Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (2024)

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (1)

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Fresh haircolor can boost your confidence and make you feel on top of the world, but if not done correctly, it can also leave you feeling quite the opposite. Shopping for at-home haircolor can be overwhelming when a mere $10 can turn your hair green and leave a trail of tears. Before starting your hair journey, we'll share everything you should know so it's a smooth and trauma-free transition—because no one has time to sob over haircolor.

Fortunately, color expert Layla Rasheed at Oscar Blandi salon in New York has graciously shared tips and brands for the best color, texture, and that special wow factor that'll leave you feeling salon fresh. Before getting started, she recommends, "prep with a towel, gloves, and vaseline (or cream) to protect the skin around the hairline, so your skin doesn't also change shades." For newbies, Layla says to start with an applicator bottle for even distribution. She has several years of experience, so when she says, "if you're new to dying your hair, pick a color close to your natural shade to test it out," heed her wisdom. Whether you're looking for the best blonde color for dark skin, covering grays, or needing a natural-based formula, we've found a product for you.

1

Best Semi-Permanent Hair Color

Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Tint Semi-Permanent Hair Color

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (2)

Why We Love It
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (3)Ultra conditioning
What to Consider
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (4)Not great for changing colors drastically

For brittle, dried hair, this product conditions it back to health while leaving a beautiful semi-permanent tint. Perfect for flirting with a new color without committing too long.

2

Best Custom Color

eSalon Custom Hair Color

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (5)

Why We Love It
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (6)Tailored to your hair
What to Consider
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (7)May take longer to arrive

Find the perfect match! Tailored to you, eSalon provides a 100 percent color happiness guarantee, so you can take the guesswork off your to-do list.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Why We Love It
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (9)Free of harsh chemicals
What to Consider
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (10)Could use a wider shade range for bolder colors

Rated Best of Beauty by Allure in 2021, this product offers salon-quality colors that you can apply from the convenience of your home.

4

Best Demi-Permanent Hair Color

Redken Shades EQ Demi-Permanent Equalizing Conditioning Color Gloss

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (11)

Why We Love It
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (12)Best for a high gloss
What to Consider
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (13)Doesn't lift color

This highly rated demi-permanent works as an allover color, color-corrector, or shine booster.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

5

Best Permanent Haircolor

L'Oréal Majirel Ionene G Incell Permanent Creme Color

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (14)

Why We Love It
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (15)Long-lasting color
What to Consider
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (16)If not a good color match, it's not going anywhere soon

This easy-to-mix full-coverage dye will give your hair plenty of shine and vibrant color.

6

Best Color to Cover Gray

Wella ColorCharm® Gel Permanent Hair Color

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (17)

Why We Love It
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (18)Comes with a help hotline
What to Consider
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (19)Can burn a little during application

Looking for a glossy finish? This trusted product gives vibrancy to your hair and covers the most stubborn of grays.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7

Best Natural Haircolor

Rainbow Research Rainbow Research Henna Hair Color & Conditioner

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (20)

Why We Love It
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (21)Chemical-free
What to Consider
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (22)Not long-lasting

Henna is a safe, natural way to dye your hair with rich, silky results.

8

Best Color for Dark Hair

L'Oréal Paris Superior Preference Permanent Hair Color

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (23)

Why We Love It
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (24)Ideal for dying dark hair
What to Consider
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (25)Strong smells of ammonia

Infused with camelina seed oil for a satiny finish, this product is best for dark hair, leaving long-lasting, fade-resistant color.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9

Best Color for Blondes

John Frieda Precision Full-Coverage Hair Color Kit

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (26)

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (27)

Why We Love It
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (28)Provides even coverage
What to Consider
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (29)Not curly-hair friendly

The beauty of this Amazon Choice product is the no-drip application designed with thick foam for deep color saturation to keep your blonde locks, well, blonde.

10

Best Color for Bleaching Hair

Good Dye Young Hair Lightener Kit

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (30)

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (31)

Why We Love It
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (32)Perfect choice for bleaching hair
What to Consider
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (33)Not great for a neutral outcome

If you're feeling spunky and ready for a transformation, this product will give you a white canvas to paint in vibrant colors.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

11

Least Damaging

Moroccain Oil Bordeaux Color Depositing Mask

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (34)

Why We Love It
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (35)Gentle process
What to Consider
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (36)Not as long-lasting as harsher products
  • Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (37)

This is a great option to extend the life of your hair between salon visits or just to color your hair at home. With ArganID™ in the formula, it repairs damaged hair and leaves it with a healthy sheen.

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (38)

Emma Sutton-Williams

Freelancer

Emma is a New York-based writer focused on beauty, lifestyle, and fashion. When she’s not scribbling novel ideas (pun intended), she’s off performing on Broadway and recording movie scores as a Juilliard-trained violinist. Her bylines have appeared in Rolling Stone, Parents, InStyle, Oprah Daily, and well, you get the idea.

Best At-Home Haircolors That Don't Cost a Fortune (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Laurine Ryan

Last Updated:

Views: 6321

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Laurine Ryan

Birthday: 1994-12-23

Address: Suite 751 871 Lissette Throughway, West Kittie, NH 41603

Phone: +2366831109631

Job: Sales Producer

Hobby: Creative writing, Motor sports, Do it yourself, Skateboarding, Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Stand-up comedy

Introduction: My name is Laurine Ryan, I am a adorable, fair, graceful, spotless, gorgeous, homely, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.