14 min read
Most of us have stared at a box of hair dye in the drugstore aisle, paralyzed by choice. You want rich color. You need to cover those stubborn grays. You definitely do not want to fry your hair in the process. L'Oreal Excellence Creme has been a staple in European and American bathrooms for decades for exactly these reasons. It delivers reliable, salon-quality results without the massive price tag.
Coloring your own hair requires a basic understanding of chemistry and shade matching. Grab the wrong box, and you might end up with brassy orange roots instead of a cool ash blonde. Follow the wrong application steps, and you risk uneven patches across the back of your head. Education is your best defense against a hair disaster.
This guide breaks down exactly how this popular formula works. We cover everything from decoding the complex numbering system on the box to mastering the application technique. Your bathroom is about to become your new favorite salon.
What is L'Oreal Excellence Creme?
L'Oreal Excellence Creme is a permanent at-home hair color formulated with a triple care system to protect hair during the dyeing process. It features a pro-keratin enriched color cream, a gentle post-color shampoo, and a ceramide conditioning mask to provide 100 percent gray coverage.
Permanent hair color works by opening the hair cuticle to deposit pigment deep into the hair shaft. This chemical process can cause dryness and breakage if the formula lacks protective ingredients. Excellence Creme specifically targets this vulnerability. The thick, non-drip cream consistency ensures the product stays exactly where you put it.
Generations of users rely on this specific line for its predictability. When you buy a box of 8.1 Light Ash Blonde, you know exactly how it will perform. The included 20-volume developer provides just enough lift to deposit color effectively without causing severe structural damage to your hair strands.
The Science Behind the Triple Care Routine
Traditional box dyes often left users with a harsh, chemical residue and brittle ends. L'Oreal changed the standard by introducing a multi-step routine designed to mimic a professional salon service. The process respects the integrity of your scalp and hair fibers.
Step one involves the actual coloring cream. This formula contains Pro-Keratin, a synthetic protein that helps fortify the hair structure while the ammonia and developer do their work. Opening the cuticle is necessary for permanent color, but the Pro-Keratin acts as a buffer against excessive protein loss.
Step two introduces the caring post-color shampoo. Many people make the mistake of aggressively scrubbing their freshly dyed hair with regular shampoo. The included pH-balanced shampoo gently cleanses the scalp to remove excess residue without stripping the newly deposited pigment. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, using specialized products after chemical treatments is vital for maintaining cuticle health and preventing breakage.
Step three is the lightweight nourishing mask. Formulated with ceramides, this deep conditioner seals the hair cuticle back down. A sealed cuticle reflects light better, resulting in that coveted glossy finish. You get enough product in the tube to use weekly for up to a month after your initial coloring session.
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Understanding Hair Porosity Before You Color
Your hair's porosity dictates how it will absorb and hold onto artificial pigment. Porosity refers to your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. It directly impacts your final color result.
Low porosity hair has a tightly bound cuticle layer. Water and chemicals struggle to penetrate the surface. If you have low porosity hair, you might find that hair dye takes longer to process. The standard 30-minute processing time might leave you with a lighter result than expected because the color could not fully enter the hair shaft.
Normal porosity hair absorbs and retains moisture effectively. The cuticle is loose enough to allow moisture in but tight enough to keep it from escaping. This type of hair typically processes exactly according to the box instructions.
High porosity hair has gaps and holes in the cuticle. This is often the result of previous chemical damage, heat styling, or environmental stress. High porosity hair absorbs hair dye highly fast. It can process much darker than the box indicates. However, because the cuticle remains open, high porosity hair also fades quickly. If your hair is highly porous, you should choose a shade slightly lighter than your desired result to prevent it from absorbing too much dark pigment.
Decoding the L'Oreal Excellence Creme Shade Chart
Walking down the hair color aisle feels like reading a foreign language. The boxes display numbers like 5.3 or 8.1 alongside beautiful model photos. Never rely solely on the photo. Understanding the numbering system guarantees you pick the correct shade for your goals.
The first number on the box represents the base level. The base level indicates how light or dark the color is on a scale from 1 to 10. Level 1 is pitch black. Level 10 is the lightest pale blonde. The higher the number, the lighter the base color.
- Levels 1-3: Black to Darkest Brown. These shades contain heavy concentrations of dark pigment.
- Levels 4-5: Dark Brown to Medium Brown. These are the most common brunette shades.
- Levels 6-7: Light Brown to Dark Blonde. These transition shades often pull unwanted red or orange tones if not formulated correctly.
- Levels 8-10: Medium Blonde to Lightest Blonde. These require a lighter natural starting base to achieve without bleach.
The number following the decimal point indicates the tone. Tone refers to the underlying color character: cool, warm, or neutral. This is the most critical factor in achieving a natural-looking result.
- .0 or Natural: Neutral tones perfect for covering gray hair. They offer a balanced mix of cool and warm pigments.
- .1 (Ash): Cool tones with a blue or green base. Ash tones neutralize unwanted brassiness, red, or orange hues.
- .2 (Iridescent/Pearl): Cool tones with a violet base. Excellent for neutralizing yellow tones in blonde hair.
- .3 (Gold): Warm tones with a yellow base. They add brightness and a sun-kissed glow to dull hair.
- .4 (Copper): Warm tones with an orange base. These create rich, fiery auburn and strawberry blonde shades.
- .5 (Mahogany): Cool red tones with a violet-red base. They provide deep, rich berry hues.
- .6 (Red): Warm, vibrant red tones.
By combining these two numbers, you can predict the exact result. A box labeled 5.3 is a Medium Golden Brown. A box labeled 8.1 is a Light Ash Blonde. If your hair naturally pulls orange when you dye it, you should always reach for an ash (.1) tone to counteract that warmth.
Matching Your Skin Undertone to Your Hair Color
Selecting the right shade goes beyond personal preference. Your skin's natural undertone plays a massive role in whether a hair color makes you look glowing or washed out. Skin undertones fall into three categories: cool, warm, and neutral.
Cool undertones feature hints of pink, red, or blue in the skin. Your veins likely appear blue or purple under your wrist. People with cool undertones look best in hair colors that share those cool characteristics. Ash blondes, platinum, cool dark browns, and blue-blacks complement this skin type beautifully. Avoid golden or copper shades, as they can make cool skin look flushed or ruddy.
Warm undertones display hints of yellow, peach, or gold. Your veins probably look greenish under your wrist. Warm skin tones glow when paired with warm hair colors. Golden blondes, honey browns, rich auburns, and copper reds are highly flattering. Ashy or silver tones can make warm skin look dull or gray.
Neutral undertones have a balanced mix of warm and cool hues. If you cannot clearly tell if your veins are blue or green, you likely have a neutral undertone. You have the flexibility to wear almost any hair color successfully. You can switch between a cool mushroom brown in the winter and a warm golden blonde in the summer without clashing with your complexion.
Excellence Creme vs. Preference vs. Feria
L'Oreal dominates the drugstore hair color market with three distinct permanent dye lines. Understanding the differences ensures you select the right formula for your specific hair needs.
Excellence Creme is the protective, gray-coverage champion. Its thick cream formula is designed specifically to cover stubborn, wiry grays completely. The focus is on hair health and opaque, solid color results.
Superior Preference uses a liquid gel formula. It is famous for its fade-defying technology and translucent color. While Excellence provides solid, opaque coverage, Preference allows your natural hair highlights and lowlights to shine through the dye. It covers grays, but they may appear as lighter highlights rather than a solid uniform color.
Feria is the rebellious sibling of the group. It focuses on multi-faceted, shimmering, and trendy colors. Feria produces vibrant reds, metallic silvers, and intense violets. It is not formulated for gray coverage. If you apply Feria over gray hair, the grays will likely turn bright pink or neon orange depending on the shade chosen.
| Feature | Excellence Creme | Superior Preference | Feria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formula Type | Thick Creme | Liquid Gel | Liquid Shimmer |
| Gray Coverage | 100% Opaque Coverage | Translucent Coverage | Not Recommended for Grays |
| Primary Benefit | Protection & Solid Color | Fade-Defying Luminous Color | Trendy, Multi-Faceted Hues |
| Best For | Mature hair, stubborn grays | Natural-looking dimensional color | Bold, fashion-forward looks |
Pre-Color Preparation: Setting Up for Success
Excellent results begin 48 hours before you even open the box. Preparation prevents patchiness, scalp irritation, and color disasters. Never skip the preliminary steps.
Conduct a patch test two days before coloring. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advises performing an allergy alert test before every single application of hair dye, even if you have used the brand previously. Allergies can develop suddenly. Dab a tiny amount of the unmixed color cream behind your ear or on your inner elbow. Wait 48 hours to ensure no redness, swelling, or itching occurs.
Wash your hair 24 to 48 hours prior to dyeing. You want your hair to be clean of heavy styling gels, dry shampoo, and silicone serums. However, you do not want it freshly washed. Your scalp produces natural sebum (oil) that acts as a protective barrier against the chemicals in the dye. Coloring freshly washed hair often leads to a burning, irritated scalp.
Gather your supplies before mixing anything. You need an old button-down shirt that you do not mind ruining. Pulling a tight t-shirt over a head full of wet dye is a recipe for stained walls. Have a dark towel, a wide-tooth comb, hair clips for sectioning, and a barrier cream ready. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or thick moisturizer around your hairline, ears, and neck to prevent the dark pigment from staining your skin.
Step-by-Step Application Guide for Beginners
Applying hair color methodically is the difference between a salon-worthy result and a patchy mess. Put on the provided gloves. Puncture the color cream tube and squeeze the entire contents into the developer bottle. Shake vigorously until the mixture is completely blended and smooth.
Section your hair into four distinct quadrants. Part your hair down the middle from your forehead to the nape of your neck. Then, create a horizontal part from ear to ear across the crown of your head. Clip three of the sections out of the way. Working in small, manageable sections ensures complete saturation.
If you are doing a root touch-up, apply the mixture only to the new growth. Use the precise applicator tip to draw lines of color along your roots, massaging it in gently with your gloved fingers. Process the roots for 20 minutes. Then, pull the remaining color through the lengths and ends of your hair for the final 10 minutes. This prevents your ends from becoming overly dark and damaged from repeated chemical exposure.
If you are coloring your hair for the first time, or drastically changing your shade, apply the color to the lengths and ends first, staying about an inch away from your scalp. The heat from your scalp causes color to process faster. Applying to the roots first on virgin hair often results in "hot roots" - where the roots are significantly lighter and brighter than the rest of the hair. After applying to the lengths, immediately apply to the roots and process for 30 minutes.
Once the processing time is complete, add a small amount of warm water to your hair and massage the scalp to emulsify the color. This helps loosen the dye from your skin. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs completely clear. Apply the included post-color shampoo, lather, and rinse. Finally, apply the ceramide mask, leave it on for three minutes, and rinse with cool water to seal the cuticle.
Mastering Stubborn Gray Coverage
Gray hair is notoriously difficult to color. It lacks natural pigment and often has a coarser, more wiry texture than pigmented hair. The cuticle is tightly packed, making it resistant to absorbing artificial dye.
Always choose a shade labeled specifically for gray coverage. If your hair is more than 50 percent gray, you must use a neutral base shade (a number ending in .0 or with no decimal). If you want an ash or golden tone, mix half a tube of the neutral base with half a tube of your desired tone. The neutral base anchors the color to the gray hair, preventing it from looking translucent or hollow.
Extend your processing time. While the standard box instructions suggest 30 minutes, stubborn grays often require 45 minutes to fully absorb the pigment. Leaving the dye on for this extended period ensures the cuticle opens sufficiently to deposit the color deep into the hair shaft.
Apply the color to your most resistant gray areas first. For most people, this is the hairline around the face and the natural parting. Giving these areas extra processing time helps ensure an even, opaque result across your entire head.
Pro Tips for Maintaining Your Hair Color
Creating beautiful color is only half the battle. Preserving it requires a dedicated hair care routine. Permanent dye does not wash out, but it will fade, dull, and change tone if neglected.
Switch to sulfate-free shampoo immediately. Sulfates are harsh detergents that strip natural oils and artificial pigments from the hair shaft. Washing your hair with a clarifying or sulfate-heavy shampoo will strip the richness from your Excellence Creme within a few weeks. Look for gentle, color-safe formulas designed to cleanse without stripping.
Lower your water temperature on wash days. Hot water opens the hair cuticle, allowing the recently deposited color molecules to slip out and wash down the drain. Always wash and rinse your colored hair with lukewarm or cool water. This simple change drastically extends the life of your dye job.
Protect your hair from environmental damage. UV rays from the sun bleach artificial hair color just as effectively as they bleach fabric. If you spend significant time outdoors, wear a hat or apply a UV-protectant hair spray. When exploring new hair color and styling trends, remember that excessive heat from curling irons and straighteners also degrades color molecules. Always use a high-quality thermal protectant spray before using hot tools.
Fixing Common At-Home Hair Dye Mistakes
Even with careful preparation, mistakes happen. Knowing how to correct them quickly saves you from a costly color-correction appointment at the salon.
If your color turns out too dark, do not panic. Hair color often looks darker immediately after washing because the cuticle is freshly stained. Wash your hair a few times with a clarifying shampoo or an anti-dandruff shampoo. These formulas are intentionally harsh and will strip away the excess surface pigment, lightening the overall result by half a shade.
If your hair pulls too much brassy orange or yellow, you need to neutralize the tone. You do not need to re-dye your hair. Instead, use a color-depositing toning shampoo. Purple shampoo neutralizes yellow tones in blonde hair. Blue shampoo neutralizes bright orange tones in brunette hair. Use these toning shampoos once a week to keep your color looking cool and natural.
If you stained your skin with dark dye, skip the harsh scrubbing. Dip a cotton pad in micellar water or rubbing alcohol and gently swipe it over the stained area. Alternatively, mixing a tiny bit of baking soda with dish soap creates a gentle exfoliating paste that lifts dye from the skin without causing severe redness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does L'Oreal Excellence Creme last?
Excellence Creme is a permanent hair color, meaning it permanently alters the pigment in your hair shaft until it grows out or is cut off. However, the vibrancy and tone will typically begin to fade after 4 to 6 weeks, depending on your washing habits and sun exposure.
Can I apply Excellence Creme to wet hair?
No, you should always apply permanent hair dye to dry, unwashed hair. Applying dye to wet hair dilutes the developer, resulting in uneven coverage, poor gray blending, and a significantly lighter final color than intended.
Do I need to use the entire bottle of developer and color cream?
Once you mix the color cream and the developer together, the chemical reaction begins immediately. You must use the mixture within an hour, and any leftover mixed product must be discarded, as it will lose its effectiveness and can expand and burst if left in a sealed bottle.
Will this product lighten my previously dyed dark hair?
No, artificial color cannot lift artificial color. If you previously dyed your hair dark brown, applying a blonde Excellence Creme shade over it will only lighten your uncolored roots, leaving the rest of your hair dark. You must use a color remover or bleach to lighten previously dyed hair.
How often can I touch up my roots with this dye?
You can safely touch up your roots every 4 to 6 weeks as new hair growth appears. To prevent damage and color buildup, only apply the dye to the newly grown virgin hair, avoiding overlapping the product onto previously colored sections until the last few minutes of processing.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hair dye contains strong chemicals that can cause allergic reactions or scalp irritation. Always perform a 48-hour patch test before using any hair color product. If you experience severe burning, swelling, or respiratory issues, rinse immediately and consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist.
