Best paints to use
The Best Paint Brands to Update Your Home in 2022
Photo: depositphotos.com
Painting can be a time-consuming job, but it can become unnecessarily frustrating when using inferior products instead of finishes from the best paint brands. Paints that don’t provide excellent coverage and hiding capability, leave a clumpy finish, or have an overall poor quality can cost you lots of time and money if you have to do the job over again.
When it comes to painting a home, look for the best interior paints or exterior paints on the market to make the project easier. Read on to discover some of the best paint brands for your next interior or exterior paint project.
1. Sherwin-WilliamsPhoto: sherwin-williams.com
Price Range: $$ to $$$
Top Products: Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint ($85.49+ at Sherwin-Williams) and Sherwin-Williams Latitude Exterior Acrylic Latex ($86.99+ at Sherwin-Williams)
Founded in 1866, this Cleveland, Ohio–based company is viewed by many as the best interior paint brand. Sherwin-Williams offers a wide variety of paints and coatings to individuals and companies all around the globe through its company-operated stores. For over 150 years, this trusted brand has developed a portfolio of quality household name brands, such as Valspar, Minwax, Krylon, and Thompson’s WaterSeal.
Some of Sherwin-Williams’ most popular paint colors include Alabaster, Pure White, Agreeable Gray, Sea Salt, and Drift of Mist. Its product lineup includes interior and exterior paints, interior stains and sealers, concrete coatings, primers, and wallpapers. Its Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint doesn’t require a primer before use.
Shop Sherwin-Williams paint at:
- Sherwin-Williams
Photo: acehardware.com
Price Range: $$ to $$$
Top Products: Benjamin Moore Regal Select Semi-Gloss Finish Paint ($77.99 at Ace Hardware) and Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint – Ultra Flat ($59.
99 at Benjamin Moore)
Owned by Berkshire Hathaway and based in Montvale, New Jersey, Benjamin Moore has been in business since 1883. Benjamin Moore was the first to introduce a computerized color matching system, allowing retailers to closely match any paint sample. The company manufactures its own resins and proprietary Gennex colorants, which supply this paint with superior performance and application.
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Some popular paint colors include Revere Pewter, White Dove, Chantilly Lace, Smoke, and Gray Owl. Its Regal Select Interior Paint works exceptionally well at covering dark colors with one coat, and it has an Aura paint that is designed for high-humidity environments. Also, oil and water stains don’t penetrate it. A few challenges with this paint are that it can dry too quickly, leave streaks, and it has a higher price tag.
Shop Benjamin Moore paint at:
- Ace Hardware
- Benjamin Moore
Photo: homedepot.
com
Price Range: $ to $$
Top Products: Behr Ultra Pure White Flat Exterior Paint & Primer ($62.98+ at The Home Depot) and Behr White Satin Latex Masonry, Stucco, and Brick Paint ($151+ at The Home Depot)
Founded in 1947, this Santa Ana, California–based paint company supplies architectural paint and exterior wood care products throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Its products also include interior and exterior house paints, primers, stains, and surface preparation products. Behr’s products are sold exclusively at The Home Depot.
Behr paint colors trending this year include Breezeway, Broadway, Almond Wisp, Kalahari Sunset, Modern Mocha, Smoky White, and Dayflower, to name a few. One top feature about its Marquee Exterior Paint and Primer is its resistance to cracking. This product also repels dirt and mildew and is easy to apply. However, like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams paints, a drawback is the higher cost of the Behr Home Depot paint.
Shop Behr paint at:
- The Home Depot
Photo: amazon.com
Price Range: $ to $$$
Top Products: KILZ Restoration Interior Primer ($42.70 on Amazon) and KILZ Porch & Patio Floor Paint ($31.62 at Walmart)
KILZ, founded in 1974, is a decorative architectural product owned by the Masco Corporation. Its parent company manufactures products for the home improvement and new construction industries. While Masco is headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, KILZ is based in Kirkwood, Missouri. KILZ products include primers, house paints, wood stains, and concrete coatings.
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Popular colors include Cameo Coral, Walnut Cream, Blue Lustre, Historic Rose, Khaki Taupe, and Regency White. KILZ Interior/Exterior Enamel Porch & Patio Latex Floor Paint is a stain-resistant paint for high-traffic areas like porches and decks. It is also easy to apply, inexpensive, and dries in about an hour.
The one downside is the approximate 6-hour wait time necessary before applying another coat.
Shop KILZ paint at:
- The Home Depot
- Walmart
- Amazon
Photo: amazon.com
Price Range: $ to $$$
Top Products: Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint ($25.89 on Amazon) and Rust-Oleum Home Ultra White Interior Floor Base Coating ($26.98 at The Home Depot)
Rust-Oleum was founded by sea captain Robert Fergusson in 1921. He discovered that a secret ingredient, whale oil, could slow corrosion on rusty metal decks. This ingredient became a significant component of Rust-Oleum’s protective paints and coatings. In more recent years, alkyds, polyurethanes, epoxies, and latex have replaced whale oil.
Located in Vernon Hills, Illinois, this company still specializes in rust-preventive products. Some of its popular paint colors include Flat White, Semi-Gloss White, Eggshell Over the Moon, and Flat Black.
It also offers a variety of spray paints. Other popular Rust-Oleum products include specialty paints and protective sprays for vehicles. Its Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint is exceptionally durable, affordable, and doesn’t require a primer before use. However, buyers who don’t like vintage styles probably won’t like the look of this paint.
Shop Rust-Oleum paint at:
- Amazon
- The Home Depot
- Walmart
Photo: lowes.com
Price Range: $ to $$
Top Products: Valspar Ultra High Gloss Paint + Primer ($40.98+ at Lowe’s) and Valspar Color-Changing Ceiling Paint ($36.98+ at Lowe’s)
Valspar originated in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1806 as a varnish manufacturer. The company got its name from its first clear varnish. For many years, this remained its primary product. Now based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Valspar was officially acquired by Sherwin-Williams in 2017.
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Over the years, Valspar’s portfolio of products has grown to include interior and exterior paints, primers, wood stains, and concrete coatings. Popular colors this year include Oats and Honey, Deep Pacific, City of Lights, Glen Plaid, Pretty Rascal, and Garden Rain. Its Ultra High-Gloss Enamel Interior/Exterior Tintable Paint is scuff resistant, durable, and easy to clean with soap and water. The primary disadvantage is that it is a thin paint that takes several coats for thorough coverage.
Shop Valspar paint at:
- Lowe’s
- Amazon
Photo: amazon.com
Price Range: Please use a general price range of $ to $$, $ to $$$, $ to $$$$, etc
Top Products: Diamond Brite Semigloss Wall Paint ($82.22 on Amazon) and Diamond Brite Latex Enamel Paint ($30.48 on Amazon)
Diamond Brite is a recent addition to paint manufacturers in the United States.
Founded in 1990 by Robert Lebovitz, RDL Marketing Inc. produces the brand. The main office is located in Chicago, and the factory is based in Ohio.
Diamond Brite paints are ISO9002 certified, and the company prides itself on quality formulas, stellar customer service, and affordable prices. Some of its popular colors include Antique White, Off White, and Dove Gray. Diamond Brite Oil Base Enamel Interior/Exterior Paint is less costly than most exterior paints. In addition, this paint is exceptionally durable. The disadvantage is that drying time can take up to 12 hours.
Shop Diamond Brite paint at:
- The Home Depot
- Amazon
Photo: homedepot.com
Price Range: $ to $$
Top Products: Glidden Essentials Semi-Gloss White/Base Exterior Paint ($25.98+ at The Home Depot) and Glidden Essentials White Flat Interior Paint ($16.98+ at The Home Depot)
Initially founded in 1875 in Cleveland, Ohio, by Francis Glidden, this paint company was officially acquired by PPG in 2013.
Now headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, its parent company, PPG, has become the second-largest paint company in North America. Glidden originally began as a varnish company for furniture, pianos, and wagons. However, it has grown to include a variety of interior and exterior house paints. The company is a provider of 100 percent acrylic paint that is fade resistant and durable.
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Some of Glidden’s hottest paint colors this year include Guacamole, Whirlwind, Kangaroo, Bahia Grass, Pebble Gray, and Golden Ecru. Its One Coat Exterior Paint and Primer is easy to apply in one coat, as the name implies. It is also durable. Some drawbacks are that the paint is thin, and the locking rings are challenging to open.
Shop Glidden paint at:
- Amazon
- The Home Depot
- Walmart
Photo: homedepot.com
Price Range: $ to $$
Top Products: PPG Metallic Tones Silver Metallic Interior Speciality Finish Paint ($25.
98 at The Home Depot) and PPG Metallic Tones Gold Metallic Interior Specialty Finish Paint ($25.98 at The Home Depot)
PPG (Pennsylvania Plate Glass Company) was founded in Creighton, Pennsylvania, in 1883 by Captain John Baptiste Ford and John Pitcairn Jr. and is known for making thick plate glass. Over the years, PPG has grown to include paint products and is now the second-largest paint producer after acquiring Glidden in 2013. Now located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company also sells fiberglass products, interior and exterior paints, and other protective coatings, although glass is still a staple product.
Paint color trends this year include Delicate White, Admiralty, Mirror Mirror, Chalky Blue, Mesa Beige, Swirling Smoke, and Thin Ice. Its Timeless Interior One Coat Ready to Use Paint with Primer has excellent hiding capability, is stain resistant, and applies smoothly.
Shop PPG paint at:
- The Home Depot
Photo: clare.
com
Price Range: $ to $$$
Top Products: Clare Fresh Kicks Eggshell Interior Paint ($64 at Clare) and Clare Seize the Gray ($64 at Clare)
A newcomer to the paint industry, Clare was launched in 2018 by interior designer Nicole Gibbons, who has appeared on media outlets like HGTV, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and Good Morning America. The company is a direct-to-consumer online paint supplier designed to make paint buying easier. Based in New York, Clare paints have zero VOCs and are Greenguard Gold certified.
Popular colors include Fresh Kicks, Timeless, Seize the Gray, Classic, and On Point. Clare’s Perfect Eggshell Finish Wall Paint is odor-free, durable, and dirt and mildew resistant. Clare provides peel-and-stick color swatches to help buyers pick out the perfect color. The drawback is that buyers can experience inconsistent matches with the color swatches.
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Shop Clare paint at:
- Clare
Farrow & BallPhoto: farrow-ball.com
Price Range: $$$ to $$$$
Top Products: California Collection Faded Terracotta Estate Emulsion ($115 at Farrow & Ball) and California Collection Hazy Modern Emulsion ($125 at Farrow & Ball)
Named for the founding team of chemist John Farrow and engineer Richard Ball, this storied paint brand has been known for developing original paint colors from top-quality ingredients since shortly after World War II. Since that time, the company has grown quite a bit. During the 1990s, Farrow & Ball placed a lot of their attention on using historically-accurate colors to restore historic properties. In 2010, the company went through a huge shift by reformulating all of their oil-based paints to more eco-friendly water-based formulas.
Today, Farrow & Ball remains committed to the original values held by the company when it was founded. However, ascribing to the company’s value and more luxurious paint products will come at a premium.
Farrow & Ball’s paint can cost twice as much (or even more) than many other popular brands. Some of the trending colors include Faded Terracotta, Citrona, Tar, and Hazy.
Shop Farrow & Ball paint at:
- Farrow & Ball
Photo: anniesloan.com
Price Range: $$$ to $$$$
Top Product: Old White Chalk Paint ($46+ at Annie Sloan)
Known as one of the best chalk paint brands, Annie Sloan was imagined as a solution for restoring furniture. Frustrated with how different surfaces required different paint types and finishes, she set out to create one product that could do it all—and the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint was born. Chalk Paint is designed for use by furniture restoration experts and DIYers. It is suitable to use on all sorts of surfaces, including wood, melamine, metal, laminate, flooring, glass, or even for dying fabric.
Some of the best-selling Chalk Paint colors include Old White, Paris Grey, Athenian Black, Oxford Navy, Capri Pink, English Yellow and Antoinette.
In addition to the line of Chalk Paint, Annie Sloan now also offers wall paint and satin paint.
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Shop Annie Sloan paint at:
- Annie Sloan
The selection of best paint brands was chosen based on a number of criteria, including performance, product range, and product availability. While performing well is the most important feature determining a paint brand’s ranking as one of the best paint brands, being easily available to the paint buyer is essential, too.
We carefully curated the list of best paint brands to include those delivering paint products at various price points, a range of types of paint products, and inclusion of specialty paints. As not every paint job requires the same type of paint, paint brands that offer paints that adhere to challenging surfaces like brick and stone are important. Plus, those that deliver low or no VOCs and other eco-friendly features ranked high among the selection of paint brands and their top product picks.
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The 10 Best Paints for Interior Walls of 2022
The Sherwin-Williams Cashmere Interior Latex Paint is our top pick
By
Theresa Holland
Theresa Holland
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, cleaning, and bedding. She shares her favorite life hacks on her blog The Taboo Textbook.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 04/22/22
Fact checked by
Richard Scherr
Fact checked by Richard Scherr
Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. The Baltimore native also covered the technology scene for LocalBusiness.com and has been a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process.
If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Painting your walls does not need to be a major undertaking, thanks to the variety of modern products that eliminate the need for priming and offer a faster drying time than traditional paints.
We researched the best paints for interior walls, evaluating ease of application, finish, color selection, formulation, and value. Our best overall pick, the Sherwin-Williams Cashmere, is a paint/primer combo that applies evenly, is easy to clean, and looks and feels silky.
Here are the best interior wall paints.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Sherwin-Williams Cashmere at Sherwin-williams.com
Best Budget:
Glidden Interior Paint at Home Depot
Best Color Selection:
The Spruce Best Home by KILZ Interior Paint & Primer in One at Amazon
Best Splurge:
Backdrop Standard Finish at Backdrophome.
com
Best Low-VOC:
Clare Wall Paint at Clare.com
Best Chalk:
Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint at Amazon
Best Matte:
Valspar Signature Interior Paint at Lowe's
Best High-Gloss:
Valspar High-Gloss Paint at Lowe's
Best White:
BEHR Premium Plus Ultra Pure White at Home Depot
Best for Ceilings:
Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint at Amazon
In This Article
-
Our Picks
-
What to Look For
-
Why Trust The Spruce
Courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
View On Sherwin-williams.com
Who else recommends it? Wirecutter also picked Sherwin-Williams Cashmere.
Our top choice is Sherwin-Williams Cashmere. This acrylic latex paint/primer combo stands out for its buttery smooth application.
It automatically levels out into an even layer. In other words, you won't have to worry about permanent roller marks or brush strokes.
When your walls dry, you'll be left with an ultra-silky, rich finish that looks great from every angle. This wall paint offers exceptional coverage, effortlessly hiding any colors or marks underneath. It comes in five different sheens, and you can upload your own color to create a custom hue.
The 11 Best Paint Brushes of 2022
Courtesy of The Home Depot
View On Home Depot
If you're on a tight budget, Glidden Essentials Interior Paint is a high-quality option with an affordable price tag. When you want to refresh your living room, entryway, bedroom, or home office, this paint provides excellent coverage and an easy-to-clean finish.
Glidden Essentials can be tinted into upwards of 1,100 colors, and you can choose from flat/matte, eggshell, or semi-gloss. We also appreciate that this is a low-VOC (volatile organic compound) latex paint with minimal odor.
Plus, Gliddon backs it with a 15-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $18
Courtesy of Amazon
View On Amazon
Your next paint project is about to get more colorful! The Spruce Best Home Interior Paint & Primer in One is a premium acrylic paint that’s perfect for interior walls. After listening to reader feedback and experimenting with different formulas, we studied the most pressing concerns (odor, formula, application, and color). We developed a paint product that we love and think you will too!
Produced by KILZ, you can choose from matte, semi-gloss, and eggshell finishes. While all three are stain-resistant and long-lasting, our matte formula has the lowest level of sheen (0 to 4 units at 85 F) and is perfect for ceilings, bedrooms, and other rooms that don’t see as much foot traffic. The eggshell or semi-gloss paint has a slight sheen (17 to 22 units at 85 F) that’s decorative and easy to clean.
We’ve invested considerable time testing this paint.
We are impressed with the thick coverage and depth of color. We found that one coat will do when you expect to need two. Since we know that picking a color can feel daunting, we narrowed down our colors to 32 curated shades that are elegant and versatile. You can’t go wrong with any color you pick. Low odor was also important to us; our product is low VOC and low odor. You can apply this paint with a nylon or polyester brush, a roller, or an airless paint sprayer. It is available exclusively on Amazon.
The Spruce Best Home Paint: See the Collection
Courtesy of Backdrop
View On Backdrophome.com
“Curated and DIY”: Backdrop Paint
If you're in the market for luxury wall paint, you might want to splurge on a can of Backdrop Standard Finish. This premium, water-based paint is formulated with acrylic resin, which makes it easy to apply. This self-priming, low-VOC formula goes on smoothly and dries quickly with minimal odors.
Backdrop Standard Finish delivers a rich pigment with a perfect low-sheen, semi-matte finish.
Choose from tons of stunning colors with irresistible names, like Rose Quartz, Skywalker, and Drive-Thru Safari. There's a mix of bold colors that are perfect for accent walls or big design moments and more neutral shades that will work in any home.
The Spruce / Deanna McCormack
What Our Testers Say
"No need for a primer! The paint had great coverage. It was thick, spread well, and dried fast. I did two coats over an existing dark grey, and it was perfect." — Deanna McCormack, Product Tester
Courtesy of Clare
View On Clare.com
If you prefer low-VOC products, you'll appreciate the VOC-free formula of Clare Wall Paint. This Greenguard Gold-Certified paint emits zero volatile organic compounds. Plus, it has an ultra-low odor, so you can breathe easy not only while you apply it but for long after.
While this 100 percent acrylic paint is a bit spendier than most other brands, you'll get what you pay for.
It offers impressive coverage and a remarkably smooth, durable finish that resists dirt, mold, and mildew. Get super convenient peel-and-stick color swatches before you purchase a full can.
Price at time of publish: $64 for gallon
Courtesy of Walmart
View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Walmart
Your best bet for chalk paint is Rust-Oleum Chalked. The ultra-matte formula creates a charming, semi-distressed look that's ideal for rustic and vintage-inspired interior design schemes.
Besides painting your walls, you can use Rust-Oleum Chalked to transform wood furniture, metal fixtures, and ceramic items around your home. This low-odor latex paint is easy to apply, effortlessly adhering to most surfaces, and is dry to the touch in 30 minutes.
Price at time of publish: $32
Courtesy of Lowe's
View On Lowe's
If you like a matte finish, we recommend Valspar Signature Flat. The tintable interior formula is a paint and primer in one. Unlike other matte paints, it has special "scuff shield technology" that protects against scuffs and stains. It's also resistant to fading, scratching, and scrub marks.
Valspar Signature Flat goes on smooth and effortlessly conceals any existing paint, marks, or imperfections on your walls. As a Greenguard Gold-certified product, this is a low-VOC paint.
Price at time of publish: $40
The Best Paint Edgers to Get Professional Results for Any DIY Project
Courtesy of Lowe's
View On Lowe's
For an extra glossy finish, Valspar Ultra High Gloss is the way to go. Like its flat counterpart, this paint/primer formula resists stains, scrub marks, scuffs, and general wear and tear. It has a washable finish, meaning most marks and stains will wash away with soap and water.
This acrylic paint is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. No matter where you apply it, you can count on this burnish-resistant finish to retain its glossy appearance.
Price at time of publish: $41
The 12 Best Paint Roller Covers of 2022 for Any Project
Courtesy of The Home Depot
View On Home Depot
If you're looking for the perfect stark white color, check out Behr Premium Plus Enamel Ultra Pure White. This combined acrylic paint and primer come in five sheens, including flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss.
The low-odor formula glides on easily and covers your existing wall color—even dark shades. It resists mildew and is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, and other moisture-prone spaces.
Price at time of publish: $40
Courtesy of Benjamin Moore
View On Amazon View On Benjaminmoore.com
Benjamin Moore Waterborne is the best interior paint for ceilings. The ultra-matte sheen hides any imperfections on your ceiling, leaving a virtually flawless finished appearance. It's easy to use and resists gravitational dripping and splattering. This low-odor ceiling paint emits zero VOCs, giving you peace of mind about the air you breathe in your home.
Price at time of publish: $60
Final Verdict
The best paint for interior walls is Sherwin-Williams Cashmere Interior Acrylic Latex (view at Sherwin-Williams). You can't beat the buttery smooth application and rich, low-stipple finish. However, if you're having a hard time choosing a color, you can't go wrong with The Spruce Best Home by KILZ Interior Paint & Primer (view at Amazon). The 32 shades are curated, providing foolproof versatility and an elegant appearance.
Color
The color you pick is likely your biggest consideration when selecting interior paint. Even if you already know what color interior paint you want, there are many shade choices. Most major paint manufacturers offer an extensive selection of color chips. Use them to narrow down your options, then consider purchasing a pint-sized paint tester to try out the color at home if you’re still torn.
If you can’t find an exact match in the color swatches, typically, you can have a custom color mixed at your local paint store. Bring in a sample of the shade you’re imagining—it can be anything, even a pillow or a favorite sweater—and a color code machine called a spectrophotometer scans and deciphers the color. The machines aren’t perfect, so visually check the color to see if it’s on target with what you were imagining. The paint mixer should be able to tweak it further, if necessary.
Another option is a small device, the Color Muse (view on Amazon), which can scan a wall, counter, or other object and find you the closest color match among top paint brands. The device reads the RGB (red, green, blue) values of the color and identifies paint choices that match. If no matching shade is found, the device provides you with the RGB code to create a custom paint shade. Paint color options are limitless. The bigger task is selecting your top choice for your space, style, and furnishings.
Finish
You have three basic finish categories to choose from, and sometimes paint is categorized by these finish types. Select from a flat finish, low-luster, or glossy finish.
Flat paint is exactly as it sounds—the resulting finish doesn’t reflect much light. It’s also called a matte finish. This type of interior paint is good for surfaces that won’t see much action, like ceilings. It’s usually the least expensive type of interior paint, and it can be difficult to keep clean and look fresh. Only use flat paint if you’re on a tight budget and using it on an out-of-the-way location in your house. On the plus side, matte paint will hide imperfections better than shinier finishes.
The next type of finish is low-luster, which only offers a slight reflection of light. Low-luster paints include both eggshell and satin finishes. Of the two, the eggshell is slightly more matte. This type of paint is prevalent since it’s versatile and offers increased durability and cleaning ability compared to flat paint. You’ll likely want to use interior paint with a satin or eggshell finish in the majority of areas within your home, such as living room and bedroom walls, hallways, bathrooms, and more; all are good places to use a low-luster finish.
Finally, paints with a glossy finish offer a high amount of sheen or light reflection and a harder finish than flat paints. This category includes semi-gloss paints that are slightly more matte than their glossy counterparts. Glossy paint is used for windowsills or handrails, while semi-gloss paints are popular in higher humidity areas, like kitchens or bathrooms. Glossy paints look beautiful but magnify any imperfections in the surface they’re painted on, so take this into account when selecting your paint finish.
The finish you choose will depend on where you are painting and how resilient you want the finish. Aesthetics also play a role; high gloss finishes add drama, while a more matte appearance might play into calmer surroundings.
VOC
Volatile organic compounds are commonly referred to as VOCs, and it’s important to know if your paint has them. If the thought of a freshly painted room makes your nose wrinkle, it’s because you’ve smelled VOCs before.
To keep the chemistry lesson brief, VOCs are compounds that are emitted from some solids or liquids. Many latex-based paints are considered low VOC formulas. These are a better option for interior painting since they will minimize the exposure you have to VOCs during painting and afterward.
Oil-based paints have a higher concentration of VOCs, and so do the paint thinners needed to clean the brushes and rollers you use to apply the paint. If you opt for oil-based paint or paint that isn’t low VOC, take extra precautions to ventilate the area.
Additives
Some interior paints have additives to enhance the application or finish of the paint. Consider what you’re trying to achieve with your painting project to determine which—if any—additives are necessary for your purposes.
Enamel is one of the most common additives you’ll find in interior paint. The addition of enamel to the paint formula reduces the paint's porosity and results in a harder, more durable finish. This could be important for high-traffic areas where dirt might infiltrate the paint or if the finish is subjected to lots of touching and bumping.
Acrylic is often added to oil-based paint to prevent yellowing. This is a common downfall of oil-based interior paint. By adding acrylic, the paint stays true to its original hue longer. You’ll also see acrylic added to latex paints to improve their durability and finish.
Theresa Holland researched and wrote this roundup. As a professional writer and homeowner with a DIY spirit, she has substantial experience testing and reviewing home improvement products. In addition to The Spruce, she also writes for MyDomaine.
Additional reporting and research was done by Lauren Murphy, an experienced writer and editor who specializes in DIYs, home upgrades, and other home-related topics.
Updated by
Lauren Murphy
Lauren Murphy
Lauren Murphy is a DIY expert and writer with over five years of hands-on experience cooking, crafting, and making home decor projects. She has a degree in Environmental Science from Western Washington University and continues to be passionate about environmentally friendly DIY projects. Lauren has also written for Earth 911, Forbes Advisor, and HuffPost.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
The Best Interior Paint. Wirecutter. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-interior-paint/
What Are Volatile Organic Compounds? United States Environmental Protection Agency
The best professional hair dyes in 2022: TOP-10 rating
Not everyone knows that in some European countries it is forbidden to dye natural hair with ordinary supermarket dyes. They are intended mainly for dyeing hairpieces and wigs. Professional coloring agents have a more gentle composition, higher in quality. Consider the TOP of the best professional hair dyes.
What is the difference between professional hair dye and regular hair dye?
Conventional dyes are in demand due to availability and ease of procedure. The kit contains everything you need to paint. Also the price is very good. But with a detailed study of the composition, there is an understanding that such funds are not only harmful, but also dangerous. They have a bad effect on the condition of the hair, can penetrate through the scalp into the body.
Professional paints are gentle. In addition to pigmenting components, they contain caring ingredients. During painting, the strands are saturated with vitamins and trace elements. After the procedure, the hairstyle changes color, the curls become more shiny, silky, and acquire a healthy look.
The main difference between professional paints is that the oxidizing agent is selected depending on the condition of the hair. Solutions with 1.2% to 12% oxidant are used. The pigment is only purified, gently affects the structure of the hairs.
How to choose professional hair dye?
Basic criteria for choosing a professional coloring agent:
- Colour. You need to try to choose the right shade that does not spoil the base color. Appearance color type should also be taken into account.
- Packaging quality. It must be intact, without dents. It is better to refrain from buying paint with torn packaging.
- Composition. Choose products that do not contain harmful ingredients. The safest are products based on oils and natural substances. It is better to refuse ammonia compounds. Their action is identical to ordinary paints.
- Producer. It is recommended to give preference to trusted brands. Means with incomprehensible, poorly readable names can harm the hair.
- Place of purchase.
In the markets and in hypermarkets, there is hardly a professional dye. It is better to buy in specialized stores, including on the Internet.
Ranking of the best professional hair color brands
List of the best professional hair color brands:
- Schwarzkopf. German brand, products contain a minimum amount of harmful components. Paints give a rich, deep color, well mask gray hair.
- Godwell. Manufacturer from Germany, coloring agents are distinguished by their natural composition without ammonia. After dyeing, a rich beautiful color remains on the hair for a long time.
- Revlon Professional. American brand that produces ammonia-free dyes. A rich palette allows you to choose the desired color of curls.
- Paul Mitchell. The colors are made in the USA. After use, the hair becomes silky, shiny.
- Matrix. Dyes are made in America. The line has many extravagant shades.
- Loreal Professional.
French brand, paints have a creamy texture, do not contain ammonia. The palette contains more than 100 shades.
- Tigi. British brand made in America. He has been selling cosmetics for several decades.
- Estel. Produced in Russia. It can compete with foreign brands.
The best professional hair dyes
Consider the best professional hair dyes, according to customer reviews.
TOP 10 professional hair dyes for home use
Ordinary dyes that women are used to using can permanently damage their hair. Also, the result is unpredictable. The use of professional paints at home will eliminate this risk. Best representatives:
- Estel Princess Essex. Inexpensive paint that does its job well. The result is a uniform color, gray hair is perfectly masked.
- Tigi Color Creative and Color Gloss. There are a lot of colors in the palette. Oxidizers of low percentages, which allows not to spoil the structure of the hair, but also to take care of it carefully.
- L'oreal Professionel Majirel. Creamy formulas that are easy to use on their own. Contains oils that restore hair structure.
- Kapous. Under this brand, several lines are produced: with ginseng extract, with hyaluronic acid, with rice proteins. Not only gives a rich shade, but also heals.
- Igora Schwarzkopf. The dye has been produced for over 50 years, but manufacturers continue to improve the formula. After application, a rich and lasting color is obtained.
- Davines Finest Pigments. Ammonia-free paint saturates with nutrients, the pigment gently penetrates and fixes in the structure of curls.
- Londa Professional. Permanent dye with lipids that envelop the surface of each hair. The hair becomes more ordered, silky.
- Selective Professional. After application, an intense, uniform color is obtained. The low amount of ammonia in the composition guarantees a stable result.
- Matrix. The brand produces several lines for coloring.
You can choose both ammonia and ammonia-free formulations. Great for full-fledged painting and toning at home.
- Wella Professional. Hypoallergenic paint that provides intense color, the result lasts for a long time.
Please note! All professional products intended for use at home do not have auxiliary products in the package for full coloring, unlike household ones.
TOP-10 professional ammonia-free hair dyes
Ammonia-free dyes are designed to gently change the shade of curls:
- L'oreal Majirel. Differs in an extensive palette of shades, cares, has a healing effect.
- Kapous. The composition includes organic oils and vitamins for the improvement of hair. However, it contains substances that cause allergies on sensitive scalp.
- Matrix Color Sync. The innovative paint formula makes curls smoother, livelier, brighter.
- Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vibrance. Curls not only acquire a lasting and beautiful color, but also become more voluminous.
- Barex Italiana Permesse Blonde Assurances. Contains shea butter, can color curls up to 5 tones from the base color.
- GKhair Oil Hair Color. An oil-based dye that perfectly covers gray hair. After application, the full structure of the hairs is restored.
- Estel Sense De Luxe. Means with a healing effect, the composition includes oils, extracts, ceramides, panthenol.
- CHI Ionic Shine Shades. Paint with laminating effect. The pigment is sealed, as a result of which the color is retained for a long time, the curls acquire a healthy shine.
- Matrix Socolor Beauty. Coloring products with a rich range and vitamin composition for the improvement of hair.
- Redken Chromatics. Saturates curls with bright pigment. The result lasts about 2-3 weeks.
TOP Professional Hair Colors with Ammonia
Ammonia, despite the fact that it is a harmful substance, provides durability and color saturation. The shade remains for a long time, does not require frequent correction. Professional paints have a low ammonia content. Best products:
- Wella Professionals Illumina Color. Paint with lamination effect, gives a long-lasting result.
- Lisap LK Anti-Age Creamcolor. Works well with gray hair.
- Farmavita Life Color Plus Professional. Gentle ammonia color with Brazil nut extract.
TOP of the best professional premium hair dyes
Premium dyes are expensive cosmetics with high quality and content of useful substances:
- Selective. Italian brand that restores the correct structure of the hair. Curls acquire a healthy shine.
- L'Oreal Professionnel Majiblond Ultra. Differs in durability and the sparing influence.
- Redken Chromatics Ultra Rich. American products, which are famous for exclusive tones with natural radiance.
- MACADAMIA Natural Oil Cream Color. Not only colors, but also cares for curls, providing a healthy shine, silkiness, smoothness.
- Kydra Creme.
An ammonia-free product that gives a stable pigment with the help of a vegetable base.
TOP of the best inexpensive professional hair dyes
The best professional products in the budget price segment:
- Kaaral Professional AAA Color Collection. Italian cosmetics with low ammonia content. The pigment penetrates the hair shaft with the help of coconut oil.
- Kapous Professional Studio Professional. The natural base of the coloring compositions provides a gentle effect on the curls. The color lasts about 1 month.
- Estel Professional Princess Essex. It has a rich palette of warm and cold shades, makes the hairstyle orderly, gives a healthy shine.
- CONCEPT Profi Touch. Well suited for painting gray hair, contains a minimum amount of ammonia.
Using professional hair dye at home
Hair dyeing with professional products is a complex process that requires strict adherence to the instructions:
- Correctly prepare the coloring composition.
If it is necessary to use an oxidizing agent, it must be mixed with the pigment.
- Start staining from the back of the head.
- When the whole mass of hair is processed, carefully comb it, slightly lifting the comb up.
- Do not cover or warm your head.
- After 25-30 minutes, wash off the product with shampoo, use conditioner for colored hair.
Professional hair dye is a good way to change your appearance without harm. Gentle and therapeutic compositions will improve the condition of the curls. The new hairstyle will have a healthy look.
15 best professional hair dyes of 2022: rating, reviews, expert advice It is much easier to buy paint in the store and dye your hair yourself. If you choose high-quality professional paint, you can cope with the staining procedure at home and without outside help.
Today there is a large selection of all kinds of coloring agents in the assortment. They differ among themselves not only in price, but also in manufacturers, color palette, composition, degree of durability. Also, the time of application, packaging equipment is different. All this is important to consider when choosing. KP has put together for you the professional hair dyes that we consider to be the best on the market in 2022.
Editor's Choice
Wella Professionals Magma by Blondor
Wella Professionals Magma by Blondor. Photo: market.yandex.ru A professional product that lasts for 15-18 hair washes. The paint simultaneously brightens and colors, suitable for natural and dyed hair. Suitable for highlighting and toning. Thanks to Oxyrestan technology, even dark colored hair is lightened by 6 tones. The line includes both classic colors: black, light brown, blond, and bright ones: red, pink.
Top 15 best professional hair colors according to KP
1. L'Oreal Professionnel Inoa ODS2
L'Oreal Professionnel Inoa ODS2. Photo: market.yandex.ruSemi-permanent cream paint, the durability of which is enough for 5-10 hair washes. It has a gentle composition without ammonia and other components that spoil the hair and penetrate deep into the structure. Makes hair softer, gives a lively shine, natural colors look natural. Well paints gray hair and nourishes. The kit comes with powder (powder for hair coloring) and oxygen (cream emulsion that allows you to permanently dye your hair). The dye is based on monoethanolamine dye, Oleo gel and developer cream, which form a protective film on the surface of the hair. There are more than 50 tones in the line, including: light brown-haired, ash-golden, copper blond, copper-red and others.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Half -resistant |
| Volume: | 60 ml |
| Effect: softness, painting, painting, diet, diet, diet, diet, diet, diet, diet, diet, diet, diet, diet, dietary Texture: | cream |
| Free of: | ammonia |
Pros and cons
Covers gray hair well, long lasting, no ammonia
Too little powder but too much shampoo for one application
2.
Resistant cream-color, which contains Vitaflection microspheres, which give the hair a rich and saturated shade. The coloring mass is evenly distributed over the hair. Suitable for painting gray hair, because it penetrates deep enough into the hair structure. For better nutrition. the composition contains vitamin E, lipids that envelop the hair and care for them. The line has more than 100 different shades: copper red, matte blue, bright blonde ash purple and others.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Persistent |
| volume: | 60 ml |
| Body painting | |
| Hair and scalp needs: | for gray hairs |
| Texture: | cream |
| Active ingredient: | vitamin E, lipids |
Pros and cons
Lasting, colors look natural, lightening shades do not give yellowness
Does not cover gray hair everywhere, there is an unpleasant smell
3.
Resistant cream paint is suitable for different types of hair and is not washed off for 15-18 washes. After dyeing, the hair looks smooth, shiny, soft and voluminous. The composition contains keratin, the paint itself, after mixing, is converted into a gel. The gel base of the paint provides the effect of lamination, and the hair does not fade in the sun. Camellia essential oil does not weigh down the hair and acts as a conditioner. In total, there are 16 colors in the line, among which there are quite original ones: pearl blond, champagne, luxurious sapphire, mocha, burgundy, red copper, caramel cream.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Persistent | ||
| Effect: | Smoothing, giving volume, giving protection, gleam giving | for all types | |
| Texture: | gel | ||
| Active ingredient: | keratin |
Pros and cons
Doesn't dry out hair, long lasting, gives shine
It turns out a small amount of color, you need to mix well so that there are no lumps
4.
Semi-permanent hair dye that is washed off only after 10-15 hair washes. Suitable for all hair types and has a creamy texture. After coloring creates a smoothing effect, the hair shines. Promotes strengthening, nutrition, hydration. Cream paint does not contain ammonia, which damages the hair. The composition contains a complex of vitamins and oils. The coloring element settles on the surface of the hair without damaging their structure. The paint is suitable for frequent use, due to which the coloring pigment gradually accumulates and the shade becomes even brighter. There are more than 50 colors in the line: ultra-light blonde ash, blue-black ash, dark brown, very light blond mocha-mocha and others.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Half -resistant | |
| Volume: | ||
| Effect: | 9020 Hair type: | for all types |
| Texture: | cream | |
| Active ingredient: | vitamin complex | |
| does not contain: | ammonia |
| Type of staining: | Persistent |
| volume: | 60 ml |
| Body painting | |
| Texture: | cream |
| Active ingredient: | silk proteins |
Pros and cons 9019
Adds shine to hair, covers gray hair well, contains herbs
Not very resistant, has a strong smell
6.
Long-lasting cream paint in 4 bright colors - fiery red, purple eggplant, red mandarin and purple red. For coloring and giving a bright shade to the hair, no pre-lightening is required, so the hair is not damaged. The paint is washed off after 15-18 hair washes. Gives hair softness, shine, paints over gray hair. Revlonissimo Nanomolecular Technology (NMT) technology makes the color as saturated as possible due to the deep penetration of the pigment into the hair structure. Active ingredients: marine collagen (penetrates the hair structure and strengthens them), wheat proteins (promote hair growth) and cationic polymers (facilitate combing). Also in the composition there is a complex of oils.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Persistent |
| Volume: | 60 ml |
| Effect, 9033 | |
| Active ingredient: | collagen, wheat proteins |
Pros and cons
Intense color, long lasting, adds shine to hair
Thick texture, difficult to apply, low volume for hair below the shoulders
7.
Semi-permanent cream-color, which is suitable for all types of hair. Well paints over gray hair, nourishes, gives shine to hair. The composition does not contain ammonia, so the product does not spoil the hair. Enriched with a blend of new generation pigments and concentrated, nourishing botanical extracts such as alpha-bisabolol (made from the Candea tree). There is no sharp and unpleasant smell, instead of it there is a fruity-floral plume. Super Lightening Series lightens hair up to 4 tones. Fresh mixture SUPERFOOD has a gentle effect on the hair. The line has more than 50 shades, including: dark chestnut, chestnut dark chocolate, dark blond, light blond Durian and others.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Half -resistant, persistent |
| volume: | 100 ml |
| Body Testing | |
| for all types | |
| Texture: | cream |
| Free of: | ammonia |
Pros and cons
Vivid colors, easy to apply and spread, does not damage the hair
Rinses out quickly, at least two tubes are needed for long hair
8.
Long-lasting cream-color with a creamy base, which is easily distributed through the hair. Suitable for all hair types, the composition contains argan oil, monoi oil, which carefully care for hair, make it more shiny, elastic and nourish. The paint performs two types of staining - permanent and semi-permanent. Low ammonia content (from 1.5% to 3%), promotes gentle hair coloring. There are more than 9 in the line0 shades, among which there are original ones: yellow, black-blue, super-lightening lilac, super-lightening salmon, dark blond purple and others.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Half -resistant, persistent |
| volume: | 60 ml | 903 |
| Oils and extracts: | argan oil, monoi oil |
Pros and cons
Easy to apply, hair does not frizz, break or fall out after application
Small volume, rinses off quickly
9.
Permanent cream color that is washed off after 15-18 hair washes. It covers the gray hair well and gives the hair a lively shine. The composition contains the following components: aloe vera, cashmere, vitamin C, oils that nourish the hair. The creamy consistency is evenly distributed, does not contain lumps. There are 100+ colors in the line, there are bright and original solutions: golden, copper, pink mixton, strawberry, lilac, apricot and others.
Few cold tones in the line, unpleasant smell of ammonia
10. American Crew Precision Blend camouflage dye for gray hair
American Crew Precision Blend camouflage dye for gray hair. Photo: market.yandex.ru Resistant cream paint paints gray hair well and is also used for toning. Suitable for all hair types, and can also be used to color hair and beards for men. It does not contain ammonia, so it does not damage the hair structure. The texture is creamy and promotes even distribution. The color lasts up to 6 weeks without the effect of hair regrowth. In total, there are four shades in the line: dark natural, medium natural, ash, blond. If you use the paint for dyeing beards or short hair for men, one package is enough for 6 dyes.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Strong, tinting |
| Effect: | Warm painting | for all types |
| for gray hair | |
| Free of: | ammonia |
Pros and cons
Natural colors, long lasting, no harsh odors
Small quantity, activator must be purchased separately
11. Cutrin AURORA Demi Ammonia Free Hair Color
Cutrin AURORA Demi Ammonia Free Hair Color. Photo: market.yandex.ru Semi-permanent cream-color, which is not washed off for 10-12 hair washes. It contains an ammonia-free oxidizing agent, thanks to which the product gently acts on the hair and does not penetrate deep into the structure. After dyeing, the hair becomes shiny, all colors look natural and natural. The dye contains natural nourishing active ingredients - Limnantes Alba oil (Pennik Meadow) - helps moisturize and nourish hair, beeswax (nourishes hair follicles, prevents excess oiliness or dryness). There are more than 50 shades in the line: ice sherbet, gold, silver dust, cranberry, sea buckthorn, red currant, ice rose, etc.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Half -resistant |
| Volume: | 60 ml |
| Power supply, linen, recovery | |
| Texture: | cream |
Pros and cons
Neutralizes yellowness well, does not damage hair, covers yellowness well
Strongly darkens the hair, the tint color is quickly washed out
12. Barex Olioseta Oro del Marocco
Barex Olioseta Oro del Marocco. Photo: market.yandex.ru Resistant cream paint that does not contain ammonia, which means it does not injure the hair and does not penetrate deep into the structure. The composition contains organic argan oil, which nourishes and restores damaged dry and brittle hair. Covers gray hair well and provides vibrant color. In total, there are more than 40 different shades in the line, including: dark blond purple, dark blond intense red, light blond ash mother-of-pearl, blond tobacco, light chestnut mocha and others.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Persistent |
| volume: | 100 ml |
| Body painting | |
| for all types | |
| Texture: | cream |
| Free of: | ammonia |
Pros and Cons 9019
Moisturizes well and covers yellowness, adds shine to the hair
Small amount of color, rinses off quickly
13. BioKap Nutricolor Delicato long-lasting
BioKap Nutricolor Delicato long-lasting. Photo: market.yandex.ru Persistent cream paint does not contain parabens, resorcinol, ammonia, so the hair structure after dyeing is not disturbed and does not deteriorate. Well paints gray hair, nourishes, adds shine and moisturizes. Suitable for all hair types, contains argan oil. Soy, oat, wheat and rice proteins protect hair and restore its structure. Fatty fruit acids protect the scalp from the effects of paint. In total, there are more than 10 different shades in the line: black natural, dark chestnut chocolate, honey chestnut, mahogany, dark blond golden, blond golden wheat and others.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Persistent |
| Effect: | Body painting, GSTAING, MOVIZATION |
| for all typicals | |
| cream | |
| Free of: | parabens, resorcinol, ammonia |
Pros & Cons0003
If it gets on the skin, it will be difficult to wash off, the colors are darker than in the photo
14. Brelil Professional Colorianne Prestige
Brelil Professional Colorianne Prestige.Resistant cream-color, which is not washed off for 15-18 hair washes. Gives hair softness, shine, hydration, well paints over gray hair. Suitable for all types of hair, the creamy base is well distributed over the hair and provides a uniform shade at the end. The composition includes beeswax, which contains more than three hundred biologically active substances and trace elements, vitamins of group A. Phyto-filters protect hair from exposure to ultraviolet rays. Coenzyme Q10 protects hair from premature aging. Phyto-filters from baobab do not allow hair to dry out. In total, the line has more than 60 shades: titanium blond, beige platinum, brown-haired ice chocolate, intense purple brown-haired and others.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Persistent |
| volume: | 100 ml |
| Effect, GOODING, BALD TASE | for all types |
| Texture: | cream |
Pros and cons
Color looks natural, economical consumption, covers gray hair well
May not be suitable for people with sensitive scalp, bad smell
15.
Tinting paint is suitable for all types of hair. After dyeing, it adds shine and moisture to the hair. The creamy consistency spreads evenly through the hair. The composition contains lemon extract and silk proteins that care for hair, protect against damage and the negative effects of ultraviolet rays. There are more than 100 different shades in the line, among which there are original ones: light blond mother-of-pearl red, light blond chocolate-pearl, special blond purple, cold brown chocolate, dark blond frosty chocolate and others.
The main characteristics
| Type of staining: | Toning |
| Volume: | 100 ml |
| Effect of shine, moisturizing | |
| Texture: | cream |
Pros and cons0003
How to choose hair dye
Professional hair dyes are very diverse, so it is important to know what to look for when buying:
- Type of dye.
May be natural - it is henna and basma (you need to be careful with these paints, especially if the hair is already dyed). Physical (direct action pigments) - sparing, because they do not penetrate deep into the hair structure, such paints are applied to the hair without prior mixing. Chemical - penetrate deep into the structure of the hair, due to which they change color.
- Durability. Paints are semi-permanent - do not contain or contain a very small amount of ammonia, hydrogen peroxide. Persistent - contain hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Persistent ones last the longest, but also injure the hair to a greater extent, unlike semi-permanent ones.
- Complete set. In addition to instructions and a pair of gloves, the kit may include: balm, mask, hair shampoo.
- Ton. Specified by the manufacturer on the packaging. Each shade has its own number. For example, 1 is black, 4 is chestnut, 7 is blond, 10 is light blond.
Some manufacturers produce paints with intermediate colors, such as ash white, hazelnut, chocolate, etc.
Popular questions and answers
The most common questions about the choice and use of professional hair dyes were answered by Olesya Myakisheva, hair coloring expert, hairdresser-colorist, color teacher, private specialist:
hair dye is the most gentle?
Here the question itself is constructed incorrectly, because it is not paint that spoils the hair, but illiterate handling of it and ignorance of the basic rules of color. That is why it is not recommended to independently perform complex work on lightening and bleaching hair at home.
Each brand will have more than one line of products to achieve completely different tasks, and all of them are either mixed with each other in a certain sequence, or they cannot be used together at all and there will be no instructions on professional cosmetics, because this is taught in educational institutions at hairdressers.
For home use, there is a household dye from essentially the same concerns as prof - Wella, L'Oreal, Londa, Schwarzkopf and others. The manufacturer thought in advance why you can use the dye, for example, to paint over gray hair - and the kit will have everything you need for this and a picture with an example of what base you can use and what to get. Sometimes the kit even comes with very detailed instructions in which situation you are dyeing - re-dyeing the roots, primary staining of the entire length, and other options. In this case, it is important to read the instructions in detail and pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations, the expert recalled.
If we talk about the dangers of the dye, then the main harm lies in such a component as phenylenediamine. It is contained in any paint, even ammonia, even ammonia-free, but this is exactly the component that is most often allergic (by the way, it is also added to “natural” dyes like henna and basma, and even to henna for eyebrows). The natural components of henna and basma can also cause a serious allergic reaction and they dry the hair very much and do not paint over the gray hair at all if used for this.
In my opinion, the most harmless and safe dyes for health are direct pigments. Those same tint balms, they can be used by those who are allergic to phenylenediamine and natural dyes, but they will only give a light shade to the hair, will not cover the gray hair, and in order to really get the desired result, it is important to select it with a specialist, then you will get exactly what you want, and not a slight swampy tint on your beautiful blonde.
What is the most durable hair dye?
Dyes are permanent, semi-permanent, tinting, among these types of permanent hair coloring is the most resistant in terms of replacing its natural melanin with artificial pigment, but often we call color fastness color fastness. What does it mean? The fact that when staining even with a tinting dye, in any case, we get a substituted pigment and there will no longer be our own in any case (until it is cut off), and this means that the color is stable.
But if we are talking about the durability of the shade, for example, cold shades washed off after dyeing after a while and we say that the paint was washed off, but in fact it was the shade that was washed off and this parameter is always unstable. Its durability no longer depends on the paint itself, but on the condition of the hair, on the type of shade, on hair care. It is important to maintain good hair quality, on good hair the shade lasts longer, also use special professional products for colored hair, minimize thermal effects and use tint products to maintain the shade at home.
Some types of shades wash out very quickly, but this is not a reason to get upset and scold the paint - pastel shades of blond, bright colors, copper and red do not last very long, and there is no need to use a permanent dye again, in this case it is enough to use a suitable tinting dye shades, the expert concluded.
What are the safest hair dyes?
At the moment, everything on the market is safe, because these companies are required to undergo certification, especially strict certification takes place in Germany. Unlike let's say Italian manufacturers, Italy has much less strict rules. Therefore, if you pay attention to the precautions that are indicated in the instructions, carry out allergy tests, especially if you are prone to allergies, and follow the instructions: if it is written not to use on bleached hair, then do not use it on them.
If a certain exposure time is written, then you don’t need to keep it longer so that the paint “grabs” better, in theory, all the problems of self-coloring are from violating the instructions.
How to dye your hair: clean or dirty?
Modern dyes are not suitable for dirty hair. If you are painting at home, then you need it to be a fresh head without styling products. If you go to the salon, also beforehand (no more than 12 hours) you need to wash your hair as usual with shampoo and conditioner, you can apply a mask, and use indelible daily care.
Otherwise, at home, your gray hair may not be painted over well, or the shade will turn out to be not saturated enough, and in the salon the master will wash and dry your hair before dyeing, which will simply increase the time you spend in the salon by about an hour, and some types of dyeing and so they take at least three hours, and few people want to add more extra time to themselves. A competent master will warn you that it is better to wash your hair in the morning, or he will wash you if you did not have such an opportunity on your own, but will not start dyeing on dirty hair.
Is it possible to mix several different shades at home and how to do it correctly?
This is acceptable, within the same brand and one line of dyes, but again, I am against using a professional dye at home if the person is not a specialist, because the result can be deplorable and it will be more difficult and expensive to fix in the salon. But if you are ready to experiment and understand what you are doing, then the main thing is to mix exactly one line and keep the proportions. You can even mix household dye with each other to get new shades, but again, if you understand what this will lead to, or are ready for an unpredictable result.
But how to mix shades correctly, hairdressers work out in special coloristic tasks, where each color and shade is indicated by numbers and we calculate it like in mathematics using formulas, but this needs to be learned, not forgetting about chemical and physical processes.
