Clairol Natural Instincts

I have colored my hair ever since I was a teen. It's funny because I love my natural hair color, but I do love to experiment with different shades. I have used so many different color products over the years and have become quite knowledgeable in this area. I can definitely tell you what to buy and what not to buy when it comes to home hair color and any products related.

Naturally I am a dark slightly warm brunette. I've been blonde and every shade of brunette tone wise that you can think of. The one product that has my vote hands down is Natural Instincts by Clairol. I use Natural Instincts all the time and it is the only at home product I have purchased in the last few years. Here's why:

1. Natural Instincts is a demi perm
2. It is ammonia-free with antioxidants.
3. I love the deep conditioner that comes with it
4. Always makes my hair look amazing and super shiny after coloring.
5. I don't get noticeable roots when using this product.
6. Doesn't dry my hair out like harsh permanent dyes.
7. Lasts for 28 shampoos, but the color still stays with you.
8. Extremely easy to use and doesn't drip once applied.

Here's some info on demi-permanent hair color for you:

Demi-permanent hair color is permanent hair color that contains an alkaline agent other than ammonia (e.g., ethanolamine, sodium carbonate) and, while always employed with a developer, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in that developer may be lower than used with a permanent hair color. Since the alkaline agents employed in dem-perms are less effective in removing the natural pigment of hair than ammonia these product provide little to no lightening of hair's color during dyeing. As the result, they cannot color hair to a lighter shade than it was before dyeing and are less damaging to hair than their permanent counterpart.

Demi-permanents are much more effective at covering gray hair than semi-permanents, but less so than permanents.

Demi-permanents have several advantages as compared with permanent color. Because there is essentially no lifting (i.e., removal) of natural hair color, the final color is less uniform/homogeneous than a permanent and therefore more natural looking; they are gentler on hair and therefore safer, especially for damaged hair; and they wash out over time (typically 20 to 28 shampoos), so root regrowth is less noticeable and if a change of color is desired, it is easier to achieve. Demi-permanent hair colors are, in essence, permanent color and the darker shades in particular may persist longer than indicated on the packet.

Here are some of my most favorite Natural Instincts shades:

1. Roasted Chestnut
2. Nutmeg
3. Golden Cappuccino
4. Hazelnut

I cannot comment on if this product is good for covering grey hair or not as my hair color is not grey yet. I would think it would be good for those in the beginning stages of grey, but not for full on grey.


Click HERE to check out Clairol's Natural Instincts site!