20 Ways to Add Some Fun Color to Hair — Without Dyeing It

Women have a lot of pride in their hair. Some might not, but for most of us, thanks to society, hair is a pretty big deal. Thankfully, a lot of women are seeing that hair isn't so much about attracting a man (no Mad Men stuff here, thanks). Instead, for many people out there, of any gender, hair is truly about style and self-expression. And it's fun! It's a way to play with identify, reaffirm, or be proud of identity — like this mom who ditched her wig for her daughter. It also a way to show off personality. Now that cool, fun rainbow colors are a trend, things could get even more interesting. There are so many possibilities for experimentation.

But what if one doesn't actually want to dye her hair outright? There could be plenty of reasons for this. One: Pregnancy. Chemicals often found in dyes is usually not the safest thing for expecting mothers to inject so dyeing hair is typically more of a post-baby ritual for lots of moms. Another reason is that our hair is precious and sometimes, women just don't want to commit to completely changing their real hair. That's OK, too! Or maybe the goal is just to get feet wet in the colorful hair world. 

Whatever the reason, there are so many fun and cool (and easy) ways to color hair without touching dye. It's all about the products out there to help get the job done. From clip-in extensions, to hair chalk to colored conditioner, there's lots of non-dye and temporary ways to get that bright and beautiful rainbow hair. The best part? There's always another color and a new day. Changing it up will be easier than ever. 

Colored Clip-In Hair Extensions

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Walmart

Add a little bit of color or a lot with these colored clip-in hair extensions. They come in at about 24 inches and last about a year.

Florata Colored Clip in Hair Extensions ($10, Walmart)

Bumble and Bumble Bb Color Stick

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Sephora

Coloring isn't just for little kids, it's actually a thing to color hair, too. The Bumble and Bumble color sticks twist up and can literally be colored onto the hair to cover up grays or just add in some color!

Bumble and Bumble Bb Color Stick ($26, Sephora)

Brite Liquid Hair Chalk

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Ulta

Paint on fun colors without having it become permanent. Liquid hair chalk gives that flexibility while still creating vibrant, bright hair.

Brite Liquid Hair Chalk ($12, Ulta)

Runlong Hair Chalk Combs

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Amazon

Can bright color be as easy as running a brush through hair? With the Runlong Hair Chalk, it sure is. This pack included six different colors. 

Runlong Hair Chalk Comb ($12, Amazon)

Dark Brown Hair Powder

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Saving Grace Hair

Whether the goal is a more solid brown, or to color thinning hair spots, hair powder will do the trick. It does not contain any harsh chemicals, either, so use it guilt-free.

Dark Brown Hair Powder ($15, Saving Grace Hair)

Sun Bum Shampoo

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Macy's

If there's a product to cleanse hair of dirt, sea salt, chlorine, and other "summer debris," the Sun Bum shampoo is it. It also provides UV protection, too. 

Sun Bum Shampoo ($9, Macy's)

Color Strip Extension Pink Sprinkles

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Sally Beauty

For realistic color without the commitment, Pop by Hairdo has a clip-in extension line with vibrant rainbow colors to choose from. They can be heat-styled in almost any hair style.

Color Strip Extension Pink Sprinkles ($10, Sally Beauty)

Handmade Urban Jewelry Hair Wrap

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SunshineArtists/Etsy

Add some color and decor to hair with hair wrap jewelry. Many are handmade, like this one from Etsy. Can be clipped-in.

Handmade Urban Jewelry Hair Wrap (from $13, SunshineArtists/Etsy)

Keracolor Clenditioner Color Depositing Conditioner Colorwash

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Amazon

Don't waste time going through the gazillion steps of dyeing hair. Add a pop of color or shade by just conditioning. The Keracolor Conditioner Colorwash is an Amazon Choice product that deposits color into the hair.

Keracolor Color Depositing Conditioner Colorwash ($22, Amazon)

Lime Crime Unicorn Hair

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Bloomingdale's

If it says unicorn hair, sign us up. The Lime Crime unicorn hair product is another "ultra-conditioning" product that leaves amazing color in hair for several weeks with a simple treatment. It's "DIY-friendly, damage-free color works gently, washes out gradually and fades gracefully."

Lime Crime Unicorn Hair ($16, Bloomingdale's)

Synthetic Lace Front Wigs

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Wigs Buy

If a long-lasting, full-on color change without the commitment or damage to the actual hair is the goal then a wig may be the way to go. There's tons of cute ones and, hey, Kylie Jenner does it.

Synthetic Lace Front Wigs ($83, Wigsbuy)

Hair Color Mascara

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Urban Trend Deals

Eyelashes aren't the only type of hair to use mascara. Color mascara for the hair on our heads is a thing. It works by having an actual mascara-like brush comb through hair to create even color.

Hair Color Mascara ($23, Urban Trend Deals)

Hair Mud

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Walmart

Whoddathunk mud would be used in the beauty world, but that's exactly the case for MarinaVida. The hair dye wax mud is applied with fingers and styled any way that's desired. The color washes out. 

MarinaVida American Unisex 7 Colors DIY Hair Dye Wax Mud ($8, Walmart)

IGK Mixed Feelings Leave-In Blonde Drops

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Sephora

Blondes and lighter-colored hair owners know that a simple tone can completely lift hair to a brand new color. Say bye to brass and hello to a brighter blond with the IGK Leave-In Blonde Drops. Mix with any shampoo or conditioner. 

IGK Mixed Feelings Leave-In Blonde Drops ($29, Sephora)

Tint Rinse

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eSalon

For brunettes, a tint rinse is also a shade-changer without any dye-job hassle. Per its description, it's "a professional-grade treatment that temporarily deposits pigments to revive or enhance hair color."

Tint Rinse ($15, eSalon)

IGK Foamo Holographic Hair Foam

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Sephora

Become a space cadet without ever becoming an astronaut. Get a holographic color and shimmer with IGK's Foamo Holographic Hair Foam.

IGK Foamo Holographic Hair Foam ($22, Sephora)

Rainbow Henna

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Mercato

Henna tattoos are a beautiful Eastern tradition known to color the skin with different designs, but the semi-permanent dye can be used to color hair, too. 

Rainbow Henna ($7, Mercato)

Synthetic & Twist Braiding Hair Extensions

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Walmart

Black women are no strangers to intricate braids and weaves, but there's tons of colorful options on the market. They come in two sizes: 100g and 165g. 

Hair Weave with Synthetic and Twist Braiding Hair Extensions (from $7, Walmart)

Nylon Hair Extensions

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Party Bell

For simpler, smaller braids to add to hairstyles, these nylon hair extensions will do the trick. They're 11 inches long and come in a pack of 12 that has two braids of each of six bright colors.

Nylon Hair Extensions Pack of 12 ($3, Party Bell)

Overtone

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Overtone

Overtone has the results of dyeing hair without actually dyeing hair. Here's how it works: Massage in the hair where the color should go, wait a few minutes, and then rinse. It's really that easy. 

Overtone Conditioner ($29, Overtone)

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