Ever stare down the hair color aisle at Walmart, feeling a little lost in a sea of boxes? You see so many shades, and you just want that perfect color without breaking the bank. It’s exciting to think about a hair makeover, but picking the right box can feel like a guessing game. Will it be too dark? Will it wash you out?
Finding the best hair color at Walmart is a common challenge. You want quality results, but the sheer number of brands and shades can be overwhelming. Maybe you’ve had a color disaster before, and now you’re extra careful. We get it! You need a guide to navigate those shelves and choose a dye that actually works for you.
This post will cut through the confusion. We’ll break down the top Walmart hair color brands, explain what those numbers mean, and give you tips for a successful at-home dye job. Get ready to choose your next vibrant shade with confidence!
Top Hair Color At Walmart Recommendations
- Fast Color And Highlights At Home: Couleur Experte is the only at-home dual-system hair coloring kit that combines permanent base color and harmonizing highlights in one box for quick and easy application
- 2 Easy Steps: Thanks to perfectly coordinated shades, you can achieve a rich, elegant, salon-like look in 2 easy steps for brilliant all-over color and precise, even highlights in just 30 minutes
- Ideal Hair Color: Discover your ideal hair color with our range of shades, products and formulas; Bold to subtle, temporary to permanent and dark to light; our hair dye delivers what you're looking for
- Fast Color And Highlights At Home: Couleur Experte is the only at-home dual-system hair coloring kit that combines permanent base color and harmonizing highlights in one box for quick and easy application
- 2 Easy Steps: Thanks to perfectly coordinated shades, you can achieve a rich, elegant, salon-like look in 2 easy steps for brilliant all-over color and precise, even highlights in just 30 minutes
- Ideal Hair Color: Discover your ideal hair color with our range of shades, products and formulas; Bold to subtle, temporary to permanent and dark to light; our hair dye delivers what you're looking for
- GLOSSY COLOR: Enhances color with a range of glossy shades for multi-dimensional, natural looking results
- SHINY + STRONG: Leaves hair 2X shinier* and 4X stronger*
- INCLUDED SERUM: Hydrating Leave In Scalp & Hair Serum cares for your hair and scalp after coloring
- Feria Is Multi-Faceted Permanent Hair Color: Known for shimmering color and edgy colors, Feria permanent hair dye kits transform hair from blah to brilliant; Our multi-faceted shimmering hair dye with 3X highlights delivers intensified, brilliant results
- Multi-Tonal, Shimmering Feria Hair Color: With 50 plus bold shades ranging from deepest black hair, platinum blonde & smoky silver hair dye, our vegan hair dye kits are inspired by cutting-edge fashion & the latest trends, no appointment required
- After Color Hair Conditioner: Our Bonding Care Complex Conditioner helps repair the strength of hair bonds, keeping hair strong & healthy-looking for color vibrancy. See up to 40% stronger hair vs hair not treated with Bonding Care Complex Conditioner
- Rich Color with a Natural Finish: This hair color delivers a rich shade that helps enhance your natural base with even, root-to-tip color. Our dermatologist tested and ingredient focused formula adds depth and shine while being gentle to hair and scalp
- Complete Gray Coverage: Designed to blend and cover in one step, this professional-quality formula offers an even-toned finish. A great choice if you’re looking to soften the appearance of grays without sacrificing depth or tone
- Gentle on Scalp & Hair: Made without ammonia, alcohol, or silicone, this caring formula is kind to both hair and scalp. With no PPD and PTD, it is enriched with botanical oat milk, soy protein, and argan oil for conditioning
- Nothing Covers Gray Better: Excellence Crème is a Triple Care Color routine that deeply cares for your hair and covers 100% of grays, even stubborn ones. Hair color for gray hair coverage is formulated with Hyaluronic Acid to protect hair as it colors
- Triple Care Color Routine: Care for your hair with every step. Protective Coloring Cream protects hair for long-lasting color. Caring Shampoo with Hyaluronic Acid gently cleanses hair and scalp. Caring Deep Conditioner with Hyaluronic Acid nourishes hair
- Suitable Hair Dye Kit For All Hair Types: This non-drip, crème formula is available in 27 shades, made for all hair types and textures. No permanent hair color protects better or covers grays better (vs each leading competitor's top selling brand)
- AGE beautiful permanent hair color dyes are proven to fight all 5 signs of aging hair. Our signature fortifying formulas feature Biotin for fuller, thicker and healthier looking hair. Turn back the clock on aging and achieve salon worthy results at home.
- AGE beautiful is the first professional anti-aging hair color dye with Biotin, Melanin, Keratin Peptide & Silk Protein to replenish hair with the essential components that are lost with aging. A gentle formulation that comes in a wide array of dye shades.
- 1) THINNING - Instantly fuller, thicker looking hair. 2) WIRY GRAY - Dramatically softer, more manageable. 3) TURNING GRAY - 100% gray coverage up to 8 weeks. 4) DRYNESS - Significantly more conditioned hair. 5) DULLNESS - Visibly more radiant and shiny.
- 100% Gray Coverage & Rich, Vibrant Permanent Color: Our permanent hair color lasts up to 8 weeks and covers salt-and-pepper grays beautifully. See best results with starting hair color that is within 2 shades of the target color
- Exclusive 5-Fruit Oil Nourishing System: Only hair color with snap-and-pour ampoule (avocado, olive, coconut, argan, shea oils). 2X shinier, silkier, nourished hair vs. uncolored hair. Premium after-color conditioner leaves hair healthier
- Color Boost Technology: This formula efficiently infuses intense hair dyes into hair fibers for richer, radiant & long-lasting color with 100% gray hair coverage, ideal for root touch‑ups, full‑head color refreshes, or first‑time at‑home gray coverage
Your Essential Guide to Buying Hair Color at Walmart
Buying hair color at Walmart is easy. They have many choices. This guide helps you pick the best one for you. You can find great results without a salon trip.
Key Features to Look For
1. Color Type and Longevity
- Permanent Color: This type lasts a long time. It covers gray hair completely. It mixes chemicals to change your hair’s natural color.
- Demi-Permanent Color: This fades slowly over several weeks. It adds shine and tone. It does not use harsh ammonia.
- Temporary Color: This washes out in one or two shampoos. It’s fun for trying new looks quickly.
2. Coverage Needs
Think about your gray hair. If you have a lot of gray, choose a permanent color for full coverage. If you only need subtle blending, demi-permanent works well.
3. Special Ingredients
Look for boxes that mention nourishing ingredients. Oils like argan or olive oil help protect your hair during the coloring process.
Important Materials in Hair Dye Kits
What is inside the box?
- Color Developer: This is usually a cream or liquid that activates the color. It often contains hydrogen peroxide.
- Color Cream/Gel: This holds the actual pigment.
- Gloves and Applicator Bottle: These are necessary tools for safe and easy application.
- Conditioner Packet: Use this after rinsing. It seals the cuticle and adds shine.
Always check the ingredients list if you have known allergies. Some chemicals can irritate the scalp.
Factors That Affect Hair Color Quality
What Makes the Color Better?
- Base Hair Color: The starting color matters most. A box labeled “Light Brown” will look different on dark brown hair than on blonde hair. Check the comparison chart on the back of the box.
- Developer Strength: Stronger developers lift natural color faster, which is needed for very dark hair to go lighter.
- Application Time: Follow the timing instructions exactly. Leaving it on too short results in uneven color. Leaving it on too long can damage your hair.
What Can Reduce Quality?
- Not Doing a Strand Test: This test shows you exactly how the color will look. Skipping it leads to surprises.
- Poor Mixing: If you do not mix the developer and color thoroughly, the color will not process evenly.
User Experience and Use Cases
Who uses Walmart Hair Color?
Walmart hair color is perfect for budget-conscious consumers. It is also great for people who want privacy. You do not need an appointment.
Common Use Cases:
- Root Touch-Ups: If your natural color is growing out, a box dye is fast for covering the line of demarcation.
- All-Over Color Change: For a simple shift, like going from medium blonde to dark blonde, the kits work well.
- Boosting Shine: Demi-permanent washes can refresh dull color between salon visits.
Expect a slight chemical smell during application. Most modern formulas are improved, but some odor is normal. The application process usually takes 30 minutes of waiting time after you apply it.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Hair Color at Walmart
Q: Can I use Walmart hair color on previously bleached hair?
A: Yes, but be careful. Bleached hair absorbs color faster. Use a demi-permanent shade or mix the color with conditioner to dilute it slightly to prevent it from turning too dark or brassy.
Q: How do I choose the right shade number?
A: Most brands use a numbering system. The first number is the depth (how light or dark it is, usually 1 for black to 10 for lightest blonde). The numbers after the dash show the tone (like gold, ash, or red).
Q: Do Walmart kits work well on very dark, natural hair?
A: They work best for going darker or covering grays. If you want to go significantly lighter (more than two shades), you might need a separate bleach product first, or the result will be reddish-orange.
Q: Is there ammonia-free color available at Walmart?
A: Yes. Look for brands specifically labeled “ammonia-free” or “low-ammonia.” These are usually demi-permanent options.
Q: What if I am allergic to PPD?
A: PPD (Paraphenylenediamine) is a common dye ingredient. Always perform the 48-hour patch test mentioned on the box. If you are sensitive, look for “PPD-free” alternatives, though these are less common in standard boxes.
Q: Should I wash my hair before coloring it?
A: Generally, no. Most stylists recommend applying color to unwashed hair. Natural oils protect your scalp from irritation.
Q: How long does Walmart box color usually last?
A: Permanent color lasts until the hair grows out (about 4-6 weeks). Demi-permanent lasts around 20-28 washes.
Q: What if the color looks patchy after I rinse?
A: Patchiness often happens because you applied the color unevenly or did not saturate all strands. You can usually reapply the color mix immediately, focusing only on the light spots.
Q: Can I mix two different shades from the same brand?
A: Yes, experienced users sometimes mix shades to get a custom color. For beginners, it is safer to stick to one box or mix a color with its “natural neutral” equivalent.
Q: Where should I store the unused portion of the developer and colorant?
A: You cannot store the mixed product. Once mixed, the chemical reaction starts, and it becomes useless quickly. Throw away any leftover mixed dye.
Hi, I’m Tom Scalisi, and welcome to The Saw Blog! I started this blog to share my hands-on experience and insights about woodworking tools—especially saws and saw blades. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work with a wide range of tools, and I’m here to help both professionals and hobbyists make informed decisions when it comes to selecting and using their equipment. Whether you’re looking for in-depth reviews, tips, or just advice on how to get the best performance out of your tools, you’ll find it here. I’m excited to be part of your woodworking journey!