Temporary Hair Color

No need to commit to a single hair color

Temporary hair colors are a great option for those that either don't want to commit to a certain color for any length of time or those who want to try out a color before they commit. There are also numerous products that color in roots (between washings) to extend the time between full colorings. Whether you spray, paint on, comb or color them on with chalk, the one thing they all have in common is that they wash out with a single shampoo.

If you're looking to color in your roots, ColorMark TouchBack (Est. $30) gets great reviews. According to reviewers, the formula does an excellent job of covering grays. It works much like a marker -- going on wet and drying within one minute. Like all temporary hair-color products, it washes out in the shower. Editors at Allure praise the formula for blending seamlessly with existing hair color and for being extremely easy to use.

A handful of users at Amazon.com give it an overall rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Most are happy with the immediate results, although one says it can take a long time to apply if you have a lot of gray hair. It comes in eight shades and is safe to use every day.

For highlights, Alterna Stylist 1 Night Highlights (Est. $29 for 3.3 oz.) offers some fun and practical solutions. The formula is a spray foam that is designed to be brushed into hair. Editors at BeautyHigh.com say it's a great option for the "non-committal" user, adding that the formula really stays put and doesn't flake off. It's completely free of ammonia, peroxide and any synthetic color. It comes in four shades: caramel, shimmering blonde, haute pink and ravishing red. Although there are several YouTube videos that offer tutorials, we didn't find many user reviews of the product.

If you're looking for something a little more wild and daring, Rita Hazan Pop Color Temporary Color Spray (Est. $18) offers vibrant colors in an aerosol can. These can be used to either create all-over color, streaks of color or a dipping effect. Editors at Allure magazine say, "If you want dramatic color that will wash out by Monday morning, we found these to be the most reliable." The three available colors -- pink, purple and blue -- are designed to look vibrant on all shades of hair, from blonde to auburn to black, according to manufacturers.

The products listed here are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to temporary hair colors. We didn't find many reviews for any particular temporary product, but most of them are simply fun to try out. And if you hate it, you can always wash it out.