Is Box Dye Worth It? The Results Are In

If you've ever stood in front of your bathroom mirror while wearing plastic gloves and coating every strand of your hair in dye, you know exactly how intimidating it can be to conduct your own at-home hair transformation. Not all box dyes were created equal, and many make the process much more complicated than it has to be. But some are simply superior to others, proving that at-home dyeing can be an easy yet luxurious experience, and digital creators Carolyn Gray and Megha Rao offer key evidence for my case.

They have fully endorsed Clairol's ColorStrong formula. The brand has transformed at-home hair coloring into an elevated three-step, salon-level experience without the hassle typically associated with DIY hair dyeing or the exorbitant price tag of the salon. (This box dye is under $15, by the way.) The assignment was to get rid of their grays, and Gray and Rao aced it. ColorStrong deserves all of the praise. Keep scrolling for their complete hair transformations and testimonies.

"I love the art and science of hair color. I've tried many colors from green to blonde, mostly done in the salon. While I am pretty confident with doing my own hair at home, I've always trusted a professional hair colorist to do that for me. Truth be told, I did my friends' hair in college and have applied many box dyes in my time. Right now, my biggest concern with my hair is the number of gray hairs that have popped up over the last few months. My father went gray pretty early, so I expected it, but whoa, this is fast. I've been wanting to cover them up but was also concerned about chemicals and the health of my hair. I want to ensure the grays are covered but that my hair remains healthy and maintains its fullness and luster." — Carolyn Gray, digital creator

"The process was a breeze! First, I used the bonding primer, which is just a base coat for protection and readiness. I did need two boxes because I have thick hair. After applying it from the middle of my hair to the tips, I ran a comb through to ensure coverage. Next was the actual color application. Making sure it was saturated and even going through twice while combing through it gave me confidence that I had everything covered. After 30 minutes, I rinsed it out and was shocked to feel how soft my hair was. I even saw more bounce in my curls. The final step is the bonding treatment, which smells so good. It just reinforces everything you just did and seals it in like a top coat. It enhanced my hair when hair coloring can strip it and break it down a bit. And you know a product is efficient when you have very little to clean up at the end." — Gray

"Let's just say my relationship with hair coloring has been complicated. I used to be a strictly salon-only kind of girl, but between mom life, work, and everything in between, scheduling salon visits felt like a luxury I just didn't have time for. Listen, I love my kids, but I don't need my roots reminding me how old they've made me every few weeks. For me, the grays show up uninvited and always in the most obvious places. My biggest concern has always been covering grays without frying and damaging my hair." — Megha Rao, digital creator

"The Clairol ColorStrong system is foolproof. The bonding primer is the real MVP. It preps and bonds your hair before you even start coloring. Pro tip: Apply generously, especially on those fragile ends, because who doesn't want extra protection? The permanent color gives multidimensional color and 100% gray coverage and has zero ammonia (a.k.a. no harsh smells that make you question your life choices). Pro tip: Start at your roots because that's where the grays love to party. Think of the bonding treatment as the deep conditioner your hair didn't know it needed. It locks in hydration and keeps your color looking fresh for weeks. Pro tip: Use it weekly! It's like self-care but for your hair. The color is so rich and multidimensional—I look like I just stepped out of a salon, except I didn't even leave my house. Oh, and it comes in 18 gorgeous shades inspired by dreamy travel destinations? Sold." — Rao