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I know that times are tough, but you can still look great on a budget. Check out the picks for the best at-home hair color by readers just like you!
 Readers’ Picks for Best At-Home Hair Color |
| See which brand beat Clairol and L’Oreal to deliver the most natural results |
 These boxed wonders do the job so well, you may want to cancel your salon appointment. |
| 15. Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Multi-Lights, $7.79 |
| TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8* |
 What you said: “It doesn’t smell as strong as …” |
| 14. Clairol Natural Instincts Brass Free, $9.49 |
| TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.1* |
 What you said: “The brassiness is definitely gone from …” |
| 13. L’Oreal Paris Feria Hair Color, $9.59 |
| TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.1* |
 What you said: “I would prefer [this] over paying …” |
| Want to see what’s number 1? Click here! |
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
true times are tough. but buying box hair dyes not recommended. you can still go to SALLY’S beauty supply or any local hair supply and but those hair colors! they are better for your hair and still the same price as buying a box! box hair dyes can leave un even color, spotting and are metallic dyes which will effect the out come of your hair LATER especially when you do eventually go back to a salon! they are damaging!
also you almost NEVER EVER get the color you want unless your using BLACK! so like i said for the same PRICE and better results go to a beauty supply!
ashley i don’t understand what you are recommending
Hey gals!
I say this in all honesty–I’m a former colorist with several years of experience who turned my nose up at anything that wasn’t a professional-only product! For years, I exclusively used Redken hair color on my clients and for my own hair. While some box colors are better than others and I can’t vouch for every single one of them on the market, I’ve been using both L’Oreal and Clairol (I buy whichever is on sale at the time) at-home hair color on my myself for almost 2 years now! And everything has been perfectly okay
As with anything in life, you have the responsibility to make sure you’re using the appropriate formula for your needs, the current state of your hair, and for what results you desire. If you’re even slightly in doubt of the safety of the product for your hair–or if the color is even suitable, call the toll-free number on the side of the box. I know that both L’Oreal and Clairol have expert hotlines that can answer your questions. It never hurts to double check that you purchased the best one for your needs 
And yes, there are some processes that can adversely affect the integrity of your hair after coloring, regardless of whether you did it yourself or if it was done at the salon. If your hairstylist asks all of the right questions during your consultation– he or she shouldn’t be doing anything to negatively affect the integrity of your hair anyway! If they do it anyway, I would be more unhappy with that than anything and looking for a new hairstylist ASAP. Happy coloring!
xo
Amber
I recommend that you go to Sally’s Beauty Supply or some type of beauty supply store. I have used just about every box color out there and the outcome is always unpredictable. If you buy from a beauty supply store, you can control what volume of developer to use and what level of shade that will be deposited. If you don’t have alot of gray then go with a lower level developer, but if you have a substantial amount of gray go with a twenty volume or so. Always apply your roots first, especially if you are changing colors! If you are changing colors and you don’t do this you are running the risk of having hot, brassy roots and dark ends. I have seriously jacked my hair up over the years and have learned the hard way. Also, if you have dark hair and want to go lighter you will have to lift that dark color off so you will have to bleach it out. I wouldn’t do this at home unless you have the knowledge to do it, otherwise you may damage your hair. I used a home highlight kit one time and my roots were yellow and my ends were orange! I did use a box color in this situation (recommended by a hairdresser). I used Feria Bronze Shimmer and it gave me a great result, but it wasn’t worth the stress getting there. Good luck!