Beauty Q&A: How Do I Apply Temporary Hair Color?

A great Halloween costume includes a fun outfit and makeup look, but it doesn’t stop there. You need the right hair to complete any costume, and that often involves playing with fun (and usually temporary!) hairstyles and colors. Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing temporary hair color options out there — from sprays to powders — and they look totally realistic if you know how to use them. 

To learn how to get a temporary dye job right, we chatted with Glamsquad Artistic Director Giovanni Vaccaro. Here are his three golden tips to achieve safe color without the commitment.

RULE 1: Make Sure You Prep

Prepping your hair is the first step in creating a temporary color that lasts. “Hair should be dry and styled beforehand,” says Vaccaro. “And you want to make sure you’re wearing a robe or clothes you don’t mind damaging during application.” He also suggests you keep this in mind when it comes to your sheets and pillows as well — you might want to change them out if you’re planning to sleep on your temporary color.

RULE 2: Your Temporary Color Depends on Your Hair Color

After you’ve prepped, Vaccaro notes that your natural hair color is key to understanding the outcome of your temporary choice. “The lighter your hair color, the more dye will penetrate. If you’re a brunette, use the product freely. But be more careful as a blond, and keep the color off the scalp,” he notes. This means that less is more when your locks fall on the lighter spectrum, but more is good if you fall on the darker end. After choosing your desired color (our favorite products for this include Manic Panic Temporary Hair Color Spray and L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi Permanent Hair Color), decide on a formula. “Styling gels work best on lighter hair, while temporary color sprays are better for darker shades to achieve a brighter and bolder finish,” Vaccaro adds.

RULE 3: The More You Put Into It, the More You’ll Get Out of It

Once your color is on, maintenance is another important step for your new temporary hair color. “Certain hair dyes will require more than one shampoo,” says Vaccaro. “The lighter your hair is, the more shampoos you’ll need to remove it.” Vaccaro suggests using a clarifying shampoo to remove any dirt and product buildup, followed by a nourishing mask. “For darker hair, if you really want to see color pop, apply a white base first and then spray your hair color over that,” he says. “This will guarantee a more vibrant finish.”

We can’t wait to try this come Halloween — will you?

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