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There’s something to be said for a salon visit, but equally, natural at-home hair dyes can be just as effective at a fraction of the price.
Hair has evolved from mere stuff to protect the body from the elements into a bona fide fashion accessory. We are not beholden to the hair we’re born with; we can dictate its destiny cut after cut and color after color. And in this day and age when environmental and emotional stresses can turn us grey before our 30th birthday (ahem), we have more impetus than ever to give our hair a little zhuzh.
A great stylist can help you find and keep a color (or several) you love. It’s money well spent. But regularly coloring your hair at a salon is both expensive and time-consuming, especially if you just need a root touch-up or want to go a little bold for a few weeks. So at-home color is a go-to for many.
But, not all home hair colors are created equal. In fact, most of them are filled with chemical nasties that can not only damage your natural locks, but put your health and the environment at risk. And is there anything worse than going to color your greys knowing that color was first tested on an animal? No thank you.
Tips for at-home hair dyeing
Millie Morales, a Miami-based celebrity hairstylist, told Byrdie it’s best not to wash your hair before applying color. “This will irritate your scalp and can become painful,” she says. “The hair should be clean of product but not of your natural oils, as it acts as a protectant.”
“Use an intensive mask ahead of colouring,” celebrity colorist Josh Wood, told Good Housekeeping. “If the fibre of your hair is well hydrated, it’s more able to absorb the dye, which means a more even, luxurious-looking result.”
Morales also recommends only mixing as much product as you’re going to use. A standard at-home box should be plenty for most people, but if you’re likely to need more, she recommends waiting to add more until you’re sure. “Don’t worry — the few minutes it takes to mix up that second box won’t lead to an uneven color,” she says.
For even coverage, your best bet is sectioning the hair similar to what your salon stylist would do. But you can get away with fewer sections, Morales says. She recommends a minimum of four sections. But for thicker hair, more may be better.
And when it comes to choosing the right hair dye, the experts say it’s best to stay within a shade of your natural hair color, unless you’re going for a big change, then it’s best to pay the professionals to do it.
Best at-home natural hair dyes
Bur for a DIY job, do it the safest and most ethical way with these natural at-home hair colors. Whether you’re aiming to keep your hair as close to its natural (or former) glory, or you’re going bolder than you ever have, there are some excellent options on the market.
Naturtint
Naturtint makes it easier than ever to color at home. Naturtint works best if you’re trying to cover your greys with a natural color. But even if you’re grey-free (lucky you!) you can take your locks up or down the ol’ color spectrum with ease, just step a shade or two in either direction at a time for best results.
Naturtint is a natural foods store staple; it uses pharmaceutical-grade ingredients that are only derived from plants, seeds, and oils. Every formula is free from ammonia, artificial fragrances, parabens, and sodium lauryl sulfate. It’s also free from gluten and heavy metals, making it an easy choice for those with any sensitivities (but it’s not guaranteed and patch tests are always recommended). Color lasts for up to five weeks and is easy to apply.
Herbatint
Herbatint is the OG when it comes to all-natural boxed hair color. They’ve been stocked on natural food store shelves for decades, and for good reason. Consider these permanent hair colors the Beyond Burgers of at-home hair color. They work just like the commercial stuff but they’re healthier for you and the planet.
You won’t get any pastels or neons with Herbatint, but what you will get is consistent, effective, and affordable do-it-yourself dye. The company is also committed to sustainability initiatives, green packaging, and always being cruelty-free. And that looks good on everyone.
Khadi
Khadi bills itself as “the perfect” healthy alternative to conventional hair color, “without compromise.” Its 18 shades exemplify Khadi’s deep bond with nature and the principles of Ayurvedic beauty. Unlike conventional chemical colors that damage and oxidize the hair, Khadi says its natural dye coats the hair like a protective glaze and bonds with its keratin, strengthening and nourishing hair with every application. With an easy color quiz, the Khadi team can help you find your perfect shade.
Phyto
Phyto hair color is a botanical-based, ammonia-free permanent hair dye developed by the French brand Phyto, known for its focus on plant-powered hair care. Designed to minimize scalp irritation and preserve hair’s natural integrity, the formula incorporates over 90 percent natural-origin ingredients, including jojoba and monoi oils for nourishment, and a blend of five herbal pigments. Unlike traditional box dyes, Phytocolor avoids harsh chemicals like resorcinol and PPD (paraphenylenediamine), making it a popular choice for individuals with sensitive skin or those seeking a more natural alternative.
While it’s still a permanent dye — meaning it chemically alters the hair structure to deposit pigment — its lower chemical load makes it one of the more health-conscious options in the at-home hair color market.
Better Natured
Better Natured’s plant‑powered permanent hair color kit combines salon‑level results with a gentle, vegan formulation. Its liqui‑crème formula promises up to eight weeks of vibrant, multidimensional color and subscribes to Global ISO Standard 16128 for naturally derived ingredients, with each shade delivering between 87 percent and 92 percent naturally derived content.
Its signature Triple Plant‑Milk blend, composed of coconut milk, Tahitian palm milk, and orchid milk, delivers deep hydration and shine while coloring. Though the formula does include a calibrated amount of ammonia to enable reliable coverage and lighter or redder shades, it avoids harsh sulfates, parabens, glutaral‑free additives, and silicones.
Arctic Fox
Bleached or unbleached, you can have the beautiful hair color you’ve always dreamed of—even if that color doesn’t have a name yet (blurple? rorange?) With Arctic Fox’s fully vegan range of at-home hair dyes that span the rainbow and somewhere way, way, over, the sky’s the limit.
You can go way, way beyond with these semi-permanent colors. Made with all-natural ingredients free from alcohol, PPDs, and harsh chemicals, the result is long-lasting color that makes DIY experimenting easier and more than ever before. What are you waiting for?
Surya Brasil
Surya Brasil calls on one of the oldest forms of hair color — henna. Unlike other brands on this list, henna is 100 percent vegetable-based and totally chemical-free — that means no ammonia or peroxide. Henna is a natural color derived from plants. In India, it’s used to color hair, skin, and nails.
Surya Brasil marries Indian Henna with Brazilian botanicals to create colors like “nothing else” on the market. Whether looking to change your shade or cover your grey, Surya Brasil says it will do that and more, offering shimmering, rich tones, and translucent shades.
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