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what is the best hair color product to use at home

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—larn more than near our procedure. If y'all buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Scrolling past images of celebrities' flaxen, amber, and raven strands with perfectly painted balayage or face-framing highlights is a written report in artistry. But sadly for those of us with fewer decimals on our paychecks, a color appointment that runs a few hundred dollars a session isn't always feasible. That's where less expensive options come up in.

Certain, nosotros've all had a store-bought hair colour incident when we were younger that maybe rendered us a brassy shade of orange (the memories!), but today's options are more convenient than the unreliable formulas nosotros'd sneak into our moms' bathrooms. To find out which at-home hair colour yields the best results, nosotros scoured reviews from some of the most beloved brands and consulted expert colorist Karissa Schaudt.

Keep scrolling for the all-time at-home pilus color to effort now.

schwarzkopf keratin color

What We Like

  • Smells skilful

  • Strengthens pilus

  • Adds smoothen

What We Don't Like

  • Doesn't embrace grays fully

One of the biggest gripes with hair colour, whether in-salon or calm, is the nauseating odor that comes with it—merely not this formula. It smells great and is formulated with a keratin complex to go along your strands feeling more than fortified and looking shinier than before. Reviewers particularly honey that there's no pungent odour or stinging when using this product.

Active Ingredients: Grand-Bail Plex Technology | Type: Permanent | Shades: 20 | Size: eight.78 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

L'Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color

What Nosotros Like

  • Adds polish

  • Affordable

  • Long-lasting

What We Don't Like

  • Color may not lucifer box color

Since 1973, L'Oréal has been using a fade-defying color system for a long-lasting dye that won't rinse away with each shampoo. The translucent gel formula delivers shine and dimension to encourage the natural shimmer you'd find in untouched strands. 1 reviewer found that the dye left her hair shiny and didn't fade after but a few washes.

Active Ingredients: Gold camelina oil, vitamin East, UV filter | Type: Permanent | Shades: 49 | Size: 8.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Make clean: No

Garnier Olia Oil Permanent Hair Color

What Nosotros Similar

  • Hydrating

  • Ammonia-gratuitous

  • Smells skilful

What We Don't Like

  • Not as long-lasting every bit other options

Achieving vibrant color without ammonia is completely achievable. Case in indicate: This oil-based formula uses natural blossom oils to achieve vivid, dimensional color by propelling pigments deep into the hair—no harsh chemicals necessary.

Agile Ingredients: Sunflower oil, meadowfoam oil, passion flower oil, camellia oil | Type: Permanent | Shades: 38 | Size: 7.52 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Make clean: No

Clairol Perfect 10 Nice'n Easy Hair Color

What Nosotros Like

  • Only takes 10 minutes

  • Adds shine

  • Comb applicator for precise application

What We Don't Like

  • Tin be difficult to squeeze the bottle

Perfect for those with tight schedules (or just the impatient blazon), Clairol's aptly-named Perfect x takes just 10 minutes to achieve long-lasting, shiny color. The advanced color crème allows for fast penetration into the hair fibers working selectively with the pigments inside the hair shaft, meaning there's less surface harm. One reviewer with stubborn grays and over-processed hair plant the coverage to be excellent even still.

Active Ingredients: Glycine | Type: Permanent | Shades: fourteen | Size: two.43 ounces (high gloss colour creme), 2.26 ounces (color activating creme), 1.96 ounces (conditioner) | Cruelty-Gratis: No | Byrdie Clean: No

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour

What We Similar

  • Doesn't drip

  • Great colour payoff

  • Affordable

What Nosotros Don't Similar

  • Can exist drying

A unique foam texture allows you to get into every square inch of your strands and scalp for precise color coverage and deep saturation. Ane reviewer describes it every bit and so easy to use it'south "virtually fool-proof."

Blazon: Permanent | Shades: 13 | Size: ane.08 ounces (colorant), ane.62 ounces (developer), 1.69 ounces (conditioner) | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Clairol Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Color

What Nosotros Like

  • Great colour payoff

  • Blends three salon tones

  • Smells good

What Nosotros Don't Similar

  • Colour may not lucifer box colour

Clairol's proprietary Color Care permanent crème conditions within each step for full, reliable coverage—no grays left behind. Nosotros love that it comes with iii salon tones in one uncomplicated step, pregnant you can attain highlights and lowlights throughout your strands for up to 8 weeks.

Active Ingredients: Impairment blocking technolog, ME+ | Blazon: Permanent | Shades: 50 | Size: half dozen.26 ounces | Cruelty-Complimentary: No | Byrdie Make clean: No

Good Dye Young Hair Lightening Kit

What Nosotros Like

  • Vegan

  • Hydrating

  • Strengthens hair

What We Don't Like

  • Must purchase color separately

Now, as a professional, Schaudt would never recommend bleaching your own hair at home. "It never turns out like you lot think it volition," she says, mentioning that improper timing and toning ordinarily leads to less desirable results. Notwithstanding, if you tin't arrive to the salon for one reason or another, reviewers have gotten some pretty practiced results with this kit from Good Dye Young.

Designed for all hair textures and types, the set includes a powder lightener and a cream developer that are both infused with coconut oil to condition the hair and soy protein to protect and strengthen it during the bleaching process. Even so, proceed at your ain risk.

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, soy protein | Shades: 1 | Size: i.34 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Aye

Dark and Lovely Fade Resist Rich Conditioning Hair Color

What We Like

  • Hydrating

  • Great colour payoff

  • Formulated specifically for natural hair

What We Don't Like

  • Not equally long-lasting as other options

When information technology comes to coloring hair, maintaining wet is crucial—especially when it comes to natural textures. Formulated specifically for natural hair types—both textured and chemically relaxed—Dark and Lovely's Fade Resist Rich Workout Hair Color helps protect the hair while it colors information technology. Infused with shea butter, avocado oil, and olive oil, information technology nourishes from root to tip while depositing vibrant, permanent pigment that lasts for up to viii weeks.

Active Ingredients: Moisture Seal Technology | Blazon: Permanent | Shades: 19 | Size: 2.38 ounces (developer), 1.6 ounces (colorant), 1.86 ounces (conditioner) | Cruelty-Gratis: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit

What We Like

  • Hydrating

  • Ammonia-free

  • Works for all hair types

What We Don't Similar

  • Potent smell

While she'due south never used these personally, Schaudt recommends Madison Reed's hair color kits for coloring at dwelling house due to the detailed questionnaire that matches you with the brand'due south wide variety of colors. Fifty-fifty easier than the questionnaire? You can also text "hi" to 34757, then upload a well-lit selfie so you can get instantly shade-matched.

Schaudt is also a fan of the nourishing formula, which boasts keratin and argan oil because it's also six-free (no ammonia, parabens, resorcinol, PPD, phthalates, and gluten). Yous can color safelyand accurately.

Active Ingredients: Keratin, argan oil, ginseng root extract | Blazon: Permanent | Shades: 56 | Size: 1.7 ounces (Radiant Cream Color), ii.v ounces (Conditioning Colour Activator), 0.seven ounces (Barrier Cream), 0.five ounces (Colour Protecting Shampoo), 0.five ounces (Color Protecting Conditioner) | Cruelty-Gratis: Yes | Byrdie Make clean: No

Color & Co Custom Haircolor Kit

What We Like

  • Personalized color

  • Hydrating

  • Comes with everything you need

What Nosotros Don't Similar

  • Not equally long-lasting as other options

Non sure where to offset when it comes to coloring your hair? Color & Co is the next best thing to visiting a salon. When you store for a personalized kit, you lot can choose between a complimentary video consultation with a Color & Co stylist or a detailed hair color quiz to create your custom-blended color—which boasts salon-course dyes and nourishing coconut oil—and achieve your ultimate hair goal. Each kit comes with personalized instructions and all the tools you'll demand, making the entire process a breeze.

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil | Type: Custom | Shades: Custom | Cruelty-Free: No

Overtone Coloring Conditioner

What We Like

  • Vegan

  • Hydrating

  • Works for all hair types

What We Don't Similar

  • Doesn't embrace grays fully

For a dose of color and hydration, Overtone's color-depositing conditioners are the manner to get. "They're semi-permanent conditioners that are safe for all hair types, and they're cruelty-gratis," says Schaudt. "If you're looking for a toner to attempt at home, these piece of work keen and rinse out over time."

The formula doesn't lift or lighten the hair simply instead deposits a wash of paint while nourishing it with a blend of shea butter, coconut oil, and avocado oil. It's available in 40 shades ranging from ginger to black (including a rainbow assortment of fantasy hues), which are all complimentary from ammonia, bleach, parabens, and sulfates to kick.

Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, avocado oil, rosemary essential oil, spearmint essential oil | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 40 | Size: two or eight ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Manic Panic Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cream

What We Like

  • Vegan

  • Hydrating

  • Made in the U.S.A.

What Nosotros Don't Like

  • Works best on pre-lightened pilus

If you lot're looking to bring some not-traditional hair colors into the mix, you can't go wrong with Manic Panic. The iconic punk-founded brand'due south High Voltage hair dye is semi-permanent, formulated with a conditioning base of operations to prevent damage during the dyeing process. The offering includes a whopping fifty+ shades ranging from vibrant precious stone tones to bold neons and pastels, so trust that there'south a color for everybody. "These are primal for at-home colors," says Schaudt. "They work best on already bleached blondes and tin can be the quick change y'all're looking for with easy directions."

Active Ingredients: Herbal and protein complex | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: 67 | Size: iv or eight ounces | Cruelty-Free: Aye | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Last Verdict

When it comes to any sort of at-domicile color, maintaining the integrity of your hair is crucial. With that in mind, we're giving meridian honors to Schwarzkopf'southward Keratin Color Intense Caring Color for its ability to strengthen the hair as information technology colors information technology. And, fine, as well for the fact that it doesn't smell terrible. We're likewise big fans of Color & Co's Custom Haircolor Kit, which gives you lot the ability to consult with a real hairstylist to create your own custom-composite shade. Plus, the personalized directions and all-inclusive kit brand coloring your hair from dwelling house a much less daunting chore. And while these don't contain the most permanent course of dye, Overtone's Coloring Conditioners are perfect for when you're looking to accept a new color for a examination run. More than importantly, they get out your strands much softer than they were before.

What to Look for in At-home Hair Color Kits

Demi- and Semi-Permanent Formulas

When it comes to calm color, Schaudt recommends fugitive permanent dyes and instead opting for demi- and semi-permanent formulas. "These are ammonia-gratis, meaning they are less damaging to the hair strand," she says. "These are direct dyes that don't shift your color. They but stain the hair strand with minimal to no damage."

Conditioning Ingredients

Even if ammonia-complimentary, dyes tin can still exist somewhat dissentious to your hair. A dandy style to avoid this is by shopping for formulas that are brimming total of conditioning ingredients—think hydrating oils and nourishing butters. The goal is to leave your pilus in better condition than information technology was before you colored information technology.

Kits That Include All Tools

If you've ever colored your hair at domicile, chances are you, at least in one case, accidentally dyed your bathroom sink or hands in the process. To avert a mess or scrambling to detect suitable tools on a whim, Schaudt recommends shopping for kits that come with everything y'all need. "Programmer, color, gloves, a bowl or bottle, and a brush are must-haves in social club to mix and apply whatever color," she says.

Avoid Formulas That Require Estrus

Schaudt warns against whatever formulas that require heat. "If you're processing color and information technology requires heat, information technology usually ways yous're lightening or lifting your natural colour," she says. "This can outcome in unwanted warm tones." That said, it's all-time to leave lightening and lifting to the pros.

See the Practiced

Karissa Schaudt is colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. Her specialty is creating beautiful, natural-looking color through balayage.

According to our Variety Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups volition feature Blackness-endemic and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were non able to notice plenty at-dwelling house hair color brands from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to run across this percentage. If you lot know of i we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and nosotros will evaluate the production ASAP

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Source: https://www.byrdie.com/best-at-home-hair-color