Avoid the salon with these 22 at-home hair dyes — Easy and inexpensive finds

Natural Instincts is a semi-permanent formula, which means it’s less of a commitment than permanent color, explained Fred Connors, owner of FRED salon in New York City. “It’s ammonia-free and infused with aloe and coconut oil, leaving hair softer and shinier than most permanent colors,” he says.

Stylist-Approved At-Home Haircolors That Don’t Cost a Fortune

Wanting fresh locks without the heavy price tag? We’ve researched the best haircolor formulas at drugstore prices that’ll leave you with salon-worthy hair.

Fresh haircolor can boost your confidence and make you feel on top of the world, but if not done correctly, it can also leave you feeling quite the opposite. Shopping for at-home haircolor can be overwhelming when a mere $10 can turn your hair green and leave a trail of tears. Before starting your hair journey, we’ll share everything you should know so it’s a smooth and trauma-free transition—because no one has time to sob over haircolor.

Fortunately, color expert Layla Rasheed at Oscar Blandi salon in New York has graciously shared tips and brands for the best color, texture, and that special wow factor that’ll leave you feeling salon fresh. Before getting started, she recommends, “prep with a towel, gloves, and vaseline (or cream) to protect the skin around the hairline, so your skin doesn’t also change shades.” For newbies, Layla says to start with an applicator bottle for even distribution. She has several years of experience, so when she says, “if you’re new to dying your hair, pick a color close to your natural shade to test it out,” heed her wisdom. Whether you’re looking for the best blonde color for dark skin, covering grays, or needing a natural-based formula, we’ve found a product for you.

Avoid the salon with these 22 at-home hair dyes — Easy and inexpensive finds

A hair salon appointment is a commitment: You lose money, time — and even the comfort of your own home. Luckily, there are a plethora of at-home box dyes that line the shelves of drugstores so you can easily take matters into your own hands.

But if you typically shy away from maintaining your hair at home, we’re here to help make it less of a daunting task. We spoke to professional hair colorists to get recommendations for the best box hair dyes and application tips so you can get the look you want at home without damaging your locks — or breaking your budget.

Whether you’re looking for a fresh change or simply need a quick fix to cover up your roots or gray hairs, we’ve got you covered. Here are the top 22 at-home hair dyes and top hair-dying tips from our experts.

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How can you make at-home hair color last?

One of the best ways to maintain the color of your hair is by using a color-depositing shampoo and conditioner. According to Jamie Mazzei, hairstylist and creative director of nuBest Salon, these products slow down the fading process of the hair dye rather than prevent it.

“By using a color-depositing shampoo and color-depositing conditioner containing a semi-permanent direct dye, you can maintain your hair color and keep it free of fade until you need to color your roots again. Many customers even feel they can go longer between color applications by using a color-depositing shampoo and conditioner regularly,” Mazzei says.

What to look for when shopping for the best at-home hair color

First, you want to consider if you want a permanent color in your hair or just change your ‘do for the season. If you’re trying to achieve the latter, Mazzei recommends opting for a semi-permanent dye instead of a permanent dye because the latter is much harsher on your strands.

“Before you shop, think about the color you want to dye your hair to help guide what color to pick at the store. It’s also a good idea to pick one color lighter than your ultimate goal. Most at-home hair dyes tend to look darker on real hair compared to the image on the front of the box,” he explains.

Best overall at-home hair dyes

Best semi-permanent at-home hair dye:

Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent Hair Color

Natural Instincts is a semi-permanent formula, which means it’s less of a commitment than permanent color, explained Fred Connors, owner of FRED salon in New York City. “It’s ammonia-free and infused with aloe and coconut oil, leaving hair softer and shinier than most permanent colors,” he says.

He also advises going lighter than the shade you want when using this product.

“Stay away from warmer tones as boxed dyes can pull more orange than you probably want. Stick to cool or neutral shades — they tend to deliver the best result,” he suggests.

Best root touch-up:

Root Concealer Touch-Up Spray

This Rita Hazan root touch-up spray is a favorite of celebrity hairstylist Irinel de León.

“It’s the ultimate secret weapon for covering any grays or sparse areas on the scalp or hairline,” she says. “It also doesn’t leave any residue on your pillow at night, and it’s good enough to use once and last you until your next wash as well.”

De León notes that using a root spray like this will not only cover up any incoming regrowth and grays, but it will also make your hair appear fuller in photos.

Best cover-up stick:

Root Cover Up Stick

This instant tool will help cover your grays quickly if your favorite hair stylist is completely booked. The stick comes in four different shades and is both sweat-resistant and waterproof. The pen also works great on thin hair, especially if you have a receding hairline that needs extra coverage.

Best root touch-up spray:

Style Edit Root Concealer Touch Up Spray

With thousands of verified five-star reviews on Amazon, this root coverage will quickly conceal any gray matter above the scalp. The spray comes in eight beautiful shades, and its compact design adds a lustrous and natural shine to your roots.

“It adheres well, doesn’t smear, is precise and not messy to apply. I use it frequently (my hair grows rapidly) and continue to order,” shared one reviewer.

Best at-home hair dyes, according to stylists

Wella Color Charm Liquid Hair Color

Colorcharm Liquid Haircolor

This is a favorite of celebrity hairstylist and creator of the Beachwaver hot tool, Sarah Potempa.

“First and foremost, you need to know what level your natural hair color is considered. Hair color companies will have diagrams and charts that show which color and undertone each color provides,” she explains. “If you’re going for a drastic change, remember to go slow: one shade at a time. Depending on your hair and skin tone, you will have to do further research on what type of color will suit you.”

Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Color

Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Color

Joel Warren, master colorist and co-founder of Warren Tricomi Salons in New York City, loves this high-quality product because it delivers a salon-like finish.

“I like it because it’s an oil-based hair dye that leaves hair in amazing condition,” Warren explains. “It’s similar to the product we use at the salon and contains no ammonia, which is very important.”

L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Hair Color

L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Hair Color

Jerami Brown, a colorist at Shin Salon in Los Angeles, likes this L’Oréal hair color line because “they have many options, clear instructions and the highest quality of ingredients.”

Another expert colorist, Maisha Cogle, formerly of Butterfly Studio Salon in New York City, also recommends using the Excellence Creme for emergency gray coverage.

“It’s easy to mix and use. It gives great coverage and results with rich tones, plus the additional benefit of conditioning,” Cogle says.

Austin Medearis, another colorist at Butterfly, is also a big fan of L’Oreal and works with the brand’s professional line in the salon. When applying color at home, Medearis suggests asking a friend for help to avoid missing any spots or putting too much color in one spot.

“Overlapping can cause color buildup and damage to the hair. Home color is extremely difficult to remove from the hair without causing significant damage,” Medearis explains. “The developer in at-home colors can also be harsher than those used in the salon, as it is created to work on everyone and not formulated to your particular hair type.”