Hair color can completely transform your look. Whether you want to go lighter, darker, add some highlights, or cover grays, finding the right hair color can be life changing. Clairol’s Beautiful Collection offers a wide range of permanent and semi-permanent hair colors to help you achieve your ideal shade.
Choosing Your Clairol Color
With so many options to choose from, selecting the right Clairol color may seem daunting at first. Here are some tips to guide you:
- Decide if you want a permanent or semi-permanent color. Permanent hair dye will provide longer lasting coverage for gray hair and drastic color changes. Semi-permanent adds a wash of color that fades gradually over 4-6 weeks.
- Choose your depth – light, medium, or dark. This establishes the base.
- Consider tone. Do you want an ash, golden, red, or neutral tone?
- Look at shade numbers. Lower numbers indicate lighter tones, while higher numbers are darker.
- Pick a single shade or add highlights. Single process covers your whole head in one color. Highlights add dimension by lightening select strands.
Not sure where to start? Consider having a consultation at a salon. A professional can help determine your skin’s undertones, recommend shades to try, and even do a strand test to see how your hair takes to color.
Permanent Hair Color
Clairol’s permanent hair dyes use oxidation technology to penetrate the hair shaft and permanently alter your hair color. They last through multiple shampoos until the hair grows out or you choose to re-color it. Here are some of Clairol’s most popular permanent shades:
| Permanent Hair Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Natural Instincts | Uses aloe, vitamin E & collagen for conditioned hair. Covers grays and blends with natural color. Available in over 20 shades. |
| Perfect 10 | Ammonia-free formula gently covers grays. Includes 10 intermixing shades for custom color. |
| Balsam Color | Contains vitamin E, aloe, and protein for conditioning. Gel formula for easy application. |
How to Apply Permanent Color
Follow these steps to apply permanent Clairol hair color:
- Prep your hair. Shampoo and towel dry your hair the day before coloring. This ensures your scalp is clean and oil-free for optimal color absorption.
- Mix the color. Combine the colorant cream and developer according to the brand’s instructions. Shake or stir well until fully blended.
- Section your hair. Use clips to divide your hair into four sections – two on top, and two on bottom. Start applying color on the bottom sections first.
- Apply color. Use the included gloved and applicator brush to apply color starting 1/2 inch from the roots. Work the color fully through to the ends. Apply to each section.
- Process the time. Once application is complete, set a timer according to the brand’s directions, usually 20-40 minutes. For gray coverage, err on the longer side.
- Rinse thoroughly. When the time is up, rinse with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Use a towel to gently blot excess moisture.
- Condition. Apply the included color conditioning treatment and let it sit 1-3 minutes before rinsing. Style as usual.
Semi-Permanent Hair Color
Semi-permanent hair color deposits color onto the hair’s surface without permanently altering the hair shaft. It washes out gradually over 4-6 weeks. Benefits include:
- No peroxide or ammonia
- Less hair damage
- More color options from mixing
- Easy to re-apply color
Here are some top-rated Clairol semi-permanent hair colors:
| Semi-Permanent Color | Overview |
|---|---|
| Nice’n Easy Color Blend | Lasts up to 6 weeks. Blends away grays. Conditions hair. Over 50 intermixable shades. |
| Natural Instincts Vegetarian | Made with aloe, chamomile, and lemon. No ammonia. Subtle, translucent color. |
| Color Crave Semi-Permanent | Vibrant, fashion-forward shades. Vegan and not tested on animals. |
How to Apply Semi-Permanent Color
Here is the process for applying Clairol semi-permanent hair dye:
- Shampoo and dry. Shampoo the day before, then towel dry your hair before application.
- Prep your tools. Have ready gloves, applicator brush, clips, timer, shampoo/conditioner, and hair dye mixture.
- Section hair. Clip hair into four sections – top, bottom, left, and right.
- Apply color. Use brush to work product through each section from roots to ends.
- Wait. Leave color on for time specified in directions, usually about 30 minutes.
- Rinse and style. Rinse until water runs clear. Useincluded conditioner, then style as desired.
Note that semi-permanent color results are subtler. Opt for permanent hair dye for maximum gray coverage and vibrancy.
Highlights and Lowlights
Adding dimension through highlights and lowlights creates visual interest and depth. It’s also a great way to gradually lighten or darken your hair color. Here’s an overview of this technique:
- Highlights – Strands lightened brighter than base color
- Lowlights – Strands colored darker than base
- Usually done via foil method
- Creates an ombre or balayage look
- Lightens hair gradually when re-applied
Clairol makes the highlighting process easy with products like Frost & Tip Highlighting Kit. It comes with everything you need including cap, creams, applicators and more all in one box.
How to Highlight/Lowlight Hair
Follow these key steps for highlight and lowlight application at home:
- Prep your tools – gloss, applicator brush, foils, timer, shampoo
- Section your dry hair. For highlights, take thinner 1 inch sections.
- Apply lightener cream to strands/foils as desired
- Let process for 20-45 minutes depending on product
- Rinse, then shampoo and condition
- Style as desired
It’s smart to start subtly with highlights and lowlights for a natural look. You can always add more next time for a bolder effect.
Maintaining Your Clairol Color
Your new Clairol hair color may look fabulous, but don’t forget about maintenance. Here are some tips for keeping it looking its best:
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo and lukewarm water to extend color vibrancy between applications.
- Opt for dry shampoo over daily washing to preserve color.
- Use a weekly hair mask to maintain moisture and condition.
- Protect hair from sun exposure with a hat to prevent fading.
- Get a toner gloss treatment between colorings to refresh tone.
- Use the same Clairol hair color line for best results when re-applying permanent dye.
| Hair Color | Timing for Re-Application |
|---|---|
| Permanent | 6-8 weeks |
| Semi-permanent | 4-6 weeks |
| Highlights | 8-12 weeks |
Following proper aftercare and regularly scheduled re-application will keep your new Clairol color looking its absolute best.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Looking to take your Clairol color results to the next level? Consider these pro hair colorist tips and tricks:
- When lightening hair, do it gradually over multiple sessions to reduce damage.
- For creamier permanent color, mix in hair conditioner.
- Apply petroleum jelly to hairline to avoid skin staining.
- To cover stubborn grays, apply permanent root color first then follow with all-over semi-permanent shade.
- For vibrant fashion shades, opt for semi-permanent dyes like Color Crave.
- Add dimension with balayage highlights framing the face.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and customize your Clairol hair color for results that are uniquely you!
Get Long Lasting Color and Care
In today’s world of endless hair color options, Clairol’s Beautiful Collection offers tried and true shades and formulas to help you find your most beautiful, colorful hair yet. With proper prep, application, and maintenance you can achieve head-turning results. So go ahead, get creative, have fun, and show off those beautiful locks!