Did you know you’re living in the Golden Age of Men’s Hair Dye? Look around you. Dudes everywhere are changing their hair color as regularly as they change their shirts. Has it ever been more acceptable to rock a hot-pink buzz cut like Evan Mock or a bleached-out mop like Zac Efron or even long, ombre tips like Jason Momoa? I’d argue no, it has not. And while all these dudes are rocking new trends, what’s most exciting about these dye jobs is their devil-may-care attitude. Dyeing in 2024 is about being seen, not about trying to blend in.
There are plenty of reasons to want to dye your beard. Lots of guys notice that their facial hair, once it grows out enough, is a different color than the hair on their head. (Raise your hand if you’ve ever wondered why your beard is red.) Or you might have noticed more white or gray hairs propping up in your beard than you have on top—that’s common, too. Dyeing your beard could address both of these issues and also make your beard look fuller if the color is more uniform.
But before you break open that box of hair dye, know this: The cardinal rule of beard dyeing is to always, always, always use dye that is specifically formulated for beards. Most beard dyes come in natural colors because, in general, dudes who dye their beard are looking to hide grays or even out the natural tone. Even if you’re not trying something crazy and are just a little nervous to take matters into your own hands, consult a colorist and maybe consider a professional dye job the first time. But if you’re itching to dye your beard on your own, reach for one of these beard dyes to make sure your beard comes out looking its best.
Pros
Easy to use
Buyers report the bottle lasts for a long time
Cons
Pricey
Limited color options
Anyone who’s dyed their own hair before knows that the process can sometimes feel more like a chemistry assignment than anything else. So much mixing! So much waiting! So many rubber gloves! This no-mix hair color is perfect for the most impatient among us who just can’t be bothered with all of that. It comes out of the tube directly onto a brush applicator so the dye is on your beard in seconds. We found that it’s one of the easiest beard dyes to use, not just because of the no-mix foam, but because the brush allows for easy application to your beard no matter how long or short it is. Plus, it’s integrated into the tube, which means no hunting around for extra parts. This is the definition of one and done.
Format | Foam |
---|---|
No-Mix | Yes |
Multiple Uses | Yes |
Permanent | No |
Coverage | Buildable |
Pros
Darkens grays
Works well on coarse hair
Cons
Doesn't completely cover grays
Not a quick fix, as it only darkens hair gradually
If you’re not into the idea of spending extra time in the bathroom waiting for dye to process, this innovative gradual dye is the answer. Think of it as a beard wash you’d use every day in the shower anyway, but with a formula that gradually darkens gray hair so it blends more seamlessly into the rest of your beard. It’s not going to completely get rid of grays, but after a few days you’ll see they’re less noticeable. The more you use it, the darker your color gets, which we found makes this one of the most customizable options on this list.
Format | Gel |
---|---|
No-Mix | Yes |
Multiple Uses | Yes |
Permanent | No |
Coverage | Buildable |
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Pros
Good for sensitive skin
Free of chemicals
Cons
Has an odor
Buyers report it takes some experimentation to get right
Realistically, when we’re talking about dyeing your beard, we’re talking about putting chemicals on your face (and sometimes some pretty harsh ones). If that freaks you out, this natural beard dye uses ingredients like henna to achieve a similar darkening effect. Mix up the powdered ingredients into a paste and apply it to your beard using the included brush, just like you would any other dye. It can get a little messy, even more than some of the other mixable versions on this list, but once you get the hang of it, it gets better. Plus, it’s permanent.
Format | Powder |
---|---|
No-Mix | No |
Multiple Uses | Yes |
Permanent | Yes |
Coverage | Buildable |
Pros
Easy to use
Great for sensitive skin
Cons
Not long-lasting
One reason dyes designed for the top of your head aren’t always great for your beard is the viscosity. They tend to be thinner, so they might drip or run more easily when used on an area like your face. This innovative dye solves that problem by coming out of the can as a foam—no mixing required. It spreads easily and doesn’t drip or stain your skin. We like it best for facial hair, but for the record, you can use it on your head and even on your body, too. It’s not completely mess-free, and gloves are advised (you have to spread the foam through with your fingers), but the no-mix formula still makes it one of the easiest to use on this list.
Format | Foam |
---|---|
No-Mix | Yes |
Multiple Uses | Yes |
Permanent | Yes |
Coverage | Buildable |
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Pros
Includes all the tools
Pre-measured capsules means no waste
Cons
Not long-lasting
Only brown and black shade options
The best part of this kit is that it lasts forever. The dye itself comes in 20 single-use capsules—break one open and mix with the developer to create the dye—which means you’ll get a ton more applications out of one box than any other kit on this list. Included are a variety of brushes, so you can dye your full beard in one go or spot-treat smaller areas like sideburns, mustaches, and temples. We definitely love the multi-functionality of this kit, given the different-sized brushes and the large amount of powder capsules. Keep in mind, though, it can be messy to mix. Applying it to your beard is the easy part.
Format | Cream/powder |
---|---|
No-Mix | No |
Multiple Uses | Yes |
Permanent | No |
Coverage | Buildable |
Pros
Made specifically for you to look natural
Discreet shipping box
Cons
One-time buy option is much pricier than subscription
Fades quickly
No two beards are made alike, and Cleverman knows it. The grooming brand offers customized beard dye sent to you in a subscription box, and it’s as easy as taking a three-step quiz to find your perfect match. Or you can skip the quiz and subscription and pick from one of eight best-selling shades for 25 bucks. This kit itself is easy to use and comes with very clear instructions, which is great when you need to mix it yourself. We love the customized option the most: You can customize not only the color but also the coverage.
Format | Cream |
---|---|
No-Mix | No |
Multiple Uses | No |
Permanent | No |
Coverage | Full |
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Pros
Affordable
Great for thick, coarse hair
Cons
Doesn't come with brush
Only two color options
This easy-to-use permanent option is specifically designed for men of color with coarse, dark natural hair. It’s simple to use—leave it on for five minutes and shampoo out—and won’t leave stains on skin (which is a risk when going very dark). Best of all, since it’s permanent, it lasts for six weeks before you’ll need to touch it up again. While it comes in only two colors, those colors are deep enough to offer full coverage.
Format | Cream |
---|---|
No-Mix | No |
Multiple Uses | Yes |
Permanent | No |
Coverage | Full |
Pros
Tried and tested
Works quickly and effectively
Cons
Limited color range
Not good for sensitive skin
Just For Men is a classic for a reason—there are a variety of color options and it’s specifically designed to cover gray. (Don’t choose this one if you’re trying to completely alter the color or tone of your beard.) The small brush is ideal for detail work like your mustache and sideburns, and you only have to leave it on for five minutes to get great results. We found that you may want to leave it on for a bit longer depending on how dark you want your color to be, but apart from that, it’s one of the easiest-to-use kits on this list.
Format | Cream |
---|---|
No-Mix | No |
Multiple Uses | No |
Permanent | Yes |
Coverage | Buildable |
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Pros
Unique to your hair
Instructions are easy to follow
Cons
Comes in a small amount
Formula can't be saved for future use
Say you know you want to dye your beard and you want something a little more personalized than just an out-of-the-box dye, but for whatever reason you can’t make it to a professional colorist. (You’re too busy, they’re too expensive, whatever.) This custom hair color kit is a great middle ground. Fill out the brief quiz about what you’re hoping to achieve and what type of hair you have, and a colorist will custom-mix you a concoction to use at home. In a few weeks, a box shows up at your door and you’re good to go. The fact that it doesn’t have multiple uses included is a bit of a drag, but with the subscription model you can make sure you have a new kit on hand as soon as you need it.
Format | Cream |
---|---|
No-Mix | No |
Multiple Uses | No |
Permanent | Both Options |
Coverage | Both Options |
Pros
Accurately picks color
Very easy to apply
Cons
Not full coverage
Buyers report a strong chemical smell
Whether you’re hoping to dye just your beard or every single hair on your head, this semi-customized color is a great way to go. Fill out a quick quiz at the beginning and you’ll be led to a premixed color gel that can be used on both your beard and your head. There is even a “graphite” option if you just want to make your gray hair look better without completely covering it up. Set up a monthly auto delivery so you never forget to reorder between dye jobs. The coverage is fairly light compared with others on this list, but if you’re looking for some subtle gray coverage instead of a full-on change, that’s a good thing.
Format | Gel |
---|---|
No-Mix | Yes |
Multiple Uses | Yes |
Permanent | No |
Coverage | Light |
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What To Consider
Depending on what you’re hoping to achieve with your beard dye, there are a few things you should consider when you’re choosing the right one for you.
Format: Dyes come in a variety of forms, from the classic creams you mix yourself to gels and foams, which usually come out of the bottle ready to use. Most of them are easy to use, though you may want to look for a format that says “no drip” if you’re concerned about messiness. (Letting it drip onto your skin or clothes can cause staining.) Personally, we find that gels and foams are the easiest to use if you’ve never used hair dye before, but the traditional cream format sometimes offers fuller coverage.
Mix or N0-Mix: Usually, to use a hair dye, you need to mix the color into what’s called a developer, which is the base of the formula but also activates the color so it can penetrate your hair. Dyes that you mix yourself will come with instructions, and it’s a pretty simple process, but if you’ve never used a hair dye before, you may want to cut out the possibility of human error by choosing a no-mix formula. This means that the developer and color have already been mixed and don’t require you to do it yourself, so it comes out of the bottle ready to use right away.
Multiple Uses: Naturally, when you buy a product like this you want to get your money’s worth. Most beard-dye products will be able to be used multiple times, though ones you need to mix yourself can have fewer uses per package. Multiple-use is especially important when using a semi-permanent or buildable product, since you’ll have to use it more frequently to maintain results than a permanent color.
Permanence: Speaking of permanence, that’s an important factor to consider as well. Using permanent color means that it will stay that color until your hair grows out (which is why you get roots). This is great for people that want darker, fuller coverage or don’t want to dye their beard very often. There is also semi-permanent color, which will typically last around six weeks and will fade each time you wash your beard. The benefit of a semi-permanent color is that they are often more buildable (meaning you can customize the coverage) and if you dye your hair too dark, they will fade quickly.
Coverage: Some guys want some subtle gray coverage, and some guys want a more complete, usually darker color. What we’re talking about here is coverage. Full coverage is more like the kind of color you get in the hair salon—it covers all your hair and dyes it all the same color. Buildable coverage is a bit more transparent and is great for covering grays and blending them into your natural color. We also call it buildable because you can add more (like layering it) to achieve a darker look if you want.
How to Dye Your Beard at Home
Before we go any further—please, do yourself a favor and get some gloves for this process, lest you become burdened with beard dye-stained hands for the forseeable future.
When it comes to dyeing your beard, make sure you're using actual beard dye—hair dye is not interchangeable here! Beard and hair dyes are formulated differently, and your beard dye likely comes with step-by-step instructions on how to make the most of the product.
Whether your dye is pre-mixed or you have to mix it yourself, make sure to follow the instructions closely, as not all beard dyes are made the same, and what you've done with one in the past may not be what a newer one calls for. Rubbing alcohol will help you get stains off your skin, and at the end of the day, double check with a colorist before you make any risky decisions.
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Why Trust Us
We’re not going to say something is great unless it's actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our grooming and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to hair care you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting products that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved. Our grooming editor Garrett Munce, along with the rest of the style team, has spent years applying, wearing, and test driving hundreds (thousands!) of hair care products and we are confident that these are the best.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists) comes from these years of testing. We know that everyone’s hair is different, no two men are the same, and what works for you may not work for everyone else. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.