How to Make Splat Hair Color Last Longer and Stay Vibrant

Last Updated on January 25, 2023 by Gaga

What Is Splat Hair Dye? 

Bold shades that don’t wash out easily define Splat semi-permanent hair dye. One of the world’s most popular brands, Splat uses their highly pigmented formula to enliven hair with characteristically standout colors while adding ultra-softness and shine. Splat is ideal for individuals who love experimenting with different hair colors and prefer DIY color jobs. 

These semi-permanent dyes are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Likewise, you won’t find bleach, parabens, sulfates, or fragrance in them. Since they have no lifting power, however, the color only comes out vibrantly in medium blonde or lighter hair. Darker hair won’t show any color at all, or at best allows a subtle reflection that washes out quickly. But if your hair is on the darker end of the scale, don’t fret! You can still achieve the same vivid shades as your lighter-haired friends, but bleaching will be necessary. Results also depend on your hair’s condition and porosity. For all its benefits, Splat isn’t without a downside. You’re facing a runnier and messier process in the shower than the usual bleeding from other semi-permanent hair dye brands.

How Long Does Splat Hair Color Last?

Semi-permanent Splat hair color lasts up to 6 weeks, approximately 23 shampoos, and fades gradually with every wash. This longevity varies based on a number of factors, many of which you can influence or outright control.  Damaged and overly porous hair is unable to retain pigmentation for long, for example. And you’ll get better results by keeping your hair healthy. Ultimately, you’ll want to keep three main factors in mind when determining how long Splat hair color will last.

• Formulation of dye: Splat’s permanent line makes a promise for longer-lasting color than the semi-permanent dyes. And it keeps that promise. Splat’s NEW Double Lift Permanent Color Kits come with bleach and permanent dye for lifting and dyeing respectively. The bold and beautiful color that results can last up to 30 washes. Permanent dyes work best on high-porosity hair, which tends to lose pigments fast.  However, the bleach kits contain harsh ingredients such as ammonia, sodium hydroxide, and peroxide that can dry out hair and leave it prone to breakage.

• Chosen color:  The shade you select also affects duration. As you might expect, darker and more pigmented colors tend to last longer. Long-lasting Splat hair colors include dark green, dark blue, purple, and fuchsia. The shortest-lasting hair colors include white, yellow, lavender, silver, and neon.

• Condition of hair: Color lasts longer if your hair is bleached before dyeing. Virgin and dark-colored hair won’t retain color long, and high-porosity hair does a similarly poor job. So, bleached and healthy hair makes the perfect canvas for vivid and lasting Splat semi-permanent colors.

What Can You Do to Preserve Your Splat Hair Color?

To extend the vibrancy and longevity of Splat hair color as much as possible, you’ll need to change your hair care routine. But make sure to prepare your hair for coloring and apply Splat dye properly. The best routine in the world won’t do any work without the right foundation. Here are some basic guidelines to ensure optimal results and durability.

1. Applying the dye as directed: Follow. The. Directions.  It seems obvious, but it’s easy to overlook and is crucial for maximizing your hair dye’s lifespan. If you cut corners, like leaving the dye shorter than directed, the color is likely to come out lighter and fade faster. That said, thoughtfully bending the rules can better your results. Leaving the dye in one day longer than recommended can actually help in obtaining long-lasting color. In general, though, you’ll want to do what you’re supposed to. Make sure your hair has been lifted with bleach to a light blonde stage. (Brilliant Blondexx Bleach with Bond Protect will help minimize damage.) Apply dye to clean, detangled, and completely dry hair. Use a shower cap to help retain body heat and enable better color penetration. Applying heat from an external source like a blow dryer during the processing time can help as well.
2. Washing frequency: Excessive washing is the main cause of fading, so you’ll need to wash your hair less than you normally would. If your hair tends to get oily fast, use a dry shampoo to refresh between sudsy shampoo sessions. That way, you can cut washing in half and better avoid washing out the pigment.  Look for a color-safe dry shampoo rich in rice starch and antioxidants that is also free of color-depleting chemicals.
3. Type of hair shampoo: Your regular shampoo can negatively affect the vibrancy and longevity of your hair color. If you look in the shower and find sulfate-based and clarifying shampoos, this definitely applies to you. These can strip your hair of the color you spent so much effort putting in. Instead, use a mild, sulfate-free shampoo formulated for color-treated hair. Splat Fade Defense Hair Color Maintenance Kit is a shampoo and conditioner kit that meets these criteria and is loaded with color enhancers. Not only will it protect your favorite Splat color from time’s worst effects, but it will also keep your hair soft, manageable, and shiny.
4. Exposure to heat: The more exposure you allow to hot water and heat-based styling tools, the faster your color will fade. To maintain vibrancy, reign the water temperature in and use cool or lukewarm water. Otherwise, you’ll be opening cuticles that permit the color to bleed. After washing, let your hair air dry whenever possible. If you do use a blow dryer, flat iron, or curling iron, use a heat protectant spray to maintain your vivid hair color.
5. Exposure to sunlight and chlorine: You’ll need to protect your hair from the sun, which can lighten the pigments in your hair. The sun’s UV rays act like bleach, not only fading color but also leaving the hair itself dry and brittle. Likewise, you should take steps to protect your hair from the chlorine in swimming pools. Hard water poses a related danger and can be mitigated by installing a shower filter in your bathroom.
6. Using Color Conditioning Masques: Splat Color Conditioning Masque deposit color that helps keep your dye fresh. They can revitalize your existing shade, add shine, and bring softness back into those strands. The masks can also deposit color on pre-lightened hair. It takes only 3 minutes to see results. To maximize those results, however, you’ll want to leave the mask on for 20–30 minutes. 

How to Wash Out Splat Hair Dye

Sometimes you may get bored with your color or have to change your look for some reason.  When talking about removing any hair dye it is important to do it properly to preserve the overall health of your hair. If your hair is dry and damaged, wait until the color fades gradually with washing.

Here are some ways to get rid of Splat bold colors, or speed up the color fading process.

1. Clarifying shampoo and baking soda: Mix equal parts of clarifying shampoo and baking soda and let the mixture sit in your hair for 30 minutes before washing off with warm water. If your hair is partially colored, cover only that part of your hair. This mixture can leave your hair dry, so follow with a deep hair mask to restore moisture and shine.

2. Bleach bath: This is the most effective way to get rid of Splat’s semi-permanent color. A bleach bath also known as bleach wash is a milder alternative to regular bleach and it can still lighten hair effectively.

To make a bleach bath mix a lightener with ½ cup of clarifying shampoo. Adding shampoo will make the bleaching less harsh. You can also add ½ cup of water if you want a more diluted formula. Blend the ingredients together.

Apply the mixture to wet hair and avoid covering regrown and non-colored parts of the hair. Remove the mixture once you get the desired shade. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t leave the mixture to sit longer than 45 minutes.

3. Color removers: Color removers are gentler on the hair than bleach but they are less effective in removing direct dyes than bleach washes. If you do use one, make sure you use a color remover formulated for direct dye removal.