Meidu Hair Dye Shampoo Reviews: Is It Worth It?

I see you. You’re standing in the bathroom mirror, picking out those stubborn gray or white hairs that seem to multiply overnight. You’re tired of the salon appointments, the cost, and the two-hour commitment. You’re over the messy, ammonia-smelling box dyes that stain your towels and forehead.

You’re looking for a quick fix, a “magic” solution, and you’ve seen the ads for Meidu Hair Dye Shampoo. It seems too good to be true. A shampoo that dyes your hair in 15 minutes? Well, after agonizing over it, I finally tried it. If you’re on the fence, I’m here to tell you my story. This product isn’t perfect, but for the sheer convenience, it’s something you absolutely need to try.

My Experience With Meidu Hair Dye Shampoo

My journey with Meidu started like yours probably did: with a social media ad.

It showed someone with salt-and-pepper hair hopping in the shower and coming out with rich, dark, glossy hair.

“No way,” I thought. But the grays around my temples were staging a full-on rebellion, and my usual box dye routine was feeling like a chore I just didn’t have time for.

So, I clicked “buy.”

The bottle arrived, a big 500ml pump-action beast, which felt like a good value.

The instructions were simple enough: wear the (flimsy, buy your own) gloves, pump the shampoo into your hands, mix the two-part formula (it comes out of the pump in two separate streams, one color, one developer), and apply to dry hair. This was my first “huh” moment. I expected to use it like a normal, wet-hair shampoo. Applying it to dry hair felt more like a traditional dye, just… foamier.

I sectioned my hair and started applying, massaging it in from roots to tips. The smell wasn’t the overpowering ammonia I dreaded, but it definitely had a chemical-herbal scent. It wasn’t “pleasant,” but it wasn’t a deal-breaker. I massaged it in for about 5 minutes until my whole head was a soapy, dark lather. The instructions said 15-20 minutes. I set a timer for 20, just to be safe. I felt a slight, mild tingle on my scalp, but no burning. Still, I was nervous.

When the timer went off, I hopped in the shower and just rinsed. And rinsed. And rinsed. It took a while for the water to run clear. I followed up with my own heavy-duty conditioner, as my hair felt a bit “squeaky” and stripped. I towel-dried my hair, bracing myself. Looking in the mirror, I was… honestly, pretty impressed. The stubborn, wiry grays around my face were gone. My hair was a uniform, dark brown, and it was incredibly shiny. I’d say it covered 95% of my grays. A few of the most stubborn ones still glinted through, but they were tinted, not stark white. The whole process, start to finish, took 30 minutes. That, to me, was the real miracle.

Read more: My Thoughts On Vayose No Shampoo Hair Brush

Pros Of Meidu Hair Dye Shampoo

• The Unbeatable Convenience: This is, without a doubt, the number one reason to buy this. It’s a 3-in-1 formula advertised as a shampoo, dye, and conditioner. While I’d argue the “conditioner” part is a stretch (more on that later), the shampoo-dye combo is revolutionary for at-home coloring. You don’t need mixing bowls, you don’t need brushes, you don’t need a friend to get the back of your head. You just pump, mix in your gloved hands, and apply like you’re washing your hair. It turns a one-hour, messy ordeal into a 20-minute task. For busy people, this is an absolute game-changer.
• It Is Incredibly Fast: Traditional box dyes have you applying for 20 minutes and then waiting another 30-45 minutes for the color to develop. Salon trips are a multi-hour affair. I left this on for 20 minutes total. From the first pump to the final rinse, I was done in under 30 minutes. This means you can genuinely touch up your roots before work in the morning or right before you go out for the evening. The speed is not exaggerated.
• Effective Gray Coverage (For Most): For me, it worked. It took my very prominent, wiry grays and covered them completely. Many users report that this is one of the few products that actually tackles 100% of their gray coverage, even when other dyes have failed. It seems to “stain” those resistant hairs effectively, giving you a very uniform, rich color. When you see your hair go from salt-and-pepper to a deep, solid color in minutes, it feels like magic.
• Minimal Staining On Skin: This was a huge one for me. I am the messiest person when it comes to box dye. I always end up with a stained forehead, ears, and neck for two days. Because this is a shampoo-based formula, it rinses off the skin with incredible ease. I got some on my ears and hairline, and by the time I was done showering, it was completely gone. No scrubbing, no petroleum jelly barrier needed. It seems to stick to hair, not skin, which is a massive plus.
• Good Value For Money: You get a massive 500ml bottle. Depending on your hair length, this one bottle can last you for months. If you have short hair and are just doing root touch-ups, you could get 10-15 applications out of it. Compare that to a $15 box dye you use once or a $150 salon visit. The math is undeniable. It saves you a significant amount of money over the long term.
• “Herbal” Ingredients Add Shine: The marketing boasts about ingredients like Argan Oil, Olive Oil, and Ginseng. While it’s definitely still a chemical dye, these additives aren’t just for show. My hair was noticeably shinier and softer after I used my own conditioner. The oils in the formula seem to give the hair a really nice, glossy finish that makes the color look vibrant and healthy, rather than the flat, dull look you can sometimes get from harsh dyes. It left my hair feeling less frizzy than my usual dye.

Cons Of Meidu Hair Dye Shampoo

• The Allergic Reaction Risk Is Real: This is the most important con and one you must take seriously. Do not, under any circumstances, just pump this onto your head. You must do a 48-hour patch test. I read countless reviews from users who experienced severe allergic reactions, scalp burning, itching, and redness. Even if it’s “ammonia-free,” it contains other chemical colorants (like PPD, which is a common allergen) to make it work. I only felt a mild tingle, but for others, it was a full-blown reaction. The “natural” marketing is misleading; this is a chemical product.
• Inconsistent Results Are Common: For every review like mine, there’s one from someone who said it did “literally nothing.” It seems to be very hit-or-miss. Some users report following the instructions perfectly and still having all their gray hair at the end. This inconsistency is frustrating. You don’t know which camp you’ll fall into until you try it, which makes that first purchase feel like a gamble.
• The Color Can Be Unpredictable: I was going for dark brown, and that’s what I got. However, many users who were trying to get black ended up with a strange reddish or burgundy tint, especially in the sun. This seems to be a common issue with the black dye. It doesn’t come out as a true, deep black, but as an “off-black” with red undertones. If you are very particular about your exact shade, this product’s “one-size-fits-all” color might leave you disappointed.
• The Scent Is… Intense: It’s not a classic ammonia smell, but it has a very strong, perfumed, chemical-herbal scent. I found it tolerable, but many users find it overwhelming and unpleasant. It’s a “chemical” smell trying to be masked by a “plant” smell, and the combination is a bit strange. It does fade after you rinse and use your own conditioner, but it’s potent during the application.
• It Can Be Drying: The “3-in-1” claim of it being a conditioner is, in my opinion, false. After rinsing the shampoo dye out, my hair felt very stripped, straw-like, and “squeaky.” It was desperately in need of moisture. You absolutely must follow this up with a high-quality, deep-conditioning mask or a very thick conditioner to restore moisture. If you used this alone, your hair would likely feel very dry and brittle.

Maintenance Tips For Meidu Hair Dye Shampoo

• Wait Before You Wash: This is the golden rule for any hair dye, and it applies here. After you dye and rinse, try to wait at least 48 hours before your next real shampoo. This gives the color molecules time to fully settle into the hair cuticle. Washing too soon is the fastest way to see all that new color go right down the drain.
• Sulfate-Free Is Your New Best Friend: You just spent time putting color in, so don’t use a shampoo that’s designed to strip everything out. Sulfates (like Sodium Laureth Sulfate) are harsh detergents that create a big lather but also pull color from your hair. Switch to a “sulfate-free” or “color-safe” shampoo and conditioner. This is non-negotiable if you want your color to last more than a week.
• Turn Down The Heat: Hot water is the enemy of hair color. It blasts open the hair cuticle, allowing the dye to escape. You don’t have to take icy-cold showers, but switch to lukewarm or cool water when rinsing your hair. The same goes for heat styling. Blow dryers, flat irons, and curling wands will fade your color and damage your hair. Always use a heat-protectant spray if you must use them, and use them on the lowest effective setting.
• Deep Condition Weekly: Because this dye can be drying, you need to be proactive about moisture. Once a week, swap your regular conditioner for a deep-conditioning mask or a hair treatment. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes (put on a shower cap to trap heat) before rinsing. Healthy, moisturized hair holds color far better and longer than dry, damaged hair. Damaged cuticles can’t hold onto the pigment.
• Embrace Dry Shampoo: The less you wash your hair, the longer the color will last. Plain and simple. Dry shampoo is your best ally here. Use it to absorb oil at your roots and stretch the time between washes. This will make a massive difference in the longevity of your color, keeping it vibrant for weeks.
• Know The Re-Application Schedule: This is a semi-permanent shampoo, not a permanent dye. The product’s own description says it lasts 3-4 weeks. To keep your color looking fresh, you’ll need to re-apply. For root growth, you can apply it just to the new growth. For fading, you’ll want to do a full-head application every 3-4 weeks. Think of it as part of your monthly routine, not a one-time fix.

Also read: My Thoughts On Luster’s Pink Oil Moisturizer Hair Lotion

Comparison With Other Brands

• Meidu vs. Traditional Box Dyes (e.g., L’Oréal, Garnier): The most obvious difference is the application. Box dyes are a project. You mix developer and color in a bottle, meticulously section your hair, apply with a nozzle or brush, and you’re left with a sink full of stained plastic. Meidu is a single pump bottle. It’s faster and infinitely cleaner. However, box dyes give you a huge range of colors and tones (ash brown, golden brown, warm black, etc.). With Meidu, you get “Brown” or “Black.” Box dyes are also typically permanent, meaning they only fade slightly, and you deal with root grow-out. Meidu is semi-permanent and fades more noticeably over 3-4 weeks, requiring more frequent all-over application.
• Meidu vs. Just For Men: This is a closer comparison, as Just For Men also offers shampoo-in color. The main difference is the target and the time. Just For Men is formulated and marketed for the faster, coarser growth of beards and short male hair, often processing in just 5 minutes. Meidu is more of a whole-head, 15-20 minute application product. While the technology is similar, Meidu feels more like an “all-in-one” treatment with its added oils, whereas Just For Men is a fast, no-fuss, clinical gray-coverage tool.
• Meidu vs. Herbishh Color Shampoo: These two are direct competitors in the “natural herbal color shampoo” space. They both claim to be ammonia-free, 3-in-1 formulas packed with herbal extracts like ginseng, argan oil, and olive oil. Their marketing, bottle design, and application method are nearly identical. The primary difference comes down to user reviews and brand trust. Herbishh often has a more consistently positive reputation for working without causing reactions. Meidu, on the other hand, seems to have more mixed reviews, with a higher number of users reporting it either didn’t work or caused irritation. If you’re nervous about Meidu’s potential cons, Herbishh is likely its closest and potentially more reliable alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

So, is Meidu Hair Dye Shampoo worth it? For me, the answer is a resounding yes, but with a huge warning label. This product is the king of convenience. It gave me back hours of my life, saved me money, and delivered on its promise of covering my grays quickly and without staining my skin. However, this convenience comes with a risk: the risk of it not working, the risk of a bad color match, and most importantly, the risk of an allergic reaction. If you are willing to do a patch test and are looking for a fast, easy, and cheap way to manage your grays, you should absolutely buy this and try it.