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February 28, 2005 10:58 PM

L'Oréal Paris: Couleur Experte

What They Say: "...the only at-home haircolor system that delivers truly multi-tonal results. This is accomplished through a 2-step process, first permanent all-over color, then illumniating highlights. With everything coordinated in a single box, the process is surprisingly simple, resulting in harmonious, natural-looking color."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I've used this about 4 times over the last 8 months or so, and I've always been happy with my results. Sure, taking your color into your own hands is scary, but this makes it almost foolproof. It doesn't leave my hair feeling dried out or fried afterward, and the shine lasts really well. The provided deep conditioner (which I can stretch for about 3 uses) is amazing and leaves your hair super silky. If you follow the instructions well and you haven't done anything to your hair in the last 6 weeks (and aren't going from black to blonde or something extreme!), the results are very true to description.

Here's how it works: You get a nice packaged set of supplies, with the two steps (color and highlight) separated, each with their own set of gloves. Just put the developer in the color bottle, put on your gloves, seal the top, snap off the tip, and mix! Then you carefully (over a towel, please, dears) apply your color in sections with the applicator. Make sure you coat all the hair. Let it develop for the alloted time. Next comes the rinse (be thorough), towel-dry your hair, and you're ready for the next step!

I like to take a bit of hair at the very crown of my head and put it up and out of the way with a clip. Put on your gloves, pour out the contents of the liquid bottle in step 2 and add the contents of the powder packet. Mix with the end of your application wand (your best friend for the next half hour). Then just apply as much or as little highlighting solution to strands of hair in wide or fine strips, whatever your preference. Now, it might help a bit to have someone nearby just to help with the very, very back - or just to make sure you've applied the highlights evenly in the back. I then let the crown loose and do the rest. My reason for this is that I like to have highlights from within the hair, not just on the top layer. They recommend doing your front face-framing highlights first, but I know how to conserve the solution until I get to the front, and want to make sure I get highlights all the way around. But if it's your first time, you may want to go ahead and start at the front and bangs area. Allow to process for the specified time. Start the timer AFTER you finish your LAST highlight.
*Highlighting Tips - a.) Don't glob, make sure it's even, especially no globs at the root. b.) Don't go all the way up to your scalp with the solution, but just barely to the root. c.) It won't be as bold as you think, so don't worry and stress over the highlights. I've found that they blend well into the color and don't come out white (I've never used light blonde, I've always used the brown or red colors). My highlights have always come out a nice subtle, shimmery gold-tone.

After that, just rinse out the solution and condition your hair with a third or so of the provided intense conditioner. No need to shampoo this first time. Trust me, your hair will feel like silk after using the conditioner. Style as usual.

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L'Oréal Paris: Couleur Experte:

My experience has been the same as yours with this product. I've always enjoyed the results (no "ACK!" suprises) and it's really easy to do all by yourself. My hair stylist even complimented me on the color and asked me where I got my color done (after we overheard a few other stylists making mocking comments about a customer they knew who had "box color") and I told her I used Couleur Experte. She was suprised and told me under her breath to stick with it, it looked professional. So, I am! It's much more affordable and I can change my color whenever I feel like it.

Dillygirl | December 18, 2005 2:37 PM

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