ColorZap review on black hair dye

Original hair color is a soft black with subtle chocolate highlights which turned coppery brown.

Instead of going back to the salon, I decided to do without the highlights that are forever fading on me and just do a quick, simple and cheap all over color. I chose Loreal Preference in soft black for all over color, from local drug store.

Problem: The color turned out much darker and harsher than I intended...it actually really made my hair look like a wig! 

After my hair dried, I immediately put some Head 'n Shoulders shampoo in and let it soak for a good 15 minutes, then washed it out. Some improvement but not enough...

I went to my local Sally's the very next day and bought two boxes of Loreal's ColorZap. Two boxes at $9.99.  I have very long hair.

I snipped some of my hair and did  a strand test, following the directions on the box.  No changes.

I went ahead and mixed the two boxes of ColorZap. The applicator is a small plastic bottle with a flip/squirt lid. I think Loreal could have done better with that. The solution is pretty running, making it difficult to use color brush.

After about 10 minutes, I could see that the hair was lightening and my scalp was beginning to tingle...5 minutes later, my hair started to look red is some places (I'm scared at this point) and my scalp is starting to actual feel like its starting to react to a chemical burn f(I'm really scared now). So, I decide not to take any chances with my skin and wash out the product. I was instructed to leave it in for 50 minutes. There is no way my skin would have tolerated this. 

The product directs you to use a mild shampoo and no conditioner since you are supposed to color your hair as soon as it dries. After rinsing out the shampoo, I notice that the texture of my hair is much different...coarser, drier. I'm worried that I damaged my hair. 

I blow dry my hair with mostly the cold setting. It still feels coarse and thirsty.

The color? Some of my hair is a light purplish red...while most of it looks pretty nice, more of the soft black, dark brown I originally intended.

Overall, ColorZap works. I think if I had a friend helping, I would have had better results. The applicator is difficult and it's hard to get the product all over. Since it's a 'runny' formula, it makes it difficult to feel how it is spreading. Also, I found the odor pretty strong...similiar to many permanent homedye kits.

What I learned? Hair coloring is a tricky, maybe a color specialist is worth all that money.

Keep scrubing your hair every day, you'll find more and more colour comes out (if that's what you want) all colours fade, even permanent ones.

Colour doesn't have to be left to a professional, you just have an idea where you're starting, where you're going, how your getting there, and use good quality professional products that are suited to your plan.

I too (like most) have made the mistake of using box colour. For your own sake, don't do it again. :)


Edited by Ally<3 - February 26 2008 at 5:12pm