Dyeing your hair at home can save time and money when you want to touch up roots or experiment with a new color. But with so many drugstore box dyes, how do you pick one that will provide beautiful, salon-worthy results?
The key is finding an at-home hair dye containing high-quality ingredients formulated for your specific hair type and color. Ammonia-free shades, semi-permanent pigments, and options for gray coverage offer more accessible ways to get gorgeous colors minus the damage.
Top brands like L’Oreal Paris, Clairol, Revlon, Madison Reed, and Garnier Nutrisse provide excellent at-home hair dye options. This guide covers the most top-rated at-home hair dyes based on their quality of coverage, longevity, ease of use, and reviews from real users of all hair types. You can color your hair safely and beautifully at home with the right formula and application technique.
Schwarzkopf Simply Color Permanent Hair Color, 4.0 Intense Espresso
Schwarzkopf Simply Color Permanent Hair Color, 4.0 Intense Espresso is a hair coloring product that offers a gentle yet effective solution for those seeking to change their hair color or cover grays. The product has been dermatologist tested and is proven to be non-irritating to the scalp. It is free from potentially harmful substances such as PPD, PTD, ammonia, alcohol, and silicone.
The formula of this hair color is enriched with botanical oat milk, soy protein, and argan oil, which not only provide an intense, even color from root to tip but also nourish the hair, leaving it visibly healthy. The product promises up to 100% gray coverage, making it a reliable choice for those dealing with graying hair.
The Schwarzkopf Simply Color comes in various forms, including capsule, pencil, gel, liquid, lotion, mousse, powder, cream, aerosol, paste, and wax, offering flexibility in application. The product is packaged in a box and weighs 8.47 ounces. Amazonas/DIAW7 manufactures it and originates from Mexico.
The product has received positive customer reviews and ranks #955 in Beauty & Personal Care and #25 in Hair Color on Amazon. It is sold at $11.97. For those with longer than shoulder-length hair, it is recommended to use two boxes of Simply Color for the application. Schwarzkopf’s Color Boost can extend the color, which is an in-shower customizable color vibrancy booster.
Regarding sustainability, Schwarzkopf Simply Color has partnered with TerraCycle to create sustainable packaging. The carton is made from FSC-certified paperboard, reflecting the brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 7.5A Medium Ash Blonde, Pack of 2, Hair Dye
L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 7.5A Medium Ash Blonde, is a premium hair dye kit that has been a gold standard in the beauty industry since 1973. This product is renowned for its ability to deliver super shiny, luminous hair color that lasts for weeks without fading. It works effectively on all hair colors, from blonde to black, ensuring that your hair never looks dull or brassy.
The kit includes a translucent gel hair dye formula and an exclusive Care Supreme Conditioner with Shine Serum. The conditioner helps maintain color vibrancy and provides silky, shiny hair. The product is available in over 50 luminous shades, ranging from light blonde to dirty blonde, honey blonde to red blonde, strawberry blonde to champagne blonde. It also offers a spectrum of rich brown shades from ash brown to sun-kissed caramel brown and deep red shades from dark red to auburn and copper to mahogany to burgundy.
The product comes in a box package and weighs 1.15 pounds. Its dimensions are 2.26 x 7 x 6.25 inches. The manufacturer is L’Oreal Paris, and the item form is gel. The product is ranked #8 in Hair Color and #309 in Beauty & Personal Care on Amazon.
It’s important to note that a skin allergy test is required 48 hours before using this hair color product. The product should not be used on relaxed hair or within 14 days after bleaching, relaxing, or perming. Always read the ingredient list on the product label before use.
Customers have praised the product for not damaging their hair and for the extra shine provided by the included conditioner tube. However, the product’s availability may vary, and it is currently unknown when or if this item will be back in stock.
Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Nourishing Creme
Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Nourishing Creme, specifically in the shade 50 Medium Natural Brown (Truffle), is a permanent hair dye that promises to deliver rich, radiant, and long-lasting color. The product is designed to provide 100% gray coverage, making it an ideal choice for those looking to cover stubborn grays.
The unique feature of this hair color is its nourishing formula, which is enriched with five responsibly sourced oils: avocado, shea, olive, argan, and coconut. These oils are incorporated into an exclusive fruit oil ampoule mixed directly into the dye. This ensures that the hair is not only colored but also conditioned, resulting in shiny, silky, and nourished hair.
The product also boasts a new color boost technology that efficiently infuses the intense hair dye into the hair fiber, ensuring richer and more radiant color. The conditioner, 97% of natural origin, also locks in the shade and protects against dryness.
Garnier’s commitment to sustainability is evident in this product. It is Leaping Bunny certified, Cruelty-Free, and Vegan. Furthermore, Garnier is committed to using more recycled and recyclable packaging, aligning with their Greener Beauty Sustainability Commitments.
The product comes in a box and is in cream form. It is always recommended to read the instructions in the box before use. The product dimensions are 2.46 x 6.5 x 6.25 inches, weighing 15.43 ounces. As of July 3rd, 2023, it ranks #161 in Beauty & Personal Care and #3 in Hair Color on Amazon.
However, it’s important to note that some users have reported issues with the color fading quickly or not achieving the desired shade. Therefore, results may vary based on individual hair type and color.
Better Natured Permanent Liqui Creme Hair Color Dye Kit
The Better Natured Permanent Liqui-Crème Hair Color Dye Kit is a salon-quality, at-home hair coloring solution with 100% gray coverage. Available in 26 radiant shades, the color lasts up to 8 weeks. The product is formulated with naturally-derived ingredients, adhering to the Global ISO Standard 16128, which signifies limited processing of the elements.
The kit’s unique feature is its Triple Plant-Milk Blend, a vegan formula infused with Coconut Milk, Tahitian Palm Milk, and Orchid Milk, designed to deliver high-performance conditioning results. This ensures not only vibrant color but also superior hair conditioning outcomes.
The user-friendly kit contains everything needed for a successful at-home hair coloring experience. It includes a 2oz tube of hair color, a 2oz developer, an instruction booklet, a pair of gloves, a barrier cream, a color-removing wipe, and an applicator bottle.
The product is recommended for all hair types, especially dry and color-treated hair. For those with stubborn grays, adding a neutral shade to the chosen color is suggested for added coverage. The product is fade-proof for up to 8 weeks when used with a color-safe shampoo and conditioner like the Better Natured Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner collection.
However, some customers have reported issues with packaging and incorrect colors being shipped. Despite these concerns, the product maintains a strong position in the market, ranking #414 in Hair Color on Amazon. The product costs $25.00, with an additional shipping fee of $10.90 for international orders.
MISE EN SCENE Hello Bubble Hair Easy At-Home Color
The MISEENSCENE Hello Bubble Hair Easy At-Home Color is a hair coloring product that offers a vivid rose gold color. The product is designed for easy at-home use and comes in bubble foam, a unique feature compared to traditional cream dyes. It also includes a hair ampoule for added hair protection.
AMORE PACIFIC manufactures the product and comes in a single unit count. The product’s dimensions are 7 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches and weigh 8.78 ounces. As per the best sellers rank, it stands at #34,230 in Beauty & Personal Care and #313 in Hair Color.
However, some users have reported that bubble foam is more challenging to work with than traditional cream dyes. Particularly for those with long, thick hair, the product may not provide even application and may require more than one box for full coverage. Some users have also reported hair damage after using the product.
Despite these concerns, it’s important to note that manufacturers may alter their ingredient lists, and actual product packaging and materials may contain more and different information than that shown on the website. Therefore, it’s recommended to always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming a product.
In terms of customer reviews, there have been mixed responses. Some customers have achieved satisfactory results after multiple applications, while others have faced issues with the product. It’s also worth noting that the product is currently out of stock, and it’s unclear when or if it will be back in stock.
L’Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color and Highlights Kit
The L’Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color and Highlights Kit is a highly reliable product that customers have used for many years. It was traditionally purchased in stores, but due to recent stock shortages or discontinuation in some places, it has become more convenient to order from Amazon. The product offers consistent color quality from one box to another, which is greatly appreciated by its users.
One of the standout features of this kit is the separate highlights component, which allows users to express their creativity and individuality when coloring their hair. Despite being a long-term user favorite, it has a minor drawback. After application, despite thorough rinsing and washing, a small amount of dye may remain that can stain white pillowcases. Therefore, it is recommended that new users use a black or dark-colored pillowcase for a few days post-application to avoid any potential staining.
Despite this minor inconvenience, users continue to prefer this brand over others due to the superior color results and the excellent condition it leaves the hair in after use. This product is not just about changing your hair color but also about maintaining the health and quality of your hair.
MISE EN SCENE Hello Bubble Hair Easy At-Home Color
The MISEENSCENE Hello Bubble Hair Easy At-Home Color with Hair Ampoule for Hair Protection Vivid Color (Ash Khaki Brown) is a hair dye product with mixed user reviews. Some customers have praised the product for its ease of application and the vivid color it imparts, particularly on dark hair. It has been described as beginner-friendly and capable of producing noticeable color changes when exposed to sunlight.
However, some users have reported that the product does not work well on long, thick hair. While trendy, The bubble foam concept was more challenging to work with than traditional cream dyes. Some users also reported that the product did not provide enough coverage for their hair, leading to uneven color application and visible patches of undyed hair.
There were also complaints about the product causing significant hair damage, with some users experiencing hair loss and brittleness after use. In particular, one user noted that leaving the product in for longer than the recommended time resulted in severe damage.
Despite these issues, some users still found the product satisfactory. One user noted that the Dark Choco color option provided a subtle change that was not too drastic, giving their hair brown undertones visible under certain lighting conditions.
Overall, the MISEENSCENE Hello Bubble Hair Easy At-Home Color seems to be a hit-or-miss product, with results varying wildly depending on the user’s hair type and color.
Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Nourishing Creme
Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Nourishing Creme, specifically the 11 Blackest Black (Peppercorn) variant, is a permanent hair dye that offers rich, radiant, and long-lasting color. This product is designed to provide 100% gray coverage and is suitable for all hair textures. The formula is enriched with an exclusive fruit oil ampoule, which includes five responsibly sourced oils: avocado, shea, olive, argan, and coconut. These oils are poured directly into the mix, producing shiny, silky, and nourished hair post-coloring.
The product also features new color boost technology that efficiently infuses intense hair dye into the hair fiber, ensuring a more prosperous, radiant, and long-lasting color with utterly gray hair coverage. The after-color conditioner, 97% of natural origin, locks in color and protects against dryness.
Garnier’s commitment to sustainability is evident in their Greener Beauty Sustainability Commitments, which include using more recycled and recyclable packaging. All Garnier products are approved by Cruelty-Free International under the Leaping Bunny program, making them cruelty-free and vegan.
However, it’s important to note that hair color can cause an allergic reaction, so it’s recommended to do a skin allergy test 48 hours before each use of this product. The product should not be used if you’ve already had a reaction to a hair color product or if your scalp is sensitive, itchy, or damaged.
Despite its benefits, some users have reported dissatisfaction with the product, citing issues like the color fading quickly and gray hair reappearing just days after application.
10 PCS Dexe Black Hair Shampoo Instant Hair Dye for Men Women Black Color
The 10 PCS Dexe Black Hair Shampoo Instant Hair Dye is an Amazon beauty and personal care product. It is designed for both men and women who wish to achieve a black hair color. The product is simple to use, offering a permanent hair dye solution that lasts up to 30 days.
The shampoo is formulated with natural ingredients, ensuring it does not harm the scalp or cause hair damage. It is an excellent choice for those looking to cover white and grey hair, providing a youthful and vibrant look. The product is also time and cost-effective, eliminating the need for lengthy and expensive salon visits.
The product comes in a liquid form and is packaged under the brand ECOFAN. It promises lustrous black hair within minutes of application. However, some users have noted that the product has a strong smell, which some likened to rotten eggs.
Despite this, many customers have praised the product’s effectiveness, noting that it covers gray hairs well and lasts several weeks, depending on hair washing frequency. Some users have also appreciated the convenience of not mixing the product like other hair dye brands.
However, some users have expressed their desire for an organic solution without harmful chemicals. Others have noted that the product can be messy and require more than one packet for longer hair lengths.
As of June 5th, 2023, the product is priced at $11.99 per fluid ounce, down from its list price of $13.99, offering a saving of 14%. Despite some minor drawbacks, the 10 PCS Dexe Black Hair Shampoo Instant Hair Dye has received a high rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 2,248 global ratings, making it a popular choice among Amazon customers.