A hair salon appointment is a commitment. You sacrifice 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 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 best hair dyes and top hair-dying tips from our experts.
Overall best expert-approved$7.96$7.99
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.
Award-winning hair dye products
Best conditioning at-home hair dye:
For eight weeks of color and 100% gray coverage, L’Oréal’s Superior Preference line is another top-rated dye. It’s available in a variety of shades that deliver shine and deep color for just over $10. This bestseller sits among the top 10 hair colors on Amazon and has amassed over 38,000 verified five-star reviews.
Associate editor Shannon Garlin loves this and says, “I’ve always used L’Oreal Preference to refresh my brunette color, it never leaves my hair feeling dry and the conditioning treatment that it comes with is really moisturizing!”
Best long-lasting semi-permanent hair dye:
Another favorite from Shop TODAY’s Hair Awards, our best demi-permanent hair dye winner will get your color looking fresh and shiny again in just 20 minutes — with results that last up to 16 washes! The kit includes everything you need to DIY at home: gloves, developer and a color tube with a handy tip to apply directly from the bottle.
“Not only is my color vibrant and long-lasting, but my hair feels softer after use, too,” vouches commerce editor and producer Julie Ricevuto, who has been using the kit to refresh her color at home.
Best at-home hair dyes, according to stylists
An affordable choice:
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.”
Impressive semi-permanent:
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.
Zero ammonia:
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."
Condition with 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."
Best root touch-up products, according to stylists and editors
Everything you need:
Formulation: Cream | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Permanent | No. of colors: 22
Celebrity hair colorist Rita Hazan tells us she likes this easy root touch-up kit, which is available in several different blond and brown shades. She recommends applying it along your hairline and sticking solely to the roots.
Another great tip: When selecting a color, Hazan says to go for a hue one to two shades lighter than what you think your hair color really is.
"At-home hair color tends to be a little darker than salon colors. Look for colors that sound natural like auburn, not cherry bomb," Hazan suggests.
Easy-to-spray touch-up:
Formulation: Aerosal spray | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Next shampoo | No. of colors: 5
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.
Absorbent formula:
Formulation: Aerosol spray | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Next shampoo | No. of colors: 6
Amber Maynard Bolt, a master celebrity hairstylist at Nine Zero One Salon, tells us that she loves Oribe's Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo for colored hair — and the same brand also makes a root touch-up spray.
According to the brand, it's made with natural mineral colorants, rice starch to absorb oils and a UV absorber to protect strands from discoloration. The highly pigmented formula is designed to absorb dirt and oil and has a powder-like consistency for a quick dry-down. It comes in a range of colors including black, platinum white, light brown, dark brown and blonde.
Best hair dye products, according to editors
Hydrating and vibrant:
Formulation: Cream mask | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Temporary color | No. of colors: 7
Production associate Audrey Ekman is a fan of this mask for its hydrating formula. “For a color refresh, which is essential every couple of weeks as a fake redhead, I love Moroccanoil’s color-depositing mask. It has all the hydrating benefits of their bestselling hair mask, plus it adds vibrancy to my color.”
"Beginner-friendly" option:
Formulation: Cream | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Permanent | No. of colors: 1
“I went to an event for this a month or two ago and I’m really impressed by the science in this behind maintaining hair strength through a process that is typically really damaging,” shares associate editor Kamari Stewart.
“I have a box at home and I’m excited to use it to touch up my roots! It also seems pretty beginner-friendly which is great for me because I’ve never colored my hair at home before,” she adds.
A complete kit:
Formulation: Cream | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Permanent | No. of colors: 30+
This hair color kit from IGK comes with everything you need before and after working on your new ‘do. It includes products like a color block barrier gel to keep dye from staining the skin around your hairline and ears, as well a stain-removing cleanser wipe to clear up any stained skin or work surfaces.
“This dye kit comes with everything you need to achieve salon-quality results at home, down to the gloves and stain remover,” shares Ekman.
Editor favorite:
Formulation: Cream | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Semi-ermanent | No. of colors: 12
Ekman also loves this one because it works for in-between-dye sessions. The semi-permanent product is deeply conditioning and boosts color for silky soft, freshly colored strands. The brand's more sheer Glossy Glaze is also fabulous for a less intense touch-up.
Stewart also recommended this product in Golden Blond and said her hair "looks so much better" after using it. Stewart continued, "It’s meant to be used in place of conditioner, and still left my hair feeling soft and moisturized, just with more blended color."
More home hair dyes to shop
Nourishing ingredients:
Formulation: Cream | Best for: Curly hair, damaged/over-processed hair | Longevity: Permanent | No. of colors: 21
The Dark and Lovely brand is designed to provide the largest shade palette — 19 shades — for women of color. The conditioning treatment has shea, avocado and olive oils to provide nourishment and protect relaxed and natural hair while coloring. The brand says it provides 100% gray coverage and will last for up to eight weeks.
Tons of shades:
Formulation: Cream | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Permanent | No. of colors: 30+
Like Dark and Lovely, this Garnier hair color has a blend of shea, avocado and olive oils. It also comes with a grapeseed fruit oil ampoule that you can pour directly into your mix. And for those who are scared about doing their own hair, multiple Amazon reviewers say it’s easy to use and apply. The Garnier website also has a hair color quiz that lets you virtually try on shades.
Alcohol-free:
Formulation: Cream | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Permanent | No. of colors: 18
With a near-perfect rating from more than 10,000 verified shoppers and ringing in at less than $20, this hair dye is a crowd favorite. Shoppers rave about how well it works on sensitive skin and provides stellar color without any irritation from harsh ingredients.
Great for anti-aging:
Formulation: Liquid | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Permanent | No. of colors: 92
Enriched with biotin, this permanent dye is designed to help nourish your hair fibers for fuller, thicker locks. With over 3,000 reviews on Sally’s website, this liquid formula is easy to use and helps cover up unwanted grays.
Vibrant hues:
Formulation: Cream | Best for: All hair types and pre-lightened hair | Longevity: Semi-permanent | No. of colors: 22
If you’re tired of your color fading away, give this product a try. This semi-permanent cream is for the creative soul that likes to experiment. No need for squeezes or combing through. All you need to do is dip your hands into the jar and apply the color. The best part? You can mix and match any shade.
A glossy look:
Formulation: Cream | Best for: All hair types and already colored hair | Longevity: Temporary (up to three washes) | No. of colors: 14
Give your hair a glossy finish with this semi-permanent hair that’s infused with high-conditioning coconut oil. The formula will provide a hassle-free experience with no gloves or mixtures required! The product is meant to add shine and depth in between colorings, according to the brand. Customers rave about this hair color because it also works as a conditioner and detangler.
Permanent power:
Formulation: Cream | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Permanent | No. of colors: 22
This formula is enriched with botanical ingredients that will help cover all your grays and give you the color you need. While some shoppers expressed feeling their hair dry after use, most raved about how long it lasts. It's dermatologically tested and is a safer alternative for those with sensitive scalps.
Bright and bold:
Formulation: Cream | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Semi-permanent | No. of colors: 24
From neon green to eye-catching pink, there is no shortage of bright and bold color options from Arctic Fox’s lineup of semi-permanent hair dyes. It has over 56,000+ verified five-star ratings from Amazon reviewers who can’t get enough.
Not so permanent:
Formulation: Liquid | Best for: All hair types | Longevity: Semi-ermanent | No. of colors: 10
If you’re a novice in the dyeing process and aren’t sure you want to commit fully to a permanent color, this semi-permanent color-depositing shampoo is the perfect solution. Apply it to your hair and let it sit for a maximum of five minutes before rinsing out the excess. You can repeat the process until you achieve your desired color.
Frequently asked questions
If you decide to apply hair dye at home, colorist at Marie Robinson Salon Bobby Tenanty recommends using the applicator brush or getting a smaller brush, but she advises, "If you do it at home be careful not to overlap. I suggest you do it around your hairline where gray is more noticeable, or around your part." Furthermore, you want to choose one shade lighter when you buy at-home hair dye, she adds.
"Dark hair tends to have an abundance of eumelanin, which is a type of melanin that gives hair its black and dark brown tone," says stylist and curly hair specialist Tatiana Dudley.
"Underneath those tones are lots of red, orange and yellow known as underlying pigment. When hair starts off dark and wants to go lighter, the hair is taken through a very strenuous process. The further away from the dark and the lighter the hair gets, the more the health of the hair is compromised. That’s why I absolutely love seeing coppers, reds and rich mahogany tones on dark hair. They don’t stray too far from their natural dark tone, and these tones are perfect for the fall season we are in," explains Dudley.
Usually, hair salons formulate their own colors and mix different tones. Over-the-counter hair dyes feature a color-numbering system (i.e., 10 being the darkest and 1 being the lightest). When it comes to choosing the right shade, Tenanty recommends choosing a shade or two lighter than your natural color.
Dudley recommends hair dye with pro-arginine as one of the ingredients. It's a type of amino acid that is found naturally throughout the existing structure of the hair and is used as an "alkalizer," according to the colorist. "Once the Pro-Arginine has completed its alkalizing duties and recognizes itself within the hair fiber, it goes into repair mode," she explains.
Curly and dry hair have different textures, which require more care. Dudley recommends a low-ammonia or ammonia-free hair color to avoid scalp irritation and dryness. "Curly hair is actually finer and more fragile than most realize, especially if the hair is curly and dry. The chemistry of hair color has its limits as to how gentle it can be and [still] be effective at coloring the hair," she says.
"Permanent hair color is the best and go-to hair color to cover gray or white strands. It’s important to note that you want a color line that can give you 100% white hair coverage and not just gray coverage. White hair is completely void of pigment, while gray hair is a mix of pigmented hair as well as white hair," shares Dudley.
According to Mazzei, dyeing your hair at home is generally safe but "is not going to take into account the nuances of your particular hair, including porosity, hydration, type, etc."
One thing he notes is how easy is to dye your hair darker at home. However, if you're planning to go lighter or add highlights, Mazzei suggests booking a professional colorist.
"If you're going to cover your gray hair or stick in between two shades of your natural color at-home care is generally safe to use" adds Tenanty
For Dudley, the best way to dye your hair is with a licensed professional. "There are many factors to consider when deciding to color your hair, such as hair types, hair condition, where your hair color is starting from versus where your desired hair color is, and much more."
How we chose
While choosing the best at-home hair dye and color kits, we asked professional stylists for their go-to options while taking longevity, hair type and touch-up goals into consideration. We also included Shop TODAY editor favorites from team members who have experience dying their hair at home.
Meet our experts
- Jamie Mazzei is a hairstylist and creative director of nuBest Salon and Spa.
- Fred Connors is the owner of FRED salon in New York City.
- Irinel de León is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist.
- Sarah Potempa is a celebrity hairstylist and the creator of the Beach Waver.
- Joel Warren is a master colorist and co-founder of Warren Tricomi Salons in New York City.
- Jerami Brown is a Santa Monica, California-based hairsylist and colorist.
- Maisha Cogle is an expert hair colorist.
- Austin Medearis is a master colorist at Butterfly Studio Salon in New York City.
- Rita Hazan is a celebrity hair colorist with her own namesake salon and line of products.
- Amber Maynard Bolt is a celebrity hairstylist and co-owner of AM Salon in West Hollywood.
- Bobby Tenanty is an expert hair colorist at the Marie Robinson Salon with more than nine years of experience.
- Tatiana Dudley is a hair care specialist and colorist with a focus on healthy hair care and coloring. She specializes also in braiding, relaxers, trims and treatments.
How do you add Shop TODAY as a Preferred Source on Google?
Google’s new Preferred Sources feature allows users to manually select their favorite publishers and news outlets for a more customizable experience tailored directly to the reader. Once you’ve opted to receive our content, you’ll begin seeing more of our recent and trending articles displayed within your Top Stories news feed.
The easiest way to add us as a preferred source is to click here and type in “TODAY.com.” Once the box is checked and you’ve refreshed the page, Shop TODAY content will start appearing in your feed.
