The Best Box Hair Dyes For Easy At-Home Colour

To dye your hair at-home or in-salon? That is the question. Truthfully, box hair dye and hair colourists both have their merits and drawbacks. 

Box hair dye can be a recipe for disaster if you don’t know the best way to dye hair at home, whereas while in-salon colour may present less opportunity for mistakes, it also has the potential to get expensive.

We love and appreciate the technical skills of our hair colourists, but sometimes we need to save a few pennies. That’s why we’ve done our research. 

We’ve got the rundown on the best at home hair dyes for redheads, the best at-home hair dyes for brunettes, and the best at home hair dyes for blondes.

But now we’re bringing you a comprehensive list of the best box dyes in the game…

The best box hair dyes for easy at-home colour

Clairol Natural Instincts

We say: This enhances hair colour, shine and improves hair texture. It does all this without a trace of ammonia. It also boasts 80 per cent natural ingredients, such as nourishing coconut oil and hydrating aloe vera. The semi-permanent colour is easy to apply thanks to a non-drip formula, and lasts for up to 28 washes before it starts to fade. 

You say: “Great value colour. Definitely a great option if you’re short on cash and can’t afford the salon. It’s quite a good quality colour and looks great. It also smells really good too- I think it’s the coconut oil. It’s also only semi permanent so if you decide it’s not for you, you can wash it out/ fade it quite quickly.” – Jessie N

Want to know more? Read Clairol Natural Instincts reviews here…

Available in seven shades.

$11.07 at Look Fantastic

Color & Soin

We say: If you’re after a rich, deep colour that’ll leave your hair feeling soft and shiny, check out Color & Soin. It’s the number one hair dye in French pharmacies and uses vegetal oils and pure pigments of natural origin to cover greys entirely. Oui oui!

You say: “My hair dried feeling softer than it has in decades & the shine was incredible. I’m now due to recolour & my hair is still soft & shiny. Despite the colour fade, I still have 100% grey coverage! The only greys I have now are regrowth. WOULD I RECOMMEND? Conditionally: if your hair is very damaged; if you’re after a natural product free from ammonia, silicone, resorcinol, parabens & sodium laureth sulphate; or if you’re vegan – then YES!” – Misfortune8

Want to know more? Read Color & Soin reviews here…

Available in 16 shades.

$19.95 at color-soin.com.au

Garnier Nutrisse

We say: This permanent hair colour promises 100 per cent grey coverage, long-lasting colour, and a glossy finish. The nourishing formula is infused with a blend of avocado, olive, cranberry and shea oils that leave hair feeling soft to the touch post-application. 

You say: “I’ve been seeking a gorgeous brunette home dye for years, and finally I have found my holy grail! I love the shade of this dye, as it is the first brunette colour I’ve found that doesn’t read red when in the sun. I’ve used this dye once for my full head and touched up my roots twice since. Every single time my hair has looked even and close to salon professional. It has faded very naturally and does not look worse for the wear.” – Sian F

Want to know more? Read Garnier Nutrisse reviews here…

Available in 23 shades.

$9.74 at Look Fantastic

Lazartigue Absolute Colour

We say: If you’re not a fan of hair dye fumes, you’ll want to try this permanent hair colour. Ammonia-free and vegan, this pick provides grey coverage without causing a stink. The box hair dye kit includes a pre-colouring protective serum that’s infused with rice milk and meadowfoam seed oil to protect the hair fibre and optimise colour setting. A nutrient-dense hair masque is also included to replenish moisture, shine and softness after colouring. 

Available in Very Light Blonde, Light Golden Blonde, Light Golden Auburn Chestnut, Light Chestnut, and Intense Black.

$38.61 at Look Fantastic

Naturtint Hair Dye

We say: This box hair dye was formulated with a whopping 92 per cent natural, pharmaceutical-quality ingredients by a team of female scientists. Impressive. The plant-derived hair dye delivers natural results and a high shine finish without compromising your health or earth kind values. 

Available in Fire Red, Hazelnut Blonde, Golden Chestnut, Light Mahogany Chestnut, Golden Chestnut, Light Chocolate Chestnut, Dark Chocolate Blonde, Mahogany Chestnut, Ebony Black, Honey Blonde, Brown Black, Dark Blonde, Wheat Germ Blonde, Light Chestnut, Dark Chestnut Brown, and Natural Chestnut.

$16.95 at Mr. Vitamins

O&M CLEAN.tone Color Treatment

We say: Technically a colour maintenance treatment, this hair dye helps to maintain colour so you can extend the time in between salon visits. The nourishing treatment is enriched with lilly pilly, davidson plum, lemon aspen, and glycerin. These ingredients plump hair, protect it from sun damage, minimise colour fade, nourish, condition and de-frizz hair too. 

Available in seven shades.

$39.95 at Adore Beauty

BLEACH LONDON No Bleach Bleach Kit

We say: Want to lighten your hair but scared of bleach? This persulfate-free bleach alternative lightens hair to a creamy blonde just as easily. Great for blonde root touch-ups or a subtle journey to blonde strands, this box hair dye and hair mask will help to enhance and lift hair colour without compromising hair health. 

$12.67 at Look Fantastic

Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Bleach Party 20 Volume Hair Lightening Kit

We say: Ready to lighten your strands the old-fashioned way? This hair bleaching kit comes with everything you’ll need to successfully lighten your hair at home. Mix the powder bleach with the developer, apply to strands and see this box hair dye work its magic. 

$42.57 at Look Fantastic

What’s your go-to box hair dye for at-home hair colour? Tell us your thoughts…

Main image credit: Getty