L'Oreal Excellence Versus L'Oreal Preference Hair Color
L'Oreal Excellence - The Excellence hair color offers a non-drip crème which really is reliable and does not drip. It includes in applicator bottle, gel-based colorant, gloves, conditioner, and an attachable comb. The attachable comb is useful for highlights and root touch ups. First, one must apply a pre-color conditioner that is not meant to be rinsed out. Its goal is to protect the vulnerable ends of the hair from breakage. While I chose a color that was one shade lighter than my natural shade, I was not seeking the results of using a high-life hair color; however, I experienced the same burning sensation one has when bleaching hair. This subsided once the color was rinsed out, unfortunately though, the hair color took 40 minutes to develop, which meant I was burning and itching for that time. It became unbearable at times, and if I could have, I would have rinsed it out earlier. I do have some gray hairs, which means I have to leave my color on longer as my grays are color-resistant.
Over the next few weeks, I used the conditioner that was included with the hair color. The conditioner tube provided enough application to last me three times. By the third week, my color began to look very brassy and was noticeably not as bright. My hair started looking somewhat out of place, and at times frizzy. The hair shaft itself was lighter and thinner, due to the color washing away. Some of my individual hairs showed where the color was still applied, while others were thin and very fragile.
L'Oreal Preference - The Preference hair color by far outperformed the Excellence hair color. Preference's application kit contained the same supplies as Excellence did, with the exception of the pre-coloring conditioner. However, the difference in the quality of the supplies was amazing. First, Preference had a very pleasant smell, similar to Garnier Nutrisse, due to the essential oils that were in the mixture. I also used a shade that was one shade lighter than my natural hair color and applied it according to the directions provided. When applied, the Preference did not burn my scalp or cause any itching. It washed out very easy and came with a tube of conditioner, which was the same quantity as the Excellence.
As the days passed, I conditioned my hair and styled it normally. After two weeks, my hair still retained all of the Preference color and did not have any fly-aways or frizziness. The hair still had a good weight due to the product remaining, and color was still evenly distributed throughout the hair length.
In the end, as a woman with ear-length hair that is medium ash brown and ten percent gray, the Preference hair color worked the best for me. Preference did not cause me any irritation, brassiness, or fading and performed many times better than its brand mate, Excellence. It also had a very pleasant smell that reminded me of Clairol's Herbal Essences, but unlike Herbal Essences, the benefit of Preference was a permanent, not semi-permanent hair color, for longer lasting results. If you are faced with a choice between L'Oreal Excellence or Preference, consider the Preference. You will not be disappointed.
Published by Aimee E
A.E. has been a professional writer/editor since 2001, and has a BS Degree with a major in Middle Grades Education. A.E. is available for writing/editing assignments by message. View profile
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- Excellence color contained a pre-coloring conditioner, while Preference did not.
- Both brands are manufactured by L'Oreal and cost about the same.
- Preference had a more pleasant scent and did not cause any irritation.
14 Comments
Post a CommentI prefer excellence over preference. my hair feels softer and my scalp gets less dry than with preference!
Thank you so much for writing this! I was just in Boots and now have both Excellence creme and recital preference in shade natural brown as I wasn't sure which to use... I have used Excellence before and its been fine but as I need to keep on top of my grays every 2 weeks or so I need a cheaper alternative... although these two options cost the same!
I have been using Preference for about 20 years now and have never had a problem. I have thick, dark brown hair that is now about 50% gray. I've gone lighter and darker with no problems. I would never use anything else as of now and never did use anything else. Fair price also, doesn't break the bank and I never have to wait a few more days or weeks til I can afford to color.
I was amazed when I used the Loreal Preference permanent colour as I have always used whatever was on special. I have noticed better coverage, great feel on the scalp and the smell was good. I now prefer to use it but its sometimes hard to get the 5 Brown that I like. Thanks so much for a great product
One more comment: The Excellence conditioner smells horrible! So does the color solution itself. I don't know why they haven't improved upon this over the years. Very chemical-ly smelling, yuck! Preference has a much more mellow, natural fragrance. The L'Oreal color consultant told me that shade-for-shade Excellence and Preference are exactly the same and compatible, so switching from Excellence #8 Med. Blonde to Preference #8 Med. Blonde will be a perfect match... we'll see.
I've been using Excellence for years. I've been happy with the permanence of the color, but always disappointed that they don't offer a root touch-up kit, so I have to spend $8 on a whole box and throw out half of the solution. I'm switching to Preference because a L'Oreal color consultant (1-800 #) told me that with Preference, you can mix only 1/2 of the colorant and save the rest for a second coloring up to 8 weeks later. Also, I've noticed that Preference is often sold in a value 2-pack (around $10), while I rarely see a value 2-pack of Excellence.
My Mum Used both , she has too, preference wont cover grey so well so she dyes the roots with excellence , and the lenghth with Preference as its colour lets light through and Excellence as the lady said at the start of this fades patchy causes frizzyness and the colour is solid like a helmet lol
I Use Preferences always beautiful colour but it does fade , but that alows yu to change your colour now and then up or down a shade no solid growth line either .........
hola estoy muy contenta con los resultados al usar los productos loreal , pero hace poco cuando uso el tinte excelence de loreal entiendase los tintes me da un picor en el cuero cabelludo que es molestoso, me gustaria saber si han cambiado algun quimico o algun ingrediente que me este ocasionando alguna reaccion, por favor me gustaria que me contestaran por que hacen muchos anos que uso sus productos cremas bases para la cara tratamientos para el pelo y otras cosas, el tinte que actualmente estoy usando es el excelence creme color 8bb mediumbeig blonde 100% long lasting coverage y me gusta mucho los resultados en cuanto a color y duracion , por favor me gustaria que si es que cambiaron algun ingrediente que lo vuelvan a reponer por que en realidad yo soy una fiel usuaria de sus productos gracias por tomar unos minutos de su tiempo maria s gonzalez urb villa humacao calle 14 b-1 humacao pr 00791 favor de contestarme por correo por que no tengo e mail graciaaas
hola estoy muy contenta con los resultados al usar los productos loreal , pero hace poco cuando uso el tinte excelence de loreal entiendase los tintes me da un picor en el cuero cabelludo que es molestoso, me gustaria saber si han cambiado algun quimico o algun ingrediente que me este ocasionando alguna reaccion, por favor me gustaria que me contestaran por que hacen muchos anos que uso sus productos cremas bases para la cara tratamientos para el pelo y otras cosas, el tinte que actualmente estoy usando es el excelence creme color 8bb mediumbeig blonde 100% long lasting coverage y me gusta mucho los resultados en cuanto a color y duracion , por favor me gustaria que si es que cambiaron algun ingrediente que lo vuelvan a reponer por que en realidad yo soy una fiel usuaria de sus productos gracias por tomar unos minutos de su tiempo maria s gonzalez urb villa humacao calle 14 b-1 humacao pr 00791 favor de contestarme por correo por que no tengo e mail graciaaas
I would like to know who carries the haircolor I.82 I have not been able to purchase it here on P.E.I. and would like to know if it is still available...If not what would be a color match the same as (I.82)?