A Review: Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Coloring

The market is flooded with types of hair coloring products, all different application methods, colors and types. Finding the right kind can be difficult, but I have found that Clairol Natural Instincts hair coloring is one of the best for short-term color.

I am a natural blonde but wanted to lighten up the color a bit when I was younger, so I used permanent hair coloring products, but they left my hair very dry. My hair tends to tangle easily anyway, and taking the moisture out made it much worse. I loved the way it looked, but I dreaded trying to get a brush through it after washing, regardless of how much conditioner I used. I ended up giving up the color because of the damage it was doing to my hair.

I was told that getting the hair coloring done in a salon would be much easier on my hair and give me the same or better color results, but the cost was just too much for me to justify to myself. I must also admit that I didn't want people to know I was coloring my hair. I chose shades that were very close to my natural color, but I felt just a little lightening would brighten it and look better.

Several years later and several shades darker, I decided to try again, but I wanted to be very careful that I chose a product that wouldn't dry my hair out. I also wanted a semi-permanent color, something that would wash out gradually so it didn't look like I had colored my hair and yet would come out rather quickly if I hated the way it looked.

The Clairol Natural Instincts coloring sounded the best. I feel pretty secure with the name Clairol, first of all. There were lots of color choices on the shelf, and Natural Instincts claimed to be a different kind of coloring, one that would actually leave your hair healthier than before you used it. Since that was my primary concern, I decided to give Natural Instincts a try.

Clairol Natural Instincts comes with conditioner, but that seems to be the case with many coloring products these days. The instructions were clear, and the product was easy to use.

Once I was finished, I was amazed with how nice my hair felt. The Natural Instincts left it incredibly soft, and I loved the bright shine. I had no trouble brushing through it (at least no more trouble than usual). I do have a good variety of natural colors in my hair, and those were left intact, so the color looked very natural.

I've read some other reviews of this Clairol product, and some people have been unhappy with it, but it seems they are always disappointed that the color didn't lighten more. Note that it says right on the package that Natural Instincts will not create a lighter color, just a brightening. These same people who were annoyed about the color all pretty much agreed that their hair did seem to be in better condition after using Natural Instincts.

Clairol Natural Instincts costs less than $10 and should be available wherever Clairol products and other hair coloring products are sold. If you are looking to cover gray (so the box says), darken slightly, or just freshen your color, Clairol Natural Instincts is a good choice.