You read that right, Beard Coloring is a thing! And it’s something that most people take for granted. Coloring is a big thing to consider as it can greatly affect the hairs on your beard due to the chemicals in the product.
It may sound risky, but sometimes it’s also a need for some people. Whether you notice that the hairs on your beard are different from your hair, you’re starting to go gray, or there are lighter spots on your beard.
Beard Coloring can sound scary but don’t worry. We’ll give you all the information you’ll need before you even have to make any decision!
It may sound a bit crazy, but beard dye can be the solution.
Content:Beard hair is often lighter or grayer than the hair on your head. Sporting gray on your jawline can look very distinguished, but there are also many men who are annoyed by their discolored beard.
Because it makes you older, for example (or wiser, however you look at it). Or because those light spots make your beard look less full.
Enter beard dye. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, we believe it is a normal and sometimes even necessary part of your beard care.
Because what good is a beard if you are not one hundred percent satisfied with it? And for that, you need a step-by-step plan!
Choosing your color
Choosing the right color can be tricky. It is best to go for a color that is close to your natural hair color.
Or for a shade lighter: if it is too light, you can always color it again so that you get the right result.
Whatever you do, it is usually unwise to try to color towards deep black (unless that is your original hair color).
Black dye often makes your face ‘hard’, pale and unnatural.
Once you have chosen the color, it is a good idea to test the dye on your skin first, for example on the inside of your arm.
If no allergic reaction occurs after 24 hours, you can safely use the colorant on your beard.
Note: it is not possible to completely hide or change the color of the natural beard hair color. It is possible to color a maximum of two shades of difference. Beard dye or beard coloring works best in addition to the original hair color.
→ Read more: Our 250+ photo guide with the best beard styles
Top 5 Beard Coloring Products
You may not know it, but there are several different types of Beard Coloring Products out there.
From natural hair dyes, temporary colors, Henna color, etc.
There are loads out there available and it can be overwhelming especially if this is your first time being exposed to this rabbit hole.
- Best All-Around Beard Color for Gray Hair
- Best Beard Color for Travel
- Best Beard Color for Sensitive Skin
Cremo Hair and Beard Color
Best Beard Color for Quick Application
Easy to Use
Coverage
Long Lasting
Price
Cremo’s No Mix No Mess Hair and Beard Color comes with a built-in brush applicator which makes it much easier to apply the product on your beard.
Before use, all you’ll have to do is to click it together, shake the bottle, then press the button to have the product on the comb. All ready for application.
The package also comes with a beard detailing tool and the color is retained for up to 6 weeks.
Pros & Cons
- Easy application
- Obvious results
- Suitable for travel
- Easy storage
- Some checmicals may be harmful for skin
- Can stain the skin
Henna is known to be one of the best and natural dyes. It is often and most popularly used on the skin.
Yet people have found a way and been able to apply it to hair. Seeing that it is made from natural ingredients, it’s not chemically damaging to your hair and it can last a few weeks.
Note that it works evenly as well on beard hair as it does on the hair on top of your head. It can be used on both!
Just be careful when washing as since it’s made from henna, it’s recommended not to wash with shampoos that contain sulfate until after 48 hours. It might cause some irritation since the skin on your face is much more sensitive than your scalp.
But if you feel like this is the product for you, it also comes in different colors. So if light brown isn’t your color, feel free to take your pick.
Pros & Cons
- All natural ingredients
- Obvious results
- Easy application
- Can stain skin
- Results may appear a few days after
- Preparing the product may take long
American Crew Beard Color
Best Professional Hair Color
Easy to Use
Coverage
Long Lasting
Price
American Crew’s Precision Blend Hair Dyes is an easy-to-use and easy-to-apply product that may pass off as professional grade.
The product must still be used with the developer to get the best results, however, it is incredibly easy to apply and works for all hair types.
The bottle of hair dye itself comes in at only 13 cm (5.3in) tall and only takes 5 minutes for the product to set in.
Pros & Cons
- Only a small amount of product is needed to take effect
- Easy to apply
- Great coverage
- Must be used with the developers
My Perfect Goatee Temporary Beard Color
Best Temporary Beard Color
Easy to Use
Coverage
Long Lasting
Price
My Perfect Goatee may have just created the perfect temporary beard color. If you’re in an absolute rush and have no time to wash it out, then this product is perfect for you.
With 6 different colors in the palette and a brush-in applicator, you can easily fill in patches on the go!
While this temporary beard and facial hair color is waterproof, it can be washed out using beard shampoo or soap with water.
Pros & Cons
- Easy application
- Great temporary solution
- Suitable for travel
- Easy to remove
- Instant results
- Hypoallergenic (good for sensitive skin)
- May not have full coverage (depends on application)
- Beard needs to be coated well for optimal effect
Best All-Around Beard Color for Gray Hair
Just For Men's Mustache and Beard Color
Best All-Around Beard Color for Gray Hair
Easy to Use
Coverage
Long Lasting
Price
Just for Men’s Mustache & Beard color is a standard hair dye for mustaches and beards. It comes with a color developer, a color base, a mixing tray, and a brush.
After mixing the base and the developer, you can immediately start applying the product on your beard then wait 5 minutes for it to set. Once that’s done, you can rinse the product out like it were shampoo, and you’re done!
Just For Men offers 12 different shades and you can do up to 3 applications per box. Although it is recommended to perform a skin patch test 48 hours before applying the product.
Pros & Cons
- Easy application
- Not damaging to hair
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
- May stain skin
- Color lasts only for a couple of weeks
Best Beard Color for Travel
Godefroy's Beard Color
Best Easy Application
Easy to Use
Coverage
Long Lasting
Price
Godefroy’s Professional Hair Color Tint Kit comes with 20 single application capsules that can be used on beards, mustaches, sideburns, etc.
It’s also a great product for travel! You can bring only a certain amount of color capsules if you’ll be out traveling then bring the rest of the tools.
The pack comes with 20 Color Capsules, a brush/comb applicator, a precision application brush, a small mixing dish, a large mixing dish, and a color developer.
There is no ammonia used in this product and you will not be getting any odor. It also blends well with any existing color on your beard.
So if you’re just looking for something to help you cover up patches or even out the color in your beard, then Godefroy’s Professional Hair Color Tint Kit is just for you.
Pros & Cons
- Easy application
- Suitable for travel
- Covers up well
- Great for patching up
- Easy storage
- Not suitable for large coverage
- Not suitable for dry/sensitive skin
Best Beard Color for Sensitive Skin
Refectocil's Cream Hair Dye
Best Beard Color for Sensitive Skin
Easy to Use
Coverage
Long Lasting
Price
While you’ll still be needing to find yourself an applicator, it’s totally worth it with this product. RefectoCil’s Cream Hair Dye is an easy-to-apply hair color dye.
You simply squeeze out the product, apply it to areas you wish, wait for a couple of minutes, then that’s it!
You get 6 weeks of perfectly colored hair with no issues. It works great for those sensitive skin and causes very minimal irritation (during application).
Pros & Cons
- Easy to use
- Does not stain skin
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Suitable for travel
- Suitable for all hair types
- Color is darker than you'd expect
- Need to be used with a developer
- Not suitable for long beards
Preparing to dye your beard
Of course, you don’t just put the dye on your beard and wish for the best. First, you have to wash it with a good beard shampoo.
That way you get rid of dead skin cells hiding under your beard. The dye can also take better to freshly washed beard hair.
Massage the beard shampoo deep into your skin and beard hair. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly, dry your beard well and put some petroleum jelly on the skin around your beard.
This will prevent the dye from staining your face, jawline, and neck.
Tip: beard color packages usually consist of the dye itself and an activator. As soon as you mix these together (use a glass or mug) the dyes take effect and are ready to use.
It is recommended to use the mixture 1: 1 (i.e. 100% of the content). However, we recommend using half of the paint and activator so that the tint is less ‘intense’. This way you can easily experiment with what suits you.
Dye your beard
Always do a patch test 48 hours before application to make sure that your skin will not react violently to any of the harsh chemicals that were used to make hair dyes.
Once you’ve found the right product, we can go ahead and get right on it. After preparing the mixture and your beard for application, you can go ahead and evenly distribute the product on your beard.
Throughout the entire process, make sure to use gloves (rubber or plastic) to avoid any stain on the skin. While there are several brands that claim that it will not stain your skin, it’s better to be safe than sorry with these things as the stain can sometimes last for a couple of days.
Apply the product with a comb, a small brush, or sometimes even a paintbrush works. Normally these things come with the product that you buy, but be sure to still check out the pack contents.
Make sure the brush is not too big or too coarse, because then you run the risk of coloring the skin under your hair as well.
Apply the dye all over the beard, making sure to cover all of the beard hair. So try to avoid your skin as much as possible.
Then you let the colorant soak in according to the instructions on the package (this is usually quite short). Dye often works within minutes and usually takes about 20 to 40 minutes to fully apply and to make sure everything is fully coated.
In the meantime, pay close attention to the color of your beard and keep an eye on the time.
Are you worried that the color will be too dark? You can always test it in the meantime by dabbing away a little bit of dye with a damp cloth and checking the result.
Do you want a really dark beard? Then a second coloring session is sometimes necessary to achieve the desired color depth.
Rinsing out the beard dye
Has the color been completely absorbed by your beard or has it almost grown out? Then gently rinse your beard and massage your beard hairs to loosen any remaining color residue.
Keep rinsing your beard with water until the water is no longer colored. Use a clean towel to dry your face and beard or put the hairdryer on your face for a while.
If your beard is a bit too dark, you can lighten the color a bit by jumping directly in the shower and shampooing your beard.
But when you are satisfied, it is better not to shampoo your beard for 24 hours.
In a nutshell:
- Choose the color that most closely resembles your natural hair color. When in doubt, always go for a lighter color.
- Wash your face and wash your beard with a special beard shampoo.
- Spread some petroleum jelly to protect your skin from paint stains.
- Mix the colors as instructed in the instruction.
- Apply the dye with a small paintbrush or brush.
- Turn on your timer and follow the instructions on the package.
- Rinse your beard thoroughly and use a beard balm.
- Don’t shampoo your beard for 24 hours.
