Hiya!! I'm sorry I've been away for so long :( I'm attempting to catch up with everyone, but please ...
Hiya!! I'm sorry I've been away for so long :( I'm attempting to catch up with everyone, but please bear with me.... Thank you for all the lovely message! You're all stars!! Aimee xx
Member since:20.02.2003
Reviews:15
Members who trust:21
I’ve been dying my hair since I was 14 and have tried all sorts of different colours. From vampy black to fiery red, I’ve tried them all. My natural hair colour is the most boring shade of brown you have ever seen, so as soon as I got to the age where I could afford to do something about it, I did. I mainly stick to coppery/light red colours now, as people say it compliments my green eyes.
In my teens I used a dye in the form of a mousse. It was my best friend and I must have spent a fortune on it. Sadly, about 4 years ago the company stopped making it and I was faced with the horror of finding a new dye. I tried 6 or 7 different permanent hair colours, but none of them lived up to the ‘mousse’ I had sworn by for so long. Then I discovered Clairol’s Herbal Essences range, and I have a new ‘best friend.’
~*The Packaging*~
It
was actually the packaging that drew me to the product in the first place. Faced with having to pick a hair dye that I hadn’t already tried (there weren’t many!) for the umpteenth time, I wasn’t really in the mood for comparing them. I spotted the pretty packaging of the Herbal Essences range and headed straight for them to check out their different colours. I opted for the ‘Radiant Dark Red’ because the model on the front had gorgeous coppery hair, just how I wanted mine. Checking the back of the box, I discovered a little chart showing the results you would get depending on your natural colour. I was quite happy with the result for Medium Brown, so I parted with my £6.49 *ouch* and ventured home to try it out.
~*The Contents*~
Opening the box, I found a developing crème applicator, a permanent colour gel bottle, an after-colour conditioner, a pair of plastic gloves and a handy set of instructions. You’d think after 8 years of dying my hair, I’d be able to do it with my eyes closed, but no – I still need the instructions!!
Firstly, I was advised to do a strand test 48 hours prior to using the product. This should really be done, especially if you have sensitive skin. Me? Well, I’d just parted with 649 pennies – I wanted results, yesterday! Plus I’ve dyed my hair that many times, that I figured I’d be ok.
So, after pouring the colour gel into the bottle of developing creme and shaking it about for a bit, it was time to put the stuff on my locks. I worked it thoroughly through my hair, from the roots to the ends (as suggested in the instructions) until the whole of my hair was soaked with it. A bit actually dripped off my hair into the bath, and I was slightly worried that it was PURPLE! Eeek! The instructions also state that you should discard any unused mixture immediately.
~*The Development*~
This bit was the hardest part for me – having to sit about while my hair turned from ‘boring’ to ‘gorgeous.’ The suggested developing time is 25 – 45 minutes, but I’ll comment on that later. So there I sat with my hair piled on my head, and unlike most of the other dyes I had tried, I actually liked the smell of it. Some hair colours have made my eyes sting because the smell is so strong. Herbal Essences was quite a mild smell though, which pleased me no end.
~*The Final Result*~
Returning to the bathroom I glanced in the mirror, and saw that my hair was purple! See, I hadn’t imagined it. The instructions had warned ‘The colour mixture may appear very different from your desired colour.’ Well, they could say that again. I have to admit I was rather alarmed, and was seriously pining for my old ‘mousse’ product.
After rinsing the product out of my hair, I was relieved to see the water turning from purple to copper. *PHEW* Once the water was running clear, I then applied the after-colour conditioner, which smelt gorgeous. I left that on for a couple of minutes and rinsed off. I noticed how soft my hair felt straight away and after looking in the mirror and seeing light red, coppery locks, I was extremely pleased. (Not to mention relieved!)
~*Overall*~
I was very happy with the final colour (and the condition of my hair as well) and have continued to use this product ever since. It's easy to apply, and leaves my hair shiny and soft.
As I mentioned before, the recommended developing time is 25-45 minutes, and I have had to experiment with this. 25 minutes doesn’t result in the vibrant colour I want, but 45 minutes leaves me looking like a post box.!! So I tend to leave it on for around half an hour.
I’m also happy with how long the colour stays in. Unlike some other products I have used, Herbal Essences lasts for about 2-3 months, with me tending to wash it every other day.
My only grumble is that it is a bit pricey, but there isn’t much difference between other products, and the results are worth it.
Strongly recommended.
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I use the 44 shade, radiant red, and it paid off dividends for me.... I got mine on offer at Morrisons, for 398 pennies....... not bad, and it has given me proper deep-red hair too, luvverly !!!!!! xx
kappaslappa 02.01.2004 13:28
I can see you with a blue rinse...... ;o)
starsally 07.03.2003 19:58
Top op. I had a bit of an experience with this product when I helped a friend do her hair and made her patchy... needless to say I have since given up the amateur hairdressing. Sal x
Advantages: Easy to use, no chemical odours and no irritation to scalp, natural looking results giving excellent condition and shine to hair Disadvantages: pricey, but I took advantage of a half-price offer
Advantages: Easy to use, no chemical odours and no irritation to scalp, natural looking results giving excellent condition and shine to hair Disadvantages: pricey, but I took advantage of a half-price offer
Feb 27th, 2003
very helpful by (100%):
