ClairolNatural Instincts Semi-Permanent No Ammonia Hair Dye, 5 Medium Brown

Have tried many, many hair colours over the years - mostly more 'natural' ones to avoid damage to my hair and use of ammonia.The French one I had used for some while became unobtainable so looking for a gentle colour that didn't turn my mid brown, + some grey, hair almost black then fade to a sort of off orange colour; lasted 6 - 8 weeks; smelt good and left my hair in good condition and was quick and easy to use. Was very nearly despairing of ever finding anything that met even a couple of these criteria when happened, by accident, on Natural Instincts. Was unsure as it is semi-permanent and others that are semi have washed out far too quickly and not covered grey well. Natural Instincts (I use the mid brown) is superb and ticks every one of my boxes including being the simplest to mix and apply (to dry hair) that have used in many years. Some take at least 50 minutes + heat to 'take' on grey hair and are so tedious and still look patchy and unnatural. This is all done in 25 minutes (including conditioning) and the lovely colour lasts a good 6 weeks before gradually washing out. Hair smells great and is smooth and shiny after using the excellent conditioner - enough of this for a good many shampoos. This is half the price of most have tried and yet is 100% better and is improving rather than damaging my hair and skin. Do not be put off by the semi- this is far superior in coverage and naturalness of colour than any permanent and lasts just as long if not longer. Don't know what the magic ingredient is - perhaps it's the coconut oil - but something really works. Thank you Clairol, please don't change colour or formula you have it just right !

Lovely colour, I had fairly light blonde and dark roots. I used this to blend them together and dragged the colour down to add more dimension. Has lasted really well as this pic is a few washes later. Left it on a bit longer than stated so it would take more. One hundred percent recommend!!

I bought this after bleaching my hair and not liking how bright blonde it was.The dye was the typical box dye instructions, application. I was pleased to find that it was a very gentle/low developer lotion. No harsh smells, didn’t further damage my hair.I enjoyed the creamy consistency of the formula when applied to my hair. My hair is short so I used about a box and a half. Any longer than jaw length may need 3 boxes as I used 1 and a half on short jaw length hair.The colour result is slightly dull but I’m hoping it will brighten a bit after I’ve washed it. I didn’t wash it after I dyed it, just used the conditioner provided in the box.Overall as someone who has become quite established at doing hair (and never usually uses box dye) this was a decent dye for the price. The fact it’s Demi/semi permanent probably is the reason why it was gentle. So as box dyes go, this is a decent one.Edit: after washing my hair for the first time after application, it has washed out the dull flatness of the result, which I am pleased about.As this is only a semi permanent colour it Will continue to wash out.Further edit: it’s worn exceptionally well. I really love the colour and it’s still there in my hair after a long time. I’m about to bleach my roots and redo the colour.

Good colour ,

This was the first time I have used this product and was unsure how it would turn out.I usually use Clairol Nice n Easy hair dye but thought I would try a semi permanent dye as I thought it would be kinder to my hair.I was very impressed with the feel of my hair after using this and I absolutely loved the colour which was a blonde colour with a lovely dark pink tint - not overpowering, just a subtle tint.However after washing for the first time the pink tint disappeared completely and the blonde tone was also gone.I was left with a light auburn colour which was nice but not what I had wanted !I will go back to using a permanent colour again - such a shame as this conditioned my hair so well, beautifully soft and shiny, but if the colour changes after only one wash its not worth using.

Lovely colour works v well covered alot of different colours on my hair really well was v surprised, would definitely purchase again

I ordered one close to my natural hair colour to cover a few grey hairs. It did not change my hair colour or cover any grey. It just made my hair a bit shinier. I don't know if I got 1 from a faulty batch but I will not be ordering it again.

I wanted to try a semi permanent colour instead of my usual one with ammonia to cover my grey regrowth. I wasn’t sure it would make a lot of difference but it’s blended them so well. Leaves hair soft and shiny too.