Clairol makes haircolor products. Choose from Semi-Permanent (lasts through 8-12 shampoos), Demi-Permanent (lasts through 28 shampoos), Permanent (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor) or Highlighting & Blonding to help you become colorwonderful™.

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.

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.

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.

Product instruction inserts are inside your haircolor box.

GET READY TO COLOR

• Use an old towel to protect your clothing and household surfaces.
• Have a clock handy for timing.
• Wear the plastic gloves provided for preparation and application of color.
• Apply to dry hair that is free of styling product build-up. If hair has styling product build-up, shampoo 12-24 hours prior to coloring. DO NOT shampoo immediately before coloring. Your scalp has natural oils that help protect it during coloring.

ALLERGY TEST - 48 HOURS BEFORE YOU COLOR

1. Put on gloves. Shake bottle. Twist the applicator tip to open the bottle.
2. Apply small amount of the mixture to inside of elbow.
3. Leave inside of elbow uncovered and undisturbed for 48 hours.
4. Examine the test area during the next 48 hours. If no reaction occurs, you are ready to color.

STRAND TEST - 48 HOURS AFTER ALLERGY TEST AND BEFORE YOU COLOR

1. Cut a 1/4 inch wide strand from the darkest or grayest part of your dry hair close to the scalp and tape at the cut end.
2. Place strand in bowl. Shake bottle. Put on gloves. Twist the applicator tip to open bottle and point downwards away from face and squeeze out enough haircolor into the bowl to cover the strand.
3. Start timing. After 15 minutes (10 minutes for permed/relaxed hair), wipe the haircolor from the strand with a paper towel to check the strand. If the strand is not the color you want, return it to the mixture and check the color every few minutes for up to 20 minutes (up to 45 minutes for resistant grays).

SPECIAL CAUTIONS

• Never use product on eyebrows or eyelashes. This could cause eye irritation. If any product gets into the eye, flush immediately with a large amount of water. If irritation occurs, consult a physician or seek medical advice.
• We recommend removing contact lenses before applying haircolor. If you must wear contact lenses during application and any product gets into your eye, remove the lens first, then flush immediately with a large amount of water. If irritation occurs, consult a physician or seek medical advice.
• Never use on facial hair or if your scalp is irritated or injured.
• Do not mix with any other product.
• Product not intended to be used on children.

USEFUL TIPS BEFORE YOU START

• Apply to hair that is free of styling product build-up, however, do not shampoo immediately before coloring.
• If you have resistant grays:
  
  • Try applying Loving Care to the gray area first, then to the rest of your hair.
  • Remember to use all the Loving Care and really saturate your hair.
  • Be sure to use the Color Enhancing Cap provided.
• For longer lasting gray coverage, try Natural Instincts from Clairol.
• If your hair has recently been permed or relaxed, wait at least 7 days and 1 shampoo before coloring. Be sure to do the Strand Test, since your timing may need to be reduced.
• If you plan to perm or chemically relax your hair, wait at least 7 days and one shampoo before coloring.
• If you've used a gradual color restorer, henna or metallic dyes, don't use Loving Care until your hair has grown out and the colored areas have been cut off.
• If hair is highlighted or lightened, highly lightened from the sun, or if a haircolor remover has been used, DO NOT USE Loving Care, as it may produce off-tone or unwanted results.
• If you are deciding between two similar shades, choose the lighter shade for a more subtle result.
• If the shade you used was too dark, shampoo several times to make it lighter. Next time, choose a lighter shade and perform the Strand Test to check the color and determine optimal timing.
• If the color becomes too dark on the ends of hair, apply Loving Care to new hair growth only (right at the scalp). Leave it there for most of the application time. With 5 minutes left, work the color from the new growth through the rest of hair. When application time is finished, rinse.