Let's talk about my most essential cosmetic product today, shall we?
This is the state of my mane on hair-colouring day, dark brown with some reddish undertones-
The roots are appalling, all of this in 28 days. My hair grew even quicker than usual this month.
I feel I should state a few facts about my hair type and history: I've been using permanent dye for four years now, occassionally attempting a change but always sticking with purples and pinks. My hair is very thick, comes down to about under my shoulderblades, naturally straight and medium blond (don't be fooled by the white roots). It grows very fast, is IMPOSSIBLE to brush and oily in type.
It also doesn't seem to take dye in very well, more than once I followed the instructions on the hair dye package only to find that an hour later my hair was the same exact colour with no change whatsoever.
Thus to those of you who struggle with annoyingly healthy hair (yes this is a thing) I am hoping to suggest a dye that I could not survive withou.
L'Oréal Paris Préférence in P28 Violet Pearl. I originally started using the shade Mystic Black, which has to my utmost horror been discontinued.
The box promises some very vivid colour results, which the product fails to deliver. This is the reason for the high incidence of negative reviews out there; personally I would sell my soul to have true purple hair, but I am pretty pleased with what it does for me anyway.
The package contains, besides the obvious tubes of colouring cream and developer, a big-ass conditioner and a pair of BLACK gloves. You got me there, L'Oréal.
And this is my hair part four days after I dyed it (I don't shampoo when rinsing out dye, so this after the first wash). I sense some roots already..? WTF, Mother Nature.
And the lengths of my hair in direct sunlight. In dimmer lights they look basically black.
Overall I highly recommend this product with about 9/10 satisfaction.
Pros:
- an extremely unique shade among permanent dyes
- great lasting power (other dyes I've tried turned ginger on me within 20 days)
- leaves hair feeling very lush and soft
- washes out to a pleasant shade
- the enclosed conditioner is fantastic and lasts me for a full month (also SLS-free)
- doesn't fry hair even if left on for a long time*
Cons:
- the most expensive drugstore box dye, retails for around 9 euros
- nothing will ever replace Mystic Black in my heart**
- the colour result differs significantly from the prictures on the box even on very light hair
- probably not cruelty-free
* I do this because my hair is so resistant. After about an hour the reaction is quantitatively completed and no further effects or damage to your hair occur. Do NOT prolong recommended exposure times when lightening your hair.
**Mystic Black was more of a true black with blue-based purple sheen, lasted longer and turned to a very dark brown after a month.
What is your favourite hair dye?
