Do you want to cover your gray hair or make a style statement by flaunting an entirely new hair color? This article will help you choose the right products, no matter what your needs are. Read through our buying guide to find out which hair color suits your skin undertone, the ingredients to look for, etc.
We also have a top 10 section featuring the best hair colours for men, both organic and chemical, from top brands like Revlon, Garnier, Godrej, and more. It's time to surprise loved ones and your colleagues at your workplace with your fresh look.
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Table of Contents
Do you want a permanent solution or a temporary one? How to choose a hair color based on your skin tone? And which ingredients can irritate your scalp and skin? Find out the answers to these questions in the sections below. Also, we have mentioned the best hair colours for men at the end, so keep going.
Hair colors can last anywhere from a few hours to two months. It also depends on how well you protect your hair and how frequently you shampoo your hair. Find out more in the sections below.
You can find temporary hair colors as a spray, wax, or cream. People who are sensitive to hair dyes but want a quick touch-up to cover their grays can go for temporary hair colors. They are non-irritating since the color stays on the surface of the hair rather than penetrate the cuticles.
You can find temporary hair colors that last until your first shampoo or up to a week. The ones that last until your first shampoo are usually hair color sprays, while the ones that last up to a week are usually waxes or creams. Since temporary hair dyes only coat the surface of your hair, they tend to be greasy and could even stain your clothes.
But you can find products that don't have such undesirable effects too. Temporary hair colors can also help you add highlights (contrasting colors that make the natural color of your hair more pronounced) to your hair for a special function. For example, temporary highlights of red, blonde, or gold can definitely attract some attention at a party.
A permanent hair color works on the innermost layer of your hair. It penetrates the hair cuticle, removes the pigment that gives your hair its natural color, and bonds with the hair shafts. Permanent hair colors can last six to eight weeks, depending on how frequently you shampoo your hair and use a color protection conditioner.
Some companies mention the number of shampoos until the color starts to fade, which gives an even clearer picture of how long a dye can last on your hair. You can protect your color-treated hair by minimizing shampoo use, using a color protection conditioner at least once a week, and reducing sun exposure.
You can find semi-permanent hair colors too, which lasts an average of four weeks. A hair color shampoo is an example of semi-permanent hair color. Make sure to use color protection shampoo or a sulfate-free one to maintain the vibrancy of your new hair color.
Knowing your skin undertone will help you choose the best hair color for your complexion. Check the veins on your wrist. Blue or purple veins mean you have a cool undertone. And greenish veins mean you have a warm undertone. Both bluish and greenish veins indicate you have a neutral skin tone. Most Indians fall in the warm undertones category.
All shades of brown like light, dark, copper, and chocolate are suitable for people with warm undertones. If you don't want any drastic changes, start by adding highlights of light brown to your black or brown hair. If you feel like changing your look entirely, you can try ombre (darker along with the roots and lighter along the lengths) or ashy gray.
People with cool undertones should go for cool hair colors. Blonde, steely gray, chestnut, and red hair colors can make you look dashing. If you have reddish skin color, try not to go for copper brown as it will only make your face seem redder. Finally, if you have neutral undertones, you can go for any color. Hair colors can make or break your looks, so always give your choice a second thought.
It is non-drippy but takes time to apply to your hair if you are inexperienced. It is not a good idea to leave a hair dye on your hair for too long as the chemicals can be too damaging to the hair shafts. You can learn to apply crème hair color by practicing with an organic variant.
Powder hair colors require mixing with water to form a paste before applying it to your hair. They can be chemical-based or organic, like henna and indigo. They are cheaper and are available as sachets for single use. Find out the benefits of organic powder hair colors in the following section.
Adding natural oils or curd to your henna mix can prevent that. Since adding curd dilutes the dye, you may require multiple applications before you achieve your desired color. Keep in mind that henna alone cannot dye your hair black. For that, you need indigo, which is a natural blue dye.
Coloring your black hair with indigo will leave a faint blue on it. People who want to color their gray hair black need to dye their hair with henna first and then follow up with indigo treatment. The entire process can take at least eight hours to complete.
Henna and indigo are permanent organic hair dyes that color the outer layers of the hair shafts. Using hair protection shampoo and conditioner will make sure it lasts 4 to 6 weeks without fading.
Since the harsh chemicals in hair colors can leave your hair looking lifeless and dry, companies add nourishing ingredients to it to compensate for the lost luster. These ingredients can condition your hair and add shine and bounce to it, preventing it from looking like it's artificially colored.
For example, oils of olive, almond, sunflower, avocado, etc., are the commonly used natural moisturizing ingredients in chemical hair dyes. Organic hair dyes like henna and indigo may also come with extra ingredients like amla, shikakai, aloe vera, etc., that naturally condition your hair. Read the ingredients list to find out if the product of your choice has any.
If you have normal hair (not too oily, not too dry), you will be able to restore your hair health after using a product with peroxide in it. But make sure that you don't dye your hair more than twice a month. Another ingredient to look out for is PPD (para-phenylenediamine).
It is used to give a natural look to dyed hair and protect the color from fading with frequent shampooing or heat treatment. But people who are allergic to this ingredient may develop dermatitis and asthma. Chemical hair dyes give quick and long-lasting results but always do a patch test to find out if you are allergic to any ingredients.
₹559.20
If you are uncomfortable with leaving products on your hair for a long time, or if you are looking for the quickest way to dye your hair permanently, this product is for you. Revlon Top Speed can color your hair in just 5 minutes. Use the color protection conditioner that comes with this pack to ensure that the color doesn't fade away quickly.
The mother of pearl and ginseng root extracts makes your hair shiny and protects it from damage. It is ammonia-free but contains hydrogen peroxide, which is necessary for the color to stay permanently. If you have normal hair with no dryness or breakage issues, we recommend this product for you.
You can choose from a variety of shades like brownish-black, dark brown, natural black, deep mahogany, and natural brown.
₹185.00
Henna is a natural, permanent hair dye that doesn't harm your hair in any manner. In fact, it conditions your hair and protects it from pollution. Godrej nupur is 100% henna powder for people looking for a natural and safe way to color their hair.
If you have black hair, henna will make it brownish-red. The intensity depends on how long you leave it on your hair. For darker and more permanent results, you should leave it on for at least two hours.
Treating your gray hair with henna alone will give it a brassy color. To achieve a black shade, immediately dye your henna-primed hair with natural indigo. Henna can make your hair dry. To prevent that, you can try adding curd or oil to the paste or immediately condition your hair after washing it off.
₹265.00
This product from Attar Ayurveda is 100% pure indigo powder. Applying indigo to black hair will leave a slight blue tint. If you have gray hair, prime your hair with henna for 3 - 4 hours and follow up with indigo treatment. Since it is a natural product, indigo will take at least three hours to dye your hair.
Remember that natural hair dyes like henna and indigo may show a lighter shade after the first wash, but it will get darker over the next few days as it oxidizes. Customer reviews show that this pure indigo hair dye colors the hair safely and gives excellent results.
₹358.00
Bigen Men's Speedy Color can dye your hair in just 10 minutes. It contains taurine, which strengthens the hair strands and prevents breakage and hair loss. The kit contains a colorant, developer, gloves, mixing tray, applicator comb, and a mini comb. This product is a dark brown dye suitable for both cool and warm skin undertones.
More shades like natural black and brown-black are available too. The product also glycine, which increases collagen production for healthy and faster hair growth. Olive oil nourishes the hair and makes it thicker, while pullulan makes the hair shiny and smooth.
Customer reviews show that this permanent hair color is easy to apply and doesn't have any unpleasant odor since it is ammonia-free.
₹115.00
Garnier Color Naturals' unique color lock technology can maintain your new hair color for up to eight weeks without fading. You can choose from various shades of black and brown too. This permanent hair color cream is enriched with olive oil, almond oil, and avocado oil that leaves your hair smooth and shiny.
Burgundy is a rich color that suits warm skin undertones. The color becomes more evident and vibrant under sunlight. Garnier Color Naturals is one of the best hair colors without ammonia and peroxide in India. Customer reviews show that the product has a pleasant fragrance and doesn't cause any mess since it is a non-drip formula.
₹1,776.00
JUST FOR MEN Easy Comb-in Color kit has a tube, comb, and a pair of gloves. Attach the comb to the tube and squeeze to release the formula through the tiny holes in the teeth. There is no need for mixing, and the comb applicator reduces the chances of making a mess.
This permanent hair color doesn't contain ammonia or peroxide, making it suitable for people with thin and brittle hair. You can choose from several shades like black, brown, and touch-of-gray (for a salt and pepper look). The formula needs just 10 minutes to color your hair and leave it looking natural.
It also has a mild fragrance, making it less irritating to your nose. Customer reviews show that the product makes the hair color look natural, and a comb-in applicator is a convenient option for mess-free hair dyeing.
₹119.00
No other hair dye can be as convenient as a hair color shampoo. Godrej expert Easy 5 minute hair color contains no ammonia but has peroxide in it. You need to do a patch test 48 hours before applying the dye to check for allergic reactions. You don't have to worry about the product staining your skin.
It contains amla and shikakai, known for darkening the hair and nourishing the hair follicles. You need to massage the product onto your dry hair for 2 - 3 minutes and leave it on for 5 minutes. Depending on your preferences, you can choose from various shades like natural brown and burgundy too.
₹2,495.00
Another comb-in hair color from JUST FOR MEN. This unique hair color is intended for men looking for a salt and pepper look. It can blend away a little gray or give a stylish combination of black and gray hair (which gives the style the name salt and pepper). The comb-in applicator is mess-free and only requires you to leave the product on your hair for 5 minutes.
If you are allergic to ammonia and peroxide, we recommend this product as it doesn't contain both, but doing a patch test is always recommended. JUST FOR MEN Touch of Gray is a permanent hair color, but you may need to reapply as your new hair grows back. Customer reviews show that the gray shade that it leaves on the hair is natural-looking.
₹289.00
If you are allergic to hair dyes or want a temporary solution to cover your few gray hairs, this product is for you. BEARDO Black Magic is a temporary black hair spray that gives your hair a natural black color. The result is instant and lasts until you wash it away. Make sure you use this product on dry hair.
You don't have to worry about any side effects, even if it falls on your skin. The 5 ml pack is portable and can be used right before you walk into the limelight. You can use this to cover the grays on your mustache and beard too. Customer reviews show that the product colors the hair without causing much mess and stains.
₹640.00
CULTIVATOR'S Organic Herbal Hair Color is completely natural and is suitable for people with a sensitive scalp. It is a mixture of natural hair dyes like henna and indigo and powders of amla, turmeric, aloe vera, eucalyptus, ziziphus, and chamomile. This particular product gives a deep chestnut or brown-black color to your hair.
You can choose from a range of 20 different shades depending on your style preferences. For people with gray hair, you need to prime your hair with henna before using this product for getting optimal results. Since it is organic, you may need to apply it multiple times depending on the level of gray if you don't prime your hair with henna.
It takes 90 minutes for the dye to release, which may be a drawback if you are looking for quick results.
Don't you want to feel refreshed after a long day's work? Or pamper your hair with ingredients that strengthen your hair and make it look fuller and shiny? Then you should have a face wash and a hair conditioner in your bathroom. If you care a lot about your beard, you must definitely have beard oil in your cupboard too.
Follow the links below to learn how to choose the best hair conditioner, face wash, and beard growing oil for men in India. Don't forget to check out the top 10 sections featuring products from the top brands in India.
Organic hair colors can give you various shades of black and brown without damaging your hair. But it takes at least four hours for them to release the dye and color your hair. It is the safest way to dye your hair permanently. But if you want quick results, chemical hair color is the only way. They contain highly irritating ingredients, so always do a patch test before applying it to your scalp.
Look for products free from ammonia and hydrogen peroxide to keep your hair and scalp healthy. But peroxide works on the innermost layer of your hair, so the new color stays permanently. Look for products that contain extra ingredients like natural oils since they can make your dyed hair look shiny and natural.
Author - Arun F Xaviour
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The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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