or want a subtle pink rinse, it's our go-to.
Tried and tested, Jade Moscrop, Deputy Commercial Content Editor: "I swear by this shampoo and conditioner. After dyeing my hair pink, I use this whenever it starts to fade, leave it on for a few minutes (longer if I'm in the bath) and it's like my hair has been freshly dyed once more. Love it."
Verdict: Bleach London is well known in the hair colour scene and for good reason. You'll get a great payoff with these products and they'll last for a long time. Watch your towels/walls though, as they can stain.
Best pink toner
AmazonThis toner is designed to be added to your conditioner, for a gentle pink colour. If you want a deeper shade, simply add a few more drops, but be wary - it can be very bright.
Customer review: "Mega. Would recommend just half a tablespoon if you want a subtle pastel look. Don't go mad as it's very pigmented. Really good value for money, very impressed."
Verdict: This toner is great value for money and can give you many shades of pink from just one bottle. Plus, it lasts for ages.
FAQs
How to get the best pink hair as told by the experts:
We spoke to expert stylist Tyler Moore from Live True London to give us the complete low down on how we can keep up and maintain that fresh pink hair.
When it comes to getting a faded, lighter pink, Tyler says that your base is everything. "You’ll usually need to bleach your hair first, even if you’re already a blonde," he says.
"Your hairdresser will then tone your lightened hair to get a good base to apply a pastel pink dye. An all-over colour like this can be quite high maintenance, especially with a colour like pink, so a pastel pink balayage can be a good option for a more easy-going look.”
So, with that in mind - what pink hair is really trending atm? Tyler spills: "We love this peach to bubblegum pink trend that’s taken over spring and summer, and as we transition into winter, we’re expecting to see a lot more frosted tones alongside muted mauves and berries."
One thing we HATE is when our dyed hair starts to fade or adjust tone and a top-tip that Tyler suggests is to use hair masks to keep up freshness.
"Pink will fade fast! Invest in some good colour-safe hair care at home and make sure to pop back into the salon to keep your colour looking fresh. There are also lots of options out there for keeping your hair looking bright in between salon sessions, such as colour conditioner drops or colour hair masks"
If you're looking to choose a hair mask that's made with pink in mind, Tyler recommends the new [PROVOKE GO
Tips from the experts on how to dye hair pink:
We spoke to Jodie Searle, Senior Colourist, at Michael Van Clarke, for her best advice on pink hair dye.
Prep your hair: "The most important thing is prepping your hair prior to colouring, as hair dye actually changes the structure of the hair. Use a hair mask to protect and repair. I recommend 3 More Inches Lifesaver, which is a professional silicone-free treatment, rich in cashmere proteins that repair and recondition hair to feel its natural, beautiful best."
Always do a strand test: "Do a test piece on your hair, take a section from underneath where it won’t be as noticeable if your results come out not as you desired."
Customise your colour: "Some colours allow you to mix them with conditioner to dilute the strength and longevity of the colour pink. Applying colour to damp hair will also have the same effect. This is great if you are unsure, or want a very subtle effect. Less is more. You can always add to it."
Avoid staining: "Protect your skin and surrounding areas when you do go ahead and colour your hair pink. These colours may stain and may not be removable on some surfaces."
How long does pink hair last and does permanent pink hair dye fade?
If you wash your hair infrequently, using cool water with the right shampoo for coloured hair, you should get a good couple of weeks from your new pink hair. The results differ from person to person, though. If you have blonde hair, it's more likely to last longer. Warm water opens up the hair cuticles, which can cause the colour to escape. Cool water doesn't do this, so your newly pink locks will stay fresher for longer.
Similarly, styling your hair with heat can have the same effect, so avoid the blowdryer and straighteners, or use a heat protectant spray before styling.
How to remove pink hair dye without bleach?
If you've had enough of being 'the friend with pink hair' or just fancy a change, there are ways to remove hair dye without using bleach.
According to Superdrug, you can use vitamin C tablets and anti-dandruff shampoo to remove your unwanted colour. Yep, really.
All you need to do is crush between 5-10 tablets until you have a fine powder. A pestle and mortar are best for this, or you can use a spoon. Add a little bit of anti-dandruff shampoo to create a paste, and apply to the areas of your hair you wish to remove. Obviously, you'll need more if it's your whole head.
Next, you need to wait for 30-60 minutes, then wash out the paste and towel dry your hair. If you're all good, you can go on with your life as normal. However, if you still have any lingering colour, you can repeat the process again - leaving 48 hours in between to avoid damaging your hair. Voila.
Main image credit: @kyliejenner on Instagram
Jade Moscrop is the Commercial Content Editor for Closer, specialising in lifestyle topics. When she’s not writing about affordable homeware, beauty products and gym leggings, she can usually be found on a hot girl walk, buying houseplants or listening to female-fronted rock bands.