The 5 Hair Color Types and How to Choose Between Them

Table Of Content

• Best Hair Dyes Made With Natural Ingredients for 2023
• Best Blonde Shades
• Best for Light Brown
• Naturcolor Herbal Hair Dye

Hey, we've all been there—sometimes you go blonde, and the shade turned out a lot brassier than we'd hoped. We're big fans of purple and blue shampoo for neutralizing the unwanted tones of bleached, chemically lightened, or tinted hair. This includes everything from platinum blonde 'dos and highlights to balayage and ombré hair. This toner contains bluish-violet pigments that counteract yellowish, brassy hues, but you can choose silver, ashy, rosy, or icy treatments for a more custom effect. We do wish the developer came with the toner, but it typically doesn't when you're buying professional-grade. Available in over 100 shades, this colorist-approved pick is a go-to for demi-permanent professional glossing, color-correcting, blending, and toning light blonde or white hair.

Best Hair Dyes Made With Natural Ingredients for 2023

Though it works best on pre-lightened or naturally blonde hair, it's perfect for covering greys or trying out a new shade and lasts about six weeks. 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. We're big fans of this kit from Kristin Ess, which you can use in the shower for a quick dullness fix and color boost. We like that this ammonia-free formula doesn't have a strong chemical odor, but wish it came in more shades. Red hair dye tends to fade fast, so you'll want a formula with major staying power—and this one does the trick.

Best Blonde Shades

While there’s much you can do to preserve your color, to start, the latest crop of DIY dye kits will help conquer gray streaks, dark roots and brassy blonde hues. For expert advice, the best first move is to schedule a virtual appointment with your colorist, but there are also some immediate answers for those who need to take matters into their own hands. "If you have to do something, keep it really simple," says New York City-based colorist Rachel Bodt, who's the pro behind the brilliant strands of Marisa Tomei and Georgia May Jagger, among others. Stephanie Brown, master hair colorist at IGK SoHo, suggests a humble approach.

Best for Light Brown

In general, blondes should use purple shampoo, redheads should use green and brunettes should choose a blue shampoo. But we demand rent from the brassiness and dullness that happens after a few weeks. That’s where color-depositing shampoo (think purple shampoo) comes into the picture.

Manic Panic Atomic Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cream

Developed by salon experts, it does more than offer stunning pigment and multi-dimensional color. The nourishing formula is infused with silk amino acids (building blocks that help create protein) and keratin (an essential protein that makes up hair). Both work together to create long-lasting shine, a healthy-looking finish, and stronger, healthier hair.

Naturcolor Herbal Hair Dye

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Permanent hair dye will usually have some ammonia in it, so it’s able to lift and penetrate through the hair cuticle to actually change the color of the hair shaft. Some fading will eventually occur, but the actual chemical change in your hair will be permanent. From pigmented and long-lasting to natural glosses, these are the best hair dyes to create whatever look your heart desires from the comfort of your own home. This easy-to-mix full-coverage dye will give your hair plenty of shine and vibrant color.

This is an unusual yet impressive hair dye, and it’s our top choice for anyone who wants to make a small hair color shift that’ll last. Instead of ammonia, it contains ethanolamine, which has a similar function of lifting the hair cuticle to allow the color to penetrate. While the coronavirus pandemic has kept salons closed and would-be clients committing to #stayhome, maintaining dyed hair has become an at-home activity.

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There are a few things you should keep in mind the next time you're shopping for hair dye. Whether you’re new to color, want a change, or love your current tone we’ve got a shade for you. If you want to experiment with a color temporarily before you commit to the shade, this is one of the only formulas we’ve found that gives you that option.

Best at-home hair color products offer convenience, affordability, and ease of use. Permanent hair dyes can lighten the hair by a few shades, and they’re a better choice if you want a slightly more dramatic change but without bleaching your hair. Just keep in mind that after you use a permanent dye, any additional changes you make to your hair color will probably be a little unpredictable. If you’re ready for the gamble of box dye, we have all our picks of the best hair dyes–permanent, semi-permanent, and ranging in color! Though nothing will replace an expert at a salon, quick fixes like covering grays, adding a fresh pop of color, or just simply upkeep are perfect for a box dye brand.

With colors ranging from bright pink to deep violet, this semi-permanent hair color will last you four to six weeks. Just be sure to wash with a sulfate-free shampoo post-dye—they’re formulated to make sure your color doesn’t fade. In Lab evaluations, it scored high for giving a natural look, 79% of testers said it left their hair soft and shiny and 90% said it didn’t cause irritation. The hair color also comes in a huge range of 50 shades from very light blonde to dark blue-black. "Easy to apply and left hair extremely soft, even without conditioner," a tester reported. Reviewers say this product worked well as a touch-up in between salon visits.

When it comes to choosing the best at-home hair color, there are a few critical things to consider. First, it’s essential to choose a color that suits your skin tone and desired look. Second, the type of formula matters, whether it’s permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary.

Wella is one of the most popular salon hair color brands, so if you want salon results, you should give them a try. This demi-permanent formula is designed to give the hair a slight uplift, as opposed to a dramatic change. It comes in a range of natural shades to give the hair a slightly more vivid or vibrant color as well as a sheen.

The formula is infused with babassu oil to give your mane some added softness, and your gorgeous head of hair will look like straight-up glass after using this top-rated gloss. Temporary hair dye coats the outside of the hair shaft in pigment, which washes out when shampooed. 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.

Gibson says she'd also recommend this option to anyone who wants a lighter base color or is looking for a long-lasting darker tone. Women’s Health editors, including editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert and beauty director Brian Underwood, vetted the bestselling, top-rated natural hair dyes. Our team consulted several hair stylists and then evaluated hundreds of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best natural hair dyes for a wide range of needs and preferences. Schwarzkopf knows that scalp irritation and allergic reactions are unfortunately not uncommon when it comes to many hair dyes, so they've formulated theirs to be as gentle on the scalp as possible.

When looking for a more natural or clean hair dye, Dosso says to make sure to look for labels that say ‘cruelty-free’ or ‘leaping bunny-certified,' as these often steer clear of harsh chemicals. When it comes to finding options that are 100 percent natural, look no further than henna. It colors hair using natural herbs, so it's safe for use on all hair types. In fact, reviewers say this dye is great for those seeking hypoallergenic options. Customers do recommend that the product be left on slightly longer that the instructions state for it to work, though.

8 Best Natural Hair Dyes of 2023 Non-Toxic Organic Hair Color Products

Table Of Content

• MANIC PANIC Classic High Voltage Semi Permanent Hair Color Cream
• Best Herbal-Based Hair Dye
• What to Consider When Buying Drugstore Hair Dye

And while some felt that the color washed out too quickly, others felt that the color lasted longer than leading brands. Some even say they couldn't tell the difference between the at-home kit and a salon visit. In addition to great results, users also note that the simplicity of the directions makes the application process easy.

MANIC PANIC Classic High Voltage Semi Permanent Hair Color Cream

When not reviewing the latest products or traveling, you can likely find her at a theme park or watching the latest Broadway show. You can follow her on Instagram @JennaElizClark and Twitter @JennaElizClark. Marci Robin is a freelance writer and editor specializing in beauty and lifestyle content. With over 20 years of experience, Marci previously served as Senior Beauty Editor for GoodHousekeeping.com, where she worked with the Good Housekeeping Institute to evaluate beauty products. With its wide shade range and nourishing ingredients, this winning formula has something for everyone.

Best Herbal-Based Hair Dye

Additionally, some users report dryness after use, so it may be important to ensure that you are using a good conditioner to keep your hair healthy and hydrated. We recommend this easy-to-use kit for anyone looking to touch up their roots, cover grays, or go longer between salon appointments. You want to choose a hair color that’ll compliment your skin tone, of course, but it’s just as important to consider your current hair color. Demi-permanent dye is a slightly less pigmented type of semi-permanent dye. It’s also a color-depositing formula, but it’s usually not going to show up as vividly in the hair, and it also won’t last for as many washes. If you’re avoiding ammonia and other harsh ingredients, this dye from Clairol is a great option.

What to Consider When Buying Drugstore Hair Dye

At-home dyes also aren't as customizable, which, again not necessarily a bad thing. There’s a lot of science and skill that goes into mixing hair color, and without the right expertise, things can go wrong quickly. The foam spreads easily (so you don’t have to worry about streaks) and it reaches all those annoyingly hard-to-get-to areas (aka the back of your head). It gives you complete, saturated coverage, meaning off-color patches won’t be a thing when it comes to your fresh blonde hair. Enter this box hair color, which contains three butters (mango, shea, and coconut) to ensure your hair doesn’t look dry AF post-dye. It also comes with a hair mask full of argan, avocado, and sunflowers oils to keep your hair deeply moisturized.

Best Bright Colors

One reviewer said it “feels like a spa treatment” and keeps their blonde locks as ashy as when they left the salon. Natural ingredients such as green-tea extract, olive-leaf extract, and a blend of essential oils deliver moisture and ensure your color lasts. It might be a rare occurrence, but maybe you’re actually happy with the color you have? If you simply want added shine in between appointments, this clear gloss is gentle and formulated for color-treated hair.

Blue is the best color for these orange-y tones because it counteracts and neutralizes it, says Byrd. According to O’Connor, blue shampoo is a color-depositing or toning shampoo that can help counteract unwanted orange and brassy tones in your hair. However, according to our experts, like other color-depositing shampoos, blue shampoo won’t cleanse the hair as well as your standard option. Unfortunately, a few reviewers noted that this product can stain your walls if you're not careful. Overall, they were satisfied with the shiny, healthy-looking finish after using it. Aside from these all-natural options, there are many other dyes that contain smaller amounts of chemicals, like ammonia and P-phenylenediamine (PPD), which can cause skin irritation to some, per the U.S.

Blonde it up

Dull hair is never the look you want, so whenever your strands are feeling a little blah, reach for this at-home hair gloss. Its formula works to enhance your current hair color and will leave your hair as soft and shiny as the Jenner sisters’. Take note, though, that it wasn’t the best at covering grays compared to other formulas and some users needed more than one box to cover their hair. Several users commented on how effortless it was to apply and the “beautiful color” it produced (true to its name). This gloss has more than 1,500 reviews and, although it comes in many shades, the deep brown ones will really make your darker hair pop and give it some added luster.

Best At-Home Hair Color to Cover Gray

If you have more textured hair, Bodt suggests adding coconut oil to the end of each strand. "The hair may get a bit darker on the ends," since the area is thinner and in turn, more porous. The hydrating base will ensure that during the rinse, the dye won't penetrate the area, ensuring the color stays the same around the whole head. Brown advises using the dpHUE permanent hair color if you're looking to color your entire head of hair. It effectively provides semi-permanent color to straight, wavy, curly and coily hair and increases vitality of the hair according to the brand. Dr. Lal explains that choosing a dye that is paraphenylenediamine (PPD) free is the way to go when selecting an at home hair color product.

Good Dye Young Hair Lightener Kit

Semi-permanent dye doesn’t lift the cuticle or actively change the structure of your hair. It’s usually just a heavily pigmented formula that deposits color over the outer part of the hair shaft. Semi-permanent dyes come in all colors, and they’re especially common in fashion colors (i.e. unusual colors, like vivids or pastels).

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Once you’ve selected your color (or colors) of choice, decide how long you want your shade to last. For semi-permanent results (up to 12 shampoos) combine one part CHI Shine Shades Color with one part CHI Color Generator and 1 part CHI Color Lock Treatment. For demi-permanent (up to 25 shampoos) mix two parts CHI Shine Shades Color with one part CHI Color Generator. Or, for permanent color, blend one part CHI Shine Shades Color with one part CHI Color Generator. The coverage of the hair color product is another important factor to consider. Some products may provide full coverage, while others may offer only partial coverage.

It’s phenomenal either to brighten your natural color or to amp up faded salon color. Even if you do consult the back of the box for guidance, it can still be tricky to figure out your perfect shade. According to Ionato, for at-home permanent dyes, your best bet is choosing a color that's a touch darker than what you're going for because of the strong developer. "Semi-permanent formulas don't have a developer, meaning they get darker and darker the longer you leave them in your hair, so it's safer to choose a color that's a bit lighter from the get-go," she explains. L'Oréal makes some of the most affordable hair dyes in both the professional and drugstore categories. Available in an impressive 60 shades, the brand's Majirel line promises true-to-tone color, high-lift lightening, and long-lasting coverage.

Those who dye their hair often and want to keep damage to a minimum should ask their colorist about this line, which calls on bond protectors to prevent breakage. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. This name holds true throughout all of their offerings, and their best seller is their famous dry shampoo! Prices vary greatly, but it's always much less expensive than a color change. Ramos estimates a translucent color glaze can cost anywhere from $30 to $60.

PPD is a known allergen and irritant and is a very common cause of allergic contact dermatitis from hair dyes, Dr. Lal explains. We recommend ChromaSilk Vivids for those who want to rock a bright, bold hair color and are ready to commit to permanent coverage. As with most vivid color dyes, it works best on blonder or pre-bleached strands. This demi-permanent hair color brand is an excellent choice if you're pleased with your color but want to brighten dullness and enhance shine.

While Bodt suggests leaving highlights to the pros, there are a few ways to brighten your allover base in between appointments. "Most of us are OK with a root, but the second the color starts to look brassy or ashy, it's all about preserving the tone." The colorist recommends using an apple cider vinegar rinse once every two weeks. "It removes mineral build-up and for blondes can get rid of the brassiness." According to Bodt, it also helps clients with psoriasis or eczema get rid of irritation. If you’re worried about potentially harmful chemicals in your hair dye, Zeichner says you can minimize irritation by avoiding direct contact between the dye and your skin.

Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. In chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries. Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools.

Overall, our favorite ammonia-free hair dye is Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color Permanent Hair Color thanks to its multi-dimensional color infused with strengthening keratin. We also love our budget pick, Garnier Olia Oil Permanent Hair Color, because it uses 60 percent naturally derived oils to deliver a brilliantly glossy finish. With all those side effects in mind, is Ammonia really necessary to achieve brilliant color? Not only do they work just as well as the harsher varieties, "but generally, ammonia-free brands consider the quality of ingredients and their impact on the environment," Reid tells Byrdie.