There’s something striking fairly early on in the modern James Bond classic Skyfall: We find everyone’s favorite secret agent sporting some grey stubble. Does Bond use beard dye? Apparently not, but he had bigger problems to worry about after that chaotic opening scene. But back to beard dye. It might not have been Bond’s choice, you can make the choice to use a standout beard dye to change the color of your beard and mustache.
Call it a bit of a sleight of hand (a la Bond, perhaps) or call it a necessary grooming essential for the man looking to change his appearance. The point is, beard and mustache dye can be useful if you’ve got a few errant grey hairs, or an abundance of ’em. You can blend your beard and mustache, you can turn the clock back a few years (or a lot, come to think of it). And if you simply want to shift your follicles a few notches on the color wheel, that’s what beard dye is meant to do.
Beard color can be as limiting as it is defining, so you’re going to want to consider your decision carefully.
Beard dye is but another arsenal in your rotation of grooming and style moves, and a well-rounded gentleman has more than a few tricks up his sleeve. And buying beard dye, or another grooming purchase for that matter, is no area to cut corners. Think of the rest of your wardrobe, for instance. You won’t settle for less than the best when it comes to one of the best men’s field jackets or the best boots, or anything less than optimal performance in plenty of matters of style and gear. Approach your grooming routine and your search for a quality beard dye in much the same way, and you’ll find exactly the right dye to shake up your stubble.
Beard color can be as limiting as it is defining, so you’re going to want to consider your decision carefully. You probably have — we hope — a full rotation of the best beard grooming products already. You know the drill: Your beard needs maintenance and extra care, and naturally, a beard dye can be but one additional step in that routine. Some beard dyes go on in no time at all, too. Our guide to beard dyes will show you the way.
When shopping for beard dye, you’ve got to keep a few keys in mind. It’s all about keeping things natural looking, no matter what. After all, if Bond did choose to use beard dye, we’re willing to bet he’d do it the right way. There are a few crucial titans of the industry when it comes to the best beard and mustache, so pay close attention. There are more ways than not to screw up the beard and mustache dye you pick up: Matching your hair closely, to start, is as important as deciding to pull the trigger in the first place.
And starting to use a beard dye early is always an option, although when done gradually, you can avoid the shock of, saying Creed Bratton dying his hair black. The process is as important as the product, so let’s dive into a few critical considerations as you shop for beard and mustache dye.
What to Keep in Mind When Shopping for Beard and Mustache Dye
- Color: In your A-to-Z approach to finding the best men’s beard dye, think of color like the letter A. It’s what comes first, it’s essential and if you select the wrong color, you very well might have to start over. There are dozens of options (and that’s an understatement) from brands like Just For Men in particular, so you’re sure to find a color to suit every beard and mustache color. Select correctly from a multi-faceted brand like Just For Men, and you might even find hair dye to match as you look to weed out any unruly gray hairs. Color, you might say, is king for both your beard and your mustache.
- Blending: Do you want a beard dye to blend in with and reduce gray hairs or hairs of another unwanted color, like if your beard gets patches of red or blonde (hey, it happens)? Then consider how easy it’s going to be to blend the dye with your current hair color. Think of this like another dimension within your search for the best beard color. Some dyes are even made specifically for blending, while others are made to offer a cohesive color throughout. This also varies by quantity and instructions, so be sure to follow both with great care. It’s not all that unlike any other process in your grooming routine: Put in the time and research, and reap the rewards.
- Frequency: The frequency with which you need to apply beard dye is going to depend on your personal preference and by how dark or blended you’d like your facial hair. If we’ve said it once, we’ll say it again: Follow the instructions carefully on your beard dye of choice, and you’ll be on your way to terrific facial hair in no time at all. It also comes down to personal preference, but when in doubt, the instructions included with your beard or mustache dye are certainly your best bet.
Those are, of course, but three steps along the way of that so-called path to facial hair excellence.
The Absolute Best Beard and Mustache Dye to Shop Now
Just For Men Mustache and Beard Dye
We’ve mentioned them before, but Just For Men is a consistent leader when it comes to standout beard and mustache dye for men. That seems overly simple, but when you’ve made it your specialty to provide excellent beard care for guys with a wide range of facial hair types and colors, well, it pays to be the very best at it. This dye is made for both your beard and mustache, as the name implies, with a brush-in color that goes in after just a 5-minute process. Just For Men offers up 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed, and you can’t beat the fact that, for a one-time purchase, you’re spending just a shade under $10. Affordability, ease of use and a range of colors? Sounds like Just For Men knows just what your beard needs.
Godefroy Barbers Choice Beard & Mustache Color Application Kit
Did Godefroy deem their beard and mustache color kit “Barbers Choice” for no good reason? We like to think not, and hopefully, you’ll feel the same way when you pick up this highly affordable beard dye kit. This particular kit lasts for up to six weeks and should go on smoothly and easily. It’s also designed with ingredients that’ll actually strengthen your hair and prevent breakage. It’s an added bonus as far as beard and mustache care are concerned. We should also note it’s specifically designed to target smaller areas, along with usage throughout your mane. If you want to touch up a goatee or, of course, your mustache, consider making the “barber’s choice” with Godefroy. An added bonus: The cash you’ll save for six weeks of beard and mustache color.
Volt Instant Beard Color
When shopping for a beard dye, consider what’s most important to you. Is it efficiency? Utility? Or price? Let’s make a long story short: Spend a bit more than a few other beard dye options on this list with Volt Instant Beard Color, and you’ll get plenty of efficiency and utility. Volt’s Instant Beard Color is applied with a small brush and dries instantly. It’s also waterproof, and we’ve neglected until now to mention the best part: Volt says it’s “hypoallergenic beard color for men allergic to beard dyes.” So, while it might not be a traditional beard dye, it delivers a compact way to touch up your beard on the go, no fuss or frills in sight.
Henna Color Lab Henna Beard Dye
As Henna Color Lab so nicely points out, there are better ways to dye your beard than ones that cause rash and irritation. Henna’s solution is aptly named and very carefully crafted. As you might have guessed, they’ve made a henna-based beard dye designed to combat symptoms that sometimes accompany other beard dyes. Henna Color Lab seems to have perfected that formula, and they’ve also noted it’s safe to combine colors. Pick up a tool kit and brush set, and perhaps a handy and effective beard comb, too. Mix and match to your heart’s content once you’ve determined the appropriate shade for your whiskers. As Henna Color Lab says, “this stuff is time-proven magical awesomeness in a packet.” When a company offers up red and indigo beard dye, who are we to argue? And hey, who says dying your beard can’t be a little fun or festive? As far as innovation, clever packaging and a fun spirit is concerned, this Henna beard dye might be our favorite.
Grizzly Mountain Organic and Natural Light Beard Dye
It wouldn’t be a list of grooming essentials without a product rooted in organic and natural ingredients, right? Grizzly Mountain has certainly packed in plenty of bells and whistles into one heck of a distinctive beard dye. 100 percent organic, chemical-free ingredients set this beard dye apart from the pack, while Grizzly Mountain deems this one a “gentle, natural alternative to harsh drugstore brand beard dyes.” There are also a wide range of options to choose from as far as colors are concerned, but the one we selected here is best positioned to target beards from light to dark brown. The real kicker? It’s all crafted to respect “the natural coarseness of your beard” — it sounds to us like Grizzly Mountain has everything covered.
