13 Best Cosmetologist-Approved Hair Dyes For Women In 2024
Take center stage with these exquisite colors and look stunning and captivating.
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and loves to make her clients feel amazing and welcomed.
Read full bio of Lindsay Loo
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli 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
Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.
Read full bio of Krati Darak
Experience: 5 yearsMedha 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
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Taking a trip to your favorite salon requires three things: money, time, and travel. Luckily, today there are a bunch of the best long-lasting hair dyes out there to come to your rescue. All you need to do is walk down to your neighborhood drug store, pick the color of your choice, and apply it. Before you do so, keep a few things in mind. Since washing your hair frequently can get the color out of your strands, you can opt for dry shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for colored hair. With these products in your cabinet, hiding your pesky greys at home is easier than ever. Take a look at some of the top long-lasting hair dyes available online.
Note: Do a patch test before trying out the at-home hair dye kit. Also, go through the instruction manual before coloring your hair.
In This Article
13 Best Long-Lasting Hair Dyes That You Need Right Now – 2024
1. Best Overall:REVLON Colorsilk Beautiful Color
This hair dye product from Revlon’s ColorSilk range provides long-lasting grey coverage. Its nourishing formula is enriched with keratin and silk amino acids to strengthen your hair. The 3D gel technology reflects multi-dimensional shades with everlasting shine. The hair color kit consists of a cream developer, an ammonia-free dye, a conditioner pouch, hair dye gloves, and an instruction manual. This product is available in 41 shades, including blacks, browns, reds, blondes, and platinum. Here’s a video to help you know more about this product from the tester’s experience.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Ammonia-free
- Keratin-rich formula
- Gentle
- Odor-free
- 100% gray coverage
- Value for money
Cons
- May turn the hair brassy
"This dye applies easily to my hair and lends it a rich color that complements my skin tone. It does not have an overwhelming scent so I do not get nauseous during its application. I love that it is free of ammonia. It has also masked all my gray hair which is amazing."
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 32,849 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
2. Best Drugstore:Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme
This hair dye from Garnier is infused with Color Boost Technology and nourishing ingredients like avocado, olive, and shea oil to provide rich color and shine to your tresses and lock in moisture. The creme formula contains grape seed fruit oil to nourish the hair. It penetrates the hair fibers to nourish them from within and aid more color retention. The Sweet Colashadegives your hair a rich, luscious brown hue while covering the grays. Each color kit comes with a developer, a color creme, a fruit oil ampule, a conditioner, gloves, and an insert. This video takes you through this product’s details, as tested by the reviewer.
Pros
- Non-drip formula
- 100% gray coverage
- Easy to use
- Ammonia-free
Cons
- Unpleasant scent
"This dye covers my gray hair seamlessly and gives my hair a polished look. Its nourishing formula softens my hair and adds a silky shine to it. The color lasts for a long time and fades very gradually. I am very impressed with its coverage."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 25,854 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
3. Best For All Hair Types:L’Oreal Paris Feria Smokey Silver Multi-Faceted Shimmering Colour
This Smokey Silver shade from L’Oreal Paris lends shiny, shimmery tones to your locks and delivers intense shine. The hair dye is inspired by fashionable trends and gives salon-quality results to your hair. Each kit comes with a color crème, a conditioner crème, and a serum. The power shimmer conditioner enhances smoothness and lends a long-lasting shine to your hair. This range includes over 50 bold shades – from rose gold, platinum blonde, metallic brown, and bright red to blue black – to flatter all hair types. For a more detailed review of this product, here’s a video that details the reviewer’s experience of testing it. o.
Pros
- Full coverage
- Not brassy
- Easy to use
- Non-fading
Cons
- Overpowering fragrance
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 19,261 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.
REVLON Colorsilk Beautiful Color Best Overall | Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme Best Drugstore | L'Oreal Paris Feria Smokey Silver Multi-Faceted Shimmering Colour Best For All Hair Types | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | 20 Brown Black | 30 Darkest Brown (Sweet Cola) | S1 Smokey Silver |
| Dimensions | 6 x 3.5 x 6.25 inches | 2.46 x 6.5 x 6.25 inches | 2.75 x 3.5 x 6.5 inches |
| Weight | 1.25 Pounds. | 15.43 Ounces | 9.14 Ounces. |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 32,849 | 25,854 | 19,261 |
| Price | $22.5 | $15.98 | $9.95 |
4. Best For Blonde Hair:Schwarzkopf Got2b Selfie-Ready With Metallics
The Schwarzkopf Got2b Metallic Silver shade will give you a multidimensional color with an everlasting shine. You can cover grays, lighten dark roots, or add metallic hues to your beautiful locks. This blonde hair dye is a one-time-use box containing a color creme, a developer lotion, and an after-treatment tube color. It also includes a pair of gloves to prevent staining your hands and an instruction leaflet. The permanent formula of this hair color option goes easy on locks and works only on bleached blondes and light blondes.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Anti-fading
- Permanent
Cons
- May trigger allergies
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Almost 14,238 happy users have mentioned the value and quality of this product.
5. Best Non-Fading:Clairol Natural Instincts
The shade Black Noir from Clairol Natural Instinctsblends seamlessly into your hair for 100% coverage in one application. The demi-permanent,non-fading color stays on your hair even after 28 washes. Its gentle formula is infused with coconut oil and aloe vera to deliver smoothness and shine to your tresses. This hair dye is formulated with all-natural ingredients and makes your hair look radiant and fresh. Reviewers are satisfied with the 100% gray coverage and the lack of harsh ammonia smell, making it easy to use. This range features 38 flattering and natural-looking shades to add an extra boost of color to your hair.
Pros
- Mess-free application
- Easy to use
- Full coverage
- Gentle hair dye
- Vegan
- Ammonia-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- May trigger allergies
6. Best For Textured Hair:Schwarzkopf Keratin Color
The Schwarzkopf Keratin Color is formulated with a keratin care complex to offer a radiant shine to your tresses. Ruby Noir is a rich maroon shade that offers intense color and minimizes breakage – thanks to the unique anti-breakage technology that repairs and protects the hair’s inner structure. It evenly spreads color, even over textured hair, giving you a greater color payoff and avoiding a patchy mishap. The kit includes a pre-color serum to condition your hair, a color cream, and a k-bond complex.
Pros
- 100% gray coverage
- Easy to apply
- Non-drying
- Non-fading
Cons
- Leaves residue
"This dye does not make my hair dry or cause breakages. Instead, it evenly colors my strands red and leaves them feeling soft. The pre-color serum strengthens my hair and protects it from damage. I love the vibrant red shade and it complements my hair beautifully."
7. Best Plant-Based Ingredients:Naturtint Permanent Hair Color Gel
The Naturtint Permanent Hair Color gel is formulated with plant-based ingredients to deliver the smoothest and richest hues to your hair. It consists of plant and seed oils with proven efficacy in enhancing hair and scalp health. It is infused with nourishing oils – olive, meadowfoam seed, and soy – that moisturize and strengthen the dry hair shafts and prevent breakage. This kit comes with a hair colorant, a developer, and a MultiCare mask for extra protection from dryness. While the hair dye colorant and developer together transfer pigments to the tresses, the hair mask revives the natural beauty of your hair. The shade Brown-Black complements all skin tones and hair types.
Pros
- Non-drip
- Moisturizing
- Clinically-tested formula
- Dermatologically tested
- Easy to use
- Paraben-free
- SLS/SLES-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Can make the hair frizzy
"This dye never irritates my scalp which is a plus. It has a rich pigment that looks vibrant on my tresses. I love how it coats my gray hair and gives it a polished look. It also hydrates my hair and makes it look healthy."
Quick tip8. Best Coverage:Herbaceuticals Naturcolor Haircolor
The Herbaceuticals Naturcolor Hair Color is an herbal gel formula that is easy to apply and works fast to color your hair. This hair dye formula contains Italian pigments that are infused with botanicals and plant extracts that impart vibrant, true-to-tone, and long-lasting color to your hair. It provides a natural look and does not fade easily. The colors effectively cover all grays, and it takes less than an hour to finish the dying process. It is ideal for people who want to avoid too many chemical treatments. This dye is also available in 30 other colors, which can be used individually or blended for new customized colors.
Pros
- Herbal ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Ammonia-free colorant
- Resorcinol-free
- Available in 31 colors
- Safe for permed or color-treated hair.
Cons
- Contains PPD
"I like that ammonia-free dye for its quick application process. The dye never itches my delicate scalp which is rare. I also like that it never stains my fingers like other dyes. My hair looks gorgeous after applying this dye. It also does not have any chemical scent."
9. Best DIY Formula:INH Semi Permanent Hair Color
The INH Semi Permanent Hair Color adds a vibrant temporary color to your hair. This deep, color-depositing, nourishing conditioner delivers a perfect tint to your grays and light-toned hair. The vegan hair dye provides nourishment and hydration while depositing bright pigments. The hair also becomes silky and glossy with a soft and smooth texture. The DIY hair dye is beginner-friendly, easy to use, and needs just 20 minutes of application. This semi-permanent hair dye can be used on its own or mixed with other tints for custom-made hues. Enjoy your nourished and vibrant hair for a long time with this semi-permanent dye!
Pros
- DIY-friendly
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Ammonia hydrate-free
- Bleach-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Peroxide-free
- Best on blonde or bleached hair
- Intermixable shades
Cons
- Causes staining
"This dye leaves my hair nourished and smooth. It is easy to apply and impart good coverage. It never damages my scalp or turns my hair brittle. The rich color looks good on my skin tone as well."
10. Best For Relaxed Hair:Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Reviving Colors Nourishing Color & Shine
The Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Reviving Colors in the shade Radiant Black has a one-step application formula to give instant results. It is formulated with vital active ingredients that are key to the healthy growth of your hair. The goodness of advanced moisturizing agents like shea butter, avocado oil, and vitamin E delivers a brilliant shine to your hair.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Moisturizing
- Suitable for relaxed hair
- Ammonia-free
- Peroxide-free
Cons
- Not long-lasting
"This hair dye covers my gray hair and lends it with a beautiful finish. It leaves my hair looking silky and feeling soft. It does not irritate my scalp which is a good thing. I like that the dye is easy to apply and never becomes patchy."
11. Best Organic Formula:Better Natured Permanent Liqui Creme Hair Color
For salon-style hair coloring with an organic hair dye, pick the Better Natured Liqui Creme Hair Dye and cover all your grays. The color lasts vibrantly for up to eight weeks. This dye deposits radiant color pigments while it deeply conditions the hair. The formula is made with natural ingredients, making it safe for colored or chemically-treated hair. In a panel test, all women participants agreed it delivers salon-quality results, and 94% of women agreed it provides optimal gray coverage. A triple-plant blend of Tahitian palm milk, coconut milk, and orchid milk deeply conditions the hair and scalp. The kit includes everything you will require to color your hair.
Pros
- 100% gray coverage
- Rich color that lasts for 8 weeks
- 92% naturally-derived
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Strong smell
"This dye coats my gray hair and lends it a natural finish. I love its pleasant fragrance that lingers for some time. It does not irritate my scalp or cause hair damage which is a great thing. I like that the dye comes with a pair of gloves and many other essential things required during hair coloring. So, I love it."
12. Best Hydrating:Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye
Try the Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Color Dye – the perfect hair color product for adding stunning and vibrant color to your locks! This vegan, cruelty-free hair dye is made with nourishing ingredients that leave your hair healthy and vibrant. It is an easy-to-use formula that can be used on any hair type or hair texture. The colors last up to 8-10 washes and can be easily blended to create unique and beautiful looks. With over 20 colors to choose from, you can find the perfect shade to match your style. Give your hair the makeover it deserves with this premium hair dye!
Pros
- Non-GMO
- Ammonia and PPD-free
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Peroxide-free
- Phthalate-free
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- The color may vary according to your existing hair color.
"This is a fun hair dye. It makes my hair soft and shiny. It does stain my fingers so I make sure to use gloves. It takes time to fade but when it does, it changes into soft cold tones that look appealing."
13. Best Ammonia-Free:Discovery Naturals – Natural Henna Hair Dye
Dye your hair a midnight black color and enhance your hair health with the Discovery Naturals Natural Henna Hair Dye. It is free of chemicals and blends naturally into the hair. You can also dye your beard with this color. It is easy to use and comes in a mess-free sachet. This black hair dye is a blend of botanicals, herbs, and henna making the hair vibrant. It also makes hair shiny and soft. The henna color coats each hair strand and provides natural and vibrant hair-dyed locks. Organic henna also adds volume and makes the hair manageable and healthy. It cleanses and detoxifies the scalp while smoothing out split ends and increasing hair growth.
Pros
- 100% natural
- Organic
- Ammonia-free
- Chemical-free
- Preservation-free
- PPD-free
- Peroxide-free
- Cruelty-free
- Eco-friendly packaging
Cons
- May stain the towel
There are various purposes for applying hair dyes such as trying to cover gray hair, making a style statement, or just for a look change! Coloring your hair can cause hair damage if you don’t apply the right product. Therefore, you must look at some important factors before selecting the right hair dyes for your precious tresses. Here is the buying guide for your help.
Things To Consider While Choosing The Best Hair Dyes
- Ingredients
You must look out for hair dyes that are devoid of harmful chemicals. Go for natural hair dyes that include natural ingredients that you are not allergic to, and are alcohol-free, GMO-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free, odor-free, and dermatologically-tested.
Also, avoid using hair dyes that contain PPD (para-phenylenediamine), hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, DMDM hydantoin, parabens, lead acetate, resorcinol, and other harmful ingredients that might not suit sensitive skin. Also, be careful while picking up hair dye caps or hair dye brushes as these too can cause several skin allergies and skin irritation as well as hair damage.
- Coverage and Shades
If you wish to hide your gray hair, search for a hair color that particularly includes gray covering. If you want to cover your hair without altering the natural shade of your hair much, go with a dye shade that is close to your natural hair color.
- Skin Tone
If you are selecting the hair dye color for styling then you must consider your skin tone as an important factor. One of the most crucial factors in picking the perfect hair color whether it is pastel hair dye or red hair dye, is really the hue of your skin tone. A cute hair color will complement your complexion and enhance its beauty, while the wrong one could make it appear dull and boring.
Infographics: Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Hair Dye For Women
Hair dyes can effectively cover all your grays and give you a new look in no time. However, there are some features to consider while picking the best one for your hair. The infographic below gives a brief on all the features that make the best hair dye. Check it out!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Coloring your hair gives it a trendy look. But sometimes, the color fades off with frequent washes, and yellow and brassy tones get highlighted. So your hair needs the best long-lasting hair dyes that offer everlasting shine. For a lovely and inexpensive DIY hair color, you can consider the REVLON Colorsilk Beautiful Color. Find multifaceted shimmering colors with hair dyes like the L’Oreal Paris Feria Smokey Silver. When choosing a color and shine product for relaxed hair, try products like the Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Reviving Colors that gives your hair a glossy vibrant shade. The high-quality hair dyes listed in the article provide a mess-free application with 100% full coverage. Additionally, the products are fade-resistant. Furthermore, some products also provide hydration to your hair strands. So it would be of great help to consider hair dyes that are fade-resistant as the color lasts longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the hair be wet or dry when dying?
The hair should be dry while you dye your hair. However, some formulas can also be used on wet hair.
Is it better to dye hair at home or at the salon?
If you are going for more than two shades on your hair, it is always better to visit a salon.
Why does my hair fall out when I dye it?
It is common to experience hair loss after dying due to chemicals present in the dye.
What happens if you rub hair dye into your scalp?
If the hair dye is laden with chemicals, it may irritate your hair or cause an allergy. This may result in hair loss and cause more sensitivity issues.
Does hair dye absorb into the scalp?
When you dye your hair, you may absorb a small amount of chemicals through your scalp.
What hair dye mistakes should you avoid?
Make sure not to wash your hair the same day you color, for the color to absorb better. Also, do not keep color dye on hair for too long as it might cause damage, and avoid applying color to the scalp to get desired results.
What are some hair dye aftercare tips to remember?
Wait at least two days before shampooing your hair after you have got a dye job done. And wash your hair less often to preserve hair color. Also, keep in mind to use color conditioners or purple shampoo if you have opted for high-maintenance colors to maintain your hair’s vitality.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach and hair care expert. She loves trying out products recommended by stylists to review and recommend to her readers. So, she did extensive research and curated the list of the best long-lasting hair dyes loved by stylists to make the job easier for you. They are gentle, easy to use, and long-lasting.
Read full bio of Lindsay Loo
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Read full bio of Krati Darak
Read full bio of Medha Deb
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