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7 At-Home Color Kits Perfect for African American Hair

Skip the damage and get the color you want with these DIY dyes
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If You're Especially Worried About Breakage
Try: Clairol Textures and Tones, $4.99

This Clairol color is specially formulated for women of color with fragile hair, who want a permanent color change without losing half their length in the process. It's packed with natural moisture-infusing ingredients like jojoba and reconstructing natural wheat protein to prevent breakage. Plus, it's free of harsh ammonia and comes in 14 shades designed to complement darker skin tones.

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If You Want Your New Color to Actually Show Up for Once
Try: Dark and Lovely Go Intense!, $5.94

This line of vibrant permanent hair color allows dark-haired women to go lighter without having to resort to bleach. Dark and Lovely's Go Intense line features seven highly pigmented shades that work with the undertones of dark hair for reflective, saturated color that you'll be able to see. Follow up your hair color with the brand's complementary products, like temporary glosses for relaxed hair and creams that keep curls from shrinking.

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If You Want to Keep Your Curl Pattern
Try: Shea Moisture Moisture Rich Ammonia-Free Hair Color System, $14.99

The ingredients in many hair dyes can obliterate curl patterns, leaving them stretched and limp, but Shea Moisture's super gentle color system ensures curls keep their bounce. Made with natural ingredients like organic shea butter for moisture, soy protein for strength, flaxseed oil for shine and organic glycerin for moisture retention, it's hard to believe this is a hair dye. Because the 12 ammonia- and sulfate-free shades have such a natural finish, it's best to use this color on hair that is no more than two shades lighter or darker than the box color you pick up.

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If You're Hesitant to Give Up Your Relaxer
Try: Clairol Jazzing Temporary Hair Color, $7.25

Relaxers leave hair extremely porous; adding a dye job on top risks a perfect storm of dryness, brittleness and breakage. Clairol's temporary hair color allows you to have it all. This lively line of color comes in 15 bold and vibrant shades like fuchsia plum, jet grape and ruby red that are perfect for re-creating the rainbow hair trend. Because it's free of ammonia and peroxide, this color can be applied to relaxed, permed and previously colored hair without the worry or the commitment. Use without heat for fleeting color you can remove on your next wash or apply heat to make it a semi-permanent switch that lasts up to eight washes.

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If You Want Your Current Color Times 10
Try: eSalon Tinted Love Color Enhancing Treatment, $15

If you're in love with your current color or your natural shade and just want it intensified, try a color-boosting glaze. eSalon's version contains wheat protein and collagen to strengthen fragile, over-processed and heat-damaged hair. Plus, it's free of ammonia and peroxide, so you can use it up to twice a week if needed. Choose a shade that's closest to your current hair color for added vibrancy and shine, or consult with an expert to correct a dye job gone wrong.

BY ERICA SMITH | AUG 25, 2014 | SHARES
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