They say it's not easy being green, but it's even trickier being pink. Or, rather, staying pink, once you've chosen your new pink hair dye and are awaiting the glorious tones on your head.
And, if you're looking to go pink on a permanent basis, you'll need to spend a little more time searching for a shade that refuses to budge.
Most pink hair dyes are semi-permanent, which means they only coat the outer layer of the hair with colour molecules that gradually wash out with shampooing. Semi-permanent dyes don't use the chemicals that will penetrate the hair shaft and alter its natural pigment like permanent dyes do, which means they tend to fade faster and may not show up well on dark hair. Either way, you'll probably want to bleach your hair first if you're hoping for pastel or bright pink shades.
When it comes to choosing the best permanent pink hair dye, you'll want to pay attention to the details. Permanent dyes usually contain ammonia, which opens up the hair cuticle, and peroxide, which removes the existing colour and deposits the new one. Permanent dyes can also provide more coverage for grey hair and more vibrant colours for dark hair, making permanent pink dyes more versatile if you have darker hair and would rather not bleach it.
Once you've chosen your pink hair dye, the fun can begin. For best results, you'll want to wear gloves during application and smudge some Vaseline around your hairline to ensure it's only your hair that goes pink, rather than your hands or forehead.
We've rounded up all of the best permanent pink hair dyes below
Best semi permanent hair dye for a short-term switch up of your look
Best at home hair dye for a salon-standard new ‘do
Best at-home hair colouring products
Best red hair dye: Permanent and semi-permanent dyes from true rouge to copper tones
Best hair masks for bleached hair to help repair damaged locks
Best hair oils for bleached hair to breathe life back into damaged locks
Schwarzkopf LIVE Lightener + Twist Permanent Pink Hair Dye Cool Rosé
Schwarzkopf is home to all kinds of vibrant colours and excels when it comes to permanent pink hair dye. The brand’s LIVE Lightener + Twist Permanent Pink Hair Dye in the Cool Rosé hue is a two-in-one formula that lightens blonde hair up to four levels whilst creating a subtle twist of the pastel pigment.
If you’d rather not fuss around separately bleaching and dyeing your hair, this specially designed pack tackles both processes in one easy application.
Buy now £6.99, Amazon
Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Dye
Garnier’s Olia Permanent Hair Dye is a top choice for smooth, nourished colour no matter what shade you have in mind. But if the desired hue is a soft, cool, dusty pink, you’ll love the brand’s Deep Rose dye.
This 60 per cent oil-powered permanent hair dye features natural flower oils and no ammonia, ensuring all of the benefits of a new colour without quite so much of the damage. Its non-drip velvety texture and delicate floral fragrance ensure more of a premium at-home dyeing experience too.
Buy now £7.93, Amazon
COLOR TIME Permanent Gel Hair Dye Light Pink Blonde
Just because you’re looking to go pink doesn’t necessarily mean you’re looking for hot pink locks. If you’re in the mood for something a little more subtle, a box of COLOR TIME’s Permanent Gel Hair Dye in Light Pink Blonde might just be the ticket.
Formulated with 18 amino acids, peptides, proteins and sterols, this permanent hair dye is a little more nourishing than most, ensuring a gorgeous new pink shade but strong, strengthened locks at the same time.
Buy now £6.99, Amazon
L'Oreal Paris Preference Vivids Permanent Hair Dye
Another top choice regardless of whether you’re looking for a cool brunette, bright blonde or a colourful pink, L’Oréal Paris’ Permanent Hair Colour comes in a huge range of shades and delivers an all-over colour, even if you’re not the most adept at home-dyeing.
The Rose Gold shade is perfect for those looking to go pink without waving goodbye to shine. The formula includes the brand’s Liquid Gel technology, enriched with a UV filter and Vitamin E Derivative, which ensures long-lasting radiance, colour and shine.
Buy now £8.54, Amazon
BRITE Instant Color Pink
BRITE’s Instant Color Pink may describe itself as semi-permanent rather than permanent but, with results lasting up to 30 washes, it’s the closest thing you’ll find to committing to a new shade without having to actually, well, 100 per cent commit.
This vegan, cruelty-free and ultra-hydrating hair colour transforms your hair into a gorgeous pink hue with a moisturising formula that conditions as it colours, leaving your hair silky smooth.
Buy now £9.89, Amazon
Wella Colour Touch Instamatic Permanent Hair Colour in Pink Dream
A pink dream is exactly what you’ll get when you treat yourself to a bottle of Wella’s Colour Touch Instamatic Permanent Hair Colour. Formulated with a fine blend of colour molecules, this rich hair dye penetrates deep into the hair follicles to achieve an intense colour. Perfect for those with pre-lightened hair, it offers a soft, pastel pink finish with beautiful results.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
NXT Permanent Hair Colour, Pink Metallic
NXT’s Permanent Hair Colour was designed to be used by salon professionals and offers a potent, pink finish with plenty of shine. Its vegan-friendly formula is known for being especially cost-effective, as each 100ml tube delivers two applications for less than the price of most single-colour processes.
Suitable for all kinds of hair colours and designs (but offering the best results on pre-lightened hair), this dye was created with four plant botanicals to counteract fading, while simultaneously nourishing your locks.
Buy now £5.49, Aston & Fincher
Verdict
Not only does it have the largest range of permanent pink shades but Schwarzkopf’s LIVE Lightener + Twist Permanent Pink Hair Dye range is a top choice for easy-to-apply, vibrant pink tones.
