Skip the Salon and Try the Best at Home Hair Color Kits

Changing your hair color is one of the fun parts of having hair, but it can be an expensive task especially if you like to try a new shade often. That’s where dyeing hair at home comes in and with the easy-to-use systems from L’Oréal Paris, you can be rocking a new hair color in a few straightforward steps. 

If you’re in the market for a new hair color, the good news is you have plenty of options when it comes to home hair color kits. Whether you want to go blonde, auburn, or brunette or try something more daring like a denim-inspired blue or a rose gold hair color, the possibilities are virtually endless. If you’re ready to take the plunge and learn how to dye your hair at home, below, we’re sharing how to DIY your color with an at-home kit from L’Oréal Paris. 

Please note: If you’ve decided to make a drastic hair color change — say, you’re thinking about going from dark brown to platinum — it could be best to visit a professional colorist, as this will require bleaching and may take multiple sessions to achieve the hue you desire. Happy coloring!

What Is the Best Way to Dye Hair at Home?

Choose a color that suits you

You’re going to see your hair every day so choose something that you like! You can choose a color based on your eye color, your skin tone, or whatever look you saw on social media that you’ve saved 100 times. If you’re still unsure, get an idea of how a color will look with L’Oréal Paris virtual hair try-on.

Pick up your preferred at-home hair dye

Not all hair dye is the same. From semi-permanent hair color to in-shower toning gloss, different formulas will offer different results. (More below on the different types, uses, and styles that you can achieve at home.)

Get necessary tools

Everything you need for your hair will be in the box of L’Oréal Paris at-home hair dye. For the process, you’ll want to use a towel and shirt that you don’t mind getting stained.

Obtain and read instructions thoroughly

Every L’Oréal Paris at-home hair dye comes with a set of easy-to-follow instructions for the specific products. Make sure to read through the instructions before applying any product. 

Enlist help if needed

Don’t be afraid to ask a friend for help, especially for those hard-to-reach spots. You can also speak with a professional virtually or by phone through the L’Oréal Paris Hair Color Concierge.

What are the Different Types of Hair Dye?

Once you’ve decided to dye your hair at home, your decision-making isn’t done yet. There are various types of at-home hair color for you to choose from. Below, get the scoop on each one so you can choose how to dye your hair.

Permanent Hair Color

Permanent hair color is good for those who have hard-to-cover gray hair or for those who want a long-lasting color. If you want permanent, all-over color, have your pick from a variety of different highly-rated offerings from L’Oréal Paris. 

If you’re looking for a more vibrant hue like the shades you see at music festivals or on K-Pop stars, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color that leaves behind a bright dazzling color. Enjoy over 30 shades featuring icy blues, pastel metallic pinks, and deep reds. 

More natural colors and epic gray coverage can be achieved using the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color or the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color. To use any of the kits, you’ll need to follow the included instructions. Please keep in mind that the different kits will have different instructions, so make sure to read them thoroughly with each use.

Semi-Permanent Hair Color

We’ve already established that colorful hair is the ultimate hair trend and it’s also one that people usually do themselves at home. The L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color comes in a variety of shades, some of which are formulated to work on blonde hair and others that are formulated to work on brunette hair. Apply your selected shade(s) all over or just to your ends for a rainbow-inspired ombré.

Temporary Hair Color

If you’re hesitant about rocking a new hue, get acquainted with the wonderful world of temporary hair color. There are hair color chalks, hair color sprays, and even hair color serums that can take your natural hair to a more vibrant shade. Temporary hair color is ideal for those who constantly change their mind or just want a wash-out option. When you’re ready to remove the vibrant blue or pastel pink color that you decided on, grab the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Shampoo for a moisturizing cleanse that won’t dull or damage hair. 

Temporary Root Touch Up

If you don’t have time to touch up your gray roots with an at-home hair color kit, we’ve got you covered (literally). Reach for the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up, a temporary root concealer that comes in various shades and lasts one shampoo. Spray it directly onto regrowth, lightly comb your hair, and let it dry for one minute before going about your day without fear of color smudging or a sticky residue left over. 

Bleach

If you’re in love with all those rainbow-colored manes you see walking down the street and have decided to try this colorful trend for yourself, know that you’ll probably need to bleach your hair first for the hues to really show up. A bleaching kit is what you’ll need to lighten your hair enough to show the vibrant hues you’re looking for. To bleach your hair at home, the L’Oréal Paris Feria Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System Bleach is the one to grab for its easy-to-use one-step lightening system.

Men’s Hair Dye

For men who want a very quick at-home hair color without any mess or hassle try the L’Oréal Paris Men Expert One-Twist Permanent Hair Color. This product helps men cover grays in just 5 minutes — versus the long salon process — with a color formula that blends in with the rest of the hair for a rich full-coverage shade. Available in seven natural-looking shades, the one-twist system is ready to be used in a few shakes and a squeeze — no mixing needed. The orange brush top streamlines the at-home hair dyeing process, making gray coverage easier and faster.

What Is the Best Way to Apply At-Home Hair Dye?

All-Over Coverage

Taking your natural hair to a completely different color can absolutely be achieved at home. All-over hair coverage is a popular hair application that can be achieved with one (or more) at-home hair dye systems. Those with extra long or thick hair might need two boxes to guarantee full coverage and an even tone. 

L’Oréal Paris has been in the hair color game for decades and when it comes to an all-over hair coverage moment the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color is perfect for at-home use for its long-lasting color and nourishing formulation. Now, you might be asking yourself: “Should I dye my roots first or last?” For all hair colors, you’ll want to do your roots first so the formula can fully process the hair there, and then move on to the length. If you’re bleaching your hair, you’ll want to do your roots last for a more even color, since the lightener will process hair faster the closer it is to the scalp. 

Ombré Hair Color

Ombré hair is not a new style in the beauty scene, but it surely does come around every few years making it a classic hair color trend that’ll always be popular. This trend allows the color to be concentrated at the mid-lengths to the ends of hair, so frequent touch-ups aren't needed. The goal is to create a color gradient within your hair from your natural root to a more light (or dark) mid-length and ends. The L’Oréal Paris Colorista Bleach in Ombré Bleach comes with an applicator tool and easy-to-use system so you can intentionally paint on color wherever you’d like.

Highlights

Highlights are one of those hair color staples that you’ve probably tried before with the help of your stylist. However, you can give yourself highlights at home for a style change-up that adds tone and definition to your existing color. Adding highlights is an easy way to help create a sun-kissed look that will have you feeling summery all year long. Consider using an at-home highlighting kit or hair bleach kit like the L’Oréal Paris Colorista At Home Hair Bleach & Lightener.

Balayage

Balayage hair is in the same color family as highlights and ombré. It uses a similar dyeing system but with a different application process. It might seem complicated when your stylist does it at the salon, but you can DIY a balayage at home with the right tools and instructions. For that naturally blended hair look, try the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Balayage At-Home Highlighting Kit that includes a pro toning step to blur your roots, lengths, and ends together for an all-over salon-quality look.

Root Coverage

Root coverage application is a regular routine for those with gray hair or those with natural root growth that no longer matches the hue of the rest of your dyed hair. Try one of the many at-home hair dyes mentioned above or a root-specific product like the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Rescue 10 Minute Root Hair Coloring Kit or the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up spray. Each root coverage product is available in several natural hair colors — from light blonde to black — and works on gray hair as well. 

Should I Shampoo My Hair After Dyeing It?

Wait at a few days before washing your hair after dyeing it to let the color set in your hair. When it is time to wash you’ll want to adopt a color-treated hair care routine to add any nutrients that your strands might have lost during the dyeing process, and to keep hair vibrant longer. Try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Shampoo with Citric Acid and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Conditioner with Citric Acid to strengthen hair and keep your color from fading. Once a week, add the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Strengthening Pre-Shampoo Treatment to your routine, before shampooing, to rebuild weak hair strands.

Beyond your hair care products, it would also be wise for you to turn down the dial in the shower. Super-hot water can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving you with a dry and dull-looking mane. Stick to lukewarm water when washing your hair to help maintain the color and overall health of your hair.

What Not to Do Before Dyeing Your Hair?

Before you dye your hair at home there are a few things that you should keep in mind. While it might feel wrong, don’t wash your hair before coloring it. Unwashed hair has a buildup of natural oils that act as a barrier between strands and the hair dye, protecting hair from any damage that might occur when dyeing hair. 

Note: Some hair colors that require lightening can be damaging because of the bleach-lifting process. Check out our article Should You Wash Your Hair Before Dyeing It? to learn more about the importance of dirty hair versus clean when dyeing your hair. One thing you can do before dyeing your hair at home is prep hair with a deep conditioner like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm Rinse-Out Mask.

How Soon Can You Dye Your Hair?

The truth is, how soon you can dye your hair really depends on what color you’re starting with and what shade you would like to end with. Every time you dye your hair, especially when you’re using bleach, you’re running the risk of introducing more wear and tear to your mane.

On the other hand, if you’re using semi-permanent hair dye, all you need to do is wait for your color to fade before you welcome a new shade to your strands. As for permanent hair dye, if you’re doing root coverage, go for it! But be careful when layering different hair colors on top of each other — the results might not be what you initially wanted.

Is Coloring Your Hair Bad?

You may have heard that dyeing your hair is bad for it, and there’s some truth to that. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), many treatments that enhance the appearance of your hair can actually damage it. Bleach, especially, can be damaging to hair. 

To avoid mishaps, the AAD recommends choosing a color that’s no more than three shades lighter or darker than your current color, strand testing your at-home color kit, and protecting hair from the sun after coloring. If you heed this advice and take proper precautions, you can color your hair without compromising your mane. The process doesn’t have to be difficult with the use of L’Oréal Paris’s helpful instructions in every hair color product. 

Next: Embrace The Purple Hair Color Trend with Vanilla Lilac Hair

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Digital Tech: Erik Dalzen, Photo Assistant: Sam Kang, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Mirna Jose, Hair Assistant: Keila Rivera, Wardrobe Stylist: Alexis Badiyi, Wardrobe Assistant: Jazmine Alzado, Model: Zlata Semenko