Hmmmm, that's definitely darker.

[gurdymonkey]

Because the nits at my local drugstore chain decided to make shelf space for the latest Fashion Color product for hot young things who aren't trying to cover gray, I couldn't FIND my regular color in the brand I've been using. Yeah, maybe it should be Earth Doggie Brown, or perhaps Sable Tressed Goddess (thank you, leohtulf , who should consider a career in advertising), but it's goodbye Garnier Nutrisse Medium Brown.  Surely SOMEONE else in Alameda was using it too.

So I decided to try L'Oreal's Excellence Creme, Medium Brown, despite the fact that the box violates the No Pink Rule in a huge way.  First there's a little tube of fruity smelling goo you're supposed to rub on the ends of your hair before coloring and leave in. Sticky-ish, requiring you to wash your hands and then put the plastic gloves on hands that you can never get quite dry enough before struggling with said gloves. Standard tube of stuff that needs to be dumped into bottle of other stuff and shaken thoroughly.  I like the optional comb applicator: it makes doing roots so much easier. The consistency of the color mixture wasn't runny or drippy either. I had no sensitivity to anything I put on my head either.  A decent sized tube of conditioner provides enough to apply after rinsing out the dye and condition once a week until it's time to do your color again. This is a vast improvement over Garnier's one-use conditioner packet that has to be ripped open with one's teeth like a powder cartridge for a Brown Bess.

Good coverage, consistent color, and it developed in 30 minutes with complete coverage of a considerable section of gray rootage. It's just darker than the GN definition of "medium brown." It's also about $2 more per package. I am, of course, worth it, 'cause I'm way hotter than Andie McDowell, right? If the color and condition of my hair over the next four weeks is better than it was with the GN, I will go with Excellence again.

Comments

[eleryth.livejournal.com]

Thanks for a quick review! I haven't dyed my hair in ages (last time I tried was in Japan, and the hair color didn't seem to take), but I've been thinking a little more about it lately, if not just for fun. Good to know the plusses, thank you!

[bronx-baroness.livejournal.com]

I've always like the L'Oreal stuff as opposed to the Nutrisse. I always seem to have conditioner left over, but it does make my hair happy. Enjoy!

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review. The grey is starting to come out (with what I've been going through lately, go figure). So I'm starting to wonder if I should.
Need to get one without bleach though, as my hair is already too fine and fly away, it doesn't need any help there. And I'm really just looking at coloring grey and brightening the flatness the grey does to my hair color.

[bronx-baroness.livejournal.com]

Actually it's the ammonia content you have to worry about. And if you're only lightly greying, don't use a permanent dye, but do find one that actually says that it's good for covering grey.

[kareina.livejournal.com]

I *like* my pretty silver highlights! I bet yours would look nice too, should you ever choose not to dye...

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

If I HAD pretty silver highlights I might like them too. There's a reason I refer to what I get as a skunk stripe. There is nothing pretty about it.

[kareina.livejournal.com]

But skunks are so cute!!!

[kittyblue.livejournal.com]

I've had good luck with the Garnier 100% color brand. They don't have quite as many shades as some of the others, but the colors look good and last quite a while without fading - I don't usually bother with color-safe shampoo/conditioners, either. Feria also has a nice selection of colors with similar no-fade tendencies. Neither come with the comb applicator, though.

[momstable.livejournal.com]

And some of us come in silver, but so streaky, let's face it, it just makes me look OLD!! And I'm not ready to look OLD yet (it's bad enough feeling OLD).

But I let the professionals handle mine. Some people get massages, or facials, or drink a glass of wine to relax and unwind. I find letting someone else wash my hair is very good for my blood pressure.