At-home hair colors come in a large range of shades that vary greatly from one brand to the next. There are three basic strength levels available at the store: semipermanent, which gradually washes out of hair; demi-permanent, which permanently colors hair but only by couple of shades; and permanent, which permanently changes hair color by a greater degree than demi-permanent. Experts say that permanent hair dye is similar across all brands, and that selection comes down to the shade of color and ease of use.

Reviewers say the following about hair color:

  • Don't skip the strand test! Both manufacturers and experts warn that doing a strand test is imperative to ensure you get the right color and avoid allergic reactions. It is also important to perform a patch test on your arm or behind your ear to be sure there are no problems.
  • Some hair types process faster than others. Damaged and color-processed hair takes half the processing time of healthy, uncolored hair. This is one good reason you shouldn't skip the strand test.
  • Don't get hair color in your eyes. Hair dyes can burn the eye and even cause blindness. The Food and Drug Administration prohibits the use of hair color for eyelash or eyebrow tinting.
  • Check the side of the box. The models on the front of hair color boxes may not be the best indicator of the hair color you will get. It is important to match your current color to the chart on the side of the box to see what your results will be.
  • Call for help. Every hair-color manufacturer has a consumer help line with trained professionals available to help you if you end up with a color you don't like. The phone number is generally listed on package instructions.
  • Read the instructions. To avoid damage to hair or a botched dye job, it is crucial to follow the directions included with every box of hair color. Having a friend help is useful here.
  • Save drastic changes for the pros. When using boxed hair colors, it is best to stick with hues that are no more than two shades lighter or darker than your current color. Anything more dramatic warrants a trip to the hair salon.
  • Protect your color with specialized hair-care products. To keep hair color looking vibrant, use a gentle shampoo designed for color-treated hair. See ConsumerSearch's report on shampoo for suggestions.
  • If all else fails, you can create your own shade. If you don't find a color that you like, you can mix two shades to create your own, as long as both colors come from the same brand and are within the same product grouping. Of course, this is twice as expensive.

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