Looking to switch up your hair colour in the comfort of your own home? Here are the best vegan hair dye brands in the UK and USA.
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As we all grew bored during quarantine and found ourselves without access to salons, more than a few of us attempted hair dyeing, and even cutting, at home.
As an avid salon-goer myself my 5 inch long roots began just glaring at me every day. I reached my low point, both in the length of roots and growing amount of boredom, I ordered some at-home dye and got to work.
I did, however, do my fair amount of research first as I hadn’t dyed my own hair in probably over a decade so wasn’t sure which brands were best and even more important, which brands were vegan.
Is hair dye vegan?
The notion of having to research if hair dye was vegan, some of you reading may be raising some eyebrows.
Although, now that I think about it you probably are here, reading this article, because you got a tip that maybe that box kit at home isn’t vegan. The unfortunate truth is, no, many at-home dye kits are not vegan.
So, what might be lurking in that colour? Not only do most hair dyes include harmful chemicals they may also have a range of animal-derived ingredients in their formulas.
Here are the most common ones to look out for:
Carmine: is extracted from insects and is typically added for its natural red colour.
- Keratin: is made from animal hair and horns and it is mostly used to strengthen hair/
- Stearic acid: is made from pig stomach and is found in many soaps, deodorants, and hair dyes.
- Lanolin: is made from wool and is added to hair dye to moisturize and soften.
- Glycerine: is made from animal fat and is also added for hair moisture and as a softener.
- Casein: is derived from cow’s milk and is mainly used as a conditioner.
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How can you tell if hair dye is vegan?
While knowing what to look for in your hair dye is one thing, actually reading labels and determining whether a hair dye is actually vegan is another story.
Obviously, start by looking if the brand in question is using any of the ingredients above. Luckily, in today’s day and age brands are proud of their vegan qualifications.
Look for vegan certification labels like Certified Vegan and The Vegan Trademark.
In addition to checking for vegan ingredients, it is equally important to verify the brand you are considering is also certified cruelty-free.
Popular labels for that qualification are Leaping Bunny and Cruelty-Free International.
Are you a cruelty-free beauty fan? Read these articles next:
Benefits of vegan hair dye
Aside from the obvious reasons, there are other great benefits of choosing vegan hair dyes over their counterparts.
For starters, vegan hair dyes are most often comprised of vegetable-based dyes, like henna, that are easier on our hair, scalp, and the planet.
They also often contain good-for-your-hair ingredients such as essential oils and cocoa butter.
These ingredients can actually leave your hair healthier and shiner post dye, those chemical-laden varieties cannot promise the same.
Traditional hair dye is made of ammonia and other dehydrating chemicals, so all roads lead to vegan hair dye.
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What are the best vegan hair dye brands in the UK?
1. Bleach London Hair Color
Bleach London has a robust offering of cruelty-free and vegan hair dyes including semi-permanent dyes, bleach kits, and toners for all hair types and desired colour.
Bleach London is also making an effort to use recycled and recyclable packaging for its products. In fact, the brand recently removed all single-use bowls and brushes from its home kits to further minimize plastic.
2. Flowerology
Another UK-based brand is Flowerology. The vegan, cruelty-free hair dye brand has products that give us salon-like results all powered by botanicals.
It boasts 100% grey coverage for all its colours and all its products are gluten- and ammonia-free as well.
The entire product line is 95% all-natural and 75% organic and is available in six beautiful shades.
3. Manic Panic
If you are just in the need of a semi-permanent bold colour, Manic Panic is a great option.
The brand is ammonia- and peroxide-free. Its product range has every colour under the sun from ultraviolet to atomic turquoise. The dye requires no mixing and lasts 4-6 weeks.
4. Naturtint Hair Dye
Naturtint was one of the first permanent hair colours that were ammonia-free and featured a plant-based ingredient list. The entire product range is both vegan and cruelty-free, too.
Not only does it have 32 different gorgeous colours, but users can also combine colours to create the perfect shade for them.
What are the best vegan hair dye brands in the US?
5. Arctic Fox Hair Dye
Arctic Fox is probably one of the best-known vegan hair dyes in the US. The brand was founded by cruelty-free vlogger and passionate animal lover, Kristen Leanne.
The brand offers a range of semi-permanent colours as well as plant-based hair lightening kits for all your hair colouring needs.
6. Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dye
As you can probably gather from its name, Lime Crime is known for its full range of colour options.
Its colours, just as Bubblegum Pink and Neon Peach, are fully vegan and cruelty-free. The brand also offers temporary hair colour sprays, bleaching kits, and hair tints.
7. Splat Hair Dye
Splat offers a wide range of both temporary and semi-permanent colours.
Splat also offers the best of bold blues, greens, and pinks. It also has a virtual try-on feature on its website so you can give the colour a go before committing.
Additionally, Splat offers bleach and ombre kits if more natural colours are your style.
8. Tints of Nature Hair Dye
Tints of Nature focuses on creating hair dye that is good for your hair and the planet. Its products are organic, all-natural, and 100% vegan.
All its colours are available in either a semi-permanent henna cream formula or permanent formula that is crafted from plant-based ingredients.
The brand also has hair lightener kits that naturally brighten your locks.
9. Brite Organix Hair Color
Brite Organix also has a great offering of semi-permanent hair colours ranging in colours from bright neons to soft pastels.
It is a fully vegan and cruelty-free brand and also partners with ethical and family-owned favourites.
Looking to reduce puffiness, smooth fine lines or make your under-eye area more illuminated?
Discover our pick of the best vegan eye creams.
