Schwarzkopf Professional Essensity Hair Color, 4-88, Medium Brown Red Extra, 2.1 Ounce

The media could not be loaded. Like many folks due to Corona Virus, I have not been able to visit my hairdresser, and the greys in my hair did not look good. I decided to color my own hair for the first time in my life.In the last few months, I purchased three different Schwarzkopf colors, with 4-68 being the latest. I tried 4.0 Schwarzkopf Cappuccino kit, then Schwarzkopf Essensity 4.0, and this time Schwarzkopf Essensity 4-68.They all gave me a dark brown color. I hope to add a bit more red with 4-68 but really did not notice a big difference compared to 4.0.I was pleasantly surprised that Schwarzkopf Hair Color did not spell bad (note that the left-over color mixed with developer starts smelling bad overnight, so dispose of it before the smell develops). The overall process was pretty straightforward, and the hair looks good and natural. I like the results of all three of my own color jobs.I am writing this review three weeks after I applied a 4-68 color to see how it is holding up, and it is doing okay. By that, I mean that the roots lost some of the color, but overall the hair still looks acceptable because my curly hair does not show the roots too much. I can tell it will not last as long as the salon color job (I could go five weeks in between salon colors and with a home job I felt I had to reapply the color every four weeks after the first two color jobs), but it cost me eight times less, so it is not bad if I have to do it every four weeks.The package includes only the tube of color; you need to buy the developer separately. I got Schwarzkopf (Schwarzkopf Essensity Oil Developer- 5.5% / 18 Volume- 33.8 oz). Since I use about 1 oz for each color, this developer bottle will last me for 34 applications. For my short hair, I use half of the tube of color. The package does not include a brush to spread the color, mixing container or gloves.I started by applying chapstick around my hairline, so the color does not stick to the skin. Then I mixed the color and the developer. I use a kitchen scale and bowl to get the color and the developer mixed 1-to-1.I used the brush to paint color on my scalp, first around the hairline, then all over the scalp. I used my gloved hands to work the color into the hair and scalp and left the color on my head for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, I applied more color to the rest of the hair and again worked it with my hands. I waited another 6 minutes and then got into the shower to wash off the color. Note that I was wearing a t-shirt, and even though I did not really care about it, I realized that if I were to take it off before the shower, I would get the color all over it, so I got into the shower wearing the t-shirt.One of the fears I had is that the color will stain my shower, my shower curtain, the walls, etc. Those fears were unsubstantiated. Once the water began running clear, I saw that there was no staining on the tub, walls, or shower curtain.The entire coloring session took about an hour, including all the prep steps.Ali Julia review

I'm a fan. This is evidently made for salons, not your average at-home dye job, so the "directions" (only available with the tube, by the way) is not written clearly for average person use. You have to buy the developer separately, also, but the directions come with the tube of color. I bought the 34 oz developer, and I have a ton left for future use -- good deal. I have long hair, and only use half a tube of color each time. I use a glass measuring cup to get the 2:1 ratio correct, a comb, and an old brush from another brand's root touch up to mix it all up and spread it through my hair. At first, it does not look like it would be very dark, but during the "set" time, the paste turns into the described color. This color lasts quite a long time, given use of color-protecting shampoo and conditioners, and given new hair growth. I've been dyeing prematurely silver hair for almost 18 years, and this last almost four weeks before it becomes really obvious i need to redo it (this could also be the way I wear my hair though.) This dark brown color is nearly black - and I'm on board with that; I've used blue and brown blacks for years and years. So this color not only blended well with my long hair, but it also looks quite natural. I did not experience any burning or problems. I also use lotion around my hairline to prevent such a dark color staining my skin - that lotion, plus makeup remover wipes does a very good job of making the borders of color-to-skin look more natural too. This product (plus the developer bought separately) is a much less expensive deal that lasts quite a while, all things considered.

I read as many professional reviews as I could find and then read every/any user reviews and part particular attention to Amazon and MakeupAlley.com. Armed with all that knowledge I went full steam ahead, for my base color I use 2/3 6-0(dark blonde):1/3 9-14(extra light blonde) and I am definitely not blonde, I have medium light brown hair that is neither ash nor warm-toned, I like my hair to be a light beige brown and that's not easily accomplished with most over-the-counter retail color kits. I used to use a L'Oreal Semi-Permanent ammonia-free color called Lt.Beige Brown, which was great, but L'Oreal discontinued the whole line. So I went internet hunting, one thing to note is that Schwarzkopf colors run very very dark and that's why I use these specific shades remember the longer you leave color on the darker it will get. I also use Essesity Oil Developer in a 1:1 ratio. I am so pleased with the results and an added benefit is that the little time that my hair is exposed to the sun it no longer oxidizes to an undesirable rusty shade. One more thing, if you are used to using a plastic squeeze bottle that will not work because the color AND the developer are so thick that it is not possible to squeeze the mixture through the tiny opening, the only way you could do that is if you used a pastry piping bag.