What products does Clairol make?

Clairol makes hair color products. Choose from Non-Permanent (this includes Semi-Permanent which lasts through 8-12 shampoos and Demi-Permanent which lasts through 28 shampoos), Permanent (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor) or Highlighting & Blonding to help you get the color results you want.

How do I try to match a shade from one brand to another?

Call 1-800-CLAIROL to get advice on finding a perfect-for-you shade.

What if I can't find my favorite shade at the store?

Stores carry different levels of hair shade inventory. We recommend that you use the Shop Clairol tool to find several shades that will work for you.

Do you sell any products online?

Yes. Click the Shop Clairol button at the top of every page or the Buy Now button on individual product pages to purchase products through one of our online retail partners. Or, enter your Zip Code to find a store near you.

Where can I find product instructions?

Product instruction inserts are inside your hair color box. You can also find instructions on the Product Details pages within Shop Clairol.

What products does Clairol make?

Clairol makes hair color products. Choose from Non-Permanent (this includes Semi-Permanent which lasts through 8-12 shampoos and Demi-Permanent which lasts through 28 shampoos), Permanent (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor) or Highlighting & Blonding to help you get the color results you want.

How do I try to match a shade from one brand to another?

Call 1-800-CLAIROL to get advice on finding a perfect-for-you shade.

What if I can't find my favorite shade at the store?

Stores carry different levels of hair shade inventory. We recommend that you use the Shop Clairol tool to find several shades that will work for you.

Do you sell any products online?

Yes. Click the Shop Clairol button at the top of every page or the Buy Now button on individual product pages to purchase products through one of our online retail partners. Or, enter your Zip Code to find a store near you.

Where can I find product instructions?

Product instruction inserts are inside your hair color box. You can also find instructions on the Product Details pages within Shop Clairol.

How do I determine which color product is right for me?

Clairol has a range of coloring products—one of them could be just right for you. Start by clicking on the COMPARE PRODUCTS button within Shop Clairol or choose Browse with Help to find a product that's right for you.

You can also call the Clairol Hair color Experts at 1-800-CLAIROL for a free hair color consultation. Get coloring recommendations and haircare advice from our specialists over the phone or click on the 1-ON-1 EXPERT ADVICE button within Shop Clairol to talk with an expert using online chat.

I see that some shades of different tones like Cool, Neutral or Warm. What do these mean and how do I know which is right for me?

Tone refers to the warmth or coolness of a color shade. When choosing a shade, you'll look best in one that complements your skin and coloring.

If you have fair skin and blue, green or gray eyes: consider choosing shades with cool or neutral tones. Cooler shades will help protect against brassiness. These shades may have the word "ash" in the name and will be identified as cool in the color bar underneath the shade swatches within the Shop Clairol pages.

If you have golden, olive or dark skin and dark eyes: consider choosing shades with warm or neutral tones. Warm hair color shades also are great if you want to brighten hair that has a tendency to look mousy. Look for shade names with "warm," "golden," or "copper" in them.

If you're unsure, go neutral. Look for shade names with "neutral" or "natural" in them.

Should individuals with natural, uncolored hair use different hair color products than those who have previously colored their hair?

It depends on the desired result. If you are coloring your hair for the first time and only want to enhance your natural color, try a Semi-Permanent product (lasts through 28 shampoos) close to your natural hair color. If you want to go lighter, you need to select a Permanent product (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor), then refer to the insert that comes inside your box of Clairol hair color and follow the instructions for first time application. If you want to go more than 2 shades lighter or darker, call 1-800-CLAIROL for advice.

Should people who want to cover gray hair use different coloring products than those who don't need coverage?

Most Clairol hair color products will blend or cover gray hair to some degree. If you have a small percentage of gray (not very visible), use a Semi-Permanent (lasts through 8-12 shampoos) product, such as Loving Care. If you have a higher percentage of gray hair (up to 50%), use a Demi-Permanent (lasts through 28 shampoos) product such as Natural Instincts, which will blend away gray hair

On the other hand, if you have a lot of gray and want to cover it completely, use a Permanent (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor) product. If you have 50% or more gray, use Nice 'n Easy Gray Solution.

How do I dramatically lighten my hair?

If your hair color is a light brown or lighter, you can use a Permanent (lasts until you grow out your hair or recolor) hair color in a high-lift blonde shade to get a dramatic-looking blonde. If you wish to go more than 2 shades lighter than your starting color, call 1-800-CLAIROL for advice.

If your natural hair color is a medium brown or darker, and you want to be a blonde, you will have to use double-process blonding.

Another option is highlighting. Clairol highlighting products create natural-looking highlights on selected strands of hair. The look can be bold and dramatic or soft and subtle.

If you have already colored your hair and want to achieve a much lighter shade, or want to go back to your natural hair color, you may want to get personal hair advice straight from Clairol Hair color Experts at 1-800-CLAIROL (1-800-252-4765).

How can I test-run a color before committing to coloring my entire head of hair?

A strand test is a simple method for you to test hair color on a portion of your hair before doing the entire application. (The instructions are in your hair color box.) It's an important step because it's the only way to see exactly how the shade you selected works with your starting hair color to achieve the resulting color. A strand test will also help you determine the exact timing you'll need to color your whole head.

I would like to perm and color my hair to have a new look. Can I do both on the same day, or is it better to do one before the other?

Clairol recommends that you perm first to ensure that the perming process will not interfere with our newly applied color. If you're using a Permanent (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor) hair color, wait 7-10 days and shampoo at least once before coloring.

Some Semi-Permanent (lasts though 8-12 shampoos) and Demi-Permanent (lasts through 28 shampoos) hair colors can be used the same day as your perm-as long as your scalp is not irritated and is in good condition.

Check the package instructions to be sure. Either way, make sure you do a stand test before coloring your hair. Perms and relaxers can leave hair more porous and allow color to be absorbed faster.

I need some hair advice. I'll be visiting my hairdresser for a cut next weekend, and it's also time for me to reapply my hair color. Should I get my hair cut before or after coloring?

We recommend cutting your hair first and then coloring it. And, of course, your color will enhance your cut.

Does the length of my hair make any difference in the amount of hair color I will need?

Absolutely. If your hair is below shoulder length or very thick, you may need two boxes to fully saturate your hair. Also, keep in mind that the ends of long hair tend to absorb more color, so the timing may be different for your ends. So make sure you do your strand test.

If I'm going to color my hair, when should I shampoo it?

You generally shouldn't shampoo immediately before coloring because this will remove the natural oils that protect your scalp during the coloring process.

It's best to shampoo 12-24 hours before coloring with a Semi-Permanent (lasts through 8-12 shampoos) or Demi-Permanent (lasts through 28 shampoos) product; shampoo 24 hours prior to using Permanent (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor). But be sure to check the instructions inside the box because it can vary by product.

Can I mix shades?

Yes, but the hair advice we generally give is that, for best results, you mix shades no more than 2-3 shades lighter or darker than each other. In other words, you wouldn't want to mix a blonde and a black together. Also, you should mix the same brand of shades, so for example, only mix Nice 'n Easy with other Nice 'n Easy shades.

Lately, I've been noticing that the bottom of my hair is darker or lighter than the top. Why?

This effect sometimes happens if you don't do touch-up applications. If you apply hair color to your entire head of hair whenever you see roots, you'll end up with coloring the older, more porous ends of your hair, which will result in color build-up. The solution is simple. Follow the instructions on your insert for Root Application only. Follow up with regular trims and your hair will look more consistent.

Once coverage is more uniform, do a retouch application. First, apply color to your roots only. Five minutes before processing ends, color the rest of your hair, if necessary.

How long can I keep a box of hair color before using it?

If you don't open the bottles, your hair color products will generally last 3 years.

How do I keep my hair color looking vibrant and beautiful—and prevent fading?

The first rule in keeping your color looking great is to reapply as often as recommended according to the product you choose.

Use a shampoo and conditioner formulated for color-treated hair. Avoid exposing your hair to the sun. Remember that the sun is a natural hair lightener, and overexposure can cause hair to fade or even change color.

Shampoo or rinse your hair immediately after swimming in chlorine or salt water. Chemicals left in the hair can accelerate fading, especially when mixed with the sun.

Can you color your hair too often?

Semi-Permanent hair color will last up to 28 shampoos—if you wash your hair every day, that's about 4 weeks. Permanent (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor) hair color should be refreshed when your roots start to show, about 4-6 weeks. As long as you follow the instructions for root application only, you should not have any problems with color build-up.