How to choose box dye color?

Author: Prof. Amos Botsford  |  Last update: Friday, June 20, 2025

Know Your Skin Tone What they're really referring to is the tone of their skin. Skin tones come in two basic types: warm and cool. Ash and burgundy hair color tones are better suited for those with cool skin tones, while gold, copper, mahogany, and auburn hair colors complement those with warm skin tones.

How do I choose the right box hair color?

Hair Color 101: 5 Tips to Choose the Best Hair Color for you
  1. 1 Understand the numbers on the box. ...
  2. 2 Determine your skin's undertones. ...
  3. 3 Choose the undertones in your hair colour. ...
  4. 4 Correct your colour with the right reflective undertones. ...
  5. 5 Always choose gentle ammonia-free oil-based formulas.

Why do hairdressers say not to use box dye?

The level of chemicals in box dye is a much higher concentration than those used in salons due to the ``one size fits all'' nature of the mixture. This usually means that it's more drying and damaging in general for your hair.

What color should I box dye my hair?

When you're choosing your colour, we recommend staying within two shade levels of your current colour for natural-looking results. Going too light or too dark for your complexion can make you look washed out - so going down the natural route always works out for the best.

Should you go darker or lighter with hair color as you age?

If you continue to keep your hair as dark as it was when you were in your 20's it will actually make you look more aged as the darker color will look harder against your changing skin tone and texture. So as you age go lighter and also add high lights and low lights to give dimension.

BOX DYE 2.0 - How to choose permanent hair color at the drug store? Blondes, no brass + cover grey!

What hair color makes you look younger over 50?

Ten out of ten colorists agree, shades that are warm-toned read more youthful than cool-toned hair colors. Spicy copper reds, rich caramel brunettes, and soft honey blondes will warm up your complexion for younger-looking skin (hold the retinol).

How do I know if I look better with a darker or lighter hair color?

The rule is simple – warm skin tones look best in warm colors while cool tones look best in cool colors. The goal is to pick a shade that best accentuates your natural features. Plus, knowing your skin tone helps you find your perfect makeup palette and outfit colors. So, are you warm or cool?

What is the best color to hide gray hair?

Brown hair colors for gray hair are the sweet spot for gray coverage if your natural shade is medium blonde to dark brown. They are also ideal if you're gray all over.

What happens if you put grey hair dye on brown hair?

If your hair is brown, you may need to bleach it more than once before you apply the grey dye. It's important you get your hair as light as possible before you attempt to turn it grey – this will help ensure a more even tone and vibrant, all-over colour.

How do I find my perfect hair color?

How Skin Undertones Affect Hair Color Selection. Warm undertones pair well with colors like golden blonde, copper, and rich browns. Cool undertones look best with platinum blonde, ash brown, and cool reds. Neutral undertones can experiment with both warm and cool shades, such as buttery blonde or chocolate brown.

Why do hairdressers hate black box dye?

Box dyes often say they contain moisturising ingredients or are 'ammonia-free'. However, even these usually contain PPDs, salts and other chemicals that will damage hair, especially with repeated use.

What box dye won't ruin my hair?

Garnier Olia Oil Powered Permanent Hair Color

A top performer in GH Beauty Lab testing, Garnier's permanent color is made with no ammonia and a high concentration of nourishing oil so it's gentle on hair that's damaged from treatments like keratin or thinning strands.

What hair dye brands should I avoid?

Not Our Favorite Hair Dye / Hair Color Brands
  • Aveda (6 bad ingredients)
  • Calura (9 bad ingredients)
  • Clairol Nice'N Easy Color Crème (7 bad ingredients)
  • Clairol Nice & Easy Root Touch Up Semi-Permanent Colors AND Permanent Creme (7 bad ingredients)
  • Clairol Natural Instincts (6 bad ingredients)

What is the rule in hair coloring?

A basic rule of haircolor is that cool (ash) tones neutralize warm (red or gold) tones and warm tones neutralize cool tones. Decide if it is too red, orange or yellow, then just choose the complementary tone that is opposite on the color wheel.

Is it better to dye your hair darker or lighter?

Darker hair is better at camouflaging damage— If your hair needs some TLC, going dark is a smart option. Darker color molecules naturally weigh down flyaways and seal split ends much better than blonde bleach, making hair look thicker and shinier.

What does 7 mean in hair color?

The level system is made up of 10 numbers which help determine the depth level of your natural hair. 1 is black, 5 is light brown, 6 is dark blonde, 7 is blonde and 10 is the lightest blonde.

Is it better to go lighter or darker to cover gray hair?

Pick a lighter hair colour

A lighter colour will then look better. Your hair follicles produce less pigment as you're turning older. If there's no more pigment being produced in the hair follicles, your hair turns pigmentless.

Do brunettes go gray or white?

So while you may have been a brunette all your life, your hair follicles start producing less color as they age, and the regenerative cycle of hair dying and regrowing will start to produce hair with a lighter and grayer color than before.

How to apply color to avoid hot roots?

Apply the colour as a root smudge only, without adding depth to your lengths. A bit more depth at your roots add some dimension and can look very natural. Change to a cool based colour. Cool tones will counter-balance and correct unwanted warmth.

What colors to avoid with grey hair?

The Colors to Avoid with Gray Hair

Here are a few to steer clear of: Muddy Neutrals: Beige, taupe, and other muted tones can make your skin look washed out and ashy. Earthy Yellows and Oranges: These warm tones clash with the coolness of gray hair and can make your complexion look sallow.

What is the best box hair dye to cover gray?

Vogue's Favorite Hair Dyes for Gray Hair:
  • Best for Damaged Hair: Revlon ColorSilk Beautiful Color Hair Color, $32.
  • Best for Light Hair: Clairol Nice 'N Easy Permanent Hair Color, $8.
  • Best Temporary Color: Oribe Airbrush Root Touch-Up Spray, $36.
  • Best for Dark Hair: Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Bond Enforcing System, $12.

What color hair should a 50 year old have?

Hair Color Ideas for Older Women

Chestnut Brown: beautifully warm, this rich color flatters all skin tones and is never out of fashion. Almond Cookie: with its delicious warm honey tones, you'll look good enough to eat! Deep Auburn: this intense flattering shade particularly suits skin with warm undertones.

What color hair makes an older woman look younger?

Hair Colors That Brighten Your Face and Flatter Your Features
  • Rich Chestnut Brown: ...
  • Vibrant Auburn: ...
  • Cool Ash Blonde: ...
  • Soft Balayage: ...
  • Sun-Kissed Brunette: ...
  • Copper Highlights: ...
  • Soft Black: ...
  • Icy Highlights:

What hair color is most attractive?

  • The contest for the most attractive hair colour is obviously won by the blonde color with 35% of the overall vote, followed by the brunette. ...
  • According to the survey, the majority of men (42%) found blonde hair to be the most attractive.

How do I check which hair color suits me?

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HAIR COLOUR FOR ME
  1. 1) Your complexion. The colour of your skin tone is actually one of the most important aspects of choosing the perfect hair colour. ...
  2. 2) Your eyes. To really enhance and intensify your eye colour your colourist might opt for a contrasting colour. ...
  3. 3) Personal style.

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