Manic Panic vs Arctic Fox

By: | Last Updated: May 9, 2023

If you like to dye your hair, then you know that Manic Panic and Arctic Fox are two of the most prominent hair dye brands.

They offer a wide range of bright hair colors that will knock the socks off any hair color enthusiast. Whether you want blue, green, or red hair, they have several shades to choose from, so you can go as bright or as dark as you like.

But in terms of quality, which dye brand will hold up the most?

This article will compare the pros and cons between Manic Panic and Arctic Fox to see which one has more bang for your buck. So read on to find out.


What is Manic Panic hair dye?

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* Prices and Images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2024-03-28 at 08:58  

Manic Panic specializes in semi-permanent hair colors that are vegan and cruelty-free. 

They’ve been around since 1977, so they have an array of hair dyes categorized into 3 color lines.

You may be familiar with their Classic High Voltage line, which has over 40 hues to choose from. But if you think those are vibrant enough, wait until you browse through 32 more options from their Amplified line.

But if you’re looking for subtle color, you can also choose between 5 shades from their Creamtones line. But every Manic Panic enthusiast knows you can also customize any of their hair dyes into a pastel shade by adding in their Pastel-izer. 

If you don’t want to commit to a color, Manic Panic also has temporary hair dyes that are available either as gel or spray-on. So you can browse through 11 shades from their Dye Hard Gel line, or you can pick between 5 shades from their Amplified hair color spray line.

Also, their formulas don’t contain ammonia and parabens, so you’re free to play around with their dyes without worrying about damage.


Do professionals use Manic Panic?

If you think Manic Panic is already doing the most, they also have a Professional Gel hair color line accessible to professional hairstylists in registered salons.

They have 11 shades of gel-based semi-permanent hair colors to choose from, so you can now get a bright hair makeover in selected salons.

Daniel Koye, a celebrity hairstylist, does prefer Manic Panic’s Professional line since their dyes last longer and their colors stay vibrant the longer you wear them.

So if you’re looking for a professional to give you a makeover, you can ask your hairstylist if they use Manic Panic in their salon.


What is Arctic Fox hair dye?

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ARCTIC FOX Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye (8 Fl Oz, WRATH)*
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  • Arctic Fox hair dyes are gentle for frequent use and actually conditions your hair as it restores vibrancy.
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* Prices and Images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2024-03-28 at 08:58  

Arctic Fox also specializes in cruelty-free and vegan semi-permanent hair colors.

Established in 2013, Arctic Fox is still fairly new in the game. But they have 23 fantasy hair colors that you shouldn’t underestimate.

But just like Manic Panic, you can also customize their hues by adding their Arctic Mist Diluter to turn them into a pastel shade that you like.

Aside from hair dyes, they also have a plant-based bleaching kit for when you need to pre-lighten your hair before applying color.

Arctic Fox also has a haircare line that includes a hair serum, hair mask, and dry shampoo, so your hair stays healthy while flaunting its hair colors.

Their products are also alcohol and paraben-free, so you won’t have to worry about fixing any damage later.


Can you use Arctic Fox over Manic Panic?

Do you currently have a Manic Panic hair color on your hair but are thinking about trying out an Arctic Fox shade next? 

Don’t fret; Manic Panic and Arctic Fox hair dyes are both semi-permanent, so you can layer over the other without any reactions.

But if you don’t want the colors to mix, make sure to fade out the old pigments as much as possible with the help of a clarifying shampoo.

But if you’re looking for a distinct color, you can even mix a color from Manic Panic with another shade from Arctic Fox to create a multidimensional color that’s unique to your hair. Who knows, you might even come up with a combination that will turn out to be your favorite.


Manic Panic vs Arctic Fox

Manic Panic vs Arctic Fox

Now that we’ve hashed out what each brand has to offer, let’s break down how each hair dye applies to your hair.

Color payoff

When it comes to fantasy hair colors, the first thing you’ll want to know is how pigmented your hair will look after applying the dye.

So let’s discuss the color payoff of each brand.

First up is Manic Panic. Their hair colors mostly consist of conditioner and semi-permanent hair dye, so you can leave them on for hours without causing damage to your hair. So the longer you leave it on, the more vibrant the color will be.

If you have blonde or pre-lightened hair, Manic Panic will appear vibrant even if you just leave it on for a minimum of 30 minutes. 

The downside is Manic Panic easily stains your skin, bathtub, and bathroom floors. So make sure to cover everything up if you plan to use Manic Panic.

Their dyes also tend to bleed out even if you’ve already washed your hair twice. So if you need to wash your hair more frequently or sweat a lot, you might want to avoid Manic Panic.

Arctic Fox hair dyes also have a non-damaging formula, so you can leave them on your hair for hours if you want the color to appear more saturated.

The good thing is that their colors appear brighter than Manic Panic, so you don’t have to leave them on as long. The pigments will also show up well even if you have unbleached light hair.

Plus, Arctic Fox bleeds less, so it rinses clear faster, so you won’t have to worry about staining your neck, clothes, and pillowcases after.

READ: How To Get Manic Panic Out of Hair

Longevity

How long the colors will last on your hair can depend on several factors, including your chosen hair color, hair porosity, and aftercare. 

But Manic Panic expects their Classic High Voltage dyes to last for up to 6 weeks, their Amplified dyes for 8 weeks, and their Creamtones shades for 2-3 weeks.

But some experience having their pastel shades fade out after 2 washes. While their darker hues, like Purple Haze, can last for 26-27 washes on bleached hair.

Arctic Fox expects their dyes to last for 4-8 weeks on pre-lightened hair and 2-6 weeks on unbleached hair.

But some have their pastel shades last for 6-7 washes on unbleached light hair while their pigmented colors can last for 24-35 washes on pre-lightened hair.


Is Manic Panic better than Arctic Fox?

If you’re looking for a wide range of color options, Manic Panic has more shades to choose from than Arctic Fox.

It also depends on the color you choose, as some Manic Panic colors last longer than some Arctic Fox colors.

For example, blue shades from Manic Panic will fade out longer, while red and purple hues from Arctic Fox will stay longer.

But if you base it on application, Arctic Fox comes out on top. Their colors appear brighter and last longer, so you won’t have to re-apply frequently. 

Also, their hair dyes don’t bleed out every time you wash your hair, so you won’t have to worry about scrubbing stains off later.


What hair dye is better than Manic Panic?

Aside from Arctic Fox, there are also other dye brands that perform better than Manic Panic. So here are a couple of them:

Punky Colour 

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* Prices and Images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2024-03-28 at 08:58  

Punky Colour is a British hair dye brand that offers vegan and cruelty-free temporary, demi-permanent, semi-permanent, and permanent hair dyes. So you can take your pick depending on what hair color goal you want to achieve.

But when it comes to their semi-permanent dyes, Punky Colour is recommended over Manic Panic as their color will last 2-3 washes longer since they bleed less.

Granted, they only have 22 shades to choose from, but users also find them easier to apply since they have a thicker consistency.

IroIro

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* Prices and Images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2024-03-28 at 08:58  

IroIro is also a cruelty-free and vegan semi-permanent hair dye brand that offers 19 premium, 6 neon, and 6 pastel colors to choose from.

Their shades appear brighter than most Manic Panic colors, and their dyes also have a thicker and creamier consistency, so you’ll have more time to apply the product evenly.

Their colors can only last for up to 6-12 washes, but some experience having them stay for 1-2 months. Plus, they fade beautifully since they lighten into a pastel version of their color.

CHECK OUT: Manic Panic vs Splat


The final verdict

Overall, Arctic Fox hair dyes perform better than Manic Panic colors as they last longer with minimal staining.

Their dyes are also more affordable since you can get an 8 oz. bottle for almost the same price as a 4 oz. tub of Manic Panic color.

But if you only want to commit to a color for a shorter period while also having more color options, then Manic Panic might be the brand for you.

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