TOP 15 best professional hair dyes: rating 2024-2025 and which paint paints gray hair better

Professional paint is a good way to refresh the complexion, add a "zest" to the usual image and at the same time be completely confident in the quality of the paint, its durability and reliability.

To make your choice of hair dye simpler, and the abundance of brands and shades not to be too misleading, we analyzed the professional paints presented in modern online stores, studied their composition and features and present to your attention only the best preparations - easy to use and giving reliable staining results.

Rating of the TOP 15 best professional hair dyes for 2024-2025

In this rating, we have collected for you only the best professional hair dyes, marked by a large number of positive reviews from hairdressers.

Place	Name	Price
TOP 3 best professional hair dyes by price / quality for 2024-2025
1	Kapous Professional Hyaluronic Acid
2	Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal
3	Matrix Socolor Beauty
TOP 3 best professional paints for gray hair
1	L'Oreal Professionnel Majirel
2	Wella Professionals Illumina Color
3	Londa Professional
TOP 3 best professional paints for blondes
1	Wella Professionals Koleston Perfect Me+ Special Blonde
2	Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal hair dye Highlifts 10-21 extra light blonde
3	Estel Professional Haute Couture Blond Bar
TOP 3 best professional ammonia-free hair dyes
1	Matrix Color Sync
2	American Crew Precision Blend
3	Redken Shades EQ Gloss
TOP 3 best professional hair dyes made in Italy
1	Wella Professionals Koleston Perfect Pure Naturals
2	Insight Incolor
3	Shot Born to be Colored

How to choose a professional hair dye and what to look for?

To choose the right professional hair dye, you should pay attention to such parameters as:

• suitable color or shade - determined using each manufacturer's own palette;
• application area - some paints can be used not only for hair, but also, for example, for men to color their beards;
• ammonia content - these can be traditional paints containing ammonia, or modern ammonia-free dyes;
• degree of firmness - on sale there are tinting paints designed to refresh the color, or persistent, which are not washed off for several weeks;
• care components - oils, vitamins and other complexes that improve the structure of the hair and reduce the negative impact of the dye.

TOP 3 best professional hair dyes by price / quality for 2024-2025

The following preparations became the best professional paints, the cost of which is fully justified by their quality, convenience and reliability, in 2024-2025.

Kapous Professional Hyaluronic Acid

The modern revolutionary formula of the dye with low molecular weight hyaluronic acid gently and thoroughly colors hair, giving it shine, liveliness and a natural shade.

The innovative complex provides high-quality care for dyed hair, preserving and effectively restoring the structure of each hair damaged by the aggressive effect of the dye. Hyaluronic acid reconstructs the damaged hair cuticle, thereby restoring it along its entire length.

A carefully calculated set of micromolecules of pigments provides an ideal coverage of the hair, the highest possible color fastness, gives the hair a pleasant silkiness and an attractive brilliant shine. The palette contains more than 100 shades, including amplifiers.

It is worth noting that the use of a creamy oxidizing emulsion from the same series is also required for staining.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - elasticity, shine, gray hair coloring, restoration of hair structure;
• volume, ml – 100;
• additionally - B vitamins, hyaluronic acid, panthenol;
• features - dry hair is dyed, it is required to observe the proportion in dilution with an oxidizing agent.

Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal

This cream paint of a fairly well-known brand is deservedly considered one of the most technologically advanced products for coloring., and this guarantees excellent coloring results, which is achieved through the use of quality premium ingredients and work with high resolution color.

The main distinguishing feature of the series is the absence of ammonia among the components and the use by the manufacturer of a special pigment matrix to achieve maximum purity and uniformity of tone distribution.

The paints of this series perfectly paint over gray hair and give a natural and rich result. It is worth noting that all shades of the series blend perfectly with each other, which gives a huge variety of possible tones. Use requires mixing with an oil colorant.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - giving shine, painting over gray hair;
• volume, ml - 60;
• additionally - a complex of vitamins, a complex of oils;
• features - does not contain ammonia.

Matrix Socolor Beauty

The patented technology of this paint allows you to easily achieve incredible accuracy and clarity of shade, while the dye reliably and carefully paints over gray hair and retains a lasting hair color for a long time even with daily washing.

Easy mixing and clear proportions make the paint ideal for home use. The dye contains a natural base and self-adjusting pigments that effectively interact with the hair pigments and allow you to get exactly the result that was expected.

The caring components included in the paint level the porous areas and create a smooth surface for each hair, which allows the paint to lie perfectly evenly, while the complexes nourish the hair along the entire length and give permanent coloring in natural tones. Mixing with an oxidant is required (selection depends on the required clarification).

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - nutrition, strengthening, smoothing;
• volume, ml - 90;
• additionally - a complex of vitamins;
• features - paints over gray hair.

TOP 3 best professional paints for gray hair

Painting over gray hair is one of the main reasons for buying paint. However, not all even professional paints are suitable for gray hair. Those for whom this topic is relevant should pay attention to the following hair dyes.

L'Oreal Professionnel Majirel

Persistent prof. paint from a popular manufacturer allows you to enjoy bright and rich hair color for a short time. less than 5-6 weeks, while providing complete coverage of gray hair and strengthening the hair along the entire length.

The innovative developments included in the composition made it possible to obtain persistent, beautiful and radiant shades, giving the hair the effect of a silky overflow. The dye effectively colors the hair while strengthening it, thanks to its unique components, such as the microcationic polymer Ionen G and the innovative Incell molecule.

The dye is suitable for all types of hair, contains a complex of vitamins that have a beneficial effect on the damaged structure of the hair and restore its structure, damaged by the aggressive effects of the dye. Requires connection with an oxidizing agent of the same series.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - painting over gray hair;
• volume, ml - 50;
• additionally - a complex of vitamins;
• features - paints over gray hair.

Wella Professionals Illumina Color

A distinctive feature of modern and innovative paint is a special sparkling palette that allows you to create vibrant colors that shine in any light. An excellent range of colors makes it possible to create the most natural and saturated shades and even give the hair a metallic sheen effect.

The color plays with all facets of the spectrum and reveals the possibilities of coloring that were not previously available, which made this paint one of the most popular coloring agents.

Cream paint is suitable for all coloring techniques and gives the expected result for home or salon use. Also, the composition of the paint includes modern protective components and effective caring complexes that provide amazing quality and incredible appearance of hair.

It is worth noting that these products do not contain ingredients of animal origin and come in eco-friendly packaging made from 1005 recycled aluminum.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - painting over gray hair;
• volume, ml - 50;
• additionally - a complex of vitamins;
• features - paints over gray hair.

Londa Professional

Persistent cream paint is deservedly popular among Russians, thanks to a wide palette, rich and saturated shades, acceptable cost and excellent availability of products of this brand.

The microspheres used in the dye give the hair all kinds of shades of color, providing a uniform coating of each hair with a coloring mass and deep, but at the same time gentle penetration of coloring pigments into the hair with complete fixation of the color inside the hair shaft and complete painting of gray hair.

The composition of the paint includes special waxes and lipids that envelop the hair from all sides and care for it, while saturating each hair with a magnificent shine. It is worth noting the use of refined perfumes by the manufacturer, due to which the coloring is not accompanied by the usual overly harsh smells of the dye.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - painting over gray hair, giving shine;
• volume, ml - 60;
• additionally - vitamin E;
• features - paints over gray hair.

TOP 3 best professional paints for blondes

The following dyes became the best dyes for light hair color in 2024-2025.

Wella Professionals Koleston Perfect Me+ Special Blonde

An excellent cream color from one of the most popular manufacturers, which not only completely paints over gray hair, creating a dazzling, natural and pleasant shade, but also gives the hair a very persistent and rich color along the entire length.

A huge palette provides an opportunity to choose exactly the shade of light blond that the buyer requires, while the resulting color will delight with natural depth and brilliance, and the image will be light and graceful. The special components that make up the dye significantly reduce the process of hair damage during dyeing by neutralizing metal particles, which gives high control of color formation.

The manufacturer also paid great attention to reducing the likelihood of allergic reactions by adding a special Me + molecule to the paint. Use requires mixing with an oxidizing agent.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - giving shine, painting over gray hair;
• volume, ml - 60;
• additionally - vitamin E;
• features - cream paint, hypoallergenicity.

Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal hair dye Highlifts 10-21 extra light blonde

High-quality and gentle dye of a new generation, designed to give the hair the lightest shades - natural, rich and bright. The dye already contains protective additives that accelerate and simplify the penetration of dye into the hair with the most careful attitude to its structure.

The ultra-brightening dye gives you limitless possibilities for creating trendy shades of the 12th row without the laborious and harmful pre-bleaching of the hair and - importantly - without yellowing in the shades, which makes it quite gentle and causing much less damage to the hair compared to traditional step-by-step lightening .

Requires mixing with an oil oxidizer released for this series, while allowing clarification up to 4-5 levels, depending on the type chosen.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - giving shine, eliminating yellowness;
• volume, ml - 60;
• additionally - a complex of vitamins;
• features - cream paint, clarification up to 4-5 levels.

Estel Professional Haute Couture Blond Bar

A truly revolutionary dye that can create the perfect blonde, lightening hair up to 5 tones. At the same time, the composition paints include caring components that guarantee the highest possible safety for hair and scalp. 7 radiant shades with an intelligent color building system give you an incredible array of variations for permanent coloring in the lightest, purest, longest lasting and exclusive shades.

Has super brightening power. Easy to use, including self-coloring at home. Requires exceptionally clean and dry hair for coloring, interacts well with subsequent care products from the same manufacturer that strengthen the hair and smooth its structure.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - shine;
• volume, ml - 60;
• additionally - a caring complex;
• features - for all types of hair.

TOP 3 best professional ammonia-free hair dyes

The absence of ammonia in paints is a fairly new technology that allows you to be more careful not only with your hair, but also with the environment. The best ammonia-free paints in 2024-2025 are as follows.

Matrix Color Sync

Popular ammonia-free professional paint, with which you can easily restore the shade of hair, spend coloring, toning or changing the main existing color.

The absence of ammonia has a beneficial effect on the condition of the hair during chemical exposure - the coloring element firmly and reliably settles on the surface of the hair without damaging its structure, which allows dyeing more often than with traditional dyes. With regular use, the pigment accumulates in the hair, giving the color even greater depth, uniformity and saturation.

The dye gives the hair an excellent shade, excellent shine, softness and elasticity, and the vitamins included in the composition take care of the hair, giving the effect of a hair mask that lasts for quite a long time.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - semi-permanent;
• effects - giving shine, smoothing;
• volume, ml - 90;
• additionally - a complex of vitamins;
• features - without ammonia.

American Crew Precision Blend

Excellent ammonia-free paint, which is very easy and simple to use, at the same time, thanks to the creamy structure, the resulting mixture is easy to apply and it keeps well on the hair during the entire period of dyeing.

Long color retention and special tones that do not contain metallic shades make this dye ideal for those who seek naturalness and safety. Also, the paint perfectly paints over gray hair, up to 100%.

A small but sufficient variety of shades will allow any owner to choose the one that suits her the most. A distinctive feature of the paint is a very short period of exposure - it takes only 5 minutes to paint.

It is worth noting that not only girls of all ages are happy to use this professional paint, but also representatives of the stronger sex, who also sometimes need to update the color of their beard or hair.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - giving shine, eliminating yellowness;
• volume, ml - 60;
• additionally - a complex of vitamins;
• features - cream paint, clarification up to 4-5 levels.

Redken Shades EQ Gloss

Ammonia-free processional paint is most suitable for those who require tone-on-tone coloring, which means that such a paint practically does not lighten the natural pigment of the hair and does not damage its cuticle, which allows you to maintain the quality of the hair.

The paint provides 50% gray coverage and does not irritate the scalp. The wheat amino acid complexes that make up the hair give health, shine and provide excellent rich colors, while strengthening and nourishing each hair along the entire length.

It requires mixing with a developer to use, and more intense shades can be achieved by wrapping the hair in a plastic mask and using additional heat.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - toning;
• effects - giving shine;
• volume, ml - 60;
• additionally - wheat proteins;
• features - without ammonia.

TOP 3 best professional hair dyes made in Italy

Italy is the origin of many salon beauty treatments and related products. Those for whom it is important to manufacture hair dyes in accordance with strict European requirements should pay attention to the following Italian dyes.

Wella Professionals Koleston Perfect Pure Naturals

The paints of this series are distinguished by pure, balanced colors, gifted with natural depth and incredible brilliance. The use of the Me+ molecule reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions among users, and the nutritional components included in the composition provide noticeably less damage to the hair after each dyeing.

Full coverage of gray hair and a simple and clear mixing ratio make this paint ideal for use in salons and at home, while the result will always be elegant, and the hair will always be silky.

It is worth noting that the products of this concern do not contain ingredients of animal origin, and recycled aluminum is used for its packaging, which allows us to be more careful about the environment and natural resources.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - giving shine;
• volume, ml - 60;
• additionally - a caring complex.

Insight Incolor

An excellent cream paint containing phytokeratin to give the hair the most bright, rich and natural shade.

Thanks to the vegetable analogue of traditional keratin, the coloring pigments penetrate deeply into the hair, while maintaining the optimal level of moisture and giving the hair a healthy shine, amazing softness and silkiness noticeable to the eye. At the same time, phytokeratin has a regenerating effect on the hair, strengthening it and reducing the likelihood of hair loss.

The oils included in the paint restore the structure of each hair, reviving dull and lifeless hair and making it bright and attractive. It is worth noting the low content of fairly harmful ammonia in the paint and a high degree of hair conditioning.

For coloring, mixing with an oxidizing agent in the right proportions is required. Coloring is carried out exclusively on unwashed hair.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - giving shine, softness, restoration, painting over gray hair;
• volume, ml – 100;
• additionally - a complex with oils (aragan, grape seeds);
• features - paints over gray hair, the effect of hair regeneration.

Shot Born to be Colored

Resistant Italian cream paint with collagen gently and effectively colors the hair, providing minimal damaging impact. At the same time, collagen moisturizes the hair, which is rarely found in coloring products and provides thorough hair care.

A wide range of shades, including explosive and attractive reds, deep and rich dark and natural and radiant naturals, will satisfy the wishes of any client.

It should be noted that this paint allows you to simultaneously 4 hair treatments - it gives them color, gives excellent moisture, guarantees an excellent antioxidant effect on the hair and gives each hair an incredible shine, similar to the effect of lamination. For use, mixing with an oxidizing emulsion of the concentration required by the client is required.

Characteristics:

• type of staining - resistant;
• effects - cleansing, moisturizing;
• volume, ml – 100;
• additionally - collagen.

Which firm to choose?

The main manufacturers in the field of professional hair coloring products, whose products can be completely trusted, are:

• Kapous - a popular Italian brand of professional cosmetics for salon and home use, which meets strict European quality standards and pleases customers with an acceptable cost; under this brand, products for manicure, pedicure, depilation and related accessories are also produced;
• Schwarzkopf - one of the largest German cosmetic companies specializing in the production of hair products, whose products are of high quality, reliability and innovation;
• matrix - a well-known brand in the field of professional coloring and hair care, is part of the professional products division of another equally popular brand L'Oreal;
• Wella - a German company, one of the leading in the field of cosmetics and perfumery; is distinguished by strict adherence to European standards, a wide variety of products and quite affordable prices.

Useful video

What is the difference between household and professional hair dye and which is better to dye your hair: