Blue hair is more than a look, it’s an attitude. And it’s all over our fabulous radar as one of the hottest hair trends this year. We’re here with the best blue hair dye you need to nail the brave blue look at home.
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Table of Contents
- TOP PICK!
- Schwarzkopf Live Intense Color Hair dye, Electric Blue.
- What’s so unique about rocking blue hair color?
- Can I dye my hair blue without bleaching it first?
- Can I dye my hair blue at home?
- Which is the best blue box dye to use at home?
- #1 L’Oreal Paris Colorista Washout Metallic Blue Semi-Permanent Hair Color
- #2 Clairol Color Crave Semi Permanent Hair Dye, Indigo.
- #3 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Blue Black Hair Dye.
- #4 Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Bright, Denim Steel
- #5 L’Oréal Colorista Washout Blue Semi-Permanent Hair color.
- #6 Schwarzkopf Live Intense Color Hair dye, Electric Blue.
- #7 MANIC PANIC Shocking Blue Color Amplified
- TOP PICK!
- Schwarzkopf Live Intense Color Hair dye, Electric Blue.
- Best blue hair dyes at a glance.
- How to choose the right blue hair dye for you.
- How to dye your hair at home.
- Blue hair dye FAQs
- Can I wear blue hair?
- What blue hair dyes don’t need bleach?
- Will semi permanent blue hair dye wash out?
- How long does blue last in hair?
- What does blue dyed hair fade to?
- What color cancels out blue hair?
- How do I care for my blue hair?
- Parting words.
- Our Research & Review Process
TOP PICK!
Schwarzkopf Live Intense Color Hair dye, Electric Blue.
Best blue hair dye for: Cool tones with a metallic shine.
This is one of Schwartzkopf’s dazzling urban metallic, permanent hair colors so we were expecting intense results. We weren’t disappointed.
We used this on pre-lightened light blonde hair and the effects were pretty dramatic! It’s almost a steel blue color with its shimmery silver tones. There’s a great color guide on the box and you’ll need to be blonde to get the box color. Go for it if you want a blue with metallic tones.
Pros
- Vibrant blue color with silver undertones
- No pre-lightening necessary for blonde hair
- Color guide on the box helps ensure desired results
Cons
- Must have already lightened hair to get desired result
- Results may vary depending on starting hair color
What’s so unique about rocking blue hair color?
Blue hair is a powerful statement and a hot hair trend that has been sweeping the socials this year.
It’s not just for punk rockers anymore! Blue hair colors can come in different shades, from light icy blues to dark navy blues.
Blue is a hair color you need to be sure about. Once it’s on your head, it’s really hard to get rid of, so you need to be up for the commitment.
The best thing about it, is it comes in a zillion different cool and warm shades which means there’s a hue of blue for everyone.
From midnight blue, sky blue, teal, pastel blue, electric blue and denim. All you need to do is find the right blue hue for you!
Check out the latest looks over on our blue hair Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.
Can I dye my hair blue without bleaching it first?
In general, you cannot dye your hair blue without bleaching your hair first. You’ll need a light base to get the perfect blue hue.
Color cannot lighten color, so it all depends on what base color your hair is now, and the color blue you want your hair to be.
If you have blonde or light brown hair and want to go blue from there then that is possible. But you might still need to lighten your hair first using bleach if you’re thinking of blue pastels or light blues.
If you have dark brown or black hair, you will need to bleach it first to get the right base for blue. You can try deep dark blue hair dye like midnight blue or blue-black if you feel like experimenting.
Always do a strand test first to check the color blue your hair will be. This avoids any hair dye mishaps – we’ve all been there!
To avoid damaging your locks, make sure you use a color-safe bleach before applying the new hue. It’s always best to consult with a stylist before doing anything major to your tresses!
Can I dye my hair blue at home?
Successfully dyeing your hair blue at home depends your hair type, the color your hair is now and the blue color you want it to be.
But the good news is, if you’re thinking about coloring your hair blue or even just adding a few streaks of electric cobalt into your dark locks, are plenty of off the shelf hair dyes to help you get the beautiful blue look.
There are different shades of blue from light blues to dark navy blues so there’s one for every personality!
Which is the best blue box dye to use at home?
If you’re ready to dive into the deep blue, here are the best blue box dyes you can spend your hard-earned money on right now!
#1 L’Oreal Paris Colorista Washout Metallic Blue Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Features & ingredients:
- Metallic Blue shade for light blonde or bleached hair.
- Chroma-Cream technology in a nourishing hair-mask base.
- Colors your hair while conditioning at the same time.
- Long wear – lasts 10-20 shampoos.
Reviewers say:
“Love this color! I got so many compliments when I first did it. It gave a lovely blue wash tint to my hair. Lasted for around 14 washes. Started as a light blue and faded a bit over time. Easy to use too.”
“This gave a brilliant strong color to the ends of my bleach blonde hair. I just dipped the ends in and found that it didn’t dry out my hair just added a brilliant blue color and moisturised it really well.”
“I had always wanted blue hair so I bit the bullet and gave this a try. I think I either need to lighten my hair or leave on for longer as it wasn’t as blue as I would’ve liked. But leaving it on for longer might do the trick!
Our experience:
L’Oreal Colorista Washouts are semi-permanent dyes perfect for your first dive into edgy blue. They’re easy to apply and come with to follow instructions.
This shade is specifically designed for light or blonde hair, so brunettes will need to bleach your hair first if you want the color on the box. Combine with the Colorista bleach kit for the most vibrant semi-permanent hair color results.
It gave a lovely blue tone to our light blonde hair. The color was bright at first which gave a real rich hue. Go for this if you want a subtle, starter blue.
Best for: Beginner blue for warmer tones.
#2 Clairol Color Crave Semi Permanent Hair Dye, Indigo.
Features & ingredients:
- Paint on. Show off.
- Clairol Color Crave is a semi-permanent color that lets you flaunt your fearless with bright colors and bold results.
- Lasts 15+ washes.
Reviewers say:
“This is far and away the best semi-permanent hair color I’ve ever tried! It really looks good, the color was exactly as I was hoping. I would buy it a million more times.”
“While I love semi-permanent hair color because there is no commitment, I find you don’t get the full benefit of it unless you have naturally light blonde hair. “
“Pretty fun product, not permanent, explore, have fun! This lasted about a month for me, I wash my hair 3 times per week.”
Our experience:
This is a permanent blue color with purple hues and as it says on the box – the lighter your hair, the longer your wear. We tried this on light brown hair and found it gave a great purple hair wash, but again, you’d need your hair lightened for a more dramatic look.
It was easy to apply and we left it in longer than the instructions to be sure the color would take as a few reviews said it didn’t. And it did! The result was a gorgeous, rich deep purple-blue hue. It will fade to red so be prepared to dye it again before long.
Best for: Purple hues for warmer tones.
#3 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Blue Black Hair Dye.
Features & ingredients:
- A natural looking permanent home hair color.
- It has a blend of 3 richer tones and highlights and conditioners at every step.
- Gentle on hair and scalp due to its oil infused colou.
- It provides 100% grey coverage, with soft and shiny results.
- No harsh chemicals. Ammonia free.
Reviewers say:
“This product has an easy application and is user friendly. The color is pretty true to the description. I would definitely recommend it.”
“It left my hair feeling soft and silky not dry at all. I was very pleased with the color, it lasted for ages.”
“I’ve tried so many brands but I keep coming back to this one. It’s easy to use, and the colors last and looks great. My hair is never dried out after using it.”
Our experience:
We’re not impressed with the gloves that come with this blue dye so buy your own disposable ones if this is your pick.
This is a dark dark shade of blue and turned pretty much black on our dark brown, dyed hair. It has a subtle blue hue in the light that makes it look shimmery and rich. Use this for long-lasting, deep blue color.
Best for: Long lasting color for warm skin tones.
#4 Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Bright, Denim Steel
Features & ingredients:
- This no commitment, semi-permanent formula is extremely versatile.
- For bleached, lightened, highlighted and light blonde hair.
- The color result depends upon your natural hair color.
- For long or thick hair we recommend using two packs.
Reviewers say:
“I’m so in love with the Schwarzkopf brights range! They provide great color as long as your hair is lightened to the recommended shade beforehand. For me, they last a heck of a long time.”
“I wasn’t expecting this to work so well, from the middle of the hair to the tips, it’s a gorgeous bluey color. It covered up orange and pink colors that have been in my hair for more than a year!”
“This color will last a decent amount of time, not just because blue is a very hard dye to remove, but I think it’ll fade really nicely. I’ll definitely be using it again!”
Our experience:
This is a bright blue, bold pastel blue color that’s made for light hair. We used it on platinum blonde hair at the ends and it worked a treat. It has slight green undertones – perfect for mermaid hair or unicorn hair color effects.
It’s a little on the smokey blue side, so if you have cool skin tones and want to play with streaks and dips, this is the dye for you.
Best for: Pastel streaks and dips for cool tones.
#5 L’Oréal Colorista Washout Blue Semi-Permanent Hair color.
Features & ingredients:
- Fades gradually over 1-2 weeks so you can switch and change your hair color whenever you want.
- Based on Chroma-Cream technology in a conditioning hair-mask base.
- Softly colors your hair while caring at the same time.
Reviewers say:
“I have naturally dark blonde hair but I have it highlighted. I used the blue L’Oréal and absolutely loved the color! However, I’ve washed my hair a lot and it fades fast.”
“This was so easy and simple to use. Was a little worried as it is very blue when you squeeze out, but left a lovely finish on my hair and lasted near enough a week!”
“Lasted a lot longer than I expected. It was very easy to mix and apply. Smells lovely! Not too bright but can see it and loads of people commented on it, which is a bonus!”
Our experience:
We tried this box dye on dark blonde hair to create an ombre effect. It was super simple to do and the effect is of a soft, purple/blue pastel color that we love!
How long it lasts depends on how often you wash your hair. It doesn’t hang around for long so you can afford to experiment. Use it for short-term playfulness.
Best for: Experimenting with colors for cool tones.
#6 Schwarzkopf Live Intense Color Hair dye, Electric Blue.
Features & ingredients:
- Create metallic tones with striking color intensity
- Maximum color depth
- Anti-fade effect
- Creates healthy looking, touchably soft hair
- Vegan ingredients
Reviewers say:
“Amazing! When I bought this product I had red hair!! I stripped, bleached and toned my hair so it was blonde and it worked amazingly. I would say it won’t work unless your hair is blonde. I now have blue hair!”
“The best dye I have used without having to bleach my hair first.”
“I bleached my hair right before I used mercury blue. It ended up a bit brighter than the box but all blue and great all-over coverage.”
Our experience:
This is one of Schwartzkopf’s dazzling urban metallic, permanent blue hair dye colors so we were expecting intense results. We weren’t disappointed.
We used this on pre-lightened light blonde hair and the effects were pretty dramatic!
It’s almost a steel blue color with its shimmery silver tones. There’s a great color guide on the box and you’ll need to be blonde to get the box color. Go for it if you want a blue with metallic tones.
Best for: Cool tones with a metallic shine.
#7 MANIC PANIC Shocking Blue Color Amplified
Features & ingredients:
- A semi-permanent hair color in a bright and bold blue shade.
- Offers long-lasting, intense color that fades gradually over 4 to 6 weeks.
- This vegan formula is made without ammonia, peroxide or PPDs, so your hair stays healthy and strong.
Reviewers say:
“This dye gave me the most beautiful and vibrant blue shade on my platinum blonde hair!”
“I love this product! The color was so bright and it didn’t fade too much after several washings.”
Our experience:
Manic Panic Shocking Blue Semi-Permanent Hair Dye is the perfect way to get an ultra vivid blue hue that won’t damage your hair.
Again, it’s best on light blonde hair or bleached hair to get the vibrant effect. The only downside is the color bleeds quite a bit in the first few washes, so keep that in mind when washing your hair.
Best for: Vibrant blue shades on light blonde or bleached hair.
TOP PICK!
Schwarzkopf Live Intense Color Hair dye, Electric Blue.
Best for: Cool tones with a metallic shine.
This is one of Schwartzkopf’s dazzling urban metallic, permanent hair colors so we were expecting intense results. We weren’t disappointed.
We used this on pre-lightened light blonde hair and the effects were pretty dramatic! It’s almost a steel blue color with its shimmery silver tones.
There’s a great color guide on the box and you’ll need to be blonde to get the box color. Go for it if you want a blue with metallic tones.
Best blue hair dyes at a glance.
| Hair dye | Looks like | Best for | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
| L’Oreal Paris Colorista Washout Denim Blue Semi-Permanent Hair Dye | Beginner blue for warmer tones. | ||
| Clairol Color Crave Semi Permanent Hair Dye, Indigo. | Purple hues for warmer tones. | ||
| Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Blue Black. | Long lasting colour for warm tones. | ||
| Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Bright, Denim Steel | Streaks and dips for cool tones. | ||
| L’Oréal Colorista Washout Blue Semi-Permanent Hair Dye. | Experimenting with colours for cool tones. | ||
| Schwarzkopf Live Intense Colour Hair dye, Electric Blue | Cool tones with a metallic shine. | ||
| MANIC PANIC Shocking Blue Color Amplified | Vibrant blue shades on light blonde or bleached hair |
How to choose the right blue hair dye for you.
Blue hair is one of the most popular hair trends of the year. But how do you choose the right blue hair dye for you?
It’s all about finding a hue that complements your unique style. Here’s what you should consider when picking out your perfect shade of blue.
Know your Hair Type and Texture
The type and texture of your hair will determine whether a certain color will take or not.
Generally, coarser, thicker strands can handle more intense colors while finer hair may be better suited to lighter hues.
Keep in mind that if you’re dyeing curly locks, light shades won’t show up as much on each curl as they would on straight strands; dark hair shades are usually a better option here.
Semi-Permanent, Permanent or Temporary hair dye?
Are you looking for something long-term or short-term?
Semi-permanent dyes like Manic Panic and Arctic Fox last anywhere from six weeks to four months, depending on how often you shampoo your hair and how much exposure it gets from UV rays and other environmental factors.
Permanent hair dyes are just that—permanent until you decide to change it—but the intensity of the color can fade over time with regular washing.
Temporary hair color like hair chalk, hair makeup and colored hair sprays are also a good option for blue hair – it’s a really hard color to remove! Temporary dyes only last for one wash.
Either way, make sure to read the instructions on the packaging before applying any dye!
Consider your Skin Tone
Your skin tone plays an important role in determining which shade of blue is right for you.
If your complexion has pink undertones, cooler blues like navy or steel blue will contrast nicely against it.
On the other hand, warmer blues such as royal or baby blue are great choices if your skin has yellow undertones.
If you want to go bolder but still keep it subtle, opt for a pastel shade like sky blue; this will give off a soft, ethereal vibe and look beautiful against practically any skin tone.
Take a Strand Test!
Finally, we recommend doing a strand test before taking the plunge into full-on blue tresses!
This involves testing a small section of your hair with different colors so that you can see what works best without having to fully commit to one color yet—it’s always better safe than sorry!
How to dye your hair at home.
Blue hair dye FAQs
Can I wear blue hair?
You may be thinking “I don’t know if I can rock this look.”
But you can! Here are some tips for getting the super cool style that’s right for you.
1) Check your skin tone – cool-toned people should go with light shades like baby blue or sky blue, while warm skin tones work well with colors like navy and royal purple.
2) Keep in mind how much maintenance it will take to keep the color looking fresh. Upkeep is really easy though so this shouldn’t deter you from trying something new!
3) Consider what hairstyle would work best with your new blue color– longer hair looks prettiest in softer pastels, but shorter styles look great in bolder shades of blue.
What blue hair dyes don’t need bleach?
Going blue without bleach? Who would have thought it was possible. Thankfully, it is!
The growing market of blue hair dyes has made it possible to completely transform your locks without any harmful bleach.
Look for a vivid semi-permanent dye or something with a gentle, nourishing conditioner like Manic Panic’s opaque navy tint.
Or try crazy color’s classic turquoise shade, which is also free of ammonia and PPDs so you can mix up a masterful color combo that won’t irritate your scalp.
Dark blues work best at adding depth and dimension to dark blonde or brunette hair. But you will need bleach if you want pastel hues like teal, turquoise and baby blue.
Will semi permanent blue hair dye wash out?
Blue hair can be achieved by applying a semi-permanent dye to your hair that fades over time.
Semi-permanent hair dye is safe for your locks and easier to remove than permanent hair dye. But it won’t ever completely wash out.
Environmental and lifestyle factors like sunshine, seawater, how often you wash your hair and heat stying also play a part in how long your color will last.
It usually takes between 5 and 10 washes for the color to start fading away.
How long does blue last in hair?
It’s a color that can fade quite quickly and is a stubborn color to completely remove. So you need to be ready for commitment if you go blue.
You can expect your fresh, new color to last a couple of weeks before it starts to fade.
If your hair is in good condition and can take it, there’s no harm in dyeing your hair more frequently to keep the blue hues looking on point.
What does blue dyed hair fade to?
Like any other hair dye, blue dyes will fade over time. However, the color of your roots and the tone of your natural hair will affect how quickly this happens.
For example, if you have light brown or blonde hair and you dye it a dark deep-navy blue then the dark blue hair color will absorb into your strands more easily than lighter colors would.
As it fades, it will become greener in tone. You can try using toners to keep the blue hue. But really, this shade is one that needs a lot of maintenance and upkeep to keep it looking glossy and fabulous.
If you’re looking to keep that beautiful shade for as long as possible – we recommend using products like color-safe shampoo and conditioners for colored hair with UV filters to protect against fading from sunlight exposure!
What color cancels out blue hair?
If you are thinking of toning your hair to keep the blue tones blue, or even get rid of them, you need to use the opposite color on the hair color wheel.
Orange toner will cancel out blue tones and color correct your hair if you’re looking to get rid of or tone down blue color.
How do I care for my blue hair?
It’s a color that is really fun to have. But it can be a hard one to keep – or get rid of!
To keep your hair bright and beautiful for a long time, make sure you use shampoos and conditioners that are specially formulated for colored hair.
These will stop the color from fading so fast.
It will fade to green so you might need to dye your hair more often to keep the blue color vibrant.
Also try washing your hair less frequently, ideally once a week if you can. You can lengthen the time in between washes with a good dry shampoo.
And don’t forget to follow our top tips in How to keep colored hair looking luscious for longer.
Parting words.
Everyone has their own opinion on what colors look good on them and what doesn’t. But let’s be real: some people can wear anything and make it work (we call these people the Kardashians).
Blue hair is not for everyone and may not be right for your lifestyle either.
If you feel like you could rock this color or want to try something new, then go for it! You might fall in love with a whole new shade of hair that looks amazing on your skin tone. Good luck!
Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @colouredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.
Our Research & Review Process
To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.
We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.
Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.
This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.
As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!
