Hair coloring has firmly entered the life of almost every woman. Someone does this to change the image and diversify their appearance. For some, this is an inevitable necessity, dictated by the appearance of gray hair. But for both the first and the second, the most important rule for coloring is not only maintaining color, but maintaining the health of curls. It is for this purpose that ammonia-free coloring compositions were developed. They have a more gentle effect on the hair structure, do not damage them and even help improve their appearance.
Content
The most important feature of ammonia-free paint is the absence of ammonium hydroxide in its composition. It is responsible for opening the scales to penetrate the pigment. It is thanks to him that ordinary dyes have a pungent smell that hits the nose. Also, it is he who pinches the scalp, and can also cause redness and, in the worst case scenario, her burn.
In ammonia-free coloring products, ammonium hydroxide has been replaced by ethanolamine. It has a less pungent smell and is not so aggressive. But at the same time, it is a product of the synthesis of ammonia. Therefore, ammonia-free products still contain ammonia to some extent, or rather its least aggressive version. After all, without alkaline exposure, the pigment will not be able to penetrate inside.
However, it should be understood that the absence of ammonia will affect the color fastness. It usually varies in the region of 4-6 weeks. But often users also note a faster decrease in intensity. In addition, ammonia-free paints may not cope with gray hair and are not suitable for a radical change in tone.
Not only manufacturers of professional lines, but also mass market products began to remove ammonia from the composition. Therefore, a logical question arose, or maybe the difference between them was erased and salon coloring became available at home? Let's compare these 2 categories of funds according to the following plan:
Professional products are distinguished by a high content of natural ingredients that not only color, but also care, make curls more elastic, and tighten the structure. But their composition is not always ideal.
Mass market paints have a more simplified composition. Although in some you can find some herbal ingredients, but most often this is just a marketing ploy.
When using professional products in each case, which takes into account the condition of the hair, the presence of gray hair, the presence of previous staining, etc., an oxidizing agent of the desired percentage is selected from 1.5 to 12%. At the same time, the lower the percentage of hydrogen peroxide, the milder the effect. The downside in the case of professional paints is the need to buy an additional oxidizing agent separately, and these are additional costs. In addition, only a specialist can choose the right percentage of peroxide, and this is already a trip to the salon and also costs.
In mass market paints, we do not know the percentage of peroxide, but most likely it is as high as possible, because. one product should be suitable for coloring normal hair and gray hair. However, it is included in the package and the cost, which is definitely a plus.
Professional lines have palettes containing 100 or more shades. This makes it possible to combine them, creating unique shades for each user.
Household paints have a much poorer palette.
Ammonia-free products of both categories have low resistance, which is due to their composition, namely the low content of ammonia derivatives. Most often, manufacturers claim durability for 4 weeks, but in life it is less. This may be related to aftercare.It must be remembered that dyed hair requires more attention to maintain its condition.
However, we note that conventional formulations are still more resistant. On the one hand, this is a plus, but on the other hand, in case of an unsuccessful result, it will be extremely difficult to get rid of it.
Professional products are sold only in specialized stores or online sites. Ordinary - in almost every supermarket.
It may seem that professional-level products are very expensive and not everyone can afford them. But if you take into account the condition of the hair after using it and the absence of the need to constantly paint over the entire length (economical consumption), then it turns out not so scary.
Consider the best ammonia-free paints of the mass market category, as well as products for professional use.
Without exaggeration, the most popular ammonia-free paint among users. Her palette includes 38 natural shades. Users love her for the ease of application with an applicator bottle, a pleasant smell, rich color and shiny, lively curls as a result. Although it also has disadvantages. Most often, rapid rinsing is noted, especially from gray hair. But this disadvantage is inherent in almost all ammonia-free products, regardless of their cost. Manufacturers say the following about their product: using their product is equivalent to salon care procedures. Thanks to the unique composition, the curls become stronger, elasticity and silkiness return.
The complete set is as follows: coloring cream 48 ml, developing milk 72 ml, balm 60 ml, gloves.
Cost: from 300 rubles.
Oleo Intense is a line of coloring products from Syoss, in which oil acts as an activator. The manufacturer promises not only a lasting result and almost one hundred percent coverage of gray hair, but also a concomitant improvement in the condition. The gentle composition is replete with natural and beneficial ingredients: fruit acids, vitamin B3, amino acids, plant extracts and oils, as well as a keratin complex. All this in total promises not only persistent (up to 1.5 months) and intense color, but silky and strong curls. The palette is represented by 22 shades: 8 light, 9 dark, 5 red.
Includes 50 ml tube with coloring cream, 50 ml bottle of developer, 15 ml conditioner, gloves.
Cost: from 225 rubles.
Color & Shine - cream paint from the famous brand GARNIER.After using it, as the manufacturer assures, the curls will acquire an incredible glossy shine and smoothness. At the same time, the coloring product does not have a negative effect on the scalp and hair, because. does not contain ammonia. And the plant components included in the composition (argan oil, cranberry extract) have an additional caring effect. It is worth noting that the manufacturer emphasizes that this product is not intended for painting over gray hair (although according to user reviews, it copes with this). This paint is used to enhance the natural shade.
Cost: from 165 rubles.
Semi-permanent product for coloring natural hair. Thanks to its tone-on-tone technology, it is perfect for covering the first gray hair and maintaining a natural tone. Eliminates the difference between the color of regrown roots and the main length. The coloring formula does not contain ammonia, but uses alkaline components. They give softness and intense shine without damaging the structure. This tool allows you to lighten your main color by one and a half tones, or make it darker by 4 tones. To obtain a rich and deep result, it is enough to hold the paint for 15-20 minutes.The durability declared by the manufacturer is up to 4 weeks.
Volume: 50 ml.
Cost: from 465 rubles.
Inoa ODS2 from L'Oreal is a hair coloring product with an innovative way of dye penetration - it gets inside with the help of the oil included in the composition. Penetrating deep into the dye provides the most saturated and lasting result. In addition, the technology helps to improve the condition of the curls with each subsequent procedure. Each time they become softer and silkier. It is also worth noting that this product is the safest for the scalp. It does not irritate her and does not cause a burning sensation.
Volume: 60 ml.
Cost: from 595 rubles.
Ammonia-free cream paint with a permanent coloring system. Ammonium in it is replaced by ethanolamine and vegetable amino acids. They have a gentle effect on curls while guaranteeing a lasting result. As a result, the curls get a rich color, acquire a healthy shine, and thanks to the keratin included in the composition, a denser structure. The manufacturer promises that the result will last up to 6 weeks, but this is not always the case, especially on gray hair.
Volume: 100 ml.
Cost: from 110 rubles.
Estel Professional Sense De Luxe is a semi-permanent hair dye. It not only paints them qualitatively, but also takes care of their health. The avocado oil, olive tree fruit extract, provitamin B5 included in the composition turn the coloring procedure into a spa treatment. The listed components strengthen and moisturize the curls, making them less brittle, thereby eliminating split ends. A rich palette stands out with a large number of shades of blond, red and red.With this tool, you can tint natural hair, previously dyed, even out the tone of the roots with the rest of the length.
Volume: 60 ml.
Cost: from 245 rubles.
Matrix Color Sync refers to tinting agents. The essence of toning is the sedimentation of the coloring pigment on the surface of the hair without affecting its internal structure. Due to this, the effect is more gentle and gentle. Color Sync can be used to tone pre-lightened or gray hair, give an additional shade or, conversely, correct an unnecessary one, even out the tone of the main length and root part. In addition, this cream paint is used for color design and highlighting. However, in order to make the most of the possibilities of this tool, you need to have certain skills in mixing shades and working with them. It is worth noting that the composition contains natural ingredients and ceramides, which as a result make the curls silky, elastic with a noticeable shine.
Volume: 90 ml.
Cost: from 310 rubles.
BioKap Nutricolor claims to be an innovative coloring product. Among ammonia-free paints, it stands out for a large number of herbal ingredients and, most importantly, the absence of such harmful components as resorcinol, hydroquinone, parabens. Natural ingredients (fruit acids, vegetable oils and extracts) care for the scalp and curls, restoring their vitality. The paint is perfect for revitalizing a natural tone, painting over gray hair. Due to its mild action, it is not really suitable for dramatic changes, more for maintaining color.
The kit comes with a coloring cream with a volume of 50 ml, an activator emulsion 75 ml, a cream for protecting the scalp from paint 8 ml, a shampoo conditioner 15 ml, gloves and a mantle.
Cost: from 900 rubles.
BioKap Nutricolor Delicato is an even more gentle line based on cereal proteins and fruit fatty acids. Like the previous option, this one guarantees a lasting result even on gray hair. In the palette, all the same natural shades. The set is the same.
Cost: from 990 rubles.
As a conclusion, we will give some more useful tips regarding the choice of paint and its use: