I have chosen to review this product because I have just used it myself, I hate it when my grey hair starts to show. I could not afford to make a mistake with it because now my hair is long, ( halfway down my back now actualy). So after scanning the Garnier Lumia colours which I usually use and having to buy two of them because one pack does not have enough to cover all my hair I spotted the Feria color 3D Expert Kit..
The think that drew me to this one is that you get 20% more of the colouring agent that you would in a normal kit, I would just need the one which will keep the cost down for me, there was also the attraction of the the colour itself. I have very dark hair and wanted to brighten it up and this is what the product promised to do. It boasts of giving you a multifaceted, bright and shiny result.
I decided to look at Boots because I have quite a lot of points and at this time I could use them in my local store to pay for it. I will give a bit of ironic laughter here.... as I have been in hospital recently our benefits had been reduced drastically because I was not home, it has also meant that my husband lost his Carer's Allowance. As you can imagine our finances have been stretched to breaking point and to be honest buying a hair colour was a real luxury, that is why I chose to use my Boots Advantage Card..
~~Costs~~
My L'oreal Feria colour 3D Expert kit( what a mouthful) would cost you normaly £5.79 and that to me was a great price because of the extra colourant and such.
The box itself is predominantly silver gray with the usual beautiful creature who has her hair the exact colour that is in the kit, On the top of the box is a picture of hair the same colour, you also have a colour result table so you can get an idea of what your hair is going to look like after use. There is also a potted history of L'oreal, safety instructions and quite a lot of warnings which I will get to shortly.
~~What is in the box~~~
Contained in the box are the following:
I) 1 bottle of the colourant gel which in this case include 20% more, it may be too much for people with short hair although I think that they have aimed this at those with longer hair.
2) 1 Applicator bottle which contains the developer.
3) 1 phial of concentrated aromatic scented Oil.
4) 1 Tube of double dose Nutri Protective Conditioner. Enough for 2 washes with me but would last longer if you have short hair.
5) I pair of good quality protective gloves, they are not the huge thin ones that are miles too big, these are more like surgical gloves.
6) Instruction sheet in several languages, this is very clear and easy to follow and so I don't understand why it is called the Expert Kit.
~~Warning~~
I know that this is included on the with the instructions but I felt I had to try and reiterate why it is so important to do a sensitivity test. Hair colurs are becoming more technical by the minute and so it is so very important that you make sure you ae not going to get a bad reaction.
The best place to do this test is behind the ear.
Clean the area behind the ear with Surgical Spirit it's handy to have some of this in the house anyway by the way.
Take a cotton bud and dip it into the brown bottle numbered 1 in the pack, then just apply to the back of the ear, allow to dry and re apply 2 -3 times for 48 hours, allowing the product time to dry each time. If after the 48 hours you have no soreness, small spots or redness then you should be able to use this Colour without a problem.
The Feria kit should not be used at certain times.
If you have had a perm you must leave it 14 days before you start using this colour. If you have bleached or straightening, again you need tomlave it 14 days minimum.
Not to be used on eyebrows or eyelashes perish the thought.
If you have used Henna then this product would be of no use and may do damage, unfortunately the Henna has to grow out before you can use any colour
Remember though that if you get any stinging or a burning feeling in you scalp then you must wash it out immediately, I have seen the results of someone having a reaction because she was not skin tested as she should have been and she is still having problems growing her hair back.
~~Application~~
Personally I found it very easy to apply with help from the instruction and also a friend who was helping me apply it.
You start with your hair wet but not washed then just towel dried gently, you then need to comb you hair very carefully. I find it better if you use a wide toothed comb and then divide your hair into sections, the back the sides and the front just clipped together make this so much easier in to use the Colour if you do this as you don’t get missed spots.
Once hour hair is damp and well combed this is the time to mix your Colour, you need to get your Gloves on now as well to same your hands getting stained, it is not easy to get off that is for certain. You will also need an old towel to put around your shoulders and this product does drip a little bit.
Got you gloves and towel around your shoulders, okay off we go.
The contents of the Feria colour 3D colourant need to be added to the developing cream which is in the applicator, also you need to add the phial of Aromatic scented oil. One you have done this give the bottle a good shake to get the contents well mixed,
It is very important that you snap the top off the applicator straight away or you could end up with Mount Etna coming out the nozzle. Starting at the roots of your hair gradually work through he sections and then take the clips out and give your hair a massage with the Colour on your hair, it helps distribute the mixture and makes sure you have not missed any.
Now you have half an hour to wait as the colour deepens, again I would like to remind you that any stinging or soreness could be serious and so if you feel anything like this please rinse off straight away and have a word with your Doctor. When I am waiting I clean up the gloves as you need them for rinsing your hair, it is also a good time to use a baby wipe or such to clean the excess from your face and your ears, this saves a lot of scrubbing later.
~~ The smell~~
There is no getting around it you can smell the Ammonia but it is not as bad as some I have used and you do after a while you do get a whiff of the scented oil.
~~Range of colours available~~
There is a great range of colours, from blonde to black but most of the colours in this particular product style are shades of red or rich browns, I chose 36 Chocolate Cherry which was Darkest Burgundy Brown.
L’oreal have their own website www.lorealparis.com
They also have a helpline to deal with any queries people have 0845 399 1939
Another way of contacting L’oreal is to use the L’oreal Consumer Advisory Service. Freepost WD649, London, W6 8BR
~~ Result~~
I am thrilled at what this has done, by hair now has a shine it had lost a while ago and the the other good thing about the Feria kits is that you have a large tube of conditioner, this is tailored to Condition your hair after colouring and so depending on your hair and how long it is you can make it last up to 3 or 4 times.
The Feria 3D Colour has left my hair in lovely condition and it has a real gleam which almost shimmers when in sunlight, I have a bit of copper and burgundy now and a lot of people have complimented me and asked what I used, I was happy to tell them and I was pleased to get some feedback so that could give you this review
In short I would definitely use this again because as I have said it is easy to use and leaves your hair soft and silky and where else can you get highlights like I have without spending a fortune.
~~How long does the colour last ~~
I think that this depends on how often you wash your hair, sometimes it can last for 3 months while for other people like me it can last 3 months. If you can try and get some Colour Protecting shampoo or conditioner than it will last longer and stay bright and healthy looking. You have to remember that this colourant is permanent and will grow out, unless of course like me you like the colour so much that you are prepared every 6 – 8 weeks to re touch the roots.
~~ Value for money~~
Without a doubt, with the extra amount that is in the pack it is well worth buying as it saves buying too packs of another colour, it also does what it says on the box including a lovely shimmery effect and it seems to help thickening of the hair or it did with me.
~~ Verdict~~
All in all this is a great Colour kit, the price was great and it was simple and easy to use.
It has made a big difference to my hair and also I feel more confident, I know that sounds strange but to me my hair and my eyes are my best features and so I try to make the most of them and this includes getting rid of my gray hairs.
I hope that this review will come in handy for anyone who is thinking of changing their hair colour, to me it is the best I have use.
very helpful
very helpful
