For people are interested in coloring their hair, L’Oreal cosmetics manufactures both Excellence and Preference brand colorants. These products are both permanent levels of hair color (level 3), and are intended to work on both gray and non-graying hair. While both cost approximately the same amount and include the same supplies needed to perform a color application, based on personal experiences, I have found that one brand outshines the other. The following is a review of how each product performs over a two month period.
L’Oreal Excellence – The Excellence hair color offers a non-drip crème which really is reliable and does not drip. It includes in applicator bottle, gel-based colorant, gloves, conditioner, and an attachable comb. The attachable comb is useful for highlights and root touch ups. First, one must apply a pre-color conditioner that is not meant to be rinsed out. Its goal is to protect the vulnerable ends of the hair from breakage. While I chose a color that was one shade lighter than my natural shade, I was not seeking the results of using a high-life hair color; however, I experienced the same burning sensation one has when bleaching hair. This subsided once the color was rinsed out, unfortunately though, the hair color took 40 minutes to develop, which meant I was burning and itching for that time. It became unbearable at times, and if I could have, I would have rinsed it out earlier. I do have some gray hairs, which means I have to leave my color on longer as my grays are color-resistant.
Over the next few weeks, I used the conditioner that was included with the hair color. The conditioner tube provided enough application to last me three times. By the third week, my color began to look very brassy and was noticeably not as bright. My hair started looking somewhat out of place, and at times frizzy. The hair shaft itself was lighter and thinner, due to the color washing away. Some of my individual hairs showed where the color was still applied, while others were thin and very fragile.
L’Oreal Preference – The Preference hair color by far outperformed the Excellence hair color. Preference’s application kit contained the same supplies as Excellence did, with the exception of the pre-coloring conditioner. However, the difference in the quality of the supplies was amazing. First, Preference had a very pleasant smell, similar to Garnier Nutrisse, due to the essential oils that were in the mixture. I also used a shade that was one shade lighter than my natural hair color and applied it according to the directions provided. When applied, the Preference did not burn my scalp or cause any itching. It washed out very easy and came with a tube of conditioner, which was the same quantity as the Excellence.
As the days passed, I conditioned my hair and styled it normally. After two weeks, my hair still retained all of the Preference color and did not have any fly-aways or frizziness. The hair still had a good weight due to the product remaining, and color was still evenly distributed throughout the hair length.
In the end, as a woman with ear-length hair that is medium ash brown and ten percent gray, the Preference hair color worked the best for me. Preference did not cause me any irritation, brassiness, or fading and performed many times better than its brand mate, Excellence. It also had a very pleasant smell that reminded me of Clairol’s Herbal Essences, but unlike Herbal Essences, the benefit of Preference was a permanent, not semi-permanent hair color, for longer lasting results. If you are faced with a choice between L’Oreal Excellence or Preference, consider the Preference. You will not be disappointed.
