When you are standing in the pharmacy aisle staring at a wall of boxed dyes, the choice between the two giants of the industry can feel overwhelming.
I have spent years experimenting with home color and analyzing chemical formulations to bring you this definitive L’Oreal hair color vs Revlon breakdown.
My intent is to show you which brand offers the best gray coverage, color longevity, and hair health so you can achieve salon results in your own bathroom.
You should choose L’Oreal for premium dimension or Revlon for the most affordable, reliable classic color.
Comparison Table: L’Oreal Hair Color Vs. Revlon
| Feature | L’Oreal Paris (Excellence/Preference) | Revlon (Colorsilk) |
| Primary Formula | Triple Protection Cream / Gel | Ammonia-Free Liquid-Gel |
| Gray Coverage | 100% (High performance on stubborn grays) | 100% (Effective but fades slightly faster) |
| Scent Profile | Stronger (contains ammonia in many lines) | Mild (Ammonia-free) |
| Included Care | Pre-color serum, Shampoo, and Mask | Single post-color conditioner |
| Color Result | Multi-dimensional, high-shine | Uniform, natural-looking |
| Price Point | Mid-Range ($10–$16) | Budget-Friendly ($4–$8) |
| Application Type | Thick cream (non-drip) | Thinner liquid (fast saturation) |
My experience with L’Oreal and Revlon hair colors
I remember the first time I decided to skip the salon and handle my own roots; I was terrified of ending up with patchy results or, even worse, hair that felt like plastic.
I am someone who has jumped between being a deep brunette and a vibrant redhead, which means I have put both L’Oreal and Revlon through the ultimate stress tests.
My journey with L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème was born out of a need for serious gray coverage during a particularly stressful year.
The experience with L’Oreal feels very “complete” because the box usually includes a pre-color treatment to protect the ends and a post-color shampoo that smells like a luxury spa.
I found that L’Oreal’s colors tend to have a lot of “life” to them—they aren’t just one flat shade, but rather a blend of tones that catch the light beautifully.
However, when my budget was tight during my college years, I became a loyalist to Revlon Colorsilk.
The Revlon experience is surprisingly pleasant because the formula is ammonia-free, meaning I didn’t have to open every window in my apartment just to breathe while the color processed.
Revlon is incredibly easy to apply because the liquid-gel consistency saturates every strand almost instantly, which is perfect if you have very thick hair and find creams hard to spread.
While the color didn’t stay as vibrant for quite as long as L’Oreal, it never made my hair feel “fried.”
Analytically, I have noticed that Revlon is the king of “natural” shades, while L’Oreal is the master of “glamour” shades.
Nowadays, I choose my box based on my hair’s current condition.
If my hair is feeling a bit porous and needs that extra layer of protection and the fancy ceramic-pro-keratine complex, I reach for L’Oreal.
But if I just want a quick, gentle refresh that won’t break the bank, Revlon is my go-to.
I believe that both brands have earned their spots at the top, but they cater to very different priorities—L’Oreal for the “at-home salon” feel and Revlon for the “honest, easy update.”
You should consider your hair’s history before picking; L’Oreal handles previously colored hair with more finesse, while Revlon is a dream for first-timers who are nervous about chemical smells.
Maintenance and tips for home hair color
To ensure your color looks professional and lasts as long as possible, you should follow these essential maintenance steps.
- The “Dirty Hair” Myth: You should always apply your color to hair that hasn’t been washed for 24 to 48 hours. The natural oils on your scalp act as a protective barrier against the chemicals in the dye, reducing irritation.
- Start at the Roots: Always apply the mixture to your regrowth first. Your roots need the full processing time, while your ends—which are more porous—only need the color for the last 5 to 10 minutes to avoid looking “inky” or too dark.
- Use a Timer: Do not guess the time. If you leave L’Oreal on too long, the ammonia can over-process your hair; if you wash Revlon off too early, the ammonia-free pigments won’t have time to fully “lock” into the hair.
- Wash with Cold Water: When you are finally rinsing the dye out, use the coldest water you can stand. This helps to snap the hair cuticle shut, trapping the color molecules inside and increasing the shine of your final result.
- Sulfate-Free is Non-Negotiable: Once you have colored your hair, throw away any shampoos that contain sulfates. Sulfates are essentially detergents that will strip your expensive L’Oreal or Revlon pigments right out of the hair shaft in just a few washes.
Pros and Cons of using L’Oreal hair color
Pros of using L’Oreal hair color
- Superior Gray Coverage: The Excellence Crème line is widely considered the gold standard for stubborn, wiry gray hairs that refuse to take up pigment.
- Multi-Step Care System: Most L’Oreal kits come with a pre-color serum, a specialized shampoo, and a deep conditioner, ensuring the hair is treated at every stage of the process.
- Dimensional Color Technology: Their Preference line is famous for “high-tenacity” color that reflects multiple tones, preventing that “flat” boxed-dye look.
- Thick Non-Drip Formulas: The cream consistency is very easy to control, which means less mess on your bathroom floor and more product staying exactly where you put it on your roots.
- Massive Shade Range: With dozens of variations in every color family, you can find incredibly specific tones like “Cool Ash” or “Sun-Kissed Golden” that most budget brands don’t offer.
Cons of L’Oreal hair color
- Higher Price Point: You will often pay double the price of a Revlon box, which adds up if you are coloring your hair every four weeks.
- Presence of Ammonia: Many of their most effective lines use ammonia to open the hair cuticle, which can lead to a strong chemical scent and potential scalp tingling.
- Complex Process: With the pre-serum, the dye, the shampoo, and the conditioner, the process takes longer and can feel a bit tedious if you are in a rush.
Also Read: My Thoughts On Danger Jones Hair Color
Pros and Cons of using Revlon hair color
Pros of using Revlon hair color
- Ammonia-Free Formula: The Colorsilk line is much gentler on the scalp and the nose, making the coloring process significantly more comfortable for those with sensitivities.
- Unbeatable Price: It is consistently one of the most affordable hair colors on the market, allowing you to maintain your roots for the price of a single fancy coffee.
- 3D Color Technology: Despite the low price, Revlon uses a blend of dyes, conditioners, and polymers to provide a natural, multi-tonal look that doesn’t look like a solid “helmet” of color.
- UV Defense: The formula includes UV defense to help keep the color from fading in the sun, which is a common problem for red and blonde shades.
- Ease of Saturation: The thinner consistency allows the dye to penetrate dense or curly hair quickly and evenly without needing to use three boxes.
Cons of Revlon hair color
- Conditioner Quality: The single packet of conditioner provided is often not enough for those with long or very dry hair, requiring you to use your own masks afterward.
- Longevity Issues: Because the formula is gentler and ammonia-free, the color tends to fade slightly faster, especially on the ends of the hair.
- Limited Treatment Steps: There is no pre-color protection included, so if your ends are already damaged, you have to be very careful not to over-process them.
Also Read: My Thoughts On Natural Instincts Hair Color
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
L’Oreal is generally considered the “best” for professional-looking, multi-dimensional results and gray coverage, while Revlon is the “best” for budget and ammonia-free needs.
No, they are separate companies with different philosophies; L’Oreal focuses on high-tech, multi-step premium kits, whereas Revlon focuses on simple, affordable, ammonia-free color.
If you have stubborn grays or want a dramatic change, L’Oreal is better; if you want a gentle refresh or a natural-looking shade on a budget, Revlon is the better choice.
Between the two, Revlon Colorsilk is often considered “healthier” for the hair fiber because it is ammonia-free, though L’Oreal’s inclusion of protective serums also helps maintain hair integrity.6
Final Thoughts
Deciding between L’Oreal hair color vs Revlon comes down to whether you are looking for an “investment” or a “utility.”
I have found that L’Oreal is the superior choice for those who want their home color to be indistinguishable from a salon visit, thanks to its sophisticated tonal range.
However, you should buy Revlon if you color your hair frequently and want to keep your strands healthy and your wallet full.
I believe that the best hair color is the one that makes you feel confident, and both of these brands provide incredible results if you follow the instructions.
You should experiment with a shade from each brand to see which formula your specific hair texture prefers, as everyone’s porosity is a little bit different.
