I remember my first experience with Manic Panic. I was in beauty school and thought it would be fun to crank up my hair color with some more vibrant hues. I turned to the popular intense dye to give myself bright red streaks, then later purple streaks. My husband even experimented with blue and green.

The ammonia- and peroxide-free semi-permanent color temporarily stains the hair without causing damage. But that’s not all, it’s also just been nominated for a Peta2 Libby Award for Best Cruelty-Free Hair Product and was endorsed by Peta as one of the best cruelty-free hair colors you can use.

Not sure if you can pull off bright colors? You’d be surprised. Vibrant hair color isn’t only for the emo/punk crowd. In fact, it can even look professional (with a taste of rocker, of course). Just look at Jeannie Mai, the cute host of the Style Network’s How Do I Look? The blue streaks mixed in with her dark brown hair add some fun without going over the top.

For those of you who want to attempt these bright colors, I do have a few tips and tricks:

1. Unless your hair is blonde, white, or light red, these colors are not going to show up and you will need to bleach your hair first.

2. This stuff stains everything. So, wear an old t-shirt, have plenty of old towels on hand, and wear gloves. Apply a barrier cream around your hairline (like petroleum jelly) to prevent the dye from staining your skin. Do not drip on counters or floors. But if you do (because you probably will), wipe immediately with a wet rag, and then whip out a scrubber brush to remove the stain.

3. I’ve read some people saying the longer you leave it on, the more permanent it will become. This is not true. Follow the instructions. The color usually only lasts 3 weeks at best. If you want it to last longer, then wash your hair less often. However, please remember that this color, though temporary, never fades completely out. It will always leave a slight hue of whatever color you used, which will eventually have to grow out or will need to be colored over.

Good luck and Happy Coloring!