Schwartzkopf vs L’Oréal Hair Color | HEAD to HEAD.

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Schwartzkopf vs L’Oréal hair color – we put the best of the vibrant hair dye brands Head to Head so you can find out which brand is right for you!

Pastel shades are all the rage right now and bold, bright colors are livening up everyone’s tresses this year.

L’Oréal Colorista and Schwartzkopf Live are two brands that are blazing a trail when it comes to the most stunning and intense hues to make our hair pop.

We’re here to compare these two most popular name-brand dyes to help you make informed decisions.

With reviews from beauty experts, real users who dyed their own strands, and more, whether you’re looking for natural shades or something bolder, there’s a perfect color waiting out there just for you.

Read on to get all the details about Schwartzkopf vs L’Oréal Hair Dye before taking that leap of faith into colorful tresses!

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Schwartzkopf vs L’Oréal Hair Color – Head to Head

Key FeaturesL’OréalSchwarzkopf
Vibrant Color OptionsOffers a variety of trendy and classic shadesWide range of colors, ideal for experimentation
High-Quality IngredientsUtilizes high-quality ingredients and formulasHigh-quality ingredients, long-lasting results
Long-Lasting ResultsProvides long-lasting color for up to 8 weeksDyes tend to last longer, maintaining vibrancy
Nourishing and ConditioningOffers hair care formulas to lock in colorOffers hair masks and conditioners for salon-quality care
Easy ApplicationKnown for easy application and user-friendly kitsEasy application with various color and lift options
Fade-ResistantProvides fade-resistant color, UV protectionProvides color that resists fading from washing
Coverage for Gray HairOffers effective coverage for gray hairKnown for effective gray blending and coverage
Ammonia-Free or Low AmmoniaOffers ammonia-free or low ammonia optionsKnown for ammonia-free and gentle formulas
Quick Processing TimeTypically processes within 30-40 minutesProvides one-step lightening and coloring options
Variety of FormulasOffers a wide range of permanent and semi-permanent optionsOffers a wide range of permanent and color + lift formulas
Compatibility with Different Hair TypesSuitable for various hair typesDesigned for naturally darker hair, vibrant results
Minimal Drip or StainingKnown for minimal drips and stainingMay require care to prevent staining during application
Safety and Dermatologist-TestedDermatologist-tested, safe for scalp and skinDermatologist-tested and safe for sensitive users
Pleasant ScentTypically features pleasant, non-irritating scentsStrong but not unpleasant scent; apply in a well-ventilated area
Availability of Complementary ProductsOffers color-preserving shampoos and conditionersProvides complementary hair masks and conditioners
AffordabilityVaries in pricing, with options for different budgetsGenerally affordable without compromising quality
User Reviews and RecommendationsHighly recommended for even color distributionPositive reviews for color vibrancy and quality
Allergy TestingProvides allergy testing kits for peace of mindOffers allergy testing options for sensitive users
Cruelty-Free and Vegan OptionsMay have cruelty-free and vegan-friendly optionsNot explicitly mentioned as cruelty-free, vegan options available
Customization OptionsOffers customization options for unique shadesKnown for extensive range and color customization

TOP PICK!

Schwartzkopf Live Hair Dye

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L’Oréal Colorista schwartzkopf live
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Our all round winner for color choice and vibrancy!

Schwartzkopf are a hairdresser fave and their range of colors and ranges make our head spin! Do we want Color + Moisture? Lift? Intensity?! We want it all!

Head to Head with L’Oreal Colorista, this wins out for the range of colors and the rich, intense tone of color for the end result. If you want bright, bold colors, this is the dye for you!

Pros

  • Wide Color Range
  • Vibrant and Long-Lasting
  • Quality Conditioning Mask
  • Even Color Distribution
  • Smooth and Soft Hair

Cons

  • Runny Application
  • Strong Scent
  • Color Variation
  • Limited Customization
  • Staining Potential
  • May Require Additional Tools

Schwartzkopf vs L’Oréal – Which hair dye brand is right for me?

When it comes to hair color, Schwartzkopf and L’Oréal are two top brands that are always competing to offer the best vibrant colors and quality.

Today, we’ll compare them for you, considering factors that matter when choosing a hair dye. Here’s what we found:

#1 Availability

Schwartzkopf offers a wide range of colors, perfect for those who love to experiment.

L’Oréal has a more limited range but excels in quality and care. Do you want a brand that gives you more options or a product that takes care of your hair better?

#2 Quality of Hair Dye

Both Schwartzkopf and L’Oréal use high-quality ingredients that protect and condition your hair while coloring it.

However, Schwartzkopf dyes tend to last longer, keeping that vibrant look for a while.

#3 Price

We know pricing matters, and here’s the good news – Schwartzkopf is more affordable without compromising quality.

You’ll get top-notch hair dye products at a great price.

#4 Other Hair Care Products?

L’Oréal offers a wide range of hair care formulas to lock in the color and nourish your hair. (Because you’re worth it).

And guess what? Schwartzkopf has some amazing hair masks and conditioners for that salon-quality care.

#5 Variety

Schwartzkopf has got you covered with a wide range of hair dyes, whether you want a permanent or semi-permanent formula.

And they’re always updating their range to meet customer needs.

While L’Oréal has a limited range, they have a unique formula for excellent vibrant colors in just one application.

Schwartzkopf Live Hair Dye vs L’Oreal Colorista

Let’s dive deeper into the vibrant world of hair color and test two specific products from our top brands – Schwartzkopf and L’Oréal.

We’ve chosen these based on popularity and rave reviews, and we’re super excited to share our findings with you!

We’ll be comparing Schwartzkopf’s “Live Color” and L’Oréal’s “Colorista” and judging them on color vibrancy, longevity, hair nourishment and, of course, affordability.

Are you ready to find out which hair dye has the edge? Let’s get this color showdown started!


L’Oreal Colorista Hair Dye Review

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Range of colors:

There are 10 stunning colors available in the L’Oreal Colorista permanent hair gel range. From Silver to Bright Red, Blue and Copper.

Schwartzkopf vs L’Oréal - loreal colorista color chart
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There are also even more colors available in L’Oreal Colorista Semi-permanent Washout range and their fab Temporary Hair Make-up.

Features & ingredients:

  • Hair color that’s blended with pure dyes for a high intensity shimmering bold result.
  • New long lasting permanent bold colors for all hair types with an easy to apply mix.
  • Comes with a post bold color mask – for up to 6 applications.

Reviewers say:

“I had different tones in my hair and this hair dye evened out all the tones, it looks so much better. It’s the most lovely color, I love it.”

“The conditioner you get with it makes your hair feel so soft and shiny and is better than all of the hair masks I have ever tried. So impressed!”

“I have tried all the other hair dyes but nothing compares to this one. The result is exactly like the color on the box.”

Our experience:

We are in love with Colorista colors. Brave, bold and daring, they all the have permanent, semi-permanent and temporary colors our heart could ever desire. (But only 10 in the permanent range).

For this review, we used permanent Silver Grey gel, one of two gorgeous silver-grey colors in the range. The other being the gorgeous Smokey Grey which has darker tones.

Ease of Application: Applying the Colorista hair dye was a breeze, although it was a bit runnier than expected, which made it a tad messy. We’d suggest using a highlighting kit for better control!

Texture and Formula: The texture of the dye felt a little runny instead of the gel-like consistency mentioned on the packaging. But hey, it still stuck pretty well to pre-lightened, bleached hair.

Scent: The hair dye smelled really nice, not overpowering at all. And the best part? No strong chemical odor! Props to the product for that.

Drip and Stain Control: Okay, so the dye did have some drips during application, and it could potentially stain your skin. But with a little caution and a quick clean-up, you’ll be good to go!

Coverage: We gotta give it to this hair dye – it provided solid coverage, resulting in perfectly colored silver hair all over, even in those tricky-to-reach spots.

Processing Time: The recommended processing time was totally reasonable – it took us 1 hr in total.

Staining of Scalp and Skin: Now, the dye could stain your scalp and skin if you’re not careful, but not to worry – it’s pretty easy to wipe away any stains.

Color Result and Vibrancy: After applying and rinsing, we were left with smooth, soft, and vibrant hair color.

And let’s not forget how impressively even the color turned out – no patchiness or uneven spots to be found!

Pros:

  1. Variety of Color Options: L’Oréal offers a variety of trendy and classic shades, providing a range of choices for different styles and preferences.
  2. High-Quality Ingredients: L’Oréal is known for using high-quality ingredients and formulas in their hair dyes, ensuring a gentle and effective coloring process.
  3. Long-Lasting Results: Users have reported that L’Oréal hair dye provides long-lasting color, with results that can endure for up to 8 weeks.
  4. Effective Gray Coverage: L’Oréal is praised for its effective coverage of gray hair, making it suitable for those looking to conceal graying.
  5. Quick Processing Time: The dye typically processes within a reasonable timeframe, with color development occurring in approximately 30-40 minutes.
  6. Allergy Testing: L’Oréal provides allergy testing kits, offering peace of mind for users with concerns about potential allergic reactions.
  7. User Recommendations: Positive user reviews and recommendations emphasize even color distribution and long-lasting vibrancy.

Cons:

  1. Limited Customization: While L’Oréal offers a wide range of colors, customization options for unique or custom shades may be limited.
  2. Scent: The scent of the dye is described as strong, though not necessarily unpleasant. It’s advisable to apply it in a well-ventilated area.
  3. Staining: As with many hair dyes, there is a possibility of staining the skin or clothing during the application process.
  4. Limited Vegan Options: While L’Oréal may offer vegan-friendly options, it’s not explicitly labeled as a cruelty-free brand.
  5. Variability in Results: The final color result may not always match the color depicted on the box, so adjustments may be needed for desired outcomes.
  6. Not Suitable for All Hair Types: Some users find that L’Oréal hair dye may be better suited for certain hair types, such as straight and wavy hair.

The verdict

It initially appeared blue/grey but transformed into a beautiful silver-grey within a couple of washes.

The final color was not as deep or intense as depicted on the box, offering a subtler hue.

Silver Grey proved to be a great base for experimenting with pastel color washing.

Overall score: 8/10.


Schwartzkopf Live Hair Dye Review

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Range of colors:

Schwartzkopf’s Live Color has 32 types of permanent hair dye color from a number of ranges. Color + Lift comes in 3 shades – Ultra Violet, Tangerine Twist and Deep Red.

Schwartzkopf vs L’Oréal Hair Color schwartzkopf color range
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There’s also a Live Men’s Range, Lightener + Twist for cool pinks and Intense Color for deep, rich hues like Cosmic Blue and Pure Purple.

Features & ingredients:

  • 1 step lightening & coloring
  • Specially designed for naturally darker hair
  • Vibrant results
  • Fade resistant
  • The Color + Lift formula gently lightens up to 3 levels and adds vibrant color to naturally darker hair in one step.

Reviewers say:

“Totally love this hair dye! I had dark brown hair that had been dyed for years and looked dreadful. I put this on and oh my goodness! It is literally like the box color.”

“When it fades it doesn’t go that awful gingery red most dyes like this do. I dyed it about three weeks ago and its faded to a lovely pinky purple.”

“I get compliments on my hair color pretty much everyday ! Thanks for an amazing product!”

Our experience:

Schwartzkopf are a hairdresser fave and their range of colors and ranges make our head spin!

Do we want Color + Moisture? Lift? Intensity?! We want it all! So we picked the best color we loved – Ultra Violet from Color + Lift.

This is a lightening hair dye so we tried it on dark brown dyed hair to see if it could lift our color.

Ease of Application: Applying Schwarzkopf Live hair dye was pretty straightforward. Just a heads up, even though it’s labeled as a gel, the texture was more liquid, so it got a bit runny and messy during application.

Texture and Formula: The texture and formula of this hair dye is more creamy. This creamy texture makes it easy to apply evenly throughout your hair.

Scent: The scent of the Schwarzkopf Live hair dye was pretty strong, but not in a bad way. It had a noticeable chemical smell, so if you’re sensitive to scents, you might want to keep that in mind.

Drip and Stain Control: I gotta be honest, this dye had a bit of dripping issue during application, and there was a chance of staining your skin. But hey, the good news is that any spills were pretty easy to clean up.

Coverage: One box wasn’t really enough here. We did two to make sure our shoulder-length hair was fully saturated. The coverage came out great for this reason!

Processing Time: The recommended processing time was up to 45 minutes. But you’ll need to keep an eye on it to make it doesn’t got too light or orange!

Staining of Scalp and Skin: It stained a little round the hairline – we’d recommend using a good barrier cream at the start – oops, we didn’t!

Color Result and Vibrancy: It looked quite blue to begin with! But it soon developed into an awesome dark pinky color.

Pros:

  1. Extensive Color Range: Schwartzkopf offers a wide range of colors, providing options for various preferences and styles.
  2. Vibrant and Intense Results: The dye delivers rich and intense color results, particularly suitable for those looking for bold and bright hair colors.
  3. Long-Lasting: Schwartzkopf dyes tend to last longer, maintaining their vibrant look for an extended period, reducing the need for frequent touch-ups.
  4. Quality Conditioning Mask: The hair conditioning mask that comes with Schwartzkopf hair dyes is highly praised for making the hair feel soft and shiny.
  5. Even Color Distribution: Users have reported even color distribution with no patches or uneven areas, contributing to a smooth and consistent look.
  6. Smooth and Soft Hair: The conditioning mask and nourishing properties of Schwartzkopf hair dyes result in smooth, soft, and manageable hair.

Cons:

  1. Runny Application: Some users have mentioned that the dye can be quite runny, which may lead to messiness during the application process.
  2. Scent Strength: The scent of the dye is described as strong, so it’s recommended to apply it in a well-ventilated area.
  3. Color Variation: The final color result may not always match the color depicted on the box, potentially requiring adjustments for desired outcomes.
  4. Limited Customization: While Schwartzkopf offers an extensive range of colors, customization options may be limited for those seeking unique or custom shades.
  5. Staining: Like many hair dyes, there is a possibility of staining the skin or clothing during the application process.
  6. Application Kit: Some users may find that they need additional tools or accessories, such as a highlighting kit, for the application process.

The verdict

When we washed the hair dye formula off we were super impressed!

The color is a rich, vibrant hue of purple-pink.

Not quite the color on the box as it’s more red than purple. But has definitely lightened our hair a shade and there’s no trace of previous dye.

If you’re after bright and bold, this is the hair dye for you.

Overall score: 9/10


TOP PICK!

Schwartzkopf Live Hair Dye

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Our all round winner for color choice and vibrancy!

Schwartzkopf are a hairdresser fave and their range of colors and ranges make our head spin! Do we want Color + Moisture? Lift? Intensity?! We want it all!

Head to Head with L’Oreal Colorista, this wins out for the range of colors and the rich, intense tone of color for the end result. If you want bright, bold colors, this is the dye for you!

Which hair dye is better Schwarzkopf or Loreal?

Deciding whether Schwarzkopf or L’Oréal is the best hair dye brand for you really comes down to personal preferences and priorities.

Both brands have their own strengths and weaknesses, as mentioned in the reviews above.

Schwarzkopf offers a wide range of colors, long-lasting results, and affordability, which makes it a great option for those who like to experiment with their hair color and are on a budget. However, some people might find its application a bit messy and runny.

On the other hand, L’Oréal excels in quality, care, and vibrant color results, especially with just one application.

While L’Oreal has a more limited color range, its formulas are known for their intense pigmentation and durability.

If you value quality and are willing to invest a little more in your hair dye, L’Oréal might be the way to go.

Ultimately, the “better” choice between Schwarzkopf and L’Oréal depends on your specific needs, like the color you desire, how long you want it to last, your budget, and how you prefer to apply the dye.

It’s a good idea to take these factors into consideration and read user reviews to make an informed decision based on what suits you best!

This article was written by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
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    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!