When I was just starting to get interested in dying my hair into some crazy colors, Manic Panic was the brand I kept hearing about. Manic Panic has a lot of shades, Manic Panic is easy to use, Manic Panic this and that. Plus, there are so many YouTube videos featuring them. So of course, I tried it. But is it really worth it, or it’s just a hype? This Manic Panic Hair Dye review will finally answer your questions.
What is it?
Manic Panic is a company based in New York City, founded in July 7, 1977 (7/7/77) by sisters who were singers in the original Blondie lineup. Manic Panic has three types of hair dyes: the High Voltage Classic Cream Formula, the “Amplified” which lasts longer than the high voltage, and the “Creamtone” for those who likes pastel hair. All hair dyes are semi-permanent and vegan formula.
The one I used and will review is the Manic Panic High Voltage Classic Cream Formula in Deep Purple Dream shade, because 1) dark colors look better on me, and 2) Amplified were sold out on the only store I know in the Philippines them.
Performance
APPLICATION: Just like what everyone has told me, applying Manic Panic is easy. You don’t need to mix it with peroxide or anything. It’s ready to use! But take note, to achieve the desired color you must have light hair tone. If you’re not a natural blonde like me then you must bleach and tone your hair before applying this product. Ideally, you must have level 10 blonde. (READ: 5 Things Asian Should Know Before Getting Pastel Hair)
PACKAGING: It is packaged in a jar like a peanut butter or jam which contains 40z. of hair dye. I really like it because I don’t need to transfer it on a bowl unlike most hair dyes. I could just dip my brush in it then straight to my hair.
SMELL: It actually smells nice, like candy. That… or it’s really sweet in our bathroom.
RESULTS: The good news, my hair was moisturized after I applied it. The bad news, the color didn’t work on my level 7 blonde.
Instead of the Deep Purple color that I was expecting. But this is what really happened to my hair, a gray hair with hints of pale violet. And that’s the look under a bright light. While in natural light, this what it looks like:
My hair has gone multi-colored! Some shades are grey, green-ish, pink-ish and some hints of violet. But luckily, I happened to like the craziness, and a lot of people too. I got a lot of compliments! Unfortunately, this color only lasted for a week. By one and a half weeks my hair started to go back to level 7 blonde with hints of green.
PROS: It moisturizes your hair, and so easy to use. You don’t need to mix anything. Plus, the jar packaging is less hassle.
CONS: Expensive and shades won’t really work unless you’re level 10 blonde or really white hair. Plus, they’re easy to fade.
I’m very disappointed to Manic Panic High Voltage Hair Dye. It has so much hype and it didn’t live up to it. There are other brands I discovered that last longer and highly pigmented. Even brunettes could use them. Although, I haven’t tried the Manic Panic Amplified which I heard last longer than the High Voltage.
Where to buy?
If you’re still interested on Manic Panic High Voltage, you could buy a jar of 4oz on Asos for $20. If you live in the Philippines, you could buy them in Rainbow Head Ph for Php700.