These At-Home Hair Dyes Yield Salon-Worthy Results for a Fraction of the Price

If you’re wondering how to dye your hair at home, then you’ve come to the right place. The first step in getting a professional-looking new shade without stepping into a salon is choosing the best at-home hair color. Whether you’re looking for a bit of a root touchup or want to try dyeing gray hair yourself, there’s a product on the shelves that will help you achieve the best results possible.

Rest assured, when following product instructions, using at-home hair dye is “very safe,” explains Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. “It often comes down to cost—getting your hair done at a hair salon can be super expensive and unaffordable for a lot of people, so I think doing it at home is completely fine.”

Meet the experts: Guy Tang, hair color expert; Danielle Farella-LoCastro, professional hair stylist and co-owner of 'hāvən: a boutique salon in Jericho, NY; Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ.

But, “Some things [like professional hair color] are worth splurging for,” notes Danielle Farella-LoCastro, professional hair stylist and co-owner of 'hāvən: a boutique salon in Jericho, NY. While coloring your hair at home with quality, user-friendly formulas can often yield beautiful results, there are certainly times when seeing a professional hair colorist is advisable. “It’s best to see a stylist if you want any kind of permanent color change,” like adding highlights or going lighter than your current shade, explains Guy Tang, hair color expert.

Our top picks

Ahead, we rounded up the best at-home hair color products with the help of our experts and rave reviews.