Hey there, fellow hair color lover! If you‘re considering switching up your shade with an at-home dye, you‘ve probably come across Clairol Natural Instincts in your research. As someone who has personally tried this popular product (and just about every other box color out there), I‘m here to give you the full scoop.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll cover what Natural Instincts is, how it works, and the key features that set it apart from other drugstore hair colors. I‘ll also take a closer look at the ingredients, share real customer reviews and insights, and give you my honest take on the results. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if Natural Instincts is the right fit for your next hair transformation. Let‘s dive in!
What Is Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color?
Clairol Natural Instincts is a demi-permanent hair color that promises to give you a refreshed, natural-looking shade without the commitment or damage of permanent dye. The ammonia-free formula comes in 38 different shades from light blonde to deep black, each designed to blend seamlessly with your existing color.
Unlike permanent hair color that penetrates the hair cuticle, demi-permanent dye like Natural Instincts simply coats the outside of the hair shaft. This means the color will gradually fade over time (about 28 washes according to Clairol), making it a great option if you want to experiment with a new hue without going all in.
The key features that make Natural Instincts stand out in a sea of at-home hair colors are:
- Ammonia-free formula infused with coconut oil and aloe
- Promises to blend grays and boost color for up to 8 weeks
- Easy, 20-minute application process
- Includes conditioning gloss to seal in shine and softness
- 38 shades spanning blondes, brunettes, reds, and blacks
Sounds great, right? But does Natural Instincts really live up to the hype? I tested it out myself to find out.
My Experience Using Clairol Natural Instincts
For context, I have fine, naturally dark blonde hair that I‘ve dyed various shades over the years. These days I mostly just color to blend my stubborn grays and add a little dimension. I decided to try the Natural Instincts shade 7G Dark Golden Blonde to warm up my hair for spring.
The first thing I noticed when mixing up the color was the scent – it had a strong fruity fragrance but not the harsh chemical smell of some other dyes I‘ve used. The formula was creamy and easy to apply with the included applicator bottle. I did make a bit of a mess thanks to my lack of finesse, but overall the process was simple and intuitive.
I left the color on for 15 minutes then hopped in the shower to rinse it out. The included conditioning treatment left my hair feeling super silky and smelling amazing. After blow drying, I was left with a warm, honey blonde hue that looked very natural. The grays around my temples were nicely blended and my color overall had a nice boost of brightness and shine.
In terms of longevity, I started noticing my color fading after about 3 weeks/12 washes. By week 6 it was pretty much back to my original shade, which is a bit sooner than the 8 weeks promised but not a huge dealbreaker for me. I didn‘t experience any weird patchiness or brassiness as it washed out, just a gradual lightening back to my natural hue.
A Closer Look at Natural Instincts Ingredients
One of the things that drew me to Natural Instincts was the focus on gentle, naturally-derived ingredients. But what‘s really in the formula? I did some digging to find out.
The star ingredients Clairol touts are coconut oil and aloe vera. Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids that can penetrate the hair shaft to deeply hydrate and strengthen strands. Aloe vera is also super nourishing and can help soothe the scalp and add shine. The formula contains an unspecified percentage of each.
The full ingredient list does contain some of the usual hair dye chemicals like resorcinol, propylene glycol, and ethanolamine. However, the concentrations are generally lower than what you‘d find in a permanent color. For example, Natural Instincts has 0.2% resorcinol compared to up to 2% in some permanent dyes.
Here‘s the full ingredient breakdown for the Darkest Brown shade as an example:
| Ingredient | Concentration |
|---|---|
| Water | 50-75% |
| Propylene Glycol | 10-25% |
| Ethanolamine | 5-10% |
| Coconut Oil | Not disclosed |
| Aloe Leaf Juice | Not disclosed |
| Oleic Acid | 1-5% |
| Sodium Sulfite | 1-5% |
| Resorcinol | 0.2% |
| Fragrance | 0.1-1% |
It‘s important to note that while lower in harsher chemicals than permanent dye, Natural Instincts is not totally "natural" or chemical-free. It still has the potential to cause allergic reactions or irritation for some, so always do a patch test 48 hours before use.
What Customers Are Saying About Natural Instincts
Of course, my experience is just one perspective. To paint a fuller picture, I combed through hundreds of Natural Instincts reviews from real customers on Amazon, Ulta, and Influenster. Here‘s a summary of what I found.
The Positives
- Easy to use for at-home coloring
- Leaves hair soft, shiny, and healthy-looking
- Nicely blends grays and boosts color
- Fades evenly without brassiness
- Affordable price point
- Pleasant scent
- Wide shade range
The Negatives
- Color fades faster than claimed (4-6 weeks on average)
- Results can be patchy or uneven for some
- Struggles to fully cover resistant grays
- Some found the included conditioner insufficient
- Can still cause dryness and damage for certain hair types
Here are some real quotes that stood out to me:
"I love how easy this is to use and how shiny and healthy my hair looks after coloring. The Suede shade is my perfect neutral brown and makes my grays almost undetectable." – Lauren K.
"I was drawn to this because it seemed gentler than permanent color, but it ended up leaving my hair dry and more damaged than before. The color also came out patchy and washed out in like 2 weeks." – Jen M.
"Natural Instincts gives me reliable, natural-looking color for a great price. I do wish it lasted longer before fading, but I‘d still recommend it for blending grays or refreshing your shade." – Krista J.
Overall, Natural Instincts has a 4-star average rating across major retailers. While not perfect, it seems to be a solid choice for many people looking for an easy at-home color boost.
Is Natural Instincts Safe? A Look at the Research
If you‘re concerned about the potentially harmful effects of hair dye chemicals, you‘re not alone. Some common hair color ingredients like paraphenylenediamine (PPD) and ammonia have been linked to everything from scalp irritation to more serious issues like cancer.
So where does Natural Instincts fall on the safety spectrum? Let‘s look at some key findings from recent research:
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A 2018 study found that both semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes containing PPD can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some users, especially those who color frequently. Natural Instincts does not contain PPD specifically.
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Ammonia is one of the harshest hair dye chemicals and can cause significant damage to strands. By being ammonia-free, Natural Instincts may be a safer bet for maintaining hair health.
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Some of the most concerning research has linked permanent hair dye use to increased cancer risk. However, the American Cancer Society states that the evidence is limited and more studies are needed. Demi-permanent formulas like Natural Instincts have not been as closely studied.
The takeaway? While gentler than permanent color, Natural Instincts is not totally risk-free. There‘s always a chance of scalp irritation or allergic reaction with any hair color product, so it‘s crucial to follow the safety instructions and do a patch test before use. If you have any known allergies or sensitivities to hair dye, it‘s best to consult with a doctor or professional colorist before proceeding.
Maintaining Your Natural Instincts Color
So you‘ve taken the plunge and freshened up your hue with Natural Instincts – congrats! Now you‘re probably wondering how to keep your color looking fresh for as long as possible. As someone who has personally tested tons of color care products, here are my top tips:
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Wash less frequently. The more you wash, the faster your color will fade. Try stretching washes to every 3-4 days if you can and use dry shampoo in between to soak up oil and add volume at the roots.
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Use color-safe shampoo and conditioner. Look for gentle, sulfate-free formulas that won‘t strip your strands. My current favorites are the Pureology Hydrate Line and Kerastase Chroma Absolu.
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Turn down the heat. Hot temps from styling tools can zap color and leave your hair looking dull. Let your hair air dry when possible and always use a heat protectant spray before blow drying or flat ironing.
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Embrace color-depositing products. If your shade is looking a little lackluster between colorings, try a color-depositing conditioner or gloss to add a hint of pigment and shine. The John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss is great for cool blondes and brunettes.
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Protect your hue from the sun. UV rays can fade and distort your color, so be sure to shield your strands when spending time outdoors. A cute hat or scarf can work wonders, or try a leave-in product with built-in UV filters.
With the right care regimen, you can absolutely extend the life of your Natural Instincts color and keep your hair looking healthy. Because let‘s be real, there‘s nothing worse than a botched dye job you have to walk around with for weeks!
How Does Natural Instincts Compare to Other At-Home Hair Colors?
Natural Instincts is far from the only box color option out there. So how does it stack up against some of the other heavy hitters in the drugstore hair aisle? Let‘s compare:
| Brand | Type | Ammonia-Free? | Shades | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clairol Natural Instincts | Demi-permanent | Yes | 38 | $8 |
| Garnier Nutrisse | Permanent | No | 45 | $8 |
| L‘Oreal Excellence Creme | Permanent | No | 38 | $9 |
| Revlon ColorSilk | Permanent | Yes | 41 | $3 |
| dpHue Color Boosting Gloss | Demi-permanent | Yes | 11 | $35 |
As you can see, Natural Instincts sits at a nice mid-range price point and offers a wide shade selection for a demi-permanent formula. It‘s more affordable than salon options like dpHue but a step up from bargain kits like ColorSilk.
If you‘re looking for a longer-lasting color with full gray coverage, you‘ll probably want to opt for one of the permanent dye kits instead. Just be prepared for a bit more upkeep and potential damage. At the end of the day, the right color for you will depend on your hair‘s current condition, your desired shade, and your commitment level.
FAQs About Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color
Before we wrap up, let‘s address some of the most common questions I hear about Natural Instincts:
Is Natural Instincts really better for your hair?
While not completely damage-proof, the ammonia-free, coconut oil-infused formula is generally gentler on strands than permanent color. It can still cause some dryness, so be sure to use a deep conditioning treatment after coloring.
Can I use Natural Instincts if I have previously colored hair?
Yes, Natural Instincts can be used on both natural and color-treated hair. Just keep in mind that the final result may be impacted by your existing color. It‘s always a good idea to do a strand test first to gauge the effect.
Will Natural Instincts cover my stubborn grays?
Natural Instincts can blend and soften grays but likely won‘t completely cover them like a permanent color would. For full gray coverage, you‘ll probably need a more heavy-duty formula.
How often can I use Natural Instincts?
Clairol recommends waiting at least 4 weeks between Natural Instincts applications to give your hair time to recover. Over-dyeing can lead to damage, dryness, and color build-up, so it‘s best to color no more than every 4-6 weeks at most.
Can I mix Natural Instincts shades to create a custom color?
I would avoid mixing different Natural Instincts shades together, as this can lead to unpredictable results. If you want a shade that‘s in between two colors, opt for the lighter one – the end result is usually a bit darker than the box indicates.
Where can I buy Natural Instincts?
You can snag a box of Natural Instincts at most major drugstores and retailers, including Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens. It‘s also available online at Amazon and Ulta. Prices vary slightly by retailer but are typically around $8-$9 per kit.
The Bottom Line on Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color
Phew, that was a lot of information! I hope this deep dive into Clairol Natural Instincts has given you a better sense of what this popular hair color is all about. In my experience, it‘s a solid choice for anyone looking to experiment with a new shade or add a boost of color without the commitment of permanent dye.
The ammonia-free, conditioning formula is definitely a plus for hair health compared to a lot of box color options. I love that there are so many natural-looking shades to choose from and that the color fades gracefully without any awkward in-between stages.
That said, Natural Instincts isn‘t foolproof. There‘s always a chance of ending up with patchy or uneven results, especially if you‘re new to at-home coloring. It‘s also not the most long-lasting option out there, with most users reporting noticeable fading after about a month.
Ultimately, the best way to figure out if Natural Instincts is right for you is to give it a try. Pick a shade close to your current color, follow the instructions carefully, and see how your hair responds. The beauty of demi-permanent dye like this is that it‘s low-stakes – if you don‘t love the results, you can always wash it out and start fresh.
I hope this guide has armed you with all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about Natural Instincts. Remember, hair color should be fun – don‘t take it too seriously! With the right attitude and a killer shade, you‘ll be turning heads in no time.
