New Clairol Natural Instincts Color for Creme Chocolate Brown

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Colorists charge a premium for their services because they're professionals; they know the ins and outs of hair color more than the average person. Still, that level of expertise comes at a certain price, which—depending on how often you switch up your hair hue or touch up your roots—can add up fast. The good news is you can DIY your hair color without ever leaving home with boxed dye available at the drugstore. Just make sure to carefully read the instructions and do your best to be precise. Celebrity hairstylist and Olaplex ambassador Christin Brown recommends doing the following before you hit the bottle. "First, read the instructions fully and completely," she says. Next, and while this may seem obvious, follow those instructions to a T. Do exactly what they say, says Brown—in other words, now is not the time to be taking creative license. And finally, in related news, don't leave the color on for longer than is recommended, she warns. Following this simple advice can go a long way toward ensuring you end up with your desired result.

Whether you're looking to save some money or are unable to make it to the salon, we've rounded up the best drugstore hair dyes worth trying.

Our Top Picks

The conditioning formula boasts a blend of coconut oil, aloe, and vitamins and takes just 10 minutes to work.

The unique foam formula allows for precise color application and provides 100 percent gray coverage.

Packed with nourishing ingredients, this conditioning formula covers grays, lightens dark roots, and leaves behind rich color.

This conditioning, shine-boosting dye boasts 100 percent gray coverage—plus, the non-drip formula won't make a mess.

This formula boasts silk proteins to condition the hair while built-in UV defense protects your color from the sun.

In just 10 minutes, this pick blends into your shade to deliver 100 percent gray coverage lasting up to three weeks.

This ammonia-free formula is packed with nourishing oils, delivering intense moisture and shine along with even, beautiful color.

Add in between one to five drops into your standard conditioner to boost the vibrancy and enhance the tone of your current color.

This unique color wax lets you play with bright and bold colors that rinse out in one wash.

The kit comes with a unique three-pronged tool that lets you comb the formula through for the most natural-looking results.

What We Like

• Works in just 10 minutes

• Conditioning formula

• Ammonia-free

What We Don't Like

• Not permanent

Coloring your hair at home can be intimidating, especially if you're worried about damaging your hair. But with Clairol Natural Instincts, you can put all of your boxed dye fears at ease. The conditioning formula is ammonia-free and boasts a blend of coconut oil, aloe, and vitamins. The result is hair that looks radiant with enhanced color and shine. As for timing, 10 minutes is all it takes for it to work its magic, leaving you with color that will last for 28 washes, covering grays and roots. That's way less time than it would take in the salon chair, so really, it's a no-brainer.

Active Ingredients: Coconut, aloe vera | Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: Sahara light blonde, spiced cider light warm brown, cinnaberry medium auburn, and more | Size: 1 application | Application Type: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Easy to use

• 100% gray coverage

What We Don't Like

• Processing time is longer than most

This kit makes ​at-home coloring a cinch, and the unique foam formula simplifies precision color application so you can deposit color exactly where you want it. The even saturation includes 100 percent gray coverage and leaves you with vibrant color.

Type: Permanent | Shades: Dark cool espresso brown, medium natural blonde, dark red brown, and more | Size: 1 application | Application Type: Foam | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Conditioning formula

• 100% gray coverage

What We Don't Like

• Can be a bit drippy

This little box does it all: You can cover grays, lighten dark roots, or get a new hue altogether. The permanent formula goes easy on your hair and nourishes with grape seed, shea butter​, and avocado oil. This conditioning action helps hair hold onto the color from root to tip, extending the life of the shade, leaving you with a rich, bold color.

Active Ingredients: Grape seed and avocado oils | Type: Permanent | Shades: Mahogany brown 415, true red 66, dark beige brown 72, and more | Size: 1 application | Application Type: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Smells better than many other formulas

• Non-drip formula

What We Don't Like

• Contains ammonia

When you have dark raven hair, covering grays can be challenging. Luckily, this formula is up to the task. Boasting 100 percent gray coverage, it makes it look natural with a range of luminous tones and highlights. Even though it's heavy-duty, you don't have to worry about that chemical smell—this one has a fresh, floral fragrance instead. It conditions along the way, leaving hair shinier and softer than when you started. Plus, the non-drip formula won't make a mess of your entire bathroom.

Active Ingredients: ME+ molecule | Type: Permanent | Shades: Ultra light cool summer blonde, medium copper blonde, medium cool brown, and more | Size: 1 application | Application Type: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Has a built-in UV protectant

• Conditioning formula

What We Don't Like

• Processing time is longer than most

Red hair dye tends to fade fast, so you'll want a formula with major staying power, and this one does the trick. Thanks to Revlon 3D Color Gel Technology, the permanent dye delivers a natural look from root to tip with a boost from the multi-tonal color that gives dimension. The combination of silk proteins conditions to leave hair shiny and soft. Plus, the dye is infused with UV defense to protect color from the sun and extend its vibrancy.

Active Ingredients: Revlon 3D Color Gel Technology, silk amino acids, keratine amino acids | Type: Permanent | Shades: Dark brown, soft black, dark ash blonde, and more | Size: 1 application | Application Type: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Easy to use

• Works in just 10 minutes

What We Don't Like

• Shade range could be more expansive

Whether you always opt for at-home color or prefer to see a professional for root touch-ups, this kit will stretch your hue between colorings. The permanent color seamlessly blends into your shade to deliver 100 percent gray coverage. The precision brush makes it a cinch to apply and speeds up the process. It only takes 10 minutes to color roots and grays, but the hue lasts up to three weeks.

Type: Permanent | Shades: Extra light blonde, light auburn/reddish brown, blue black, and more | Size: 1 application | Application Type: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Ammonia-free

• Conditioning formula

What We Don't Like

• Shade range could be more expansive

This formula is not only ammonia-free, but it's also is made of 60 percent moisturizing oils. The result? An intensely nourishing formula that not only colors beautifully and evenly (including covering grays completely), but also leaves hair super hydrated and shiny, a surefire way to make your hue look even better, no matter which color you choose.

Active Ingredients: Sunflower, meadowfoam, passion flower, camellia, and other flower oils | Type: Permanent | Shades: Light neutral brown, dark rose quartz, lightest silver blonde, and more | Size: 1 application | Application Type: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Easy to use

• Customizable

What We Don't Like

• Shade range could be more expansive

No matter whether you're a DIY newbie or want to give your color a little extra TLC but not necessarily change it, semi-permanent formula is the way to go. This is one of our favorites, largely for how easy it is to use—and how customizable it is. How it works: Simply add in anywhere between one to five drops, depending on how intense of an effect you want, into your standard conditioner, and leave it on for five minutes. The effect is increased vibrancy and enhanced tone—a great option to use in between full-on colorings or just on its own—and the results last up to 20 washes.

Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: Red, golden, dark cool, brown, cool blonde, icy | Size: Multiple applications | Application Type: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Shades that work on all hair colors

• Minimal ingredient list

What We Don't Like

• Can be a little messy

This color wax is excellent for those that want to experiment with new colors without the commitment. It's chemical-free and comes out in one wash, so you can play with bright and bold colors to see which one is right for you. Users say that the pigments are vibrant enough to bring color to even the darkest hair.

Type: Wash-out | Shades: Royal purple, bougie blue, fyah red, glowing green, and more | Size: Multiple applications | Application Type: Wax | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

What We Like

• Unique applicator system

What We Don't Like

• Can cause damage if not used properly

First, a big caveat: Highlighting your own hair is definitely trickier than applying a single process and really is a technique best left up to the pros. That being said, if you feel extremely confident in your DIY abilities, this is the product to use. It comes with a unique, three-pronged brush/comb hybrid that lets you comb the lightening formula through hair for the most natural effect possible. And it is meant to be used with the brand's semi-permanent vibrant color line, which you can then apply after the fact if you want to rock a bold rainbow hue.

Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: Highlights, all-over, ombre bleach | Size: 1 application | Application Type: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Wide variety of shades

• Ammonia-free

What We Don't Like

• Won't actually deposit new color

True story: Glosses are one of the pros' top secrets to scoring beautifully shiny, healthy color. Think of it almost as a top coat for nail polish, a must to ensure the end result is as pretty as possible. This ammonia- and silicone-free formula does exactly that, helping to keep color shiny and vibrant while also helping to neutralize unwanted tones (think brassy ones on brown hair or yellowish ones on platinum hair) but without necessarily changing your color; results last three to four weeks.

Type: Semi-permanent | Shades: Copper penny, platinum, ruby, chocolate cosmo, and more | Size: 1 application | Application Type: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What We Like

• Ammonia-free

• Gentle on hair

What We Don't Like

• Shade range could be more expansive

Ammonia is an effective hair color ingredient—in both at-home and in-salon color— but not only can it take a toll on your hair, but it's also a very common skin sensitizing ingredient. Enter this pick, which is ammonia-, silicone-, and alcohol-free (all ingredients that can potentially damage your hair) yet still imparts long-lasting permanent color and complete gray coverage. Bonus points for the addition of oat milk, soy protein, and argan oil to help keep hair extra healthy.

Active Ingredients: Botanical oat milk, soy protein, and argan oil | Type: Permanent | Shades: Jet black, dark chocolate, medium natural copper, light golden blonde, and more | Size: 1 application | Application Type: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Final Verdict

Clairol Natural Instincts hair dye (view at Ulta) earns our highest seal of approval. It's a gentle, ammonia-free color that works in just 10 minutes and lasts up to 28 shampoos. If you're simply looking to touch up your roots, try another one of the brand's options, Clairol Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up (view at Ulta). If you prefer a permanent color, check out either the Garnier Olia Brilliant Color (view at Target) or Schwarzkopf Simply Color (view at Target). (Both also happen to be ammonia-free formulas that are gentle on both hair and skin.) And for those who want to experiment with fun or trendy hues in a commitment-free way, a temporary color wax like Mysteek Naturals Color Pop (view at Walmart) is a great choice.

What to Look for in a Drugstore Hair Dye

Ammonia-Free

Ammonia is a powerful hair-lightening ingredient, but the chemical can also irritate the skin: "Finding an ammonia-free hair dye can be beneficial for both sensitive skin types and for novices who are coloring their hair for the first time," advises Brown. Pay attention to the guidelines on the box that show the end result on different base colors, and make sure that it matches your natural hair as closely as possible, too.

Level of Permanence

Not all hair dyes are created equal. Permanent color will stay put until it grows out, while semi- or demi-permanent shades gradually fade or wash out. (How long they last will be indicated on the box.) While the latter two options will yield more subtle results, they're also a good way to go if you're not entirely sure of the color you want or if don't want to end up with an end result you hate (and then have to wait for it to grow out).

FAQ

• Is drugstore hair dye safe for all hair types?

  Yes, in theory. That being said, if your hair is super damaged or overprocessed, you may want to take a pass. Improper application can quickly end up taking a toll on your hair, so it may not be the best idea for you.

• How long does drugstore hair dye last?

  It depends on the formula. Permanent color lasts until it grows out, demi- or semi-permanent will fade over the course of a few weeks (most usually last about 28 washes), while temporary hair dye only lasts until you shampoo it out.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Since she has her hair professionally colored, she relied on the input of experts and plenty of consumer reviews to compile this list.

Meet the Expert

Christin Brown is a celebrity hairstylist and the owner of Full Spiral Salon in Santa Barbara. She's an Olaplex ambassador and a Deva Certified Curl Specialist.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough drugstore hair dyes from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

New Clairol Natural Instincts Color for Creme Chocolate Brown

Source: https://www.byrdie.com/best-drugstore-hair-dyes-4583980

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