Can do-it-yourself hair coloring match the barbershop experience? Stylists will most likely say that the best hair dye is professional. In some cases, this is true (for example, with a radical change in color), but many successfully dye at home.
According to experts, the most difficult part of this process is choosing the desired shade. In order not to make a mistake, they recommend dyeing hair no more than 2-3 tones lighter or darker than natural. You need to make sure that the color matches the chart on the package - this is better than relying on the photo of the model posted there. In case of severe damage to the strands, the best hair dye is professional. It will avoid even more damage. In other cases, experts and users advise choosing inexpensive products.
Problems of choice
Hair dyes are available in many shades and have varying degrees of durability, which are classified differently in salons and stores. In this reviewpaints of 3 levels are considered: semi-permanent (I), medium durability (II) and resistant (III).
Users are often misled by the fact that each manufacturer labels its products differently. For example, medium fast and semi-permanent paints are often referred to as "non-permanent". But the terms aren't exactly interchangeable, as they refer to different levels of staining and different color retention times.
Which hair dye is best?
Reviews from professionals recommend choosing a product that provides:
- Many shades. A large selection of colors makes it easy to find the right color. Products for men are usually less varied (5-10 options), although women usually come in up to 50 shades.
- Natural colors. The best hair colors do not look too bright or lifeless, which is common with low-quality products.
- Great gray coverage. The best products work great even on gray hair.
- Easy to use applicators. Liquid consistency and awkward applicators can make the coloring process time consuming and messy. The best hair dyes include useful accessories such as durable gloves, precision application tips and handy brushes.
- Consistency. To address the drip problem mentioned above, the best hair color products come in cream or foam form, which are thicker and less likely to drip, allowing users to get on with their day while theywaiting for the end of the effect of the coloring composition, without the risk of staining anything.
- Harmless, non-irritating formula. The best products, when used correctly, do not cause inflammation of the skin and do not spoil the hair. On the contrary, they only make them stronger.
How to choose the best hair dye?
To do this, you need to answer the following questions and pay attention to certain nuances indicated in the instructions.
1. Are drastic changes needed?
For best results, choose shades no more than 2 stops lighter or darker than the current shade. More drastic changes require a visit to the hairdresser.
2. Do I need to lighten my hair?
In this case, it is necessary to achieve a permanent effect. The best dyes for lightening hair replace the natural color with another and do not wash off. Experts recommend using the services of a master, especially when switching from a darker shade.
3. What is the best hair dye for covering gray hair?
Resistant paint is not needed for this. Softer semi-permanent formulations cover gray without damaging hair. However, the color will eventually wash off (depending on the formula after 4-28 washes with shampoo).
4. Are the roots visible?
Kits for correcting the color of the regrown part of the hair can delay the time of the next dyeing by 2-3 weeks. For an instant effect, you can use a composition specially designed for this purpose. It is sold in powder, spray,crayons or markers and rinsed out when washing hair.
5. Is the hair damaged?
For light damage, soft semi-permanent or medium fast paints are preferred. In case of significant damage (or to correct an unsuccessful coloring), a professional should be consulted.
6. Trial coloring
Some types of hair change color faster than others. Damaged or dyed curls require half the processing time than he althy ones. The instructions on the package will tell you how to calculate the required paint duration.
7. Allergy test
It should always be done, even if the product has been used successfully for many years. Some users experience allergic reactions when the manufacturer changes the composition of their favorite hair dye, and sometimes when there is no change. Follow the directions on the packaging to check for skin reactions before coloring. If it is sensitive, then for less irritation, you can consider the option of using a composition without ammonia (as a rule, these are semi-permanent products). Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is usually the culprit in an allergic reaction. This chemical is found in most hair color products, both cheap and expensive. A sign of an allergy is any skin redness, irritation, itching, peeling, or blisters. If the symptoms are severe or last more than two days, a doctor should be consulted. Paints are also produced without this allergen, so you should check the composition before buying.
8. What isSensitivity to smells?
Most permanent hair dyes have a strong smell, but some manufacturers use fragrances to mask it. Ammonia-free formulas are usually odorless.
9. Can I trust the photo on the package?
Not worth it. Instead, you need to check your current color against the chart to see what the result will be. Some formulations color the hair darker, and the desired result is achieved after washing the head with shampoo.
10. Male or female?
It doesn't matter. Some paints are sold as "Men Only", but in fact, everyone can use them.
11. Is hair maintenance necessary?
All permanent hair colors are applied in a process that involves bleaching or removing the current color and then coloring as desired. All of these can dry out and damage your hair. According to experts, after each shampooing, it is necessary to monitor the color and do a deep conditioning once a week. The best hair dyes come with care products that need to be used right away to prevent damage.
Paint types
1. Sustainable
This is the only type that can drastically lighten hair. It rids the hair of natural pigments and opens the outer layer for the application of a different color. The vast majority of hair dyes are of this type. They usually contain ammonia, which prepares the hairfor processing.
2. Root paint
One of the downsides of permanent dye is that after a few weeks, there will definitely be signs of natural or gray hair. Root color correction can help lengthen the time between full coverage.
3. Inconsistent paint
It is divided into 2 broad categories: level I and level II semi-permanent. In the first case, the outer surface of the hair is dyed, and the dye is washed off after 2–20 head washes. Compositions of the second type are used for hair of the same or deeper color and for dyeing gray hair. The dye penetrates into the hair (like permanent dye), but cannot lighten it. However, it lasts longer than a level 1 semi-permanent.
4. Hair Lightening
The home kits for this procedure are not for the faint of heart. Lightening is more difficult and difficult to carry out than coloring, even for professionals. But as long as you don't need a radical change and you just need to freshen up your appearance, kits are available that allow you to do this at home.
5. Paint for men
While most hair color change products are aimed at women, there are a few products that are designed specifically for men. Of course, you can use any means, regardless of gender. It all comes down to personal preference.
L'Oreal Excellence Crème
According to experts and users, this is the best permanent hair dye. Professionals note that this line comes in a variety of options (38 shades are available), equipped with clearinstructions and high quality ingredients. Plus, it's great for gray hair.
Excellence Crème is highly praised by many for its ease of application and rich, natural color. The best hair dye in the rating copes very well with operational correction and perfectly paints even problematic gray hair. A comb-shaped applicator is popular. According to reviews, it facilitates the uniform application of thick cream paint throughout the hair.
However, there are negative reviews, according to which the color does not last as long as expected, and some report that it fades and disappears after 3-5 weeks. On the other hand, for many, the paint lasts for several months before any changes appear. Individual users report no difference in hair color before and after applying L'Oreal Excellence Crème, although this is often the result of choosing the wrong shade.
Clairol Nice 'n Easy
This is the best hair dye for blondes. According to experts, most of these products show mediocre results, but Clairol Nice 'n Easy has excellent fade resistance and excellent gloss retention. In addition, this hair dye is the best for gray hair. However, it has a strong chemical smell. InStyle magazine named the paint the best in the category of direct-acting compounds.
Clairol Nice 'n Easy comes in 47 shades and gets mostly positive reviews. Unlike Excellence Crème, Clairol Nice 'n Easythinner, less dense, can drip and makes it difficult to apply evenly to the hair. Users note a strong smell of ammonia, and some claim that the composition irritates the scalp. However, most enjoy the multi-dimensional, natural color that Clairol Nice 'n Easy provides them.
Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Crème
This is another popular option, especially for those who prefer a rich texture. Produced in 50 different shades, including two of them discolor the strands. Professionals and casual users alike are satisfied with the paint - simple and producing rich, natural color. Some report that it lasts longer and smells better than most permanent formulations.
John Frieda Precision
This is a color for those who don't mind spending a little more and find it difficult to use liquid and creamy formulas. It has a thick lather consistency designed to penetrate hair strands and spreads easily to roots and other hard to reach areas for even coverage without skipping.
Users prefer Precision Foam Color for ease of application that stays on the scalp, doesn't drip or run, leaving shiny, he althy hair with rich color. Professional colorists recommend this product, noting the fast lather. Experts recommend applying the dye to the roots for 15 minutes, and then spread it over everything.hair and rinse after 10 minutes. The product comes in 20 shades.
Root paint
To prevent premature hair growth from spoiling the look, users and experts recommend tinting the roots with Clairol Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up. In this category, the product has won first place in the annual InStyle magazine review for 2 years in a row. Professional colorists say it's a solid option for those who struggle to get to the hairdresser and note how easy it is to use.
Users agree: Nice 'n Easy is by far the best hair color in many online stores. The results are indistinguishable from salon hair coloring procedures. Most touch up the roots every 2-3 weeks, postponing the moment of visiting the hairdresser. Since this procedure only takes 10 minutes, everyone can find time even in a busy schedule. In addition, the composition copes well with gray hair.
Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up is available in 22 shades, allowing you to choose one that blends easily with your base. Clairol also provides an online tool to match the Root Touch-Up color to top brands.
L'Oreal Paris Root Rescue
This is another 10 minute root color option available in 9 shades. It's not as popular as the Clairol Nice 'n Easy, but has received favorable reviews. However, there are also comments regarding color mismatch or insufficient paint,which is not enough to completely cover the roots. However, most point to ease of use, good coverage of gray hair, and that it lasts for several weeks. This makes it ideal for quick touch-ups between salon visits.
Most experts warn that dyed hair takes on a new color faster than natural hair. It is important to apply the composition directly to the roots. To refresh the color of the rest of the hair, it is enough to comb the dye to the very ends a few minutes before rinsing.
Clairol Natural Instincts
This is a good ammonia-free hair dye that lasts 28 washes. Professionals like the even coverage, shine and hold, although the color starts to fade after about 4 weeks. Eventually the paint will wash off. This means that there are no pronounced roots that need a constant change in color. The product is available in 36 shades and can be applied in just 10 minutes.
In reviews of professional hair colors, Wella Koleston Perfect, Elgon Moda & Styling Cosmetic and Matrix SoColor are also among the best semi-permanent lines.
