I've been dying my hair for YEARS and this is my go-to favorite brand and color (magenta). I pick the volume of developer depending on how bright or dark i want it. For a darker color I stick with a 10 but I usually up it to a 40. My hair is naturally light brown so it pops even more so. My only complaint is the fall out that happens with every wash BUT that happens with every red or bright and unnatural color. This is a good quality dye and the color is beautiful. Pictured is magenta with a 40 developer

I always use this product and it always turns out good on my hair or extensions. I do alter between 20vol or 30vol developer depending on much I want it to lift. Never had any issues with the dye not taking on my dark hair. Learned of this product from my stylist.

If doing it yourself ask a professional for guidance to ensure your desired results

About my hair before highlighting:

I keep my hair in a pretty short inverted bob with blunt bangs. I'd been dying my hair black for years using brands like Feria. I decided about 6 months ago that I wanted to go back to red hair, so I tried Feria Violet Soft Black as a transition color, lightening the shades of red as my hair grew out. Big surprise, it didn't really work out that well. Just prior to using the L'Oreal Hicolor for the first time, I had some pretty serious gray roots, which I was really concerned about turning pink.

After reading the various reviews on here, and then checking out a few red hair websites, I decided to try my hand at doing my own professional color using L'Oreal Hicolor Magenta Highlights.

Materials used:

L'Oreal Hicolor Magenta Highlighter (1.2 oz)

L'Oreal Level 30 Developer (2.4 oz)

Neutral Protein Filler (1.2 oz)

Rubber gloves

A smock

Hair color mixing bowl (Sally Beauty has nice bowl that are marked by ounces and have a brush "strainer" at one end - cost ~$3)

Hair color application brush

Hair color mixing wand

Comb

Tube of Eucerin Aquaphor moisturizer

Disposable shower cap

The Process:

I put on the smock and rubber gloves, then used the Aquaphor to protect any skin that I didn't want to get stained by hair dye. (Note: This stuff is not nearly as bad as Manic Panic when it comes to mess and staining! In fact, it is not all that messy, in my opinion, especially when compared to Manic Panic!) To be safe, since I'd just moved into my house, I also put a tarp down, but I didn't get any dye on the floor.

I blended together the HiColor Magenta, Level 30 Developer, and Protein Filler in the color mixing bowl using the mixing wand/color brush. It took about 15-20 minutes to get fully blended. NO JOKE. The resulting mixture was much more "watery" than store bought boxed hair colors, but not as messy as demi-permanent dyes, like Manic Panic.

Since my roots were gray, and the Developer lightens hair, I started with the darkest part of my hair and worked up toward my roots. I used the comb to periodically make sure the dye was equally distributed through my hair. It took about 20 minutes to apply the dye. I had leftover dye, since my hair isn't very long. I washed it down the sink.

I put on a shower cap and left the dye in for an hour.

After an hour, I showered, rinsing the dye from my hair. The instructions tell you to shampoo and condition, which I did using TIGI Bed Head Re-Energize Shampoo and Conditioner in cool water.

The Results:

GORGEOUS bright, deep magenta hair. Just lovely. The original plan was to do the Hicolor as "Step 1" and then deepen the color using Manic Panic before going back to work after the holiday, but the color was so awesome and I got so many compliments from total strangers, that I kept it. It worked in my favor, too, as I ended up being sent to meet a potential client in Atlanta, who loved me (and my hair!). They ended up signing on with my company and bringing me down for some work in January. I did a second application of Hicolor Magenta in December and then mixed Manic Panic Vampire Red with Ultra Violet in January (resulting in a beautiful "boysenberry" color, however it was a pain to apply, and made a total mess in my bathroom... and on hotel towels for weeks afterward).

The biggest concern I had was my gray roots. Do your darkest hair first, leave the gray for last. It definitely comes out a bit pink, but results in a very cool gradient-like effect.

Also, to make it last, wash in the coldest water you can handle and use color-friendly products.

This is my go-to hair dye for years now!! I love the results every time! The color is amazing and it doesn’t leave my hair dry or extremely damaged after using. It does come out a little every time I wet my hair but it’s not a lot. Will definitely continue to use! Just have to add developer; no bleach required.

If you have dark hair, this is the best product I have found for permanent red. It does fade a bit so it’s a good idea to use a shampoo/conditioner that has red in it throughout the week to keep the color fresh.

If you use it for a while, it leaves the end of your hair damaged. I focus on just touching up the new growth every five weeks or so and try to keep it off the rest of my hair.

If you’re looking for a permanent red, then this product is perfect. I had dyed my hair very dark and this gave me the exact cherry red I wanted. However, BEWARE if you plan on changing your hair color any time soon after using this. I dyed my hair using this about four months, and currently am trying to lighten it before summer. This red DOES. NOT. COME. OUT. Evenly bleaching my hair has left red streaks all throughout my head. So, if you want permanent color, GET THIS. But if you’re looking for something more temporary, look elsewhere!!

This hair color is excellent. I applied it to dark hair and the red highlights turned out vibrant and true to the description. The color looks rich and even, and it gave my hair a beautiful finish without disappointment. Great option if you want noticeable red tones on dark hair.

I wasn’t the one to pick this product, but I made the purchase for my wife, and I can confirm it works perfectly—she’s been using it for the last 6 years! She mixes the L'Oréal Technique HiColor Red HiLights with another color to create the most vibrant, stunning red tone that turns heads everywhere she goes.

The color is bold, rich, and absolutely gorgeous. She gets compliments on her hair all the time, and I’ve included a picture of the final result so you can see just how amazing it looks.

Happy wife, happy life, right? If you’re considering this product, I highly recommend it. It’s been a consistent winner in our household for years!

works super well on my dark hair! I eas genuinely shocked at how bright red it got for the first time ever, after already trying to dye it red with other brands a few times.

I used 20 developer!

جيد ورائع جداً

i used this dye over a badly done chunk of hair that i had previously lightened and used different dye on and this colour is beautiful! it’s exactly what i was looking for, and didn’t damage my hair anymore than it already was. the previous dye was very uneven and patchy due to it being the first time my friend had used bleach on someone and i wasn’t super fussed because it was mostly hidden, but im actually obsessed with this colour and i never write reviews but had to for this! i used 20 vol developer and left it in for maybe 25-30 minutes?

This produces very professional highlights,and the colour is vibrant and bright,i didnt use it directly on the roots though i using two or three inches away from the Roots then ok as worried about allergic reaction on scalp with hair colours,as some have allergies,though the colour was vibrant and even.

This is a amazing dye! Amazing for black hair. I used 30 developer and it lifted to a bright red. Highly reccomed