John Frieda Hair Dye vs L’Oreal Excellence Hair Dye- HEAD TO HEAD.

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Whether you want regular top-ups, a temporary try out or you’re looking for a whole new you – dying your hair at home has never been so easy. From John Frieda hair dye to L’Oreal hair dye, Garnier, Revlon, Clairol, Nice n Easy…the choice of top quality brand names and products to choose from is endless.

And then there are so many colors out there to get your head around – and every shade imaginable to satisfy the lightest blonde and the darkest goth to the full on unicorn do.

But which hair dye brand is better?

With so many brands on the market it can be hard to know which one will last longer or give you a more vibrant color.

We did the research for you, and put together this guide of top-rated products from both John Frieda and L’Oreal Excellence. This way you don’t have to waste your time reading reviews or comparing prices! You can just get straight to shopping for quality hair dye that works best for you.

john frieds hair dye vs L'oreal hair dye comparison table infographic:
Features                           |L'Oreal Excellence Creme|John Frieda|

|----------------------------------|-----------------------|-----------|

|Application Method                |Cream                  |Foam       |

|Ease of Application              |Medium                 |Easy       |

|Condition of hair After Application|Thicker and luxurious  |Soft       |

|Colour Retention                 |8 washes               |12 washes  |

|Best Suited For                  |Dark Caramel color      |Light Color|

Available shades Over 25 20

Two of the big hair dye brands go Head to Head!

We’re fans of both John Frieda and L’Oreal brand of hair dyes for having some of the most varied and exciting shades around.

So let’s do a deep dive into what the differences are between these lock loving giants to help you determine which one is best for you.

Dont forget! Do a patch test or skin allergy test 48 hours before using any kind of hair dye, even if you’ve used it before!

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TOP PICK!

John Frieda Precision Foam Range

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The John Freida Precision Foam range wins the Head to Head for us for ease of use and how long the color has lasted. Find out more reasons why, read on!


John Frieda Precision Foam Hair Dye

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Range of colors:

20 shades available, all on the natural hair color spectrum. From Brilliant Brunette, Medium Brown, Dark Chocolate Brown to Deep Cherry Read and extra light Natural Blonde. Check them out below.

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Is John Frieda Precision Foam Color permanent?

Yes, all John Frieda Foam Color hair dyes are permanent colors.

They say:

  • This is a thick, saturating foam that helps lock in rich, salon-quality hair color.
  • A non-drip foam formula that penetrates hair strands for deep color
  • Spreads easily into roots and hard-to-reach areas
  • Complete coverage without patchiness.
  • 100% grey coverage and radiant color.
  • Development time – 20 minutes.
  • Contains hydrogen peroxide

Reviewers say:

“I usually use L’Oreal Feria to dye my ashy brown hair a more reddish hue. I’ve been happy with this but wanted to change it up.

“When my local shop ran out of my usual color I thought I’d give this a go. I used the Precision Foam in Dark Red Brown and was really pleased as it didn’t turn out purply. It went on evenly and smelt lovely.”

“This is the best hair dye I’ve ever used myself. I love that the foam means I don’t destroy my bathroom while I’m doing it!”

“This is the best at-home hair dye I’ve ever used. Prior to this I tried multiple types of Garnier and Revlon dyes but the results weren’t really that great. I’d been wanting to try a dark brown with red undertones for a while and decided to get the John Frieda Precision Foam Color in the shade Deep Cherry Brown.

“The fact that it’s a foam made it SO much easier to apply to my hair evenly. It spread quickly and easily and was super easy to use. When I got out of the shower I was immediately impressed. My white hairs are completely covered and there is no patchiness whatsoever…it’s a really nice, even color and I’ve had nothing but compliments since I did it!”

John Frieda hair dye instagram

We say:

We love John Frieda for the head spinning array of natural hair colors in the range. You want brown? Help yourself to chocolate, natural, ash, warm, light, dark and everything in between to achieve a flawless natural color.

The biggest selling point however, is the Precision Foam that comes in the kit which is a hair dye innovation in itself. We found it so easy to apply and because it’s not a liquid, it doesn’t splash everywhere. Something you often don’t realise until the color starts to develop!

Easy to apply, and color lasts.

We tried Medium Burgundy on our mid-brown, mid-length hair which is just a gorgeous color. The little bottle of conditioner that comes with it to seal in the color smells lovely and left our hair feeling so soft and glossy once we dried it through.

The overall result has lasted 8 washes so far and still looks fabulous. It’s not as rich as when it was first done but that’s expected. We’re most happy that it isn’t turning orange as can happen with red-based dyes when they start to fade.

We’re excited to try other shades of brown-red now we know how easy it is to apply.

Does John Frieda foam cover gray?

The big question here is, does John Frieda foam cover grey hair? The answer my friends is, yes it does.

We used a dark color and set it at the roots first to cover new grey root growth. If your hair is really grey, you can leave it for 10 mins longer to really penetrate the strands.

What we loved about this was the even coverage. No patches, no grey or silver strands showing through.

Overall verdict: 8.5/10


L’Oreal Excellence Creme hair dye.

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Range of colors:

Over 25 colors all in the natural hair color palette with a wide variety of blondes. From Ash blonde and Caramel Blonde to Honey and Beige blonde too.

Screenshot 2023 06 09 at 18.02.31

They say:

  • This haircolor has pro-keratine complex
  • Leaves hair feeling stronger and revitalised.
  • The color creme is enriched with Ceramide, a replica of hair’s natural cement.
  • A nourishing after color conditioner.
  • Makes your hair look smoother and feel protected.
  • Contains collagen which has firming properties.
  • Development time – 30 minutes.
  • Contains hydrogen peroxide

Reviewers say:

“I thought this was a lovely product. The conditioner that comes with the pack is great and the dye did a good job of zapping my greys.”

“Wow, I just went from light brown to middle blonde using this product! Finally I decided to try and get rid of the brassy red color that I had gotten tired of and try an ashy shade. I bought 8.1 light ash blonde and now I have a wonderfully neutral medium blonde and I feel like myself again. Thank you LÓréal Excellence it is!”

“It was the perfect color for me but I hoped for more intensity and for it to last longer. It seemed to fade faster than other hair dyes I’ve tried and wasn’t very noticeable. It was a nice color though.”

We say:

Golly gosh our hair felt soft with this one. L’Oreal Excellence Creme is all about nurturing and restoring the condition of your hair while you’re dying it and we love it for that.

It doesn’t go on as easy as John Frieda as it’s a cream not a foam. But it’s a rich, thick cream (or creme!) so it doesn’t splosh everywhere either. (Top tip: use a brush!)

We tried the Dark Caramel color on already lightened hair to give it a warmer, richer tone.

Feels like a deep conditioner.

The end result was a gorgeous color that was darker than we had imagined but still lush.

The main thing to notice was that our hair felt thicker and more luxurious – like we’ve lathered on a deep conditioning mask, not a hair dye. Our scalp felt great too – not hot and tingly like with some dyes.

HOWEVER, after 8 washes, the color feels like it’s disappeared. Though this may be down to the lighter desired color.

Overall, it’s pretty good if you pick a color that’s right for you and not too dissimilar from your base color – one or two shades below or above.

Overall verdict: 7.5/10


TOP PICK!

John Frieda Precision Foam

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With 8.5/10, John Frieda Precision Foam is the top pick for us. Not only is it super easy to put on, and the only at-home hair dye that uses this revolutionary foam – the color lasts too.

Which dye you choose, always remember to follow our Tips for hair dying at home to get the best results, every time.

Which hair dye brand is right for me?

There are many factors that can help you differentiate between the types of hair dye brands to find which hair dye gives you the best salon quality results.

Color will probably be the most important criteria you’ll want to know.

But things like ease of application, if the instructions are easy to follow, how long the color lasts and even how good it smells are all part of the at home hair dyeing experience.

Buyer’s guide: How to choose the right hair dye for you.

In the world of hair coloring, there are endless options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a subtle change or a bold statement, choosing the right hair dye for you can be ming boggling. Let’s break down the different factors to consider when picking a hair dye and help you choose the perfect one for you.

Hair Type and Texture

Certain dyes work better on different types of hair, so it’s crucial to choose the right formula for your hair type.

If you have fine or thin hair, you may want to choose a semi-permanent dye that won’t weigh your hair down.

On the other hand, if you have thick or curly hair, you might want a more permanent formula that can penetrate your hair strands better.

Skin Tone

Skin tone makes a big difference to which hair dye you should choose.

If you have cool-toned skin, you’ll want to stick to cool hair colors like ashy blondes and browns.

Warm-toned skin looks best with warmer colors, like honey blondes or copper browns.

And if you have neutral undertones, you’re lucky enough to pull off both warm and cool tones!

Semi-Permanent or Permanent hair dye

Think about what you want to achieve with your color.

Semi-permanent dyes are perfect for those who want to switch up their hair color for a brief period. These dyes last about four to six washes and gradually fade out.

Permanent color, on the other hand, will stay on your hair until it grows out or you choose to color over it.

If you’re looking for a long-term change, permanent color is the way to go. But this can be more damaging to your hair.

Strand Test

Before you commit to a full dye job, it’s always a good idea to do a strand test.

This test will help you determine whether the dye is the right color and formula for you.

Doing a strand test is simple: just apply the dye to a small section of your hair and see how it turns out. If you’re happy with the results, you can proceed with coloring your entire head.

If not, you may need to try a different shade or formula.

John Frieda vs L’Oreal hair dye FAQs

What is the best hair dye brand to use?

Choosing the best brand is not something we can tell you. It depends on various factors, such as your current hair color and the type of dye you prefer-whether semi-permanent or permanent.

But fret not, because top hair color brands exist to make it easy for you to pick the best dye.

Stick with any hair dye from tried and trusteed hair brands like L’oreal, John Frieda, Clariol, Arctic Fox, Manic Panic, to name to a few. But it will take some experimenting at first until you find the right shade for you.

Just make sure you match your current hair color to the chart on the side of the box to ensure that don’t end up with any nasty color surprises!

Do I need semi-permanent or permanent hair dye?

One of the biggest things you’ll need to decide is between permanent or semi permanent color. We cover this in our rather amazing guide here Difference between permanent and semi-permanent hair dye explained. The basic differences are:

Semi-permanent

  • Is a slight tonal change
  • Covers and coats your hair
  • Can cover greys
  • Contains no peroxide
  • Last for about 10-12 washes

Permanent

  • More coverage
  • More change
  • Absorbs into your hair
  • Contains peroxide
  • Lasts 12-24 washes

Understandably, the decision to use permanent dye is a biggun that depends on the condition of your hair and the color you’re starting with.

So for this John Frieda hair dye vs L’Oreal comparison, we’re going to focus on permanent dyes.

Does John Frieda hair dye cover gray hair?

As fans of the John Frieda ourselves, we can say with confidence that it does do a great job covering up those unwanted grays.

The secret to getting the best coverage is to get at least two boxes so your hair is fully saturated with color.

Don’t worry about it being a messy job or hard to apply—the precision foam makes it a breeze to apply with no dripping. Sorted!

Which box hair dye is the least damaging?

Of course, when it comes to coloring your hair, it’s important to consider the potential damage that can come with it.

Luckily, there are box hair dyes available that can minimize the harm.

The key is to look for those that are ammonia-free and contain nourishing ingredients like keratin or argan oil.

In fact, many popular brands like Garnier Olia or Natural Instincts now offer these types of formulas, giving you plenty of options to choose from.

So, if you’re looking to switch up your hair color without causing too much damage, do your research and make sure to pick a box dye that prioritizes your hair’s health.

Trust us, your hair will thank you!

How long does Loreal excellence hair dye last?

If you’re looking to change up your hairdo, Loreal Excellence hair dye is a solid choice.

Not only is the application process relatively easy, but the results can leave you feeling like a total trendsetter. But let’s get down to what you really want to know – how long does it last?

Well, on average, Loreal Excellence hair dye can last up to 6 to 8 weeks depending on how often you wash your hair.

If you’re looking to stretch out your new look, wash your hair less often and when you do consider using color-safe shampoo and conditioner to lengthen the life of your dye job.

What hair dye do hairdressers use?

When it comes to getting a new hair color, most of us head to the drugstore to purchase box dye.

However, have you ever wondered why hairdressers don’t use the same type of dye?

The truth is that the hair dye that professionals use is much different from what you’ll find on the shelves.

Professional hair dye is typically stronger and more concentrated, allowing it to penetrate each strand of hair more deeply.

It’s also formulated to achieve more complex colors, like multi-dimensional highlights. Professional colorists will mix the dyes to create custom colors that are perfect for you.

So while you can’t buy this type of dye at your local drugstore, it is available at beauty supply stores.

If you’re considering a major hair color change, it’s always best to visit a professional stylist who can help you achieve your desired look while keeping your locks healthy and vibrant.

Which hair dye color brand lasts the longest?

The answer to which hair dye brand lasts the longest isn’t quite so straightforward.

Depending on your hair texture, your lifestyle, and your hair care routine, the results can vary greatly.

However, if you’re asking for our expert opinion, we stand behind Revlon, John Frieda, and L’Oreal as three of the top brands that seem to hold up better than the rest.

So whether you’re looking to switch up your style or cover up some gray hairs, keep in mind that choosing the right brand FOR YOU can make all the difference.

Parting words

All in all, dying your hair at home has never been easier – nor more exciting.

From John Frieda and L’Oreal to Garnier, Revlon, Clairol and Nice ‘n Easy there is a wide variety of top-rated products from different brands to choose from, not to mention an infinite array of colors for every personality.

And, thankfully, you don’t have to do the guesswork of what brand or color works best for you – this guide has got you covered!

Whether you want great coverage that leaves your hair feeling soft and smooth or a temporary try out in anticipation of something bigger and brighter – now you know exactly where to start when it comes to finding the perfect new look just for you.

You’re welcome! 🙂

This article was written by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!