I am reviewing Professional Clairol Advanced Gray Hair Solutions, after I first tried the moisturizing version with zero results (it is really designed for non-gray). I am 35-40% silver with fine virgin hair. As a former Cosmetologist, I have become highly sensitive to chemicals from years of exposure working in them. I typically cannot color my hair at all without some sort of negative reaction. I was a long time fan of Clairol's gentle Loving Care line before it was ultimately discontinued. I had been able to use it successfully for years without issue. If you want the short version, I am thrilled to report this product appears to be a fairly close comparable spinoff of Loving Care. Free of ammonia, peroxide, and other harsh chemicals and tints gray successfully. Just stop reading right here and get it!???? I first tried the Toasted Hazelnut, the lightest color in this line. The goal being three-dimensional high and lowlights (I used a highlighting cap to achieve this). My existing natural dark, leaving some of my natural silver, and applying the toasted hazelnut color to coat the silver areas of choice. I washed my hair with a clarifying shampoo, so the color would have the best possible chance to coat the hair shaft. I allowed the color to stay on a full 45 minutes, per other reviews. Also, remember my hair was completely resistant to the other color. I wanted it to work! Since this product uses O2 technology, allow air to reach your hair, rather than using the typical plastic cap. The Advanced Gray Solutions version is much thicker. The color is more condensed and resulted in a successful tinting of color on my grays. Expect tint. I also think this formula smells much more pleasant than the mousturizing version. Toasted Hazelnut for me is a pale caramel (see first photo). I will continue to play with other colors in this line. Darker colors may coat and hold somewhat better. (UPDATE!!) Since my original review, I started mixing Espresso Bean and Burgundy Brown. It is bomb! I absolutely love it (see second photo)! It's rich and natural and covers quite well. This has become my favorite combination, by far ???? Overall, I am so happy to say the advanced gray version does a great job. I have zero issues using the product. I do not experience the usual dizziness, headache, irritated scalp, or throat that I normally experience with color. Hooray!! An option for very sensitive people. The scent is pleasant in my opinion (for color) and quite tolerable to my very sensitive nose and breathing. It rinses off of skin quite easily. Easy to apply using a standard plastic bowl, applicator brush, and latex gloves. No staining, or mess (just use an old towel). Product rinses from my hair quite easily (use cool water to retain color longer) with no offensive fragrance. My husband loves the light scent it initially leaves behind. I found that quite unusual and pleasant. I do wish the results lasted longer. I always notice a loss of color from one shampoo. I typically shampoo once/twice a week. It lasts through 4-5 shampoos total for me, still leaving a very light tint by that time. Therefore, I reapply every couple, to 3 weeks. This has truly been a game changer for me. An excellent hair color product for sensitive people in my honest and professional opinion ???? Yes!! Thanks so very much, Clairol. Please don't stop making this one!!
