Clairol Natural Instincts Review

About Clairol

If you’ve ever picked up box dye from the drugstore, you likely chose Clairol. This company has been around for a long time and is one of the most popular hair coloring brands globally. In its collection, you’ll find permanent dyes, touch-up powders, and temporary sprays.

The brand has risen in relevancy lately since hair dyes are having a bit of a moment. The global market was worth $29 billion in 2019 based on these stats. You don’t have to walk far outside your house to see how people with either radical hair colors or more humble touch-ups.

It might be hard to believe, but Clairol has been around since the 1930s. Joan Bove and her husband, Lawrence Gelb, bought an innovative type of hair color that penetrates the hair shaft rather than just painting on the surface, which was pretty revolutionary at the time. The result was a more natural look and an effective coverup for grey hairs.

After discovering this secret in Paris, the pair returned home to the US, where they began selling the product. Clairol created the first at-home hair coloring kit in the 1950s, and in the decades that followed, continued to release game-changing hair color innovations.

More recently, the brand has used tech to improve dye enthusiasts’ experience, like with the Clairol My Shade app. The brand still operates from its head office in New York City, NY.

Should this brand be your go-to for your next at-home dye job? Stay tuned as this Clairol Natural Instincts review will give you the down-low on the bestselling products, their ingredients, how to use them, customer testimonials, shipping and return policies, and more.

Let’s being by looking at Clairol Natural Instincts’ pros and cons.

Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Ammonia-free: Clairol Natural Instincts does not contain ammonia, a chemical often found in permanent hair dyes, so it’s a gentler option for your hair, as ammonia can be harsh and damaging.
2. Semi-permanent color: Natural Instincts provides semi-permanent color that gradually fades over time, typically lasting for about 28 washes. This allows you to experiment with different shades without committing to a long-lasting color change.
3. Enhances natural hair color: The product is formulated to enhance and enrich your natural hair color rather than completely altering it. This can result in a more natural-looking outcome, as it blends with your existing hair color.
4. Conditioning properties: Clairol Natural Instincts contains ingredients that can help condition and moisturize your hair. This can leave your hair feeling soft, smooth, and more manageable after coloring.

Cons

1. Limited color options: Compared to permanent hair dyes, Clairol Natural Instincts offers a more limited range of color options. If you’re looking for more vibrant or dramatic color changes, this product may not provide the intensity you desire.
2. Shorter-lasting results: As a semi-permanent hair color, Clairol Natural Instincts will gradually fade over time. If you’re seeking a longer-lasting color change, you may need to reapply the product more frequently.
3. Limited coverage for grays: While Clairol Natural Instincts can help blend gray hairs with your natural color, it may not provide full coverage for resistant grays. If you have a significant amount of gray hair, you might need a more permanent hair dye for better coverage.

Recent Studies About Haircare Products

• This 2022 review from the American Chemical Society studied the various chemicals in hair dye products to measure their toxicity and carcinogenic risks.
• A systematic review from 2022 looked at how common hair dye ingredients affected skin conditions among hairdressers.
• One 2015 study found that a key ingredient in most hair dyes, p-phenylenediamine, was unlikely to pose any health threats if it’s not used aggressively.

Ingredients

These are the most common ingredients you’ll find in the products I speak about later in my Clairol Natural Ingredients review.

1. Water (Aqua): Water serves as the base solvent in the product, providing a liquid medium for the other ingredients.
2. Propylene Glycol: Propylene glycol is a humectant, which means it helps to attract and retain moisture in the hair. It can help prevent the hair from drying out during the coloring process.
3. Ethanolamine: Ethanolamine is used as a pH adjuster in hair dye formulations. It helps to create the right environment for the hair dye to work effectively.
4. P-Phenylenediamine: P-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is a colorant and the primary ingredient responsible for dyeing the hair. It interacts with the hair’s natural melanin to create the desired color change.
5. Resorcinol: Resorcinol is another colorant used in hair dyes. It helps to enhance the color and ensure a more vibrant result.
6. Citric Acid: Citric acid is an acidifying agent used to adjust the pH level of the product. It helps to maintain the optimal pH for the hair dye to work effectively.

How to Use

Whether you think dyeing your hair will solve your problems or you’re just looking to switch things up, this brand might be a good place to start. There are multiple formulations to choose from, depending on how dramatic of a change you need.

Instructions for each line differ slightly, so be sure to check the instructions that are included with each box. Also, protect your hands with the included gloves. Here’s a general run-down of the process so you know what you’re getting into:

1. Squeeze the color cream (bottle #1) into the activator (bottle #2)
2. Shake well until completely blended
3. Apply evenly to all of your strands (if you’ve colored in the past three months, be sure to read the alternative instructions)
4. Leave on for 15-30 minutes, depending on the product
5. Rinse out
6. Condition with the included conditioner

6 Best-Selling Clairol Natural Instincts Products

Up next in this Clairol Natural Instincts review, I’ll introduce you to some of the brand’s bestsellers. Whether you’re looking to cover up greys, touch-up roots between salon appointments, or try a new color completely, the company offers products to help.

PSA: the brand recommends doing a patch test at least two days prior to applying color, even with its more gentle options.

Clairol Natural Instincts Review

As the brand’s most gentle color, Clairol Natural Instincts is a demi-permanent hair dye that is completely free of ammonia—an ingredient commonly found in dyes that many scalps are sensitive to. Instead, this formulation features mostly natural ingredients, like coconut oil and aloe vera.

There are 38 shades in this collection, ranging from light blonde to ultra black. The idea here is au naturel: select a shade similar to your own to add shine and depth, enhancing your natural beauty. Or, change it up with a new color, using the Clairol Natural Instincts color chart for guidance.

Online on Amazon and Walmart, these dyes are $10 a box.

Clairol Nice’n Easy Review

There’s a reason why we’ve all heard of the Clairol Nice’n Easy line. Despite the fact that it offers permanent color, its innovative formulation is designed to be safe for people with sensitive skin who are at risk of allergic reactions to other hair dyes.

Customers have 50 red, blonde, brunette, and black shades to choose from. Plus, it’ll cover up your greys with ease. Ready to commit to a safe and long-lasting color? You can buy a kit for $10 at Walmart.

Clairol Natural Instincts – Just The Brunette Shades Review

Aspiring to be a brunette? Or, wanting a subtle change for your brown locks? Look no further than the Clairol Natural Instincts – Just The Brunette Shades. The brand has curated its selection of 18 brown hues so you don’t have to sift through all 38 colors.

Here, you’ll find soft golden browns, rich chocolates, and creamy caramels. Add a $10 box to your cart online at Amazon or Walmart.

Clairol Balsam – Just The Black Shades Review

The Clairol Balsam line is one of the brand’s most nourishing options. Each color is infused with plant-derived ingredients that leave your hair feeling hydrated, soft, and smooth—not to mention looking shiny.

The Balsam – Just The Black Shades collection offers two permanent black shades: black and natural black. What’s the difference? The former is more intense than the latter, offering more of a cool-toned hue. Each option is $8 per box.

Clairol Textures & Tones Review

Whether you’ve got natural or chemically relaxed hair, the Clairol Textures & Tones line was developed for those with thicker, curlier strands. Each shade is formulated to deposit a permanent color without changing your hair’s texture.

Available in 13 shades, this product moisturizes and adds shine as it dyes, thanks to its infusion of jojoba oil. It’s one of the company’s more expensive options at $11. If you’re curly-coily and looking for a semi-permanent option, try a box of the Clairol Beautiful Collection hues instead.

Clairol Permanent Root Touch Up Review

Picture this: you used permanent hair dye about two months ago. Your roots are now showing, and it is simply not cute. Whether you need to cover up your greys or the fact that you’re not a natural brunette, opt for the Clairol Permanent Root Touch-Up to protect your locks.

There are 28 natural colors to choose from that blend with the brand’s full-head box dyes, ranging from light blondes to intense blacks. This product should be applied directly to your roots and left on for 10-15 minutes, depending on how hard it needs to work. Then, just rinse and condition! Grab this Clairol professional permanent touch-up for $8.

Clairol Temporary Root Touch-Up Concealing Powder Review

We know the struggle all too well. It’s the morning of a big event. It isn’t quite time to dye your hair yet, but your roots are starting to peek through. Well, the Clairol Temporary Root Touch-Up Concealing Powder is here to help.

This product is essentially a concealer for your hair. It’ll coat your roots and hide the new growth, but easily wash out in the shower. It’s affordable, convenient, and kinda like the dry shampoo of root touch-ups—simply brush it on wherever you need coverage. It’s available in six shades for $8 on Amazon or Walmart.

Who is Clairol For?

There are a few reasons why you’d want to use some of the products in my Clairol Natural Instincts review to change up your look.

• They’re suitable for individuals who prefer a gentler hair coloring option and may be concerned about potential damage associated with permanent hair dyes. The products are typically used by those who want to achieve subtle color changes or experiment with different shades temporarily.
• Additionally, they’re often used by people who are looking for a temporary hair color change, such as covering gray hair or trying a new shade, without the commitment of a permanent dye.

Clairol Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

So, is Clairol hair color good? We can’t answer that question without looking at customer reviews from various sources, so this Clairol Natural Instincts review hunted down testimonials on the brand’s site, TrustPilot, and Amazon.

First up, comments on the company’s website vary quite dramatically. Collectively, there are over 90k ratings as of June 2023, so it’s to be expected that we’ll see some conflicting experiences.

I chose to dive deeper into Clairol Natural Instincts reviews. In terms of positives, shoppers report long-lasting color that is full-coverage. One customer also reported that it leaves her hair looking shiny and healthy:

“I really like the feel of my hair, soft and smooth. My hair actually looks better and healthier than before dying it and the color looks really natural. My white hair did not turn dark brown, but it blends with the rest very well and that’s all I wanted. I also appreciate the fact that the formula is 80% natural.”

I next turned to Amazon reviews, where comments are actually very positive. Textures & Tones has an average of 4.5/5 stars from more than 2.3k ratings as of June 2023.

Avoiding chemical damage on curly hair is certainly not an easy feat when dying it, but customers are raving about the minimal damage on their strands. One curly girly said:

“I personally LOVED this dye!! It was easy to use and all the instructions are there… My hair was a dark chestnut color because of previous dyes so this dye juss made it way lighter not blonde but I absolutely love the color. Also I highly suggest using the conditioner it comes with because it’s tested to care for your hair specifically after being dyed, my hair isn’t hard or crunchy like other dyes made my hair and my curls are popping.”

To get a more balanced picture, I turned to Trustpilot. But, the company’s average wasn’t too hot: 1.3/5 stars from more than 380 ratings as of June 2023.

Many customers complain about the dye just straight-up not working or irritating their scalp. However, not everyone fell into that camp, as one customer wrote in their Clairol Natural Instincts review;

“I live in the U.S. and this is my go to brand for box hair color! I use the shade “Brown Blackv and absolutely love the results I get from this hair color each and every time I color my hair! It’s priced at $7-$8 so it’s a little pricey for a box color but more affordable than some brands“

TL;DR: customers love that Clairol dyes don’t drip, are less smelly than other brands, give you a natural look, and protect hair from damage. Negative reviews say the dyes didn’t work, irritated their scalp, and caused hair loss.

Though comments are pretty conflicting, shoppers seem to be most pleased with the Nice’n Easy Balsam black shades and the Concealing Powder. In terms of other products, we’d have to say the positives outweigh the negatives—but you should absolutely do the recommended patch test to ensure you won’t have a bad reaction to anything, which was the biggest complaint.

With 100k+ reviews, there are bound to be people who weren’t happy with the hair colors. But, we don’t think the brand would still be around today if it didn’t offer innovative and effective products.

Is Clairol Worth It?

Yes, Clairol is worth it. The natural look that these dyes provide at home is valuable, especially for those of us who don’t want to spend hundreds at a salon. I encourage you to check out Textures & Tones if you’re looking for minimal damage on your curly hair or Nice’n Easy for a shiny new permanent hair color.

You might want to be warier of other lines if you have sensitive skin, fine hair, or already damaged strands. Some customers have had some poor experiences with Clairol dyes that cost them not just money but also hair and scalp health, too.

Always do a skin patch test at least 48 hours before to make sure your scalp won’t be burning when you apply the dye, and test a couple of strands of hair to see how the dye interacts with your unique locks. Better to be safe than sorry.

But, if you’re ready to commit to at-home dye or a simple root touch-up, this Clairol Natural Instincts review thinks its products are worth checking out. With nine decades of experience in the industry, it’s safe to say that the brand knows a thing or two about hair color.

Clairol Promotions & Discounts 

Unfortunately, there aren’t any active promos right now. But, you can follow the Clairol social media pages—if there’s an upcoming deal, it’ll be there!

Alternatives

Looking for other box hair dyes? Maybe broaden your horizons outside the scope of my Clairol review and check out these brands.

Madison Reed

Madison Reed is known for using high-quality ingredients in their products, including nourishing oils and fewer harsh chemicals, which can be less damaging to the hair. Generally, their permanent hair color kits range from around $26 to $30, while root touch-up products typically cost between $20 and $25.

Vegamour

Vegamour is a hair care brand that specializes in vegan and plant-based hair products, with a particular focus on hair growth and scalp health. Their pricing varies depending on the specific product, ranging from $20 to $50.

Amika

Amika is committed to being a cruelty-free and vegan-friendly brand, which resonates with customers who prefer ethical and sustainable hair care options. They offer a range of high-quality hair styling tools, shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and treatments.

Where to Buy Clairol

For online orders, Amazon, Walmart, and Ulta sell most of the company’s products. In-store options include drugstores, Walmart, beauty supply stores… just visit the Store Locator to find the nearest Clairol aisle near you.

FAQ

Who owns Clairol now?

Clairol is now owned by the parent company Coty.

Fun fact: the brand used to own Herbal Essences, but doesn’t anymore. So if you confusedly go searching for Clairol Herbal Essence hair color, you’ll just come up with plain ol’ Clairol hair color.

Is Clairol bad for your hair?

Yes and no? Clairol is better than other brands at keeping its dyes minimally damaging because of its focus on natural ingredients. But its permanent hair dyes are more damaging than the semi-permanent or demi-permanent options, so opt for semi- or demi- if you’re looking for minimal damage.

What is Clairol’s Shipping Policy?

Clairol’s brand site does not ship products. Amazon, Walmart, and Ulta do, so check out their individual shipping policies there. Otherwise, the brand is available worldwide in retail stores.

What is Clairol’s Return Policy?

Because the brand doesn’t sell Clairol products on its own site, returns are determined by the site you choose to buy from.

For example, Amazon’s customer service team handles all returns, so you’ll be dealing with them instead of the Clairol customer service.

How do I contact Clairol?

If you have any questions after reading this Clairol Natural Instincts review, you can contact the company through:

• Fill out the contact form on the site
• DM or comment on Clairol’s social media profiles
• Call (800) 252-4765

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Not totally convinced by Clairol? Check out our review for Function of Beauty, an entirely customizable haircare brand.

Fans of YouTube star Brand Mondo should check out XMondo Hair.

Make sure to check out Madison Reed hair as well.