Best Hair Colors

When personal hair coloring kits first appeared, women were looking for a product that would look so natural, people couldn't tell if they're coloring their hair at all. The narrator in Clairol commercials would ask, “Does she or doesn't she?” But nowadays, 75% of women are estimated to experiment with dyeing their hair—and they're not so shy about it anymore. But there is a wide variety out there—and you have to know what's right for your hair type. There are also natural products that can achieve similar results. Here is a guide to some of the best hair colors on the market.

• Permanent Hair Color: This hair dye typically contains ammonia, which penetrates the outer layer of the hair (the hair cuticle) and deposits the color into the hair's center (the cortex and medulla). You mix this with a developer that contains hydrogen peroxide) to change the color. The developer removes the natural hair pigment, and allows you to dye the hair a different shade. It won't do anything for the new hair that grows in—so you'll have to treat your hair from time to time to keep the hair color uniform. And you should wash your hair with conditioner before and after, to avoid damage to the hair.

• Demi-Permanent Color: These remain in the hair for between 20-28 washings with shampoo. They do not contain as strong a chemical to penetrate the hair cuticle as do permanent dyes, and use less peroxide.

• Semi-Permanent Color: These wash out in fewer washings than the demi-permanent colors (4-5 washings). They contain less to no developer and ammonia, and therefore are less likely to damage hair. You'll need to use this more often, however. It also is only able to change the hair color slightly, making the hair two or three shades darker or lighter.

• Temporary Hair Color: This is hair dye that was be easily washed out, although it may persist on dry or damaged hair. It doesn't penetrate the cuticle, but remains on the surface of the hair. It comes in a variety of forms: cream, spray, or gel.

• Highlights: This is a practice of making individual hair strands lighter than the rest of the hair, by applying peroxide mixed with hair pigment. There are also “lowlights”, where the pigment makes certain portions of the hair darker than the rest.

• Gray Coverage: These can be either permanent or semi-permanent dyes to cover gray or white hair. You match the dye to your natural hair color. They can be applied with a special applicator, so that you can leave some gray hair, to appear more distinguished.

• Natural Hair Color: These employ all-natural ingredients, such as henna, to change and enhance hair color. There are fewer allergic reactions to natural hair colors, and they are less damaging to the hair.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

• Use together with salon treatment: Some women use the over-the-counter hair colors after having a professional treatment in a salon. They use the hair color to maintain the salon result.

• Masking: There are moisturizing masks and cocktails that you apply in order to strengthen the hair, to prepare it for dyeing. They have special oils (such as Argan oil), proteins and nutrients that replenish the hair after the dyeing as well.

• Apply to a test area: It's recommended to try the hair color on a small area first, to make sure it's the result you want (it might not match the color on the box). It is also a good way to see if you're allergic to one of the ingredients.

• Applicator: Some hair dyes come with an applicator nozzle, so that you can apply the color more easily. (Some permanent colors are rather caustic, so you might want to apply them wearing gloves.) Take note if the hair color is difficult to apply--some women complain that the hair dye can be too runny, and is hard to control.

• Stay close to your natural color: The best results are achieved when you don't move more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural color. If you want a more drastic change, it's advised to go to a professional salon.

• Covering gray spots: You don't have to resort to permanent color if you just want to cover some gray spots. The permanent colors here would be needlessly harsh on the hair, causing the hair to become brittle and dry. A root concealer will be enough for covering gray roots.

• Allergic reactions: There are chemicals in hair colors (such as Phenyenediamine (PPD)) that can cause allergic reactions, such as red, itchy, irritated scalp—even resulting in blisters. The semi-permanent dyes are less caustic, are less of a risk, and do not have such a strong smell as well.

ArtNaturals-- is an organic health care company located in Los Angeles, California. They have hair treatments and oils, as well as bath, body, and skin care products.

Just For Men-- is a brand of men's hair dyes, manufactured by Combe Incorporated, based in White Plains, New York. They have products for dyeing head hair and facial hair, as well as products that leave a little gray hair. They were founded in 1987.

Color WOW-- was founded by Gail Federici in 2012, and have their headquarters in Wilton, Connecticut. They have a complete line of professionally-formulated hair color care products, as well as shampoos and conditioners.

Clairol-- is a personal care product division of Procter & Gamble. They were established by Lawrence and Joan Gelb in 1931. They have been making home hair-coloring kits since 1956, and soon became the leading American company in the field of hair color.