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Me : Ma, am thinking of coloring hair my hair..wat say??
Ma : hmm...
Me : How would be dark chocolate with purple streaks ???
Ma : What ?? Are you kidding me ?
Me : Ok..leave out the purple streak..just dark chociees ... *puppy eyes* ..see, I have always wanted to color my hair dark brown..
Ma : See girl, you are about to get married within a year !
Me : I have always wanted to...
Ma : If you do all that non sense , no one will take you seriously..
Me : I have always wanted to..
Ma :the shopkeepers will show you all "wakda" stuff [ read : bling,shine,shimmer,bling! ]
Me : but Ma , I have always...
Ma : End of converstation .
So, after repeating and re- repeating and much cajoling for over a year.. promising that I won't go for any "wakda" color.. and that I would look decent enough to be socially acceptable..my mom finally said " Do whatever you like"
Yippieeee ! I know that's not a "YES" from her.. but still...
My First time hair coloring experience:
Next thing I was trying desperately to make my hairstylist understand.. "Socially acceptable hair color".Luckily, he understood my worries..and showed me the color chart. I opted for the darkest shade in brown that was #4.35 (pic chart below : right side--first row--last shade)
It was the hairstylist who recommended to go for Inoa rather than Mojirel
**Make a note here : my original hair color is light brown, and after using regular henna it had turned a bit orange-ish ! With Lush henna however, my hair was now burgandy with mahogany tinges ! I love it.. but "i always wanted my hair to be dark and chocolatey"
I tried to look composed and calm but my anxiety was very obvious ! I even asked him to add some black onto it...just in case..
He went onto prepare the color, which pretty much looked like a mask to me (only different because of light brown tinges). He said that he needs to emulsify the color into each strand of hair, to activate 'oil delivery system' of the color., which would ensure even coloration all over.
With each and every coat he applied... i had goosebumps (am serious ) ..I just wanted the whole thing to get over fast ! Well, but he said with Inoa, it takes a bit longer than usual. Being ammonia free, it takes a longer time to develop. My nose detected a mild bleaching smell.. but not that in your face rotten egg kinds! I just prayed..
After an hour he finally took me for a hair wash.... I could literally hear my heart lub-dub-ing so fast..i tried to catch a glimpse of myself in the salon mirror anyhow..and the hairstylist had to pull me back everytime... "Mam. thik se baithiye..thora piche aiye... baad me color dekhiyega"
I was so embarrased and thought of saying something intelligent ,but heard me saying sheepishly "zyaada red ho to nehi ho gaya na ??" ....
Post washing and conditioning was the time for blow drying . I was literally dying out of curiosity by now..I tried to pull out a few strands out of the huge towel wrap...hmm, it didn't looked a shocker
While he was blow drying, I didn't see much difference all over...except that the wet hair strands covering my eyes wear "red tinged" ..panic attack again !! Oh no.. am a social outcast now..shopkeepers wont take me seriously..all blingy stuff..my patients would refer me as 'the girl with red hair'....omg !!!
Only after my hair was completely dry and styled.. I noticed that it was actually....pretty ! I could see, my hair was no more burgandy..it looked very natural... and it was shiny .. and it was the dark chocolate *sigh of relief*
Wanna see ????
**Pictures are taken 3 weeks after coloring, uncombed and messy!! In between I have been washing my hair on alternate days with The Body Shop Ginger Anti dandruff shampoo, L'oreal Vitamino Color Shampoo, followed by Sunsilk Keratinology Glossy Hair Mask
In Natural day light/ white light :
With Flash :
Now to the Review,
What Loreal Inoa Claims : Zero odour and no ammonia .
With the invention of INOA with its ODS technology engine, a new dimension in comfort and colouring has evolved. In the regular version of the colour ammonia, the necessary alkaline agent is added so that it can lift the hair cuticles for colour deposition on the strands. However this left the strands swollen and dry leading to damage. Besides the damage, the smell of ammonia during and after application can be really offensive to your nose. But now L’Oreal Research has found this new colour delivery mechanism which uses mineral oil to act as the catalyst for depositing colour on the strands. This means it is gentler on the strands and scalp is also protected. Your strands do not get weakened during the colouring process and there is no smell. See HERE
Price in India : For my hair length I was charged 3500INR. The Price ranges from 2500-5000 depending on your hair length.Root touch ups are 800INR
What I Loved about L'oreal Professional Inoa Hair Color:
- Free of pungent smell of ammonia
- No scalp irritation
- My hair did not become extra dry or frizzy
- Colour is very rich and added shine to my hair
What I didn't Love about L'oreal Professional Inoa hair color:
- mild bleaching smell
- takes longer time to develop
- costly
My Rating : 4/5
Final Verdict : If I wish to color my hair again, I would go for L'oreal Inoa ! Even ater 3 weeks and regular shampooing.. the color hasn't faded a bit. It did not cause any visible color related hair damage!
I haven't met Ma, after hair coloring as am in hostel now, I hope she likes it ..and the shopkeeper's show me decent stuff ..and my patient's don't refer me " doctor with red hair" O:-)
