Everyone is doing their best to make the most of this shelter-in-place situation, even if that means taking a step back from the usual. After all, this life is no longer "normal." It's also given people excuses to try new things that don't include homeschooling. For some that may mean embracing the gray. For others that means dyeing their hair while salons are closed. Some women may want to cover their roots and touch up their everyday color, and feel brave enough to do it on their own.
Others may want to go a little crazy and try a funky color. After all, where do we have to be? No matter the reason, we support it and found some of the safest hair dyes that work well at home, seeing as that's where this will happen. Whether the goal is a vibrant, permanent, and highly pigmented color, like blue or purple, or a root touch-up or gloss, we found some coloring products that are easy to use, affordable, and get the job done. (Just don't tell the stylists out there!)
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Madison Reed Color Reviving Gloss
Madison Reed is one of the top hair color brands — and for good reason. The brand has tons of different products based on hair coloring needs. The color reviving gloss comes in a multitude of colors and is semi-permanent. It's a great way to touch up already dyed hair or add a tint without going all the way.
Madison Reed Color Reviving Gloss in Espresso ($25, Madison Reed)
Overtone Color Conditioner
Overtone is another highly rated and recommended color dye brand that comes in loud colors as well as natural ones. One line is the color conditioning treatment that adds both color and hydration to the hair. Only takes 10-15 minutes to work and has healthy hair ingredients.
Overtone Color Conditioner ($29, Overtone)
Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Dye
Arctic Fox is a brand for folks looking for intense, bright and bold colors. It's one of those dyes that is made for DIY application. (Seriously, the formula is touted as "DIY.") There are no harsh chemicals and it comes highly recommended. It's a semi-permanent dye.
Arctic Fox Aquamarine ($17, Arctic Fox)
Revlon ColorSilk Permanent Dye
Box dye isn't ideal for beginners but Revlon is a tried and true brand that makes hair coloring easy, especially this vibrant red color. And one of the best parts is its affordable price. Instead of getting it at the drugstore, it's available online. This permanent color is ammonia-free.
Revlon ColorSilk Haircolor ($4, Amazon)
dpHUE Gloss
For folks looking to give their brown hair a boost, this dpHUE Gloss+ is a smart option. It adds shine and a slight tint and works on natural or color-treated hair. It also conditions the hair and contains no harsh chemicals. The brand also comes with root touch-up kits.
dpHUE Gloss+ ($35, Dermstore)
Amika Temporary Color
Amika is a hair care brand that has a ton of products, including shampoos, conditioners, and dry shampoos. But the brand also has a user-friendly temporary hair coloring spray. It gives a tint of fun colors like rose gold or purple, but perfect for those looking for a temporary change — it washes out in the shower.
Amika Temporary Color Spray ($18, Sephora)
Manic Panic Color Creme
Manic Panic has been a go-to hair dye brand for as long as we can remember. It's the brand one goes to when they want to really go there with their color and do it themselves. Now is a better time than most to try it out and the affordable but pigmented formulas really deliver.
Manic Panic Cotton Candy Pink ($14, Manic Panic)
Lime Crime Hair Color Tint
Lime Crime hair coloring is for the gals who want a light tint of color to their hair without packing too much of a colorful punch. Washing hair with Unicorn Hair line will do just that with beautiful, muted pastel shades. It also smells absolutely amazing.
Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dusty Rose ($16, Lime Crime)
Wella Colorcharm Paints Semi-Permanent Color
Wella is another trusted hair color brand that a lot of salons use. But seeing as those salons are currently closed, Sally Beauty is there for the more confident hair dyers willing to take the color plunge. It's both affordable and long-lasting, with up to 20 washes before it's out.
Paints Mulberry Semi Permanent Hair Color ($7, Sally Beauty)
Punky Colour Semi-Permanent Hair Color
It doesn't get easier than Punk's semi-conditioning semi-permanent hair color treatment. Just use it as a conditioner in the shower for a lasting, vibrant color. Darker hair tones may get more of a highlight, while lighter hair colors will get more colorful results.
Punky Colour Semi Conditioning Semi-Permanent Hair Color ($8, Punky)
Sephora Collection Semi-Permanent Hair Color
For those who swear by Sephora's line of products, or has a good coupon to use during the sales, Sephora's hair color collection can hold its own. It's a semi-permanent formula is easy to use, doesn't require mixing, and is made without harsh chemicals.
Sephora Collection Semi-Permanent Hair Color ($12, Sephora)
Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Dye
Garnier has been in the hair dyeing game since the beginning and it's tried and true when it comes to the color basics and natural tones. Plus, there's nothing to beat that $7 price tag. The brand's color cream is permanent for folks who are ready to commit to a color.
Garnier Nutrisse ($7, Target)
L'Oreal Colorista Semi-Permanent Color
L'Oreal's Colorista formula is the best of both worlds. It's a strong mixture of more outside-the-box colors at an affordable price. According to the L'Oreal page, "Colorista is an ammonia-free hair color and gradually fades with shampooing." It's easy to apply, just put in the hair, wait, and then rinse.
L'Oreal Colorista ($11, L'Oreal)
Redken Chromatics Permanent Color
Redken has shampoos and conditioners but it also has an entire hair dye line called Redken Chromatics with colors ranging from blond to purple. It boasts over 102 shades to prove it. It's a permanent color, so choose wisely.
Davines Alchemic Conditioner
Davines is both a conditioner and a blond color enhancer all in one. It's designed for those with cool-toned or platinum blond hair. It's a smart solution for women with lighter hair who just want to give their hair a healthy boost.
Davines Alchemic Conditioner ($31, Amazon)
Color & Co Custom Hair Dye Kit
Color and Co's hair dyeing kit was made for this. Well, not really, but it's perfect for the occasion. It's a subscription box that sends a personalized hair coloring kit in a box right to one's door, and includes every single thing needed to get the color job done.
Color & Co ($27)
Rita Hazan Root Concealer
Sometimes a gal just needs to cover up her roots because she likes the color she chooses to dye her hair and hasn't been able to get to the salon. Thankfully, Sephora carries a touch-up spray by Rita Hazan just for this purpose. It comes in five shades.
Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch-Up Spray ($25, Sephora)