9 Best Hair Dyes For At-Home Dye Lovers – 2024

Salon-quality results of professional hair dyes are right here at your fingertips.

Reviewed by Jill Turnbull, Hairstylist Jill Turnbull Jill TurnbullHairstylist facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by Medha Deb, Integrated MA Medha Deb Integrated MA linkedin_icon Experience: 5 years
Edited by Shiboli Chakraborti, MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach Shiboli Chakraborti MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
Fact-checked by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Last Updated on

Post-pandemic lifestyles have seen many changes, and self-care is one among them. People have become more self-sufficient and have begun experimenting with skincare and haircare practices themselves. Jump on this bandwagon and treat yourself to the best box hair dyes for astonishing results that come at the convenience and comfort of your home. Some of the dyes contain nourishing ingredients that moisturize the hair and while coloring them.

If you are looking for a retouch of your hair color or need a complete color transformation, choose a hair dye from our list of the 9 best at-home box hair dyes this year. Not only can you control how much of it goes on your hair, but you can also minimize the parlor expenses that used to burn a hole in your pocket.

Top PicksCheck Price
Best Non-Drip Formula:Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color CrèmePrice on AmazonPrice on Walmart
Best Anti-Fading:Schwarzkopf Got2b Metallic Permanent Hair ColorPrice on AmazonPrice on Walmart
Best Moisturizing:John Frieda Precision Foam ColourPrice on AmazonPrice on Walmart
Best Quick Result:L'Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color & Highlights KitPrice on AmazonPrice on Walmart
Best For Natural Look:Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-PermanentPrice on Amazon
Best For Brittle Hair:Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color CreamPrice on AmazonPrice on Walmart
Best Vegan:Revlon Total Color Permanent Hair ColorPrice on AmazonPrice on Walmart
Best Easy To Apply:Kao Liese Prettia Bubble Hair DyePrice on AmazonPrice on Walmart
Best Ammonia-Free:Lime Crime Unicorn Hair DyePrice on Amazon

Top 9 Hair Dyes Of 2024 To Color Hair At Home

1. Best Non-Drip Formula:Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Crème

star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
4.4

In addition to giving you a range of 39 colors to choose from, this Garnier hair dye conditions your hair with its rich blend of nourishing ingredients like avocado, olive oil, and shea butter. It is formulated with a unique color boost technology to provide you with permanent hair color, root touch-up hair color, even to the darkest hair shades. Our dark-haired folks need not fret when they want to experiment with bright shades of red or even platinum. To make things even better, the non-drip formula of this crème hair dye makes it super easy to use and remains non-messy! You can use this product from the comfort of your home. To get a better understanding of the product, you can check out this video on YouTube that provides insight into a reviewer’s experience with it.

pinit button
Pros
  • Easy to apply
  • Nourishes hair
  • Complete color package
  • Non-drip formula
  • Available in 39 shades
  • Does not contain ammonia

pinit button
Cons
  • The color may not show on black hair at all.
  • Not for sensitive scalps
worth-buy-icon

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

It has gained over 14,306 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.

2. Best Anti-Fading:Schwarzkopf Got2b Metallic Permanent Hair Color

star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
3.7
Got2b Metallic Permanent Hair Color Image: Got2b

This at-home hair coloring dye gives you the results you want in 5 easy and non-messy steps. With 6 metallic colors to choose from, this multi-dimensional hair color is here to give you luscious deep colors that radiate a fresh glow. You will find a tube of color in this hair color box, an application bottle with the developer, an after-treatment tube, a pair of gloves, and an instruction leaflet. With an anti-fading effect, this metallic radiant color lasts you a long time. Check out this review detailing a tester’s experience with this product for more information.

Color: Blue Mercury | Product Dimensions: 3.54 x 2.28 x 6.54 inches | Weight: 6.74 Ounces

pinit button
Pros
  • Available in 5 colors
  • Ideal for all hair textures
  • Easy 5-step application
  • Offers a multi-dimensional look

pinit button
Cons
  • May need to bleach hair first
  • Some dyes may not be ideal for dark hair
worth-buy-icon

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

Almost 526 happy users have mentioned the value and quality of this product.

3. Best Moisturizing:John Frieda Precision Foam Colour

Here is an at-home color box that gives you salon-quality hair color from the comfort of your home. Although you have 12 beautiful shades to choose from, you can never really go wrong with any! These dyes leave your hair with a soft shine and nourish your hair too. Its anti-fade properties and 100% grey coverage ensures that the color is not only long-lasting but can easily be used as a go-to hair color whenever your roots start to show. The thick foaming formula is unlike any other; it prevents color residue and dripping while maximizing penetration and color traction. If you want to know more about the benefits of this product, check out this quick review on YouTube detailing a tester’s experience with it.

pinit button
Pros
  • Available in 12 shades
  • Nourishing and moisturizing
  • Contains a post-color conditioner
  • Unique foaming non-drip formula
  • fade-resistant

pinit button
Cons
  • Not ammonia-free

protip_icon Pro Tip
If you have dry and frizzy hair, prep it a week before dyeing to prevent damage. Go for a hair spa or use a hair mask 2-3 times weekly. A hot oil massage 3 times a week can also improve your hair texture.

worth-buy-icon

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

This product is so liked by shoppers that it has gained over 11,222 great reviews on Amazon.

Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Crème
Best Non-Drip Formula
Schwarzkopf Got2b Metallic Permanent Hair Color
Best Anti-Fading
John Frieda Precision Foam Colour
Best Moisturizing
Color- Blue Mercury-
Dimensions- 3.54 x 2.28 x 6.54 inches-
Weight- 6.74 Ounces-
Rating
Reviews14,30652611,222
Price-$6.91$11.92

4. Best Quick Result:L’Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color & Highlights Kit

star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
4.3

If hair dye has ever touched your hair before, you have probably heard about this ‘OG’ product. Ideal for highlights and irresistible hair colors, this product comes with a control touch fingertip that helps you color hair with precision. With 5 natural-looking shades, this hair color is made for those looking for an added definition to their hair without making it look too out there. This product gives you quick results – as quick as 30 minutes! It is recommended to conduct a skin allergy test 48 hours prior to the application.

pinit button
Pros
  • Quick results
  • 2-step application process
  • Comes with a control touch fingertip
  • Shades can be used together to create harmonizing highlights

pinit button
Cons
  • Contains bleach and ammonia
  • May not be suitable for relaxed hair
worth-buy-icon

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The product has more than 7,792 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.

5. Best For Natural Look:Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent

star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
4.4
Clairol Natural Instincts Demi-Permanent Hair Dye Image: Clairol

With 37 natural-looking shades to choose from, Clairol Natural Instinct hair color lets you enhance your natural color within 20 minutes! With 80% of naturally derived ingredients, no ammonia, and parabens and added coconut oil and aloe vera, this natural hair color promises you a guilt-free hair coloring experience with an oh-so-shiny effect. It not only blends away greys easily but also adds an extra boost of shine that lasts you more than 28 washes.

pinit button
Pros
  • Looks natural
  • Quick and easy results
  • No ammonia
  • Paraben-free

pinit button
Cons
  • May drip and cause running
  • Not ideal for changing hair color drastically

6. Best For Brittle Hair:Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color Cream

If you haven’t been living under a rock all this time, you would know that keratin is currently all the rage in hair care products. With the most intense and beautiful shades of brown, this product colors your hair from the depths. It not only makes your hair look healthy but also makes it stronger. It provides an even color from root to top using its protective pre-color serum.

pinit button
Pros
  • No drip formula
  • 100% grey coverage
  • 80% less hair breakage
  • 3 step easy application process
  • Even color from root to tip
  • Great for mature and brittle hair that needs inner repair

pinit button
Cons
  • Contains ammonia
  • Colors may be more intense than shown on the box

protip_icon Pro Tip
Invest in an effective color-protectant shampoo and conditioner and avoid heat styling to make the color last longer.

7. Best Vegan:Revlon Total Color Permanent Hair Color

Here is a clean and vegan cream formula that nourishes your hair while coloring it. It is formulated without ammonia, parabens, sulfates, silicones, mineral oil, phthalates, or gluten; practically anything that comes close to harming your hair or scalp! This dermatologist-tested hair color will last up to 6 weeks with its vibrancy. This Revlon product promises to cover all your greys, even the most stubborn ones! Available in 15 shades, this affordable hair dye has something for everyone. According to multiple Amazon reviews, this product delivers when it comes to moisturization and color pay-off.

pinit button
Pros
  • Vegan
  • Clean ingredients
  • Available in 15 shades
  • High-performing formula
  • Contains hemp seed oil for nourishment

pinit button
Cons
  • Users must wait 14 days before applying on chemically-treated hair

8. Best Easy To Apply:Kao Liese Prettia Bubble Hair Dye

Like all dyes on our list, Kao Liese is among the best at-home hair dyes to get salon-like results. Available in 16 shades, this product has something for everyone. You can choose to experiment with a unique shade like Milk-Tea-Brown or go for a natural sun-kissed-looking shade like British-Ash. This little box brings all the ingredients and supplies you need for an at-home hair color session, including a foaming cap and gloves! Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and watch this bubble hair dye transform your locks. Multiple reviewers on Amazon love this product as it is easy to apply and delivers amazing results.

pinit button
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • True to color on the box
  • Available in many colors
  • Repair conditioner provided

pinit button
Cons
  • No instructions in English
  • May not cover grey or bleached hair
worth-buy-icon

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

With 1,312 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.

9. Best Ammonia-Free: Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dye

star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
star-rating pinit button
4.3
Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dye Image: Lime Crime

Say hello to vibrant hair color right at the convenience of your home with the Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dye. This semi-permanent hair color formula gives your damage-free hair a healthy transformation. This ultra-conditioning dye is infused with fatty acids and vitamins that moisturize the hair and increase its shine. It provides a full coverage rich coat with a high color payoff. Additionally, this Peta-certified dye is free of chemical additives and has a delicious sugary scent.

pinit button
Pros
  • Gentle
  • Easy to use
  • Pleasant fragrance
  • Intense color payoff
  • Cruelty-free
  • Semi-permanent color
  • PPD-free
  • Peroxide-free

pinit button
Cons
  • Stains a lot
  • Washes out easily

Well, that brings us to the end of our list of 9 best at-home box hair dyes of 2024 to help you get glossy, high-shine hair. To make the right choice for yourself, here is a buying guide to help you choose a box of hair dyes for your hair:

Things To Keep In Mind When Buying A Hair Dye

Consider your hair texture

When dyeing your hair, keep your hair texture in mind. Textured hair, such as curly and frizzy hair that have a hint of roughness to them tend to absorb more color and leave a blue-ish tinge behind. However, smoother and straighter hair tends to have a warm tinge. Our textured hair readers are advised to pick a warm and lighter color than their original hair color. Whereas, non-textured hair folks are suggested to opt for cooler shades.

Consider your hair color

Your original hair color plays a major role in deciding the result of a new hair coloring attempt. If you have black untouched, virgin hair, it is unlikely for a color to make an impression at your first attempt. However, if you have blonde hair, all colors will easily absorb into your hair and show from the very first use.

Consider your hair length

Don’t go by the simple instructions on the box. If your hair is shoulder-length, it is likely that you wouldn’t need more than 1 box of hair dye. However, if you have longer hair, 2 to 3 boxes are a must to see results!

Don’t always trust the model on the box

We aren’t saying the pictures are misleading or anything, all we are saying is those pictures on the box are taken in perfect settings to help the color pop. In reality, the color will almost always come out a little lighter.

How To Use A Box Hair Dye At Home?

1. Prep your hair

Hair prepping is an important part of dying your hair, especially if you want quick and easy results. Instead of washing your hair to dye them, add color to your 3-day-old hair so that your natural oils can protect your scalp from direct chemicals.

2. Follow the box instruction

Every box comes with similar yet different instructions. Make sure you read them carefully, arrange all the equipment and ingredients from the box in ascending order of application. Make sure you start coloring from the top, i.e. from your roots to all the way till your ends.

How Long Do Box Hair Dyes Last?

Although it varies from brand to brand, semi-permanent hair dyes last up to 28 washes. 28 washes or 4 weeks. Whereas, permanent hair colors last until your fresh roots start to show.

How To Remove Box Hair Dye At Home?

The best way to remove hair dye at home, without falling for internet DIY hair color trends, is to use a store-bought hair color remover. Despite being such a must-have product, it has failed to gain popularity. The right color remover not only removes the current hair dye but also gets rid of color build up.

The Bottom Line

Color processing at a salon is time-consuming and an expensive affair. That is why the best way to experiment with hair colors is to try out at-home box hair dyes. These kits come in handy, especially when you want to touch up those pesky grays or add subtle highlights to your locks. The best part is that it is an inexpensive way to update your look. For one with a long-lasting, fade-resistant, and non-drip formula, the Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Crème is the most reliable choice. If you do not want to commit to a permanent look, go for the Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent, while the L’Oreal Paris Couleur Experte 2-Step Home Hair Color & Highlights Kit is the perfect choice to get a sophisticated, salon-like finish. The products mentioned above in the curated list are ammonia-free and are available in various shades so that you can easily choose one according to your style. Consider your hair color, texture, and length before getting your hands on the best at-home box dyes. Additionally, test the color on a small section of your hair first to check how the color looks on you.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Medha Deb, the author of this article, has a keen interest in hair care. Her extensive research and continued track on emerging hair care trends always bring out the best for readers. The list of best box hair dyes is curated by her after thorough research and reading many online reviews from various trusted platforms. These dyes are convenient as they can be used at the comfort of your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a dye really bad for your hair?

Not necessarily. Hair dyes do have a reputation for being bad for hair, but this reputation does not carry merit in our modern, hair coloring world! It is the ammonia that usually causes hair breakage in textured hair or leads to allergies. However, most hair colors have nourishing ingredients that help in overcoming the damage caused by ammonia. Also, there are a considerable number of hair dyes available in the market and mentioned on our list that doesn’t contain this or any other harmful chemical.

Can a hair dye cause hair loss?

It is highly unlikely for hair dye to cause hair loss. In exceptional circumstances where the instructions are not followed correctly, and the product is used with other chemicals simultaneously, it may lead to hair breakage. A severe allergic reaction can also cause hair loss in rare circumstances.

Are box hair dyes permanent?

At home hair dyes that come in a box are permanent. However, despite being permanent they do fade and require reapplication once fresher and the original color of the roots is visible.

How often can you dye your hair from a box?

Since the color is permanent, the rule of thumb is to leave a gap of at least 4 to 6 weeks between reapplying.

Can you mix box hair dyes?

Yes, mixing two boxes of hair dye will give you a unique shade to your hair.

How often should you wash your dyed hair?

Wash dyed hair 1-2 times per week using a color-safe shampoo. You can use a dry shampoo in between wash days.


Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
disqus_comment

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.

Jill Turnbull
Jill TurnbullHairstylist
Jill Turnbull is an internationally acclaimed freelance hairstylist, colorist, and makeup artist with over 47 years of experience. She founded her own beauty brand and her work has been featured in editorial magazines worldwide.

Read full bio of Jill Turnbull
Medha Deb
Medha DebCommerce Editor
Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

Read full bio of Medha Deb
Shiboli Chakraborti
Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.

Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
AFS