Maybe you’re a seasoned DIY dyer, a salon regular, an expert hairdresser, or you’re brand new to the world of hair dyeing. In any case, if you really want the greatest outcomes, you should look into elevated formulae.
Reece Walker, a celebrity colorist, claims he utilizes a variety of professional brands. “I vary up what I’m utilizing depending on what sort of job I’m doing,” he tells Byrdie.
While salon-grade formulas are often of higher quality than over-the-counter options, colorist Matt Rez advises against purchasing them if you are not a qualified professional. “Pro hair color works on a level and tone scheme that only an expert can correctly develop,” he says.
With this in mind, we compiled a list of noteworthy possibilities that are mostly intended for color professionals to recommend applying on their customers. If you’re not a pro but want to know what’s going on with your hair, you may ask your hairdresser about a specific kind of treatment.
Wella Professionals Illumina Permanent Creme Hair Color – Best Overall
“Wella Illumina is my first pick for tints (permanent hair color),” Walker explains. “These colors are soft on the hair and quite adaptable, depending on the outcome you want.”
This cream hair dye comes in 36 different colors, ranging from mahogany brown to medium ash to pearly blonde. It covers each hair with reflective, luminous micro-particles thanks to the brand’s MicroLight technology. 1 “After applying them, the luster is like newly cleaned glass,” Walker says.
What We Like
- Gentle formulation
- Shines the hair
- Colorist-recommended
What We Don’t Like
- PEGs are present.
Wella Color Touch Demi-Permanent Hair Color – Best Demi-Permanent
Walker also frequently uses Wella’s demi-permanent Color Touch. He says Byrdie, “These hues are a tad denser than Shades EQ.” “I’d use them on someone who has a few grays and doesn’t want or need to go to a permanent hair color.”
What We Like
- Budget-friendly
- washes out gradually
- Colorist-recommended
What We Don’t Like
- It is less effective on black hair.
Schwarzkopf IGORA ROYAL Permanent Color Creme – Best Natural Colors
If you want to conceal grays or simply make your hair color seem more natural, Schwarzkopf’s Igora Royal may be the way to go. The solution enters each strand with pigments that are true to color before sealing the surface to guarantee complete, long-lasting coverage.
What We Like
- Budget-friendly
- Tone-on-tone
- Long-lasting
What We Don’t Like
- The developer is offered separately.
Pulp Riot Semi-Permanent Hair Color – Best Trendy Colors
Want to try a contemporary hair color like lilac, pink, plum, violet, or even orange (like Ally in A Star Is Born)? Pulp Riot has your back. It is available in 29 different colors, including a few neon tints that flash under blacklights. And, because this is a semi-permanent therapy, it is not a significant commitment.
What We Like
- No developer is required.
- Shines the hair
- Washes out gradually
What We Don’t Like
- PEGs are present.
- It is most effective on pre-lightened hair.
Pravana ChromaSilk VIVIDS Everlasting – Best Bright Colors
We’re also big fans of ChromaSilk Vivids. The semi-permanent, ammonia-free cream is available in 20 bold colors ranging from aquamarine to emerald to magenta to scarlet—as in fire-engine red. Furthermore, it includes energizing amino acids and washes away just in time for you to select a new color.
What We Like
- No activator is required.
- Strengthening
- washes out gradually
What We Don’t Like
- It is less effective on black hair.
- PEGs are present.
Sparks Professional Color Permanent Creme Haircolor – Best Cream
Sparks Permanent Creme is available in 86 different colors. There are hundreds of natural dyes in the collection, as well as a few strong, fashionable tones. It includes lipids that assist bind the color while also renewing your hair fibers, in addition to true-to-tone pigments.
What We Like
- Tone-on-tone
- Hair fibers are replenished.
What We Don’t Like
- Strong odor
Pulp Riot High Speed Toner – Best Neutralizing
Pulp Riot’s High-Speed Toner is ideal for removing undesirable tones from artificially lightened or coloured hair. You can pick silver, ashy, rosy, or ice treatments in addition to bluish-violet pigments that offset yellowish, brassy colours.
What We Like
- It works rapidly.
- Removes undesirable tones
- Shines the hair
What We Don’t Like
- It is less effective on black hair.
- The developer is offered separately.
Wella Professionals Blondor Multi-Blonde Lightening Powder – Best Bleach
Blondor is ideal for foil highlights, but it’s also wonderful for ombré color, balayage, and all-over lightening, according to Walker. “It’s gentle on the hair and provides great lift without the use of a high-volume peroxide,” he tells Byrdie. “I also use this bleach on the scalps of my customers whose natural hair is light brown.”
What We Like
- Gentle formulation
- Anti-yellowing substances
- Colorist-recommended
What We Don’t Like
- It’s not a do-it-yourself project.
- The developer is offered separately.
Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit – Best Kit
“The only at-home hair color I would suggest in a rush is Madison Reed,” colorist Felicia Dosso adds. “Their products are gentler than other boxed colors, as they do not include harsh chemicals like ammonia, parabens, or titanium dioxide.”
What We Like
- DIY-friendly
- Gentle formulation
- Colorist-recommended
What We Don’t Like
- PEGs are present.
Who Wins?
Wella Illumina Permanent Creme Hair Color is the best professional hair color range for salon treatments. The colorist-recommended product, available in 36 colours, is mild, flexible, and leaves hair gleaming. If you want to do it yourself, the Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit is your best chance.
FAQ
What to Look for in a Professional Hair Color?
“You must use permanent color if you have a large proportion of gray or wish to brighten your natural hair color,” Dosso says. “Demi-permanent color will only cover a small fraction of gray—imagine someone who is just beginning to develop strands of gray that they want to cover.” Meanwhile, semi-permanent hair color “should only be applied to rejuvenate faded out ends and add shine,” according to Dosso. “It will not conceal any gray hair or raise the color.”
Color
Before purchasing a professional hair color, consider if the color you’ve chosen is appropriate for your hair—you don’t want it to be too dark or too light. “Too dark a color will be difficult to remove from the hair, and too light a color can induce a ‘hot root,'” explains Dosso.
Ingredients
To avoid hair damage during the dying process, look for nourishing components such as keratin and argan oil. When purchasing any type of hair dye, you should also avoid specific additives. “Look for compounds like ammonia, metallic salts, and henna,” Dosso advises. “These are all incredibly harsh substances that you don’t want to use on your hair—and, sadly, most box dyes contain them.”
Product Quantity
Keep in mind that if you have long, thick hair, you may require more dye than you anticipate. “One box of color may not be sufficient to adequately saturate longer or thicker hair types,” Dosso explains.
What important components should a professional hair colorist avoid?
Avoid putting harsh substances on your hair, such as ammonia, metallic salts, and henna.
What is the difference between permanent, demi-permanent, and semi-permanent color?
Demi-permanent color only covers a low proportion of gray (imagine those who are just starting to grow strands), so if you have a high percentage of gray or want to brighten your natural hair color, permanent color is the way to go. Semi-permanent hair color should only be used to refresh faded-out ends and add shine; it will not conceal gray hair or raise color.
