Over the years, my hair has been just about every color you can imagine: brown, blonde, blue, and purple, to name a few. I guess you could say I'm someone who likes to switch things up with the seasons. And while I'm not ashamed of the hair changes—I am a little embarrassed by how much I've spent at the salon (it's...a lot).

Thankfully, I just discovered an at-home professional-grade hair dye that cuts down the cost: Madison Reed.

SHOP MADISON REED PERMANENT HAIR DYE

I've had my share of dry, lackluster results from drugstore box dyes, so I'm always curious about formulas that promise vibrant color. My colleague, Senior Content Strategy Manager Sophie Park, recently tried Madison Reed's permanent-dye formula in Perugia Black, and seeing her vibrant results has me ready to give it a try myself.

Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit Perugia Black - 2NAA

Radiant Hair Color Kit Perugia Black - 2NAA

Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit Perugia Black - 2NAA

Madison Reed

This particular shade is the darkest and coolest of the bunch, featuring icy blue undertones amongst the rich coloring. Needless to say, Park loved the results and was impressed with how quickly the process worked.

“The application was super simple and better than other hair dyes I’ve tried,” Park shared. “It took me about 10 minutes to apply the dye all over, and I used the gloves to work the color through my hair instead of a brush.”

Park continued, “The kit comes with everything you need for an easy at-home application, including gloves, shampoo, conditioner, and a wipe to clean up any color around your hairline. I thought the wipe was a particularly thoughtful touch since not a lot of the dye kits I've tried come with it.”

Before and after transformation showcasing a woman's hairstyle and makeup changes.

Park said that the color was noticeable right away, and the black shade had the rich intensity she wanted. “My naturally dark brown hair can turn brassy, so I especially loved the subtle blue-purple undertone, which gave the color a cooler finish.”

This formula (along with all other shades in the permanent-dye collection) is strong enough to cover grays, but feels gentle. In fact, each dye is formulated with ginseng root, argan oil, and keratin to help strengthen hair and add shine. According to the brand, the line is also made without ammonia, parabens, and phthalates.

Hair color kit with conditioning color activator and radiant cream, displayed against a dark purple background.
Courtesy of Madison Reed

If you’re hoping to give yourself a permanent hair dye at home, go ahead and check out all of Madison Reed’s color options—there are almost 60 of ‘em ranging from Park’s go-to (Perugia Black) to Tuscany Brown, Genova Red, and Roma Blonde.

Each color costs $35 for a one-tome purchase, but if you want to subscribe and save, you can get 15% off and schedule ongoing deliveries.

For a look with less commitment, you can try the brand’s demi-permanent line ($34 per color). Each shade lasts up to 25 washes, according to the brand—and you can subscribe and save on this order, too.

SHOP MADISON REED DEMI-PERMANENT HAIR DYE

After seeing Sophie's results, I'm ready to skip my next salon appointment and give Madison Reed a try instead. And knowing me, that next color change won't be far off.