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Home » Natural Hairstyles

How Long Does Splat Hair Dye Last? How to Make It Last Longer

Kenneth ByrdBy Kenneth ByrdMBA · 15+ years in hair care · Co-founder of Curl CentricUpdated Sep 14, 20266 min read · Reviewed by Kira Byrd

Evidence-basedPublishing since 2008May contain affiliate links
A smiling Black woman with a full honey blonde and copper afro, one hand lifted into her curls, in a navy polka dot dressPin

Splat is a trendy line of semi-permanent hair dyes that come in a number of stunning shades. From neon oranges to stunning emeralds and everything in between, Splat hair dye has a color to meet everyone's needs.

If you're wondering just how long Splat hair dye lasts, you're in luck! In this article, we'll answer all of your questions about the longevity of Splat hair dye and give you tips on extending the life of your color.

Table of Contents

  • 1. How Long Does Splat Hair Dye Last?
  • 2. Factors Affecting How Long Splat Hair Dye Lasts
  • 3. How to Make Splat Hair Dye Last Longer
  • 4. How to Get Rid of Splat Hair Color
  • 5. How To Use Splat Hair Dye

How Long Does Splat Hair Dye Last?

According to the manufacturer, Splat hair dye lasts for four to six weeks, although some people may find that its color lasts much longer (or shorter).

Splat is a semi-permanent dye, which means it coats the outside of your strands to create stunning but temporary, shades. Your color will become a softer, pastel version of itself as it fades. 

A woman laughing and looking up, both hands resting under her jaw, her blonde and brown afro framing her facePin

Factors Affecting How Long Splat Hair Dye Lasts

As you may have noticed, Splat hair dyes don't last the same amount of time for everyone. A few things can cause your color to last much longer or fade more quickly than someone else's.

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Here are some significant factors that can affect the longevity of your Splat hair color.

  • Some shades of Splat hair dyes tend to last longer than others.  
  • Hair that has been colored before might not hold color well. 
  • The hair products used during your daily routine may shorten or extend the life of your color. 
  • The way you apply Splat hair dye will change how vivid, and long-lasting your color is. 
  • Your hair texture, porosity, and type can influence how long your color lasts. 
  • The more often you wash your hair, the more quickly your color will fade. 
A woman at an angle, one hand tucked under her chin, her rounded blonde brown afro above a polka dot dressPin

How to Make Splat Hair Dye Last Longer

Even though semi-permanent dyes only last for a few weeks, there are things you can do to keep your strands vibrant and bold.

Here are some practical tips to make your Splat hair colors last longer. 

  • Let the dye sit on your hair longer - The longer you let Splat hair dye process in your hair before rinsing, the more intense the color payoff will be. Semi-permanent dyes are incredibly gentle on your strands, so you don't have to worry about incurring chemical damage while you wait.
  • Pick a highly pigmented shade - Deeper, darker shades of dye have more richly pigmented formulas and leave you with enduring color. Pick a more pigmented shade if you're concerned about lengthening the color longevity. 
  • Apply the Splat to damp hair instead of dry- Unlike permanent or demi-permanent color, semi-permanent hair dye is used without a developer. Developers contain ingredients that open your hair's cuticles so that it can absorb more color. Dampening your hair with water before applying Splat can recreate this cuticle-opening effect and leave you with a better result. 
  • Use color-safe products - Color-safe formulas leave out ingredients, like sulfates, that can cause your color to fade faster. Check the labels of your shampoos and conditioners to make sure they are safe to use on color-treated hair.  
  • Avoid sunlight - The harsh UV rays in sunlight can suck color from your strands much sooner than you'd like. Try to limit your exposure to the sun by putting on a hat or scarf before heading outside. You can also use hair products with SPF and UV blockers for a more subtle solution. 
  • Don't wash your hair too often - Try washing your hair no more than twice a week to extend your color beyond the usual 4 to 6 weeks. Sprinkle some dry shampoo onto your roots whenever your hair or scalp needs a refresh. 
  • Limit your use of heat - Avoid using hot tools as much as possible. When you use heat, start things off with a high-quality heat protectant and keep the temperature on a low setting. 
A woman smiling with both hands on her hips, in a navy polka dot dress with bell sleeves, blonde brown afroPin

How to Get Rid of Splat Hair Color

One of the main draws of semi-permanent dye is that it doesn't last forever. However, if you're tired of your color and ready to get back to a clean slate, you are probably looking for ways to get rid of Splat hair dye sooner rather than later.

Here are a few techniques that will fade unwanted hair color. Color removal can dry your hair out, so make sure you follow each of the below treatments with rehydrating treatments like hair masks and deep conditioners. 

A woman laughing with her head turned, both hands raised beside her neck, her blonde brown afro loosePin

Try a Baking Soda Mask

Baking soda's cleaning and lightening effects might be just what you need to eliminate unwanted Splat color. To try this method, all you have to do is mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a half cup of warm water.

Apply the mixture to damp hair and gently massage it into your strands.

Baking soda is abrasive and can damage your hair, so try not to be too rough. Once you saturate your locks, put on a shower cap and wait for up to 10 minutes. Then, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water. 

A woman smiling with both hands on her hips in a navy polka dot two piece, her blonde brown afro above her shouldersPin

Fade Your Color With Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying shampoos have a high concentration of cleansing ingredients and can fade your Splat dye much more quickly than regular shampoo. To give this method a try, lather the shampoo into your hair like usual.

Once your hair is fully saturated, cover your head with a shower cap and let the cleanser sit for up to 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Avoid color-safe clarifying shampoos to get the most out of this color removal technique. 

A woman turned sideways with her arms folded low and one hand near her chin, smiling, her blonde brown afro in profilePin

Use a Color Remover

Many commercial color removers only work on permanent dye, so make sure the remover you choose says it's suitable for semi-permanent color.

While you'll have to follow the directions on your specific product, you'll typically mix the color removal cream with the included developer bottle.

Then, apply the mixture to dry, dirty hair and wait for about 20 minutes. Afterward, rinse the product from your hair, and check out your new, lightened color! 

How To Use Splat Hair Dye

Now that you know how long Splat hair dye lasts, you might be left wondering how to apply it. Luckily, semi-permanent dyes like Splat couldn't be easier to use! Just follow these simple directions the next time you want to give Splat hair color a try. 

Get your Materials Ready

  • Splat hair dye
  • Shower cap
  • Comb
  • Shampoo
  • Gloves 
  • Conditioner
A woman facing right of frame with one hand at her jaw, smiling, her blonde brown afro against a plain orange wallPin

Steps for Coloring Hair with Splat at Home

  1. Start with clean, dry hair. 
  2. Put on your gloves. 
  3. Generously apply the Splat dye to your hair. Comb the dye through once your hair is fully saturated to distribute the color evenly. 
  4. Cover your hair with a shower cap and wait for 45 minutes. For thick hair, wait an hour. 
  5. Remove the shower cap and rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water. 
  6. Shampoo and condition your hair with color-safe products. 
  7. Rinse well and dry your hair. 
  8. Style as usual. 
A woman with her head tilted and a fingertip at her chin, calm closed smile, her blonde brown afro filling the framePin

How Long Does Splat Last After Opening?

Manufacturers recommend using a container of Splat within six weeks of opening it. Once you open the package, sunlight, moisture, heat, and air seep into the container and oxidize the dye.

The oxidized color may lead to unexpected results, like a much darker shade.

An opened container of Splat can also become contaminated by fungal or bacterial growth, so throw away your dye if it develops a weird smell. 

A woman cupping both cheeks in her hands, smiling at the camera, her blonde brown afro against orangePin

Related Articles

  • How Long Do You Leave Splat Bleach in Your Hair
  • How to Stop Hair Dye From Bleeding When Washing
  • How to Lighten Hair Dye Before Applying
  • How to Get Hair Dye off Scalp but Not Hair

Splat hair dyes can leave you with vivid color that lasts for weeks before needing a touchup. Despite the variety of factors contributing to how long color lasts, minor adjustments to your hair care routine can prevent fading and leave you with a long-lasting color result.

We hope this article has answered all of your questions about how long Splat hair dye lasts and given you the tools to keep your locks beautifully colored for longer.

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Kenneth Byrd

About the author

Kenneth Byrd

Co-founder and Managing Partner

Publishing on textured hair since 2008MBA, University of Alabama at BirminghamExecutive education, WhartonTop 40 Under 40, Birmingham Business Journal

Kenneth does the research behind the guides here: reading the studies and checking whether a claim holds up before it gets published, under our editorial guidelines. Outside Curl Centric he leads an operations organization of more than 1,000 people, and he serves on the board of Oasis Counseling for Women and Children. Curl Centric's hair typing system is the first listed reference in a peer-reviewed paper in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology, and it is cited by Wikipedia.

More about KennethAbout Curl Centric

Kira Byrd

Hey, I’m Kira

Curl Centric is run by me and my husband Kenneth. We’ve been publishing evidence-based hair care since 2008 to help you care for your curls with confidence.

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