The Best At-Home Hair Color Brands & Hair Dyes in 2020

Table Of Content

• Sandy blonde for 2023
• TouchBack PRO Gray Root Touch Up Marker
• What to Consider When Buying Drugstore Hair Dye
• Best at-home hair color and hair dye kits, according to experts
• John Frieda Precision Full-Coverage Hair Color Kit
• The best color-depositing shampoos for your hair color
• Pick the Best Formula For You

Those who dye their hair often and want to keep damage to a minimum should ask their colorist about this line, which calls on bond protectors to prevent breakage. Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based writer with 10 years of experience covering beauty. She covers all things skincare for Byrdie, from ingredients to acne advice. Bleach can seriously damage your hair, mess up your color, or irritate your scalp if you don't follow the instructions perfectly. That being said, all of the bleach kits on this least have been vetted, and when used correctly, can give you amazing results. Finally, it’s also worth mentioning hair bleach, even though it’s technically not a dye.

Sandy blonde for 2023

"You could end up frying your hair, potentially costing you more money and hassle in the long run." Stick to an apple cider vinegar rinse and follow up with a purple conditioner to cancel out any yellow tones. I didn’t think we’d see Y2K trends in hair color just yet, but I’m honestly here for it with these chunky-blonde highlights (especially on Madison Bailey’s ultra-long hair). But don't worry—rather than chunky blonde streaks à la 2003, this year's trend will be sightly blended and easier to wear, with a soft balayage that, ahem, goes well with lip gloss, side bangs, and a Juicy Couture tracksuit.

TouchBack PRO Gray Root Touch Up Marker

Brown advises using the dpHUE permanent hair color if you're looking to color your entire head of hair. It effectively provides semi-permanent color to straight, wavy, curly and coily hair and increases vitality of the hair according to the brand. Mild but mighty, this Zotos Professional dye fully camouflaged even stubborn grays and resisted fading better than the rest in Lab assessments.

5 Best Hair Color Shampoos for Men to Cover Grays in 2024 - FashionBeans

5 Best Hair Color Shampoos for Men to Cover Grays in 2024.

Posted: Wed, 24 Apr 2024 10:43:47 GMT [source]

What to Consider When Buying Drugstore Hair Dye

"Choose the lighter shade if you're between two colors because a lighter band is much easier to fix in the hair than a darker one," Madison explains. Sometimes, it's impossible to get to (or afford) a professional colorist, so we turn to at-home dye kits. While most professionals don't typically recommend them (they can be damaging if used frequently, and often the color you get is not what it looks like on the box), some, like Madison Reed's, get the job done well. "The only at-home hair color I would recommend for use when in a pinch is Madison Reed," says colorist Felicia Dosso. We recommend using a second mirror (or a friend/partner) to make sure you've covered all your strands on the back of your head when you apply. Anyone who colors their hair on the regular knows that roots are a pain, and would love to make them disappear.

You'll need to visit the salon for touch-ups every few months to maintain a consistent look. Despite being called permanent, the color can still fade over time, especially with exposure to sun, chlorine, or harsh haircare products. As such, Gibson suggests using a color-safe shampoo, like the Joico K-Pak Color Therapy Shampoo ($23). Permanent hair dye works via a combination of ammonia and peroxide, Gibson explains.

"The hardest part of hair color is finding a balance between questionable chemicals and an effective hair-dye," said Lordett. She recommends doing a patch test (a drop on your arm) to ensure you won't have an allergic reaction to the ingredients. Dr. Lal explains that choosing a dye that is paraphenylenediamine (PPD) free is the way to go when selecting an at home hair color product. PPD is a known allergen and irritant and is a very common cause of allergic contact dermatitis from hair dyes, Dr. Lal explains. Finally, Beauty Lab scientists measure color change in the dyed hair samples using the VeriVide DigiEye system to determine how much each faded over time. In GH Beauty Lab testing, experts found that Clairol Nice 'n Easy was the best pick for light hair and has a gentler, more conditioning formula.

The best color-depositing shampoos for your hair color

TBH, showing a little root is no big deal, but when they start to take on a life of their own, it’s time to touch them up. All you have to do is shake this can, hold it about six inches away from your roots, and spray. Plus, it’s transfer-proof (just let it dry for a few minutes), so you don’t have to worry about it getting all over your hands. Dull hair is never the look you want, so whenever your strands are feeling a little blah, reach for this at-home hair gloss. Its formula works to enhance your current hair color and will leave your hair as soft and shiny as the Jenner sisters’. The main reason for this is that box hair dye can be a little unpredictable.

L'Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Triple Protection Haircolor

This rich, creamy mask conditions and moisturizes the hair deeply while also depositing just a light hint of color. It helps to gloss, tint, or enhance your color, and it works nicely both on natural and dyed hair. Manic Panic is one of the original fashion hair color brands from back in the days when colorful hair was only for punks and self-proclaimed freaks.

Pick the Best Formula For You

Unlike the unsophisticated formulas of yesteryear, many contain ingredients to add shine, prevent damage, and condition while you color. This is ideal for those who want to touch up roots at home, cover grays, switch up their hair color often, or simply save money by forgoing expensive salon appointments. "They disguise your roots or grays in video calls and will last until you wash it out," says Bode. If, after all this, you still feel like you need the permanent solution of hair dye, just make sure to follow these tips. "Don't trust the girl that's on the box," warns celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham.

This color-depositing mask will tone the hair while nourishing it because of its gentle design. Try a fun, unexpected hue like coral or rose gold, or opt for a classic shade like cocoa or platinum to enhance your natural strands. With a nourishing blend of amino acids, argan oil, and apricot kernel oil, your hair will be left feeling hydrated instead of fried. Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Since she has her hair professionally colored, she relied on the input of experts and plenty of consumer reviews to compile this list.

While salon-grade formulations are generally better quality than the over-the-counter variety, high-profile colorist Matt Rez warns against buying them if you're not a trained specialist. "Pro hair color works on a level and tone system that only a professional knows how to formulate properly," he explains. Either someone that you’re put in touch with through a service (like Madison Reed) or a local colorist that you feel comfortable reaching out to for some tips. They'll be able to help you find the perfect shade and formula for your hair goals. And, of course, it doesn’t hurt to watch some DIY hair color videos on TikTok or Youtube too.

This hair gloss is a prime choice for those who want to extend the life of their hair color while boosting shine and preventing a dull, faded look. Hair texture matters just as much when dyeing your hair as it does when cutting it. "Coarse, curly, or frizzy hair sucks up color faster and will become cooler-toned when you dye it, so it will look ashier, or slightly bluish," says Ionato. "Fine to medium hair textures don't absorb color as easily and will become a slightly warmer tone when you add dye, meaning it will have orange, red, or copper undertones." "It's really hard to match the color for blondes, and with a double process, your hair is more susceptible to breakage." Although it may be tempting to use bleach, Bodt strongly warns against it.

It comes in all shades, but this will give brunettes so much more dimension. The subtle tint will make medium brown, bronze, and caramel hair really stand out. If your hair is duller than a conversation about cryptocurrency, this Oribe glaze is a weekly treatment you can use in place of conditioner to bump up your color. It’s formulated for both color-treated and non-color-treated hair, so there’s no damage done.

We're big fans of purple and blue shampoo for neutralizing the unwanted tones of bleached, chemically lightened, or tinted hair. This includes everything from platinum blonde 'dos and highlights to balayage and ombré hair. This toner contains bluish-violet pigments that counteract yellowish, brassy hues, but you can choose silver, ashy, rosy, or icy treatments for a more custom effect. We do wish the developer came with the toner, but it typically doesn't when you're buying professional-grade. We recommend ChromaSilk Vivids for those who want to rock a bright, bold hair color and are ready to commit to permanent coverage. As with most vivid color dyes, it works best on blonder or pre-bleached strands.

"I’m Filipino and Mexican and I found that, over the years of doing hair and in some of the places I've worked, I had to seek out people who could do people of color’s hair," she shares. "A lot of people say no to thick, dark hair—it can take eight to 10 hours for some clients—but I sort of geek out and really enjoy the process." Purple shampoos cleanse the hair (to an extent) but also cancel out unwanted yellow tones and brassiness by depositing purple pigment, according to our experts. We’ve gathered expert advice to guide you on your path to saving money between salon visits and looking great in the process (pun intended). To avoid patchiness, create a middle part that runs to the back of your head and split the hair into four sections — two in front of the ears and two in back. "Be organized about the application," says Brooke Jordan, head stylist with The Bird House salon in NYC.