If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best beard dye is, then I recommend the Just For Men Mustache And Beard as the best one.
Beard dyeing can be dated back to the ancient Egyptian times, where men would dye their beards and plate them with gold and some would wear false metal beards. This was often a show of high ranks and sovereignty. In modern times, however, men might have different reasons for dyeing their facial hair.
A graying beard and fashion preferences might be some of them. Luckily, there are hundreds of beard dyes in the market right now. So how do you know which is the best beard dye? Well, I did a lot of research and this is what we came up with. Take a look.
In this article, I’m going to review the following beard dyes:
- Just For Men – Mustache And Beard
- VOLT Beard Color
- Just For Men – Control GX
- Refectocil Color Kit
- Grizzly Mountain – Beard Dye
How to choose the best beard dye
Prep time
Some dyes take longer to prepare and apply than others, and if your patience runs thin, you might want to go for a dye that’s ready to go in a short while.
Personal style
Before you buy beard dye, you need to know what look you are going for. If you want to try a subtle and quiet look, matching your beard to your natural color would do. However, if you want to turn a few heads, vibrant colors should be your choice.
Beard length
If you have a full beard, it might be in your best interests to choose a more permanent dye, while using temporary beard color in between dyeing sessions, to maintain color. If you have a short beard or a few strands of gray, you should consider using beard color, as it offers more control over the application.
Skin sensitivity
If your skin is highly sensitive, you might want to choose hypoallergenic beard dye. This is because most dyes contain chemicals like ammonia which would affect your facial skin. However, if your skin can’t handle it, you shouldn’t shy away from ammonia.
What are the benefits of beard dyes?
- Dyeing your beard lets you look younger by getting rid of the gray hairs that start to sprout.
- Unlike other beard coloring products, beard dyes are water and sweat resistant, so there is no risk of your dye dripping on a hot day.
- Dyeing your beard is a nice way of showing it some love. In addition to trimming, oiling, balming and combing your beard, dyeing your beard could be a step in showing it some TLC.
- Beard dyes work effectively with large volumes of hair compared to alternative coloring products.
Attributes that differentiate beard dyes
Ingredients present in the dye
Some beard dyes contain a compound Phenylenediamine (PDD). PDD is an allergen, and it is known to cause itchiness, swelling, chemical burns, and some severe allergic reactions. A common ingredient in beard dyes is ammonia, whose main purpose is to allow the dye to penetrate the hair follicles. In large amounts, ammonia can cause eye and skin irritation. Some dyes are made out of natural and organic ingredients and they’re usually the safer option. A best option would be to choose a hypoallergenic dye.
Permanent or non-permanent dye
Permanent doesn’t necessarily mean that the dye will stay on your beard for all eternity, but that it will last for several weeks to months. They get this property from mixing an oxidizer like ammonia with a coloring agent. This can be handy if you don’t want to keep re-applying the dye. Temporary dye doesn’t stay on your beard as long since there are no chemical reactions involved. They fade after shampooing and exposure to the elements. This is a good choice if you are unsure about the color.
Dye color
Dyes conventionally come in the natural hair colors black, blonde, brown, and red. To maintain a natural look, you should choose a color that is a few shades lighter than your natural beard. You might agree that a slightly lighter beard is more subtle than an extremely dark one. Here are a few pointers to help you choose a color.
- Men with black hair should opt for a dark brown dye. This color is more appealing and doesn’t leave you looking pale.
- For guys with red hair, a color like hazelnut-brown would give a more natural appearance.
- Dark-haired men should settle for dyes slightly lighter than their natural beard color.
Ease of application
Some dyes will need you to buy a lot of tools and follow long procedures, while others come inclusive of the tools. Most of the time, the dyes with long instruction manuals last longer and have better quality. Powder-based dyes, for example, will need you to do the mixing yourself before application. If you are a first-time user, this might not be an easy task.
Included products
Before you choose a brand, check to see what comes with the dye. Some brands offer latex gloves (an essential), mixing trays and an applicator. If your dye of choice doesn’t you might consider choosing one that does or going out to buy them separately.
What is the best way to use beard dye?
Although the pack of dye you choose will come with a set of instructions, there are a few things you should observe when it comes to using any beard dye.
How to prepare your beard
1. You should prepare the space you intend to use. You can lay an old towel on the sink to prevent dye from splattering on the surface. You should also have some paper towels ready in case of any spillages and splashes. Put on an old T-shirt as you go about the process. I would not recommend going shirtless since some of the dye might get on your skin and it will take some work to get it off.
2. Do not shower before dyeing your beard. Showering strips your beard of its natural oils, leaving it bare and exposed to the dye. The natural oils also help in absorbing the dye and reducing skin irritation.
3. Before you apply the dye, you must perform a sensitivity test. This will tell if your facial skin will react to the dye. To do this, place a small amount of the dye on your inner forearm or behind your ear and leave it on for 24 hours. If the skin won’t be irritated after you wash the area with soap and water, then you’re all set.
4. You should treat your beard with a coloring shampoo. This helps to extend the time the dye will stay on your beard, without taking the natural oils from it. After this, a trim and a comb should get your beard ready.
5. To prevent the dye from spilling over to your skin, apply some petroleum jelly to your beard.
Your beard is now prepped and ready to be dyed. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter as you mix and apply your dye. After you rinse it out, you should use some conditioner and apply some beard oil to restore moisture to your mane.
After you dye your beard, you should know there are two sides to it- you either love it or hate it. You might love it a lot and choose to redo the color after a while or choose a different color or brand if you were dissatisfied.
Precautions for using beard dyes
There are some things you should watch out for as you use beard dyes. First, ensure you don’t use normal hair dye for your beard. Facial hair is coarser and needs different chemicals to achieve the same result. Hair dye contains chemicals that would otherwise be harsh for your facial skin while doing very little for your beard.
If you are dyeing your beard for the first time, I would advise you to do a trial run with a semi-permanent dye so that you are not stuck with a look you hate.
For people with sensitive skin, always ensure you check if the packaging indicates any allergens before buying. This will go a long way in protecting your skin and saving you trips to the dermatologist.
The Top 5 Best Beard Dyes
With all the features of a good beard dye in mind, this guide looks at 5 brands of beard dyes in the market that you might like.
Just for men – Mustache and Beard
This product was made by Just For Men, a household name when it comes to male hair products. It offers full gray coverage for your facial hair while leaving it thicker, healthier and fuller. It comes in a pack of 3, and you can choose from 10 different color shades from blonde to jet black.
This permanent dye uses an ammonia-free formula designed to penetrate and condition your beard while causing no damage to your hair. Its formula included proteins, vitamin E, aloe, and chamomile, which reduce skin break-outs and nourish your beard.
The application of this beard dye is fast and easy, a feature that would have come in handy when I needed to touch up my beard before an impromptu job interview. The dye comes with a mixing tray, brush, color base and a developer, together with clear mixing and application instructions. the dye processes quickly and it takes up to 5 minutes for the color to set.
Pros
- The company that manufactures this dye has been around for a while and this makes them a trusted brand.
- The dye is ammonia-free.
- Comes in 10 color shades which widens your options.
- The dyeing process is fairly fast.
Cons
- Some users have complained of chemical burns and inflammation after using the product.
VOLT Beard Color
VOLT instant beard color is unlike other beard dyes in the market. It has a twist on the concept of temporary dyes in that it provides up to 48 hours of waterproof color and hold. The beard color was made with a hypoallergenic dye-free, ammonia-free formula. It is also enriched with argan oil, vitamin E and shellac, which promote the growth of a full, healthy beard.
The color comes in 8 different shades. One feature I liked about this dye was its particularly simple application procedure. The color comes ready-to-use in a 0.35 fl.oz container, which approximates to 35 applications. To use the dye, you only have to shake the tube and apply the dye using the brush provided. It dries within seconds and after that, you are ready to go.
This packet is inclusive of an applicator brush, beard comb, carrying pouch, instructions and a bottle of VOLT prep + cleaning solution.
Pros
- The product is hypoallergenic and ideal for people with sensitive skin.
- It applies in less than a minute and dries even faster.
- The beard color is ammonia-free.
- It is sustainable and animal-friendly.
- The kit is pocket-sized and it comes with a carrying pouch, so it can go wherever you need to go
Cons
- The color only lasts for 48 hours, so you have to keep reapplying it.
- The product is runny and prone to spillage.
Just for men – control GX
This product isn’t like your conventional beard dye. It is also manufactured by Just for Men. It is a gray-reducing beard wash, that gradually dyes your beard as you use it, thus giving you a 2 for 1 benefit. It has no specific instructions- all you have to do is wash your beard as you normally do and you should see the effects in 2 to 4 weeks. Once you achieve your desired shade, you can alternate the product with your usual beard wash.
The product is best for all hair shades, from platinum blonde to pitch black. Another feature of the dye that I liked was its shampoo property, which was not shadowed by it being a dye. Using this product left my beard feeling soft and fuller. Also, the effects of the product are gradual and produce subtle results.
Pros
- The wash is very easy to use and it doesn’t need any special instructions.
- The results of the product are gradual, which gives you a more natural look.
Cons
- Some clients mentioned that the product caused hair loss.
- The wash doesn’t provide results as fast as other beard coloring products.
Refectocil color kit
It is majorly used as a hair and eyebrow dye, although the manufacturer states that it can also function as a beard dye.
This coloring kit comes with hair dye, 1.7 ounces of 3% liquid oxidant, a mixing brush, and a glass mixing dish. It has a high range of colors, making it good for variety. A feature of the product that appealed to me was its multiple shades and versatility.
This dye also has a really easy mixing procedure, and the instructions are detailed and well put. Aside from it being a permanent dye, it would make a good choice for someone dyeing their beard for the first time.
Pros
- The glass mixing dish is more durable and easily reusable compared to the plastic ones provided by other brands.
- The Refectocil color kit has a wide range of uses. Its composition makes it suitable for use as a beard dye, hair dye, eyebrow, and eyelash tint.
Cons
- Refectocil is mostly advertised as an eyebrow tinting product.
Grizzly mountain – beard dye
This is an organic and natural powder-based dye. The components of the dye are emblic, false daisy, neem tree, henna, and indigo. This mixture gets the job done through a natural oxidation process that only colors the exterior of your beard.
This dye is permanent and you don’t face the risk of your dye dripping when you get rained on or if you go for a swim. A single unit of this dye contains 3.2 ounces of the organic dye, 1.06 ounces of an organic base, an applicator brush, instructions, and a set of tips to help you care for your beard.
It has a lengthier application procedure, thanks to its powdered form. You will have to mix the dye with water to form a paste to apply on your beard. After 10 to 30 minutes, rinse off the dye with soap and water and allow the dye to oxidize overnight.
Pros
- It is 100% organic and chemical-free.
- The dye poses almost no threat of allergic reactions due to its natural ingredients.
- It isn’t confined to beards only, so you are free to use it on any hair.
- The dye doesn’t stain the skin around your beard, so there’s no need to put a vaseline barrier.
Cons
- The preparation of the dye takes time.
- The dye has to oxidize overnight for you to see the results. This might pose a challenge to a man in a hurry.
- The instructions that come with the product are unclear, and you have to wing it when it comes to using the base and the dye.
My choice
In conclusion, a lot goes into a man’s decision to dye his beard and the choice is one you have to live with for at least a couple of weeks. Among other reasons, this is why you should pick the best beard dye.
The Just For Men Mustache And Beard would be my go-to if I needed to color my beard. This is because the product gives you a more natural look compared to the other dyes. It also comes with latex gloves and other tools you might need to dye your beard. Also, the instructions are very clear and there is little risk of mishaps.
I hope this article has shed some light on what you need to know before you pick up that applicator and dye your beard.
