Best Hair Dye For Men: Here’s How You Can Shave Years Off Of Your Appearance

Right now there are Silicon Valley execs trying to figure out how to live forever.

While billionaires are chasing the fountain of youth, the simple fact remains.

We all get older, develop a larger waste line, and of course, yes, begin to sprout some gray hairs.

To put it bluntly, getting old sucks.

But, like using a quality face moisturizer or eye cream to ward off fine lines and wrinkles, there is a lot that we can do as men to EASILY shave years off of our appearance.

And one of the easiest ways to look younger is to incorporate a hair dye into your monthly grooming regimen.

Below are a few hair dyes that deliver results we think you’ll love:

Best Hair Dyes For Men

1. Best Overall Hair Dye: Just For Men Original Formula Men’s Hair Color

Just For Men Shampoo-In Color (Formerly Original...

Gray got you down?

Need a quick color to make you look younger?

Just For Men is the leading manufacturer of men’s hair coloring products, due to their affordable quality and long lasting color. This product targets your gray hairs and gives them a boost of color, while leaving your naturally colored hair alone. This all works within 5 minutes for a fast but effective coloring job. The result is a natural looking head of hair without all of the gray.

One application gives you 8 weeks of use, or until your hair begins to grow back. Experience varies with each individual, as everyone’s hair grows back at different rates.

Most men should get a month or more with each application. Ideal for touch-ups or whole head colors, and is great for use on beards if you need a quick color. This biggest issue is that sometimes gray hairs can turn out orange after coloring, which isn’t what the product describes.

Pros

  • Lasts for 8 weeks
  • Most popular and highly rated brand
  • Works in only 5 minutes

Cons

  • None

2. Best All-Natural Hair Dye: Manly Guy Hair and Beard Color

Manly Guy CHOCOLATE DARK BROWN Hair, Beard, &...

All natural, all vegan, no chemical hair dye that doesn’t leave you irritated. This product is great for people who aren’t into harsh chemicals and metal salts found in conventional hair dyes.

Plus, this product is exceptionally easy to mix, and doesn’t need an extra developer to make the hair work. Just add water, and color! Many reviewers say that this product is fantastic, and works just as well as traditional hair colors, but without the mess.

The biggest thing you may notice is the smell of this product isn’t chemical.

It’s very organic, though there are traces of something in there that gives it a rather odd scent.

The next thing you may see after applying is that it may turn your hair shades of green, which is normal. The color should set in after about an hour. If it’s not dark enough, add more water, mix, and apply again to achieve your desired look.

Pros

  • Made from natural and organic ingredients
  • Color lasts about 4 to 8 weeks
  • Pleasant scent

Cons

  • 1-hour application process

3. Best Hair Dye Runner Up: Clairol Natural Instincts Men’s Hair Color

Clairol Natural Instincts Demi-Permanent Hair Dye...

Clairol is a popular hair color, and rightfully so.

It features a true-to-life color that looks and feels natural. This particular color is ideal for covering up gray hairs and rejuvenating your look for longer. A full head of freshly colored hair can take years off of your look. This color gives you a nice light brown color, but if you leave it on for longer, you may find that the color gets darker.

This color doesn’t require that you purchase a developer, as it is all included in the box. This means that it is as simple as applying the product and waiting a short amount of time for the color to sink in. The result is fantastic looking hair without residual grays. This product lasts between 4 to 6 weeks with regular washing, and then you need to reapply. Works great on head and facial hair.

Pros

  • Comes in a variety of colors
  • Looks natural once applied
  • Affordable

Cons

  • May not hold color too long

4. Best Hair Dye For Beard & Eye Brows: RefectoCil Cream Hair Dye

If you need to color your beard, mustache, or other facial hair, this product is for you. It is specifically designed for small coloring jobs, and is very easy to apply and use.

You do need to purchase a specific developer to effectively use this product, and the coloring time is a lot longer than other hair colors.

It also will stain your skin, so using petroleum jelly to outline where you want to color would be wise. Because this product is only 0.5 ounces, it is just enough to use on your beard or mustache area.

It is not for coloring your hair, unless you want to buy five of these little tubes. The color lasts about 6 weeks, or until your hair begins to grow back.

Pros

  • Lasts about 1.5 months
  • Great for both hair and beards

Cons

  • Must purchase separate applicator

5. SoftSheen-Carson Dark and Natural 5 Minute Shampoo-in Hair Color

SoftSheen-Carson Dark & Natural Hair Color for Men...

Is your hair looking like a bad remix of “50 Shades of Gray”?

Reign in unruly gray and get your hair back to its sexy former self. This hair color looks natural, and is easy to apply. The result is a soft black finish that keeps your hair’s natural look without all the mess. The formula adds in essential nutrients and moisture back to your hair, and it lasts for quite a while.

It does take a little longer for the color to set in; while the product says 5 minutes, if you want a truly dark color you may have to leave it in for longer.

Otherwise, it’s a fantastic product to color your hair black. Caution should be taken when applying, as this can dye the skin as well as cloth surfaces such as pillows and bed sheets. The color lasts a long time, and generally you won’t need another treatment until your hair grows back to gray.

6. Bigen EZ Color For Men

Bigen Ez Color For Men M2 Real Black Kit (3 Pack)

For gray that just won’t go away, the Bigen EZ Color in jet black offers an intense solution to rid you of your silver hues. This hair color contains no ammonia and very small amounts of peroxide, and a black color that is deep and rich like a coal mine.

It has a creamy consistency, making application a snap. No mess, no fuss, and the solution works in just minutes. You are left with a vividly dark color that is fresh and youthful.

This product is very bold, and depending on what shade you get, it may not look natural like other manufacturers. However, it is very good at getting rid of your gray hair where other products will not. Fast, effective, and lasts for weeks, this hair color is incredible as a hair dye.

Works well on hair as well as beards, mustaches, and eyebrows.

7. Just For Men AutoStop Men’s Hair Color

Just For Men Easy Comb-In Color (Formerly...

This product is designed to give you just the right amount of color without going overboard.

The unique applicator allows for precision while coloring, and ensures that you don’t over-color your hair. The color solution stops coloring your hair when your gray is filled in, giving you that natural looking color that blends seamlessly into the rest of your hair. It also has no harsh chemicals, making it a very gentle product.

This Autostop color lasts about 8 weeks, though if your hair is prone to growing back quickly, you could see a shorter turnaround time.

This product is designed for use on head hair, but the applicator makes it incredibly easy to apply to beards as well. Just be sure to rinse the color out thoroughly before going to bed, as this hair color can severely stain textiles such as pillowcases and bedsheets.

8. Just For Men Control GX Grey Reducing Shampoo

Just For Men Control GX Grey Reducing Shampoo,...

Stubborn gray doesn’t stand a chance against this specially designed shampoo. Just For Men is a trusted brand among men with problem areas around the hairline, and does a phenomenal job in reducing the amount of gray hair for a younger, natural look.

This shampoo specifically targets gray hairs and slowly reduces their look, leaving you with a natural head of hair that doesn’t appear to be colored at all.

This shampoo can’t be used on bleached, lightened, or colored hair. The formula used in this shampoo is designed to target your natural color, and reduce the appearance of gray while still leaving some gray hairs in for a subtle look.

It is not designed to be a cover-up or a total hair overhaul. Can be used on head hair, but works just as well on facial hair such as mustaches and beards.

Plan Ahead of Time Before Dying Your Hair

Before applying a single drop of hair dye to your head, it’s essential to go through some necessary prep work.

First and foremost, you must take a moment to look at your calendar and see what you have coming up on your schedule.  Given the semi-permanent nature of hair dye, you should never, under any circumstances, dye your hair before a big occasion.

If you plan to walk your daughter down the aisle this weekend or have a big interview coming up and want to look younger, stop immediately.  The reason is that hair dye, no matter the shade you purchase, is tough to get out of your hair if you are unhappy with the results.

We recommend that you test out a hair dye a few months in advance to know exactly what to expect.

Additionally, you can expect dyes to dry at a shade or two darker.  So if you have medium-brown hair, we would recommend going for the light brown as it will act as a great balance between your gray and brown hairs.

Prep Before Dying

Now when it comes to the actual act of dying your hair, you want to make sure you have everything planned out.  Put your phone away, lock the door so your kid won’t bother you, and make sure that you are alone for a solid hour.

While many hair dyes include all the necessary products within the box, be sure to read the product description to ensure there are no surprises.

To be extra safe, we would recommend the additional items to have on hand when dying your hair:

  • Trash bag or grocery bag for disposal
  • Extra plastic stir stick
  • Latex gloves

Pro Tip:  Be sure to get a body lotion and rub it along the edges of your hair.  This will prevent any dye from bleeding into your skin during the application process.

Adam Williams

As the lead editor of Tools of Men, Adam loves men's grooming products. Particularly of interest is managing facial hair and perfecting the art of the modern man's skincare routine. His work has been featured or quoted in several publications, including New York Magazine, Vice, Sharpologist, MIC, Elite Daily, and more. When Adam isn't working, he enjoys spending time with his two little kids who keep him both on his toes and young at heart.

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