Garnier Olia Ammonia Free Permanent Hair Color, 100% Gray Coverage (Packaging May Vary), 5.0 Medium Brown Hair Dye, Pack of 1

My hair is somewhat coarse, curly, frizzy, shoulder-length and over 95% white. I used to color it myself until I started going to a salon about 18 years ago when my hair was starting to look brassy. I’ve since been using a darker color, which does make me look younger.I have a problem with the stuff my hairdresser has been using for the past few years. The roots are fine, but every few months she’d apply a temporary color to the rest to pull the color through. Every time that was done my hair would become more damaged. So I took a chance a month ago and started to use this.Is my hair better than it was? Yes, definitely, although you aren’t suddenly going to have healthy moisturized hair. Apparently that’s going to take some time as well as some trimming.I’m using a medium brown. The first time I used it I applied the color to my hardest to color areas 3 times and left it on for the required 30 minutes. That wasn’t enough time and there was no evidence I’d applied any color at all to my temples. The second time I used this I left it on for 45 minutes and that’s holding pretty well. The color looks nice and I figure I’m saving about $500 a year by doing it myself.The conditioner is nice and I'm averaging 3 uses out of it.I’m not happy with the actual packaging. The applicator is a big plastic bulb. Add the developer and the color—and in both cases you have to squeeze the tubes like crazy to make sure you get all of the product out—then put your finger over the end and shake it. The problem is that my hands aren’t large enough to put a finger over the end and shake this thing. So I either have to shake it with 2 hands or don’t break off the tip until it’s mixed. My fingers aren’t long enough to fit around the bulb applicator, so between the gloves and the size of this thing, it’s too easy to drop. You shouldn’t have to stop and clean the floor while applying color.So I’m happy with the color and the improvement I am seeing with the condition of my hair, and I love how much money I’m saving. But I’d be giving this more stars if the applicator was easier to deal with.

I have used box color for years, and have generally good success with it. I started going gray at an unusually early age, so I have tried several different methods of coloring to cover the gray. I can't afford to keep up with salon coloring, so I've tried to be as picky as my pocketbook will allow when it comes to boxed color. Also, especially lately, I've been trying to find a gentler, more "natural" way to make my hair look.....well, less natural... I looked into several systems that were all out of my price (and time) range. A friend recommended this product, and said that her hairdresser used something like it on her hair in the salon for years. She was excited to share that it has become available in the stores as a box color. She shared with me that one of the things she appreciated the most for this product was that it is an oil-based system, rather than ammonia. I selected a color and got more and more excited for the product to arrive, as it was becoming increasingly obvious that my "natural" color was growing out.As I said, I've colored my hair many, many times (for several years now), so I'm very familiar with the process, but because this was a new-to-me product, I read and followed the directions. Garnier Olia smells WAY better than traditional box colors I've used. It seemed to wash out well, and left my hair feeling very good, especially compared to the way it generally feels after I've used other box colors. However, that's unfortunately where the positives ended. While I liked the color where I could see it, I was really disappointed in the fact that it did an extremely poor job in covering the grays. In fact, now, just two weeks later, it looks like I need to color my hair again. I've also noticed that the product continues to wash out, when it says that it's a permanent haircolor. Even my hairdresser noticed that when I went in for a trim a few days ago. (Now THAT was embarrassing. Not only did I not go to her to color my hair, I made it worse by choosing a product that was washing out before her very eyes!)All that to say, I would not choose to use this product again, sadly. I was so excited, but it just doesn't meet the needs of a woman with graying hair.

I have tired different products from this brand from the store and decided to get it on Amazon. I got 2 boxes. 1 was exactly like it is from the store, the other had a different bottle and a hair dye from this brand that is a little cheaper. I have a feeling someone swapped the two and then returned it in this package. Anyway, the dye is okay and it washes off kind of quickly. Comparing to other cheaper brands, the result is about the same even though you are paying a few bucks extra. Overall, not bad, but I think I will keep searching for a brand that suits me better.

Although I love this product for dying my hair, as it is not as harsh as the other dyes, you should be prepared to dye your hair more often as it doesn't last as long either. It can also be very tricky if you have a regular shade as I find they change them up very often making the one you want possibly hard to find.

First time using this hair dye.. I really like it. Most hair dyes that I've used left my hair uneven in color (darker at the ends). This covered all my grey's (I don't have many but still) I switched from dark brown to medium and it turned out beautifully.. left some auburn tones to the roots. My hair is not dry in the least and barely any smell to this dye. Will be purchasing again in the future. Well done Garnier :)