FAQs

  • WHY SHOULD I USE MANIC PANIC® HAIR COLOR?

    Manic Panic® Hair Color is a 100% vegan, cruelty-free semi-permanent hair color! Our products are Tested on Celebrities Not Animals! ™ Each color is non-damaging and has been fortified with conditioners that add moisture to hair. Because they don’t lift or use harsh chemicals, you will want to pr...

  • WHY DO I HAVE TO DO A PATCH TEST AND STRAND TEST BEFORE I BEGIN?

    A patch test and strand test is essential before beginning a hair color or lightening process. MANIC PANIC® Hair Color is PPD FREE but some people do develop allergies to different color dyes throughout their lives. For that reason you should always perform a patch test! The Strand Test is to ens...

  • Are Manic Panic® Wigs Safe for Children?

    Manic Panic®  wigs are designed for adult use only. Manic Panic® wigs are fancy dress items for adults. Manic Panic® wigs are not toys. WARNING: Keep wigs away from fire.

  • CAN I USE MANIC PANIC® TO COVER GREY HAIR?

    Everyone’s hair is different and this is especially true with gray hair!Some grays can be more coarse and less porous (even though they are lighter in color) and require pre-lightening or super pigmented shades to cover. For our most updated list of shades that can work on covering gray hair plea...

  • COLOR SPRAY ADVICE:

    Shake up temporary hair color spray really well before you use it!  Holding the spray cans at an angle (about a 40-degree angle) rather than holding the cans upright will help to ensure a smooth spray of product onto the hair.  Spray the product from at least 12 inches away and in short bursts, r...

  • DO I HAVE TO BLEACH MY HAIR BEFORE COLORING?

    Not necessarily! If you have naturally light blonde hair or even a light brown color, there are some colors that can give you great results or a beautiful deep tint! Here are some of our pigmented shades that work best on unbleached hair. Natural hair is healthy hair and that is great; however, i...

  • DO I SHAMPOO MY HAIR WHEN REMOVING THE BLEACH?

    Yes! Thoroughly shampoo your hair away from your face and make sure to be careful not to get any bleach in your eyes, nose or mouth! This may take multiple washes to ensure the bleach is completely removed. If you’re dying your hair with MANIC PANIC® after bleaching, you don’t need condition sinc...

  • HELP! I ACCIDENTALLY STAINED MY SKIN! HOW DO I GET THE DYE OFF?

    Use Manic Panic® Dye Away® hair color removing wipes! - or -  Rub Dish Soap on with a sponge or use dish soap on hand with hot water as soon as the dye makes contact and have dry paper towels there to wipe the area clean.  Prevent staining with gloves, careful application, and coconut oil or petr...

  • HOW CAN I LIGHTEN MY HAIR BEFORE APPLYING MANIC PANIC DYE?

    If you feel comfortable bleaching your hair at home prior to coloring, we offer 3 bleach kitsthat will lighten your hair. If you’re not sure which kit is right for you based on their description, please feel free to contact us! Make sure to mix all contents in your bleach package when preparing b...

  • HOW CAN I REMOVE MANIC PANIC® HAIR COLOR FROM MY HAIR?

    Most people let color fade or use clarifying shampoo like our Prepare to Dye® shampoo to fade color before their next color! However, if you want to remove color, you will want to purchase a color-remover made for semi-permanent hair dye for this. Bleach should not be used to remove color as it c...

  • HOW DOES VIRGIN SNOW WORK?

    Pictured: @maeeast Our Manic Panic Virgin Snow™ is a Toning Shade. See above photo of @maeeast who used our lighting kit and Virgin Snow™ to tone her icy locks! A toner works to neutralize unwanted pigments left behind on newly lightened hair. Toner and toning mixes can help cancel out unwanted...

  • HOW DO I COLOR MY HAIR WITH MANIC PANIC?

    Since Manic Panic® does not damage or lift hair, the base color is essential to the end result. For best results, you will want to achieve at least a level 7+ blonde for many of our shades prior to coloring and a level 10+ for pastel and Neon/UV shades.  Wash hair with a clarifying shampoo like o...

  • HOW DO I KNOW IF MY HAIR DYE HAS GONE BAD?

    Most hair colors have a shelf life of around 1-2 years if stored properly and unopened. If you believe your hair color is expired or there is something off about it in any way, please contact customer service at customerservice@manicpanic.com with your proof of purchase, the name of the color, wh...

  • HOW IS BLEACH APPLIED?

    The bleach mixture should be applied to dry, unwashed hair using a hair dye brush like the one provided in our bleach kits. When applying bleach, make sure to spread the mixture evenly and completely saturate all strands using the brush or gloved fingers. Not saturating the hair enough or uneven ...

  • HOW MUCH PRODUCT DO I NEED?

    BLEACH: Most people with average length hair purchase two bleach kits at a time. This should ensure you have enough product and if you don’t use the second you have it for touch-ups! One bleach kit is required for every 4-5 inches of hair, per process (average thickness). Please note: Leftover mi...

  • HOW LONG DO MANIC PANIC® COLORS LAST?

    The way Manic Panic® Hair Color fades varies as it can be dependent on many factors! If your hair is bleached, for example, it will typically hold color much longer than someone whose hair is unbleached. But if your hair is over-processed, it can mean your hair will have a harder time holding col...

  • HOW LONG SHOULD I LEAVE THE BLEACH ON?

    The length of processing time depends on the color and condition of your hair, but we don’t recommend leaving the bleach on for longer than 40 minutes per session. While processing, make sure to check your hair every 10 minutes after the application to evaluate how much color has lifted. To do so...

  • How Often Should I Wash My  Wig? 

    Determining how often to wash your wig generally depends on how often you wear it. Your wig should be washed after about 30 wears, or every four to six weeks. However, your lifestyle also plays a big part in how often your wig should be washed. If you're around heavy smoke, perfume, or strong odo...

  • How Should I Store My  Wig In Between Uses?

    Always gently brush your wig after each use using a wig brush to detangle it before storage. Start gently brushing from the bottom up to avoid causing knots and pulling out the hair. If necessary, use a synthetic wig detangling spray. You may store your wig on display using a wig head, or, you ma...

  • I HAVE NEVER USED LIGHTENER BEFORE. SHOULD I HAVE A PROFESSIONAL STYLIST COLOR MY HAIR?

    If you are unsure or feel like you don’t have the experience to lighten your own hair, we always suggest having a professional stylist color your hair. If you are not able to visit a professional stylist, you can always email customerservice@manicpanic.com, and we will walk you through the proces...

  • I PUT BLUE DYE IN MY HAIR BUT IT CAME OUT GREEN. WHY?

    Since Manic Panic® is a direct deposit dye, it directly deposits color on the base color you have (which is why your base color is so important). Your base color will directly interact with the color applied on top of it. If you apply blue pigment on top of a yellow-toned blonde, the results can ...

  • IS IT DANGEROUS TO COLOR MY HAIR DURING PREGNANCY?

    Since our color is non-damaging with no harsh chemicals, you should be able to color your hair in theory but you will need to contact your doctor regarding this just to be safe! And of course, you may develop allergies during pregnancy you don’t normally have so you’ll want to do a patch and stra...

  • MY CREAM DEVELOPER IS WATERY. WHY?

    The developer and bleach powder get thicker once mixed. If the developer is still thin after mixing, let the mixture stand for a few minutes and it should thicken.  If it doesn’t thicken up and you’re sure you’ve mixed it correctly, please do not use it and contact customer service at customerser...

  • OH NO! I ACCIDENTALLY GOT DYE ON MY BATHROOM SURFACES… HOW DO I GET IT OFF?

    Manic Panic® hair colors can stain anything that is porous (just like your hair!) so it is best to cover your surfaces and anything you don’t intend to color with, tin foil, newspaper, or hair dye towels to ensure you do not get any unwanted staining on your home surfaces. Always rinse your hair ...

  • Preparing to Wash Your  Wig:

    Wigs should be washed when they are dull, lifeless, over-sprayed, or tangled from too much teasing. Start by gently brushing your wig from the bottom in short strokes to remove knots, any spray build-up, and to separate the hair strands.

  • Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Your Synthetic  Wig:

    STEP 1. SOAK Mix lukewarm water with synthetic wig shampoo in a sink or basin (never use a washing machine). Soak your wig for five minutes, or a little longer depending on how soiled it is. Even if your  wig is quite soiled, never rub, twist or wring it. STEP 2. CLEAN After the five minutes, gen...

  • WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT RESULTS WITH MANIC PANIC HAIR COLOR ON BLEACHED VS. NON-BLEACHED HAIR

    Everyone’s hair will have different results depending on several factors but in general, the color will be more true to tone and vibrant on bleached hair. Our more pigmented shades will give brown hair a deep tint but the color will be more subtle. The most important step is the strand test so yo...

  • WHAT ARE THE UV COLORS AND HOW DO THEY WORK? 

    We have a variety of hair color shades that are UV-reactive or Glow Under Black Light. Specialized UV lights such as black lights cause fluorescent substances like some of our hair colors to glow. Please note that hair must be lightened to a level 9+ or higher for the UV reaction in the dyes to s...

  • WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO SHOULD I USE AFTER I COLOR MY HAIR TO HELP MY COLOR LAST?

    You’ll want to check the ingredients and make sure you are using silicone-free, sulfate-free products with no harsh chemicals or heavy oils. It is also a good idea to avoid shampoos with high levels of sodium chloride. Be sure to use a deep cleansing/clarifying shampoobefore coloring (and don’t a...

  • WHERE CAN I FIND MANIC PANIC HAIR COLOR IN STORES?

    You can find Manic Panic® on shelves at ULTA, Sally Beauty Supply, or Hot Topic.You can also find us in select Bed Bath and Beyond stores, Walmart online and many more! Reach out to customerservice@manicpanic.com if you’re not sure where to shop. You can also use our store locator to find Manic P...

  • WHICH MANIC PANIC COLORS WILL SHOW UP THE BEST ON HAIR THAT IS NOT PRE-LIGHTENED? (CLICK ON COLOR FOR PICTURES)

    For more intense and longer-lasting results, try the above-mentioned shades in our Amplified™ Collection! This formula is stronger and lasts 30% longer! Some of the Amplified™ shades start out as pastels and will still be considered pastels even in amplified formulas but with more intensity (Shad...

  • WHY IS MY HAIR ORANGE AFTER BLEACHING IT?

    When bleaching dark hair, it can often take more than one processing session to lighten your hair to a pale yellow. Slow and steady wins the race here! After the first time bleaching, your hair could be orange or golden yellow. We recommend waiting at least two weeks before lightening your hair a...

  • WIG FAQS - MANIC PANIC® HEAT STYLEABLE WIGS

    Wig Facts/Info:  Heat Styling Tool Compatible  Heat Resistance up to 248 °F / 120 °C  Hand Washable with Warm Water  Fully Adjustable Wig Cap for Secure Fit  Realistic Look and Feel  Professional Quality Synthetic Wig  Full Bodied for Voluminous Styling yet also Lightweight and Comfortable  Can B...