Frequently Asked Questions: Selecting a product & shade
- How do I determine which color product and shade are right for me?
- Should individuals with natural, uncolored hair use different haircolor products than those who have previously colored their hair?
- Should people who want to cover gray hair use different coloring products than those who don't need coverage?
- How do I dramatically lighten my hair?
- How can I test-run a color before committing to coloring my entire head of hair?
- How do I determine which color product and shade are right for me?
- Clairol has a range of coloring products—one of them could be just right for you. Call the Clairol Haircolor Experts at 1-800-CLAIROL for a free haircolor consultation. Get coloring recommendations and haircare advice from our specialists.
- Should individuals with natural, uncolored hair use different haircolor 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 Demi-Permanent (lasts through 28 shampoos) product close to your natural haircolor. If you want to go lighter, you need to select a Permanent (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor) haircolor, then refer to the insert that comes inside your box of Clairol haircolor 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 haircolor 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 haircolor is a light brown or lighter, you can use a Permanent (lasts until you grow out your hair or recolor) haircolor 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 haircolor 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 haircolor, you may want to get personal hair advice straight from Clairol Haircolor 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?
- strand test is a simple method for you to test haircolor on a portion of your hair before doing the entire application. (The instructions are in your haircolor box.) It's an important step because it's the only way to see exactly how the shade you selected works with your starting haircolor to achieve the resulting color. A strand test will also help you determine the exact timing you'll need to color your whole head.
