As a new season comes around, you may feel like trying out a different hairstyle or color. With salons and barbershops closed in many cities as the pandemic continues, at-home hair treatments are rising in popularity with varying degrees of success. Thankfully, there are several excellent at-home hair color options that offer less expensive and more convenient treatments when it comes to coloring your locks.
Like all hair care products, there's a wide variety of uses and applications when it comes to hair color kits. Permanent dye lasts for about 28 washes. Roots will typically begin showing after four to six weeks and there are root-only dyes available, which we've included in our list. There are also hair dyes specifically made for beards and mustaches, dyes that soften the appearance of greys and colored sprays that offer non-permanent root coverage. We've included hair dyes that go on with an applicator and dyes that are applied like shampoo.
When picking a color, users should go one shade lighter for permanent dye and one shade darker for semi-permanent. This is because unlike permanent dye, semi-permanent dye does not have a developer and the color will darken the longer it's left on the hair, leaving a larger margin for error. It's also a good idea to not wash your hair before dying it since the natural oils in your hair will give the dye something to hold.
Whether you've been coloring your hair for years, want to try something new, or the past year has produced some new greys you'd like to cover up, these top-rated hair color products are all easy to apply in the comfort of your home.
1. Just For Men Shampoo-In Color
BEST OVERALL
For hair color that is easy to apply and can last for up to eight weeks, we like the Just For Men Shampoo-In Color. Available in 14 shades, the ammonia-free hair color includes keratin, olive oil and vitamin E, which helps keep hair looking and feeling healthy. The hair kit comes with a color base, developer and applicator and users simply apply the color, lather it into their hair and then shampoo out five minutes later. The full coverage results can be seen immediately and help to provide complete coverage of grays.
© Provided by SPY Buy: Just For Men Shampoo-In Color $17.37
2. Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Kit for Men
COVERS GREYS
For full coverage that will help to cover up grays and leave hair looking healthy, there is the Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Kit for Men. The full-coverage effect can last up to 28 shampoos and help to immediately cover gray hairs. Clairol uses vitamin E, aloe and protein in their ammonia-free dye, which helps to restore the user's natural hair color. We like that Clairol includes a weekly conditioner treatment to help extend the life of the dye and keep hair looking soft and healthy.
© Provided by SPY Buy: Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent Hair Dye Kit for Men $17.64
3. Just For Men Control GX Grey Reducing Shampoo
NATURAL EFFECT
If you're looking for a way to naturally reduce the appearance of grays without making it obvious that you've dyed your hair, we recommend Just For Men Control GX Grey Reducing Shampoo. Used like a regular shampoo, the gentle dye slowly covers grays with each use for a gradual hair color treatment that looks natural. The company offers several options for its gray reducing shampoo, including a shampoo and conditioner duo, an option for users with light hair, anti-dandruff shampoo and shampoo specifically for beards and mustaches.
© Provided by SPY Buy: Just For Men Control GX Grey Reducing Shampoo $6.18
4. Softsheen-Carson Dark & Natural Hair Color for Men
BEST FOR BLACK MEN
For Black men who want a hair color treatment designed specifically for their hair needs, there is the Softsheen-Carson Dark & Natural Hair Color for Men. The dye naturally blends to help cover grays and leave hair looking healthy thanks to its use of aloe vera and honey. The color treatment only takes five minutes and users are able to shampoo their hair immediately after with the shampoo and conditioner packets included in the kit. The drip-free, permanent hair color is available in dark brown, natural black and jet black and can last for up to six weeks.
© Provided by SPY Buy: Softsheen-Carson Dark & Natural Hair Color for Men $4.76
5. Just For Men Easy Comb-In Color
FOR TOUCH-UP JOBS
If you've never dyed your hair before, it can be a scary prospect. We get it. That's why we like the Just For Men Easy Comb-In Color, which comes with a brush applicator that makes it easy for customers to gently color their hair only in areas where they want to cover up grays. The dye will stop darkening hair after 10 minutes, which means that customers don't have to worry about going too dark with their treatment and ending up with results that don't look natural. Free from ammonia and peroxide, the no-mix dye can last up to eight weeks.
© Provided by SPY Buy: Just For Men Easy Comb-In Color $5.69
6. Arctic Fox Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye
FOR BOLD COLORS
We've talked a lot about covering grays and getting your hair back to its natural hue, but what if you want a bold change? For dye jobs that get noticed, we like Arctic Fox's Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye. Available in a range of vibrant colors, including Poseidon and Sunset Orange, the bold hair color helps users change up their look without damaging their hair. Using only vegan ingredients and skipping any harmful chemicals, Arctic Fox actually conditions hair. Free from ammonia, peroxide and featuring long-lasting colors that don't smear, Arctic Fox makes it easy to get a bold color that can last for four to eight weeks.
© Provided by SPY Buy: Arctic Fox Vegan and Cruelty-Free Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye $14.99
7. Just for Men Brush-In Color
FOR BEARDS AND MUSTACHES
Using a hair color treatment that helps to cover up grays can instantly make users look younger, but not if their beard is still sprinkled with gray hairs. Just for Men Brush-In Color Gel has an easy to use brush applicator that makes covering grays on beards and mustaches easier than ever. Facial hair can often be the first place that men show signs of grays, but keeping beards and mustaches gray-free is easy with this kit. Designed specifically for coarse hair and available in 11 shades, the color treatment is formulated with biotin, aloe and coconut oil to leave hair looking soft and conditioned.
© Provided by SPY Buy: Just for Men Brush-In Color $6.99
8. Adore Semi-Permanent Hair Color
HUGE COLOR SELECTION
The Adore Hair Color is a simple and easy-to-use hair dye that gives your hair a beautiful, new look. It comes in over 50 different colors. In addition, the semi-permanent hair coloring is free from alcohol, peroxide and ammonia, allowing you to change your hair color without fear of damaging your hair.
© Provided by SPYbest hair color products at home top rated adore creative image spiced amber
Buy: Adore Semi-Permanent Hair Color $6.97
9. Clairol Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up Kit
BEST FOR ROOTS
With color choices ranging from blonde to brown to black, the Clairol Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up Kit tries to match your current color. It's a quick and easy way to rid yourself of any ugly roots or gray hairs in minutes. The kit includes a brush to allow for precision application, and coverage can last up to three weeks.
© Provided by SPYbest hair color products at home top rated clairol root touch-up nice 'n easy
Buy: Clairol Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up Kit $11.94
10. John Frieda Color Refreshing Gloss
USE BETWEEN DYE TREATMENTS
For those who would prefer an in-shower treatment, the John Frieda Refreshing Gloss is easy to apply and works to maintain your salon treatment for longer. The solution includes patented technology that restores the tones and color of your treatment, saving you money and time between treatments. It's also free from ammonia and peroxide, and each bottle includes six treatments to help keep your hair looking great.
© Provided by SPYbest hair color products at home top rated john frieda gloss refreshing
Buy: John Frieda Color Refreshing Gloss $14.95
11. Sun Bum Blonde Formula Hair Lightener
BEST FOR BLONDES
If you have been searching for a way to lighten your hair, the Sun Bum Hair Lightener is just the product for you. The effective serum works to amplify the natural lightening effects of the sun on your hair. After a treatment with this paraben and phthalate-free formula, you'll have natural-looking blonde highlights throughout your locks. The lightener is most effective in blonde to medium brown hair. Plus, it is enriched with pineapple, honey and lemon for a delightful aroma alongside your new, lighter hair.
© Provided by SPYbest hair color products at home top rated sun bum blonde formula lightener
Buy: Sun Bum Blonde Formula Hair Lightener $13.99
12. L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up Gray Concealer Spray
FOR FAST TOUCH-UPS
If you are really, really hesitant to dip your toes into the hair dye world but are tired of seeing gray hair staring back at you in the mirror, there's L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up Gray Concealer Spray. Available in eight shades, the peroxide-free spray provides temporary root coverage that helps to hide gray or roots growing out between dye jobs. The lightweight, water-resistant, ammonia and peroxide-free formula is safe for all hair types, fast-drying, easy to use and won't leave a sticky residue. The spray can also help hair look fuller and provide some coverage on small bald spots.
© Provided by SPY Buy: L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up Gray Concealer Spray $9.00