Best at-home hair color and hair dye kits, according to experts

Table Of Content

• Original Complete Kit with Bleach and Semi-Permanent Hair Color - Purple Desire
• How do I bleach my hair without over damaging it?
• Best for Fragile Hair: Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Anti-Age Hair Color Cream
• NewsHair stylists on best products for natural hair
• Wella Professionals Blondor Lightening Powder
• Best Premium Pick L’Oreal Effasol Color Remover

The combination of keratin and amino acids helps minimize damage while strengthening hair and leaving it soft and shiny. That said, hydrogen peroxide can be drying, and the processing time for this color is lengthier than some others we've tried. Achieving permanent, vibrant hair color without ammonia or ethanolamine is possible, but it really depends on the formula. Garnier Olia is an oil-based drugstore hair dye that uses plant oils to create rich, dimensional color by sending pigments deep into the hair shaft—no strong odors or harsh chemicals necessary. While the results are supposed to be permanent, we should mention that the coverage may not last as long as ammonia-based options.

Original Complete Kit with Bleach and Semi-Permanent Hair Color - Purple Desire

The only shade still available is Light Golden Brown, so if you've been thinking about going brunette, now might be a good time to embrace the dark side. A tinted hair gloss is a nice choice for anyone seeking a more subtle, natural effect, and we love this particular option. Rather than creating a dramatic color change, it enhances and deepens your current color while also deeply conditioning hair. To that point, you can also use it as a mask as often as you want since there’s no risk of it damaging your hair.

How do I bleach my hair without over damaging it?

When it comes to salon treatments, the best professional hair color line is Wella Illumina Color Permanent Creme Hair Color. Available in 36 shades, the colorist-recommended formula is gentle, versatile, and leaves hair oh-so-shiny. However, if you're looking for a DIY option, your best bet is the Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit—it's more gentle than other at-home kits and has everything you need to get your color right at home. Overall, our favorite drugstore hair dye is Clairol Natural Instincts. We love how the gentle, ammonia-free formula works in just 10 minutes and lasts up to 28 shampoos. It deposits a wash of pigment onto color-treated strands to extend the life of hair dye, enhance your natural color, or change up your natural color slightly.

Best for Fragile Hair: Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Anti-Age Hair Color Cream

The brand's dye is the rare one that doesn't bathe your bathroom in harsh fumes, and the ammonia-free ingredients translate to shiny, healthy, beautiful hair despite years of dye. The package also comes with a hair mask to further nourish your hair. Garnier has an extensive line of hair dyes, but it especially excels at a girl-next-door shade of buttery blonde. The line offers three different levels of golden blonde, from medium to extra light, and a whopping 16 blonde shades overall. Going blonde, or bleaching your hair, can be one of the most intimidating colors to attempt at home. But there are products out there that give you natural-looking blonde locks without the time and expense of a trip to the salon.

NewsHair stylists on best products for natural hair

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It's also great for when your blonde ends up a little too cool or warm for your liking, and you just want to change the tone. Because the effect only lasts three to four weeks and doesn't actually bleach your hair, you can try this without all the stress of a true dye job. Just put it on your hair for 10 to 20 minutes and then wash and condition your hair like normal. This fan-favorite formula also strengthens and conditions your hair using quinoa proteins and other hydrating ingredients so you can enjoy your vibrant new ‘do without any breakage, brittleness or damage. A multipurpose formula that deposits emerald color pigments, the Keracolor Color + Clenditioner in Emerald extends your hair’s green hue and vibrancy while simultaneously cleansing and conditioning it.

Wella Professionals Blondor Lightening Powder

We recommend this fast-acting, demi-permanent hair dye to anyone looking to save time while trying a new color or covering grays at home. Color-protecting shampoos won’t add color to the hair and are formulated to maintain the existing color for as long as possible without the potential for it to fade or appear dull, says O’Connor. Blue shampoos are great for blondes with a more caramel highlight and brunettes with orange and brassy tones, says Benson. Blue is the best color for these orange-y tones because it counteracts and neutralizes it, says Byrd. Most color remover products cause chemical reactions that can affect your hair’s condition. The current condition of your hair should be considered, so you can choose a product that won’t cause irreparable damage.

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Target has this hair color available for shipping in shades like Extra Light Natural Blonde, Light Auburn, and Medium Golden Brown. Many shades are also available for pickup or same-day shipping, too. In most cases you'll want to head to the pros for sun-kissed highlights. An ingenious pull-through cap lets you highlight specific strands on your head, and a toning rinse helps prevent brassiness. Our experts considered some of the best hair color kits on the market and shared a few with us.

Bleaching hair at home is always risky, and a general rule of thumb when bleaching (even professionally) is to go with milder, low volume peroxide formulas, says Pacheco. From warm strawberry to icy platinum, there are so many different shades of blonde. Before you pick a box dye, consider your skin tone to decide whether you want to go for a warm, cool, or neutral blonde. If you've ever found yourself scrolling through hair salon Instagram searching for inspiration, you've likely seen wheat blonde hair many, many times over. The cool-toned hue appropriately looks like a field of wheat—so pretty, but brassiness comes through like a wrecking ball in no time. If you can't fight the urge to stock up, we found a four-pack of hair color available at Overstock.

Best Premium Pick L’Oreal Effasol Color Remover

If you wind up with a botched dye job, you can remove and correct your color all in an afternoon. Both methods are straightforward, so it’s really a matter of personal preference here. If you want a simple solution that eliminates all of the guesswork, a kit may be the better option. If you want more control over the degree of color removal, you may be better off mixing and measuring the product yourself.

If you are extremely sensitive to the ingredients in color removal products, it may be better to use a clarifying shampoo or similar product to remove the color gradually. Once you have lightened your hair, you cannot go back to your natural color. Color Corrector aims to remove brassiness and yellow tones while combating damage from the bleaching process. Bold Uniq’s color correcting shampoo works just like any other shampoo. This product allows you to correct your color without adding extra steps to your hair care routine or using damaging ingredients.

With hair salons closed indefinitely, those of us due for a root touch up or bang trim have no choice but to take matters into our own hands ... But that means hair dye has turned into the new toilet paper in that it's selling out on store shelves everywhere. If you have curly hair and have always dreamt of trying a fun, new color but don’t feel like committing to it for more than a week, you’ll want to check out Curlsmith’s Hair Makeup. The temporary hair color doesn’t quite dye hair, but it rather coats curls with a pop of pigment that washes off in one shower.

Many remover products use peroxide to lift the color, which can cause irritation in people with sensitive skin. Typically, these removers use a milder 10 or 20 volume developer, but some people still have a reaction to the chemicals in these products. Mix-and-apply products give you the most control over the degree of color removal. Kolor Killer effectively removes hair color from the skin, but it can also be used to remove dye from hard surfaces, such as countertops and cabinets. Unlike other color-depositing conditioners, Color Corrector works in just 10 minutes and only needs to be used once per week. This makes it a great option for anyone who wants a quick, on-the-go solution that won’t add extra time to their hair care routine.

The key active ingredient in Kolor Killer wipes is sodium laureth sulfate. Sulfates are highly effective at removing hair color, which is why sulfate-free shampoos are recommended for color-treated hair. L’Oréal’s color-depositing conditioner can be used just like any other regular hair conditioner. Because this shampoo is free of sulfates and parabens, it won’t strip your hair of its natural conditioning oils. The gentle formula also provides UV protection to prevent color fading and vitamin B5 for shine. The purple tone cancels out the yellow tones, leaving your hair lighter and brighter.

The process also breaks down the ingredient that produces the color. Foam, creams, and gels tend to be more beginner friendly as they are thicker and less likely to drip. Things like plant oils offer a hydration boost and proteins, like collagen and keratin, work to rebuild the hair shaft. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the best blonde hair dyes currently on the market.