Best Box Hair Color Kits For At-Home Beauty Hacks

When hair and nail salons shut down across the world during the pandemic, many people started experimenting with at-home beauty treatments. From nails to highlights, you can do most everything at home now. But when it comes to hair coloring, that might be the trickiest service to ditch at the salon (it’s your hair after all, right?!). Salons have reopened, but like me, maybe you have fallen in love with at-home beauty treatments – especially swapping out affordable hair coloring hacks at home for salon prices. From old favorites like Clairol to relative newcomers such as Madison Reed, we’ve rounded up some information on 9 of the best box hair color kits for you to check out. Not only is it much more affordable, but it’s a fun and creative way to really personalize your look however you want.

9 At-Home Hair Color Kits to Try

Whether it’s gray coverage or a fun pastel color you’re looking for, there are many great options out there to get your desired “picture perfect” hair color right at home. Here are a few of the best at-home hair color systems out there for your specific needs. It might even make you want to trade in the salon chair for your (covered) couch.

Best Value/Drugstore Brand

Clairol Nice’n Easy

Clairol’s “Nice’n Easy” at-home hair color is super affordable at less than $8 and comes in 56 shades. This is a great option for at-home hair color newbies because application is so easy. This gentle formula contains many conditioners, which can cause less damage on hair. Processing only takes about 25 minutes, making this one of the best options for someone looking for an affordable, quick and easy at-home hair coloring experience.

Best for Gray Coverage

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour

This at–home hair color by John Frieda is also very affordable (under $12). The foam formula is easy to apply and saturates without dripping or messiness. It also comes with a deep conditioner plus a hair sealant to use after application. This is a very well-reviewed product by customers, especially for gray coverage.

Best for Root Touch-Ups

dpHUE Root Touch-Up Kit

This root touch–up kit by dpHUE comes with enough formula for two applications. This at–home dye kit is totally vegan, cruelty free, and free of sulfates, parabens and gluten. There are seven shades to choose from, and the product is endorsed by salon professionals for root touch–ups at home. This formula takes 45 minutes to process.

Best for Highlights

Madison Reed Light Works

Say goodbye to spending hundreds of dollars on Balayage highlights at the salon and say hello to Madison Reed’s best-selling Light Works Balayage Highlighting Kit. It’s going to cost you about $45, and some swear it results in salon–quality highlights. You can choose from five shades, and the kit promises to “lift” your hair color up to three levels. It‘s packaged with a cool, innovative wishbone–shaped applicator designed for precise application of the highlighter.

Best for Blondes

Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Crème

Garnier Nutrisse hair color has been around for over 100 years. This brand offers over 30 shades just for blondes, which makes it easy to find your exact match or desired color shade. The formula contains avocado, olive and shea oils, making it one of the more nourishing options available to encourage shiny, healthy hair. Plus, under $8 to amp up your blonde coiffe is a deal you can’t argue with.

Best for Brunettes

Overtone Coloring Conditioner

Overtone Coloring Conditioner has won awards from Allure, Glamour and more for its unique conditioning formula. It can be used on wet or dry hair (depending on the color transformation you want) and takes under 15 minutes to get results. Brunettes can choose from golden brown, chocolate brown and espresso brown. Additionally, Overtone offers hair masks and daily conditioners to easily maintain your color at home, without damaging your locks.

Best for Textured Hair

Clairol Textures & Tones Permanent Cream Color

For textured dark hair, Clairol’s Textures & Tones hair color is the way to go. This moisture-rich formula contains jojoba and five botanical extracts for thorough nourishment and long-lasting color. The best part is that this texture-loving hair color is available for under $7.

Best for Red Hair

Garnier Olia Bold Ammonia-Free Permanent Hair Color

Garnier Olia hair color’s six red shade options will make anyone want to go red (myself included). From dark golden mahogany to light natural auburn, Garnier’s ammonia-free formulas are made up of 60% natural oils for long-lasting, nourishing color. You can snag this product for under $8, making this the perfect option to maintain brilliant red hair from the comfort of your own home.

Best for Fun Pastels

L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color

With celebs like Rihanna and Khloe Kardashian having rocked pastel hair colors, this trend is still in demand. Offering color options like teal, maroon, hot pink, purple and turquoise, L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color is a great way to switch up your look and make a statement. It also comes with a “clear mixer” so you can mix up your own custom color. This semi-permanent dye only takes about 20 minutes to set, and it’s affordable, at under $11.

How to Pick a Hair Color At Home

If you’re unsure about which color and shade to choose, you’re in luck. Many of the brands mentioned above offer virtual “try-on” options, quizzes and personal consultations so that you can make an informed decision. Whether you’re trying to match your current color or go for a brand-new look, these features can help you decide on your perfect color before you buy:

Clairol Colorist Virtual Consultation
John Frieda Find Your Color Match Quiz
dpHUE Hair Quiz
Madison Reed Find Your Perfect Highlight Quiz
Garnier Virtual Shade Selector
Overtone Color Quiz
L’Oréal Paris Make The Switch Quiz

Whether you’re changing your hair shade, doing at-home acrylic nails or throwing yourself a full-on DIY spa day, at-home hacks for beauty treatments can put some money back in your pocket and a smile on your face.