It’s a study in craftsmanship to scroll through photographs of celebrities’ flaxen, amber, and raven strands with expertly painted balayage or face-framing highlights. Unfortunately, for those of us with fewer digits on our paychecks, a color appointment that costs a few hundred dollars per session isn’t always an option. This is when less priced choices come into play.
Sure, we’ve all experienced a store-bought hair color mishap when we were younger that left us a brassy hue of orange.
But today’s alternatives are more user-friendly than the untrustworthy formulations we used to sneak into our mothers’ toilets. To determine which at-home hair color produces the greatest results, we read reviews from some of the most popular products and spoke with experienced colorist Karissa Schaudt.
Continue reading for the finest at-home hair color to try right now.
1. Overall winner: Keratin Color Intense Caring Color by Schwarzkopf
One of the most common complaints about hair color, whether in-salon or at-home, is the sickening smell—but not with this product. It smells fantastic and has a keratin complex to keep your strands feeling stronger and looking shinier than before. Reviewers particularly like that there is no strong odor or stinging when using this product.
What We Like
- It smells nice.
- Hair is strengthened.
- adds radiance
What We Don’t Like
- It does not completely hide grays.
2. L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color is the best budget option.
Since 1973, L’Oréal has used a fade-resistant color technique to provide long-lasting dye that does not wash away with each shampoo. The translucent gel solution adds shine and dimension to the hair, mimicking the natural sheen seen in untreated strands. According to one reviewer, the colour kept her hair lustrous and did not fade after just a few washes.
What We Like
- adds radiance
- Affordable
- Long-lasting
What We Don’t Like
- Color may differ from package color.
3. Garnier Olia Oil Permanent Hair Color: Best Drugstore
It is quite possible to get brilliant color without the use of ammonia. This oil-based solution, for example, employs natural floral oils to generate vivid, dimensional color by driving pigments deep into the hair—no harsh chemicals required.
What We Like
- Hydrating
- Ammonia-free
- It smells nice.
What We Don’t Like
- Not as long-lasting as other alternatives
4. Fastest acting: Professional Clairol Perfect 10 Nice’n Easy Hair Color by Clairol
Clairol’s appropriately called Perfect 10 takes only 10 minutes to get long-lasting, lustrous color, making it ideal for individuals on a tight schedule (or simply the impatient sort). The sophisticated color crème penetrates quickly into the hair fibers, working selectively with the pigments inside the hair shaft, resulting in minimal surface damage. Even with resistant grays and over-processed hair, one reviewer found the coverage to be great.
What We Like
- It just takes ten minutes.
- adds radiance
- Applicator comb for precise application
What We Don’t Like
- It may be difficult to squeeze the bottle.
5. Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Color is the best for highlights.
Clairol’s Color Care permanent crème conditions throughout each stage for complete, dependable coverage—no grays left behind. We appreciate that it has three professional tones in one easy step, allowing you to get highlights and lowlights throughout your strands for up to eight weeks.
What We Like
- Excellent color payoff
- combines three salon tones
- It smells nice.
What We Don’t Like
- Color may differ from package color.
6. Dark and Lovely Fade Resist Rich Conditioning Hair Color for Natural Hair
Maintaining moisture is critical while dyeing hair, especially when it comes to natural textures. Dark & Lovely’s Fade Resist Rich Conditioning Hair Color is designed exclusively for natural hair types—both textured and chemically relaxed—and helps preserve the hair while coloring it. It nurtures from root to tip while depositing brilliant, permanent colour that lasts up to eight weeks and is infused with shea butter, avocado oil, and olive oil.
What We Like
- Hydrating
- Excellent color payoff
- Specifically designed for natural hair
What We Don’t Like
- Not as long-lasting as other alternatives
7. Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit is the best shade match.
While she hasn’t tried them herself, Schaudt recommends Madison Reed’s hair color kits for at-home coloring because of the extensive questionnaire that matches you with the brand’s vast range of hues. Is it even simpler than the questionnaire? You may also text “hello” to 34757 and then submit a well-lit selfie to get shade-matched instantaneously.
Schaudt particularly likes the moisturizing solution, which contains keratin and argan oil, because it is six-free (no ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, PPD, phthalates, and gluten). You may color in a safe and precise manner.
What We Like
- Hydrating
- Ammonia-free
- It is suitable for all hair types.
What We Don’t Like
- Strong odors
8. Overtone Coloring Conditioner is the best conditioner.
Overtone’s color-depositing conditioners are ideal for adding color and moisture to your hair. “They’re semi-permanent conditioners that are cruelty-free and suitable for all hair types,” adds Schaudt. “If you want to try a toner at home, they work nicely and rinse off over time.”
The solution does not lift or lighten the hair, but rather deposits a wash of colour while nourishing it with shea butter, coconut oil, and avocado oil. It comes in 40 different colors ranging from ginger to black (plus a rainbow of fantasy colours) and is devoid of ammonia, chlorine, parabens, and sulfates.
What We Like
- Vegan
- Hydrating
- It is suitable for all hair types.
What We Don’t Like
- It does not completely hide grays.
9. Manic Panic Classic High Voltage Hair Dye Color is the best fantasy color.
You can’t go wrong with Manic Panic if you want to add some non-traditional hair colors to the mix. The semi-permanent High Voltage hair dye from the legendary punk-founded brand is developed with a conditioning base to avoid damage throughout the colouring process. There are 50+ colours available, ranging from brilliant jewel tones to strong neons and pastels, so there’s a color for everyone. “These are essential for at-home colors,” explains Schaudt. “They work best on previously bleached blondes and can provide a rapid transformation with simple instructions.”
What We Like
- Vegan
- Hydrating
- Made in America
What We Don’t Like
- It is most effective on pre-lightened hair.
FAQ
What Should You Look for in Home Hair Color Kits?
Semi-Permanent and Demi-Permanent Formulas
When it comes to at-home coloring, Schaudt advises avoiding permanent colors in favor of demi- and semi-permanent formulations. “These are ammonia-free, which means they are gentler on the hair strand,” she explains. “These are direct dyes that do not change the color of your skin.” They only discolor the hair strand and do little to no harm.”
Ingredients for Conditioning
Even if they are ammonia-free, colors can be detrimental to your hair. A good method to avoid this is to look for products that are high in conditioning components, such as moisturizing oils and nourishing butters. The idea is to leave your hair in better condition than when you started coloring it.
All-Inclusive Tool Kits
If you’ve ever colored your hair at home, chances are you’ve accidently coloured your bathroom sink or your hands. To avoid making a mess or trying to acquire proper equipment on the spur of the moment, Schaudt suggests purchasing kits that include everything you need. “A developer, color, gloves, a bowl or container, and a brush are all necessary for mixing and applying any color,” she explains.
Avoid Heat-Required Formulas
Heat-requiring formulae should be avoided, according to Schaudt. “If you’re using heat to process color, it typically implies you’re lightening or raising your natural hue,” she explains. “This may result in undesirable warm tones.” However, it is advisable to leave lightening and lifting to the professionals.
When should I do my own hair coloring?
You can try your hand at the procedure if you only need a basic touch-up between hair visits and you’re not going more than one to two shades lighter or darker than your original hue. The catch? Make no attempt to enhance your highlights. According to famous colorist Ramsay McLean, “any sort of highlighting, balayage, or ombré becomes too difficult for at-home coloring techniques.” “Those should be handled by specialists.”
Can I lighten my hair at home?
If you want to dye your hair lighter, most hairstylists advocate going to a professional unless you’re super-skilled and have experience doing it using the aforementioned Good Dye Young mix. Chemicals such as bleach and strong lighteners are commonly used in the process, which is best left to the professionals. “There is a lot of science behind hair coloring; you can do a lot of harm, have undesirable tones, and cause major injury,” colorist Ashley Branda explains.
Is it safe to apply at-home hair color on all hair types?
In principle, yes, but if your hair is already overprocessed or damaged, it is not advisable to DIY your own hair color since poor application might aggravate the condition.
