The Best Permanent Hair Colors of 2024

Buying Guide: The Best Permanent Hair Color

Permanent hair dye is known for completely penetrating the hair follicles and altering their color. These dyes are available in hundreds of shades, so you can pick one that you believe flatters you the most! With so many available products, deciding which is right for you can be tricky. This is why we’ve created this buying guide, which covers everything you need to know to choose an ideal product. Let’s take a look!

What You Should Consider When Buying a Permanent Hair Color

Color

First, what color are you looking for? Do you want a subtle shade, a color close to your natural color, or something more bright and colorful? Regardless of your choice, different colors can instantly change your look. Since permanent hair color is a long-lasting product, we recommend choosing a color you’ll be happy with daily.

Quantity

Next, consider the quantity of hair color you’ll need. Most permanent dyes come in pairs of two, so you’ll have some extra dye if the product runs out (or you have a lot of hair). Make sure to buy enough to achieve the look you’re going for. From the thickness of your hair to its length, we recommend keeping these factors in mind when choosing the hair color you plan to use.

Ingredients

One of the most critical aspects is the ingredients used to make the hair dye. Always buy from a reputable brand to ensure the dye has high-quality, safe ingredients. Make sure it’s a blend of color chemicals, natural hydrating agents, softeners, and hair health boosters so your hair is evenly dyed but remains healthy. Buying permanent hair colors from substandard brands may harm your hair or make your hair dye appear patchy and inconsistent.

5 Ways to Use Hair Coloring

Lightening

Lightening your hair means applying bleach before applying a color. If the dye you choose doesn’t already include a lifting agent (like bleach or a developer), you may need to lighten your hair before dyeing it. This process may fry and damage your hair, so following the bleaching directions is essential. Those who bleach their hair usually go for a lighter shade, like blonde. You can also seek professional help regarding this process and then dye your hair independently.

Going darker

While it may seem straightforward just to dye your hair darker if you want it to be darker, there are a few things to consider before you do. If you’re applying a darker color to already color-treated hair (especially with vibrant colors like orange or pink), you may need multiple rounds of dye to cover it completely. In this case, we recommend getting a professional to look at your hair before you dye it! 

Enhance natural color

Not everyone uses permanent hair dye to change their natural hair color. Some people prefer enhancing their natural pigments, especially the roots. If you want to boost your dull hair color, pick a permanent dye that matches your current hair color.

Covering grays

You can also cover your gray hair with permanent hair color. To do this, you don’t need any lightning agents or toners, as the hair is already in its lightest form. Just pick the shade you want, and you’re good to go.

Highlights

Many hair experts disagree about whether someone can apply evenly distributed highlights to their own hair; however, if you have someone helping you (especially with the back), it’s definitely doable! Highlights are usually of a lighter shade than your current hue and you may need two different colors to blend your highlights with your pre-exisiting hair color.

How to Apply Permanent Hair Color

Cover the skin

We don’t want you to get frustrated when the dye comes in contact with your skin or clothing. Wear an old shirt and cover your ears, forehead, back, head, neck, and other exposed parts of your body with petroleum jelly so the dye doesn’t stain your skin. 

Section

Sectioning is a critical step in dyeing your hair, as you can miss huge sections of hair when you don’t section properly. Smaller sections ensure better color concentration, while bigger sections allow you to do the job more quickly. The way you section it ultimately depends on your hair type and thickness!

Mix the color

Mix the colors by following the instructions in the product’s manual. Remember never to mix two different shades together in the same bowl.

Apply a test strand

A test strand gives you a good idea of how the dye will interact with your hair and will tip you off to any sensitivities or allergies you may have to the dye. Pick a small section of hair that's not too visible, maybe from the underside of your hair. Coat the chosen strand evenly with the dye (make sure it's saturated but not dripping) and wait for the recommended time frame suggested by the dye manufacturer. Then, rinse the dye out. 

If you're happy with the color and how it turned out on your hair, great! You can proceed with confidence. If not, adjust either the application process or the color choice accordingly. 

Apply to desired areas

Use a brush to apply color from the tips to the roots. The roots process the color faster because of the heat generated from your scalp. Start from the tips and work your way up to avoid premature color processing on your roots. You can also use gloves and work the dye into your hair using your hands. This application method is messier, but it’s faster than using the brush.

Rinse

Wait for the specified time on the box, then rinse your hair with cold water to avoid any unwanted color bleeding. You can follow the dye’s instructions for washing; some dyes say to wash with shampoo, and others say to rinse until the water runs clear– just follow directions, and you’re all set!