Getting your hair done at the salon is definitely a treat, especially if it involves color. But spending hours in the chair can cut into your busy schedule and shoe-shopping funds. If you're looking to go a few shades darker or lighter or just need to touch up roots or a few gray hairs, coloring at home is a cheaper and less time-consuming option.
At-home color kits have improved over the years with friendlier formulas and premium conditioners to keep your hair smooth, shiny, and strong. We've compiled six tried-and-true favorites to help you get the salon-quality color you want for a lot less money and time.
If you're looking for a color that matches closer to your natural mane, Clairol Natural Instincts ($8) offers an earthy selection of semipermanent shades that last 28 washes. They're ammonia-free and fortified with coconut oil, so your hair can stay healthy and moisturized.
Kits from the classic Garnier Nutrisse Creme ($8) collection will nourish your coif from root to tip with avocado, olive, and shea oils. It's an excellent choice for covering up pesky grays.
John Frieda Precision Foam Color ($10) is one of the easiest at-home kits to use. The foam formula spreads easily to all the hard-to-reach places on your head so that no single hair is left uncovered. You're left with vibrant, long-lasting color.
With an insane spectrum of colors that spans classic and edgy, it's no wonder at-home colorists go crazy for the L'Oreal Feria ($10) collection. The triple highlights in the single palette kits boost hair with depth and dimension. They are available are ombrés and pastels.
This L'Oreal brand is a little more traditional compared to Feria, but it delivers on color and hair care just as well. L'Oreal Superior Preference ($10) is a creme formula that spreads evenly and weathers fading. Its after-color conditioner infused with shine serum, vitamin E, and UV filter ensures that your hair stays radiant.
Revlon Luxurious Colorsilk Buttercream ($6) kits definitely live up to their name. Infused with mango, shea, and coconut butters plus argan oil, your hair will be absolutely pampered. The dyes come in a variety of shades to suit your mood.