L’Oreal Excellence Fashion is a line of permanent hair dye from L’Oreal that allows you to achieve bold, vibrant color results at home. With a huge range of shades to choose from, you can match your hair to the latest catwalk trends or find a color that perfectly complements your complexion.
Before you begin, it’s important to understand what permanent hair color is and how it works. Permanent hair dye contains oxidation dye molecules that open up the cuticle layer of your hair so the color can deposit inside the hair shaft. As the cuticle closes over the new color, it is locked in place until your hair grows out. This gives long-lasting color payoff that lasts through multiple washes.
Here is a step-by-step guide to successfully use L’Oreal Excellence Fashion permanent hair color and get salon-worthy results at home:
What You Need
Before dyeing your hair, make sure you have all the necessary supplies:
– L’Oreal Excellence Fashion hair color kit
– Applicator brush (usually included)
– Mixing bowl
– Gloves
– Vaseline or barrier cream
– Old shirt & towel
– Wide-tooth comb
– Hair clips
– Timer
Choosing Your Shade
The hardest part can be deciding which vivid shade to go for. L’Oreal Excellence Fashion offers a wide range of permanent colors from platinum blonde to raven black and bold fashion shades like violet, bright copper and fiery red.
When selecting a color, consider your base hair color and skin tone. If you have warm undertones, shades like copper, auburn and cherry red will suit you. For cool undertones, ash brown, platinum and icy pastels are flattering.
If you want to make a dramatic change, you may need to pre-lighten your hair first to achieve vivid results. Always do a strand test to see how your hair takes to color.
Preparing Your Hair
Properly preparing your hair is key to achieving vibrant, even results:
– Start with clean, dry hair that has been washed with a clarifying shampoo. This removes any product buildup.
– Brush through your hair thoroughly to detangle and ensure the dye penetrates every strand.
– Separate your hair into four sections and secure the top layers up and out of the way.
– Put on the gloves provided to protect your hands from staining. Apply the barrier cream to hairline and ears to avoid skin staining.
Mixing the Dye
L’Oreal Excellence Fashion hair color comes with a color crème and developer that must be mixed together before application.
– Squeeze the color crème into the mixing bowl.
– Pour in the developer solution and stir thoroughly until fully blended.
– The mixture should have a smooth, yogurt-like consistency.
Application
Once your hair is prepped and the dye is mixed, you can begin applying:
– Start on the bottom back section of your hair. Take a 1⁄2 inch subsection and use the applicator brush to apply dye from roots to ends.
– Repeat this process, applying the dye in 1⁄2 inch subsections across your whole head. Ensure all of your hair is fully saturated.
– When the bottom layers are complete, release the top sections and repeat the application process.
Hair Type | Recommended Processing Time |
---|---|
Fine or fragile | 25-30 minutes |
Medium or thick density | 35-45 minutes |
Resistant gray hair | 45-55 minutes |
– Once your whole head is covered, set a timer according to the recommended processing time for your hair type. Check in around halfway to see if you need to apply more dye to any missed spots.
– As the color processes, use the applicator brush to distribute the dye further and ensure even saturation.
Rinsing
Once the full processing time is complete, it’s time to rinse out the color:
– Rinse your hair in lukewarm water, using gentle massaging motions with your fingertips until the water runs clear. Avoid scrubbing or tangling hair.
– Shampoo and condition with the L’Oreal Excellence color-safe shampoo and conditioner. Rinse thoroughly.
– Towel dry gently and apply the post-color serum or treatment included in your kit to lock in moisture and shine.
– Blow dry on a low heat setting if needed, combing through gently to smooth hair cuticles.
Maintaining Your Color
To keep your new fashion hair color looking vibrant, follow these simple tips:
– Wash less frequently, aiming for every 2-3 days. Use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and lukewarm water.
– Limit use of hot styling tools like curling irons or hair dryers, as heat can cause color to fade faster.
– Apply a weekly hair mask or deep conditioner to boost moisture and shine.
– Use a color-depositing shampoo or conditioner if you notice fading between salon visits. Purple shampoos help beat brassiness.
– Protect hair from sun exposure with a hat or scarf to prevent fading.
Conclusion
With the right prep and technique, you can achieve striking, salon-worthy hair color results at home using L’Oreal Excellence Fashion permanent dye. Follow all instructions carefully and patch test before dyeing hair that has been chemically treated. Take your time applying the dye thoroughly from roots to ends and process for the full recommended time. With proper aftercare, your new fashion hair color will look incredible for weeks until your next color treatment.