Go for the golden.
Natural Instincts Golden Shimmer collection gives you shimmering color with rich golden tones. It's a mineral-inspired glow from a healthier hair color—hair looks healthier and shinier every time you use it!*
*vs. the leading permanent color
Glow Confidently
- Shiny, natural-looking color with rich golden tones
- Antioxidants plus vitamins C & E in the color
- No ammonia, low peroxide
- 6 weekly conditioning treatments
- Covers gray naturally
How To Use:
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STEP 1: Easy Preparation
DO SKIN ALLERGY TEST 48 HOURS BEFORE EACH APPLICATION EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY USED COLORING PRODUCTS
- A. Wet and towel dry hair until damp. Remember, don't shampoo your hair before you color.
- B. Put on the Professional Colorist Gloves provided.
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C. Pull up the tab to remove the tip of the Gentle Activating Crème bottle-2 and discard the tab. Unscrew the cap from the Gentle Activating Crème-2. -
D. Open the Color-Enhancing Colorant-1 and pour the entire contents into the Gentle Activating Crème-2. -
E. With finger over the open tip, point away from face, and shake well until the color is totally blended and the mixture thickens. -
F. Apply the color to your damp hair immediately.
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STEP 2: Easy Application
OPTION A: ALL OVER COLOR
For first time haircolor users and those who have not colored for 3 months.-
1. Apply Color
• Part your hair into small, even sections using the applicator nozzle. Apply color first to your damp roots and then immediately through the length of your damp hair. Do not rub into scalp. -
2. Time It
• Now that you have applied the color to your hair, leave it on hair for 10 minutes or the time indicated by your Strand Test.
Tips from the experts:- When covering gray, start where you have the most gray.
- Don't worry if the color of the mixture on your hair looks different from your desired color.
- If any color gets onto your skin or household surface, wipe it off immediately with a damp towel.
- For resistant gray hair, you can leave color on for an additional 10 minutes. Total time should not exceed 20 minutes.
- For permed or relaxed hair, leave color on for only 8 minutes total.
OPTION B: ROOT APPLICATION
For users who color every 4-6 weeks.-
1. Apply Color
• On damp hair apply mixture only to the new hair growth at the roots instead of applying color to your entire head.
• Save the remainder of the color to use for the rest of your damp hair. -
2. Time It
• Now that you have applied the mixture to your new hair growth, leave on hair for 5 minutes.
• Then gently work the remaining color through the rest of your hair (avoid rubbing into the scalp) and leave it on hair for an additional 5 minutes.
Tips from the experts:- For resistant gray hair, you may need to leave color on the root area for an additional 5-10 minutes before working color down for the last 5 minutes. Total time should not exceed 20 minutes.
- For permed or relaxed hair, leave color on for only 8 minutes total.
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STEP 3: Rinse and Condition
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1. Rinse
• Wearing gloves, add a small amount of warm water to your hair and work into a lather by gently massaging. Rinse hair thoroughly until water runs clear. For best results, wait 24 hours before shampooing. - 2. Condition
• Next, apply a small amount (about the size of a nickel) of the Once A Week Color Treat™ Color Conditioning Treatment-3 evenly to your hair. For best results leave on for 2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Save the remainder for up to 5 more weekly conditioning treatments (See Tip below).
Tip from the experts:- Once a week substitute your regular conditioner for our Once A Week Color Treat™ Color Conditioning Treatment to help maintain your healthy, natural-looking color.
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Useful Tips From the Experts at Clairol:
- Apply color to damp hair that is free of styling product build-up. If hair has build-up, shampoo one day prior to coloring.
- Do not shampoo immediately before coloring. Your scalp has natural oils that help protect it during coloring.
- To prevent staining, apply a little moisturizer around your hairline.
- For added shine, use Natural Instincts Shine Happy 3-4 weeks after coloring.
- For best results, do not shampoo your hair for 24 hours after coloring.
- If you want to lighten your hair color, or if your hair is more than 50% gray, consider using a permanent haircolor like Hydrience or Nice 'n Easy.
- If you plan to perm your hair, perm first, and then you can use Natural Instincts the very same day as long as your scalp is not irritated _and is in good condition.
- If you plan to chemically relax your hair, relax your hair first, and then wait at least 7 days and one shampoo before coloring.
- If you've used a gradual color restorer, henna or metallic dyes, don't use Natural Instincts until your hair has grown out and the colored _areas have been cut off.
Frequently Asked Questions: About Clairol products:
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What products does Clairol make?
Clairol makes haircolor products. Choose from Semi-Permanent (lasts through 8-12 shampoos), Demi-Permanent (lasts through 28 shampoos), Permanent (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor) or Highlighting & Blonding to help you become colorwonderful™. -
Should individuals with natural, uncolored hair use different haircolor products than those who have previously colored their hair?
It depends on the desired result. If you are coloring your hair for the first time and only want to enhance your natural color, try a Demi-Permanent (lasts through 28 shampoos) product close to your natural haircolor. If you want to go lighter, you need to select a Permanent (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor) haircolor, then refer to the insert that comes inside your box of Clairol haircolor and follow the instructions for first time application. -
Should people who want to cover gray hair use different coloring products than those who don't need coverage?
Most Clairol haircolor products will blend or cover gray hair to some degree. If you have a small percentage of gray (not very visible), use a Semi-Permanent (lasts through 8-12 shampoos) product, such as Loving Care. If you have a higher percentage of gray hair (up to 50%), use a Demi-Permanent (lasts through 28 shampoos) product such as Natural Instincts, which will blend away gray hair. On the other hand, if you have a lot of gray and want to cover it completely, use a Permanent (lasts until your hair grows out or you recolor) product. If you have 50% or more gray, use Nice 'n Easy Gray Solution. -
How can I test-run a color before committing to coloring my entire head of hair?
Strand test is a simple method for you to test haircolor on a portion of your hair before doing the entire application. (The instructions are in your haircolor box.) It's an important step because it's the only way to see exactly how the shade you selected works with your starting haircolor to achieve the resulting color. A strand test will also help you determine the exact timing you'll need to color your whole head. -
Where can I find product instructions?
Product instruction inserts are inside your haircolor box.
Additional Instructions:
BEFORE YOU COLOR: 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE
- Take the ALLERGY TEST.
- Do the STRAND TEST to determine your optimal coloring time.
- Read this entire instruction leaflet before you begin.
IMPORTANT: SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
HAIR COLORANTS CAN CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTIONS WHICH IN RARE INSTANCES CAN BE SEVERE. TATTOOS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF ALLERGY, TO REDUCE YOUR RISK FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:1. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT AT ALL IF:
- You have already experienced any reaction to coloring products.
- You have sensitive, irritated or damaged scalp.
- In these cases do not conduct the skin allergy test and consult a doctor before using any haircolor product.
SKIN ALLERGY TEST INSTRUCTIONS
MUST BE PERFORMED 48 HOURS BEFORE YOU COLOR YOUR HAIR. You will need a cotton ball or swab, a plastic bowl and a plastic spoon.- To open, unscrew the entire Gentle Activating Creme cap (Bottle #2). Don't pull off the tab. Then unscrew the Color-Enhancing Colorant (Bottle #1).
- Mix small, equal parts of the Color-Enhancing Colorant and Gentle Activating Creme in a plastic bowl.
- Tightly recap both bottles.
- Apply mixture to a test area the size of a quarter in the bend of your elbow. Allow to dry. Use remaining mixture for the Strand Test. Do not wash this area for 48 hours. During washing, protect with an adhesive bandage and remove it immediately after washing.
- Examine the test area during the next 48 hours. If no reaction occurs, you are ready to color. The absence of reaction to this test is no guarantee that an allergic reaction may not occur as a result of a future haircoloring process. However, this test represents an important precaution. Please consult a doctor if you have any doubts.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A REACTION DURING OR WITHIN THE NEXT 48 HOURS OF COLORING YOUR HAIR IF DURING COLORING YOU EXPERIENCE:
- Any stinging or burning and/or rash, rinse immediately and discontinue use as this may be an indication of a more serious reaction. DO NOT color your hair again before consulting a doctor or seeking medical advice.
- Rapidly spreading skin rash, dizziness or faintness, shortness of breath and/or swelling eyes/face, rinse immediately and SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. IF AFTER COLORING OR ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS YOU EXPERIENCE problems, such as skin itching, skin rash, swelling to eyes/face, blistering and/or skin or scalp weeping SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.
SPECIAL CAUTIONS:
- This product contains ingredients including hydrogen peroxide, which may cause severe eye irritation and possible permanent eye injury. If any product gets into your eye, flush immediately with a large amount of lukewarm water and seek medical advice.
- We recommend removing contact lenses before applying haircolor. If you must wear contact lenses during application and if any product gets into your eye, remove the lens first, then flush immediately with a large amount of lukewarm water and seek medical advice.
- Never use haircolor on eyebrows or eyelashes or if your scalp is irritated or injured.
- Do not inhale or ingest product.
- Do not use if your hair has been colored with henna or metal dyes.
- Prepare and use the product in a well-ventilated area. If you experience inhalation difficulties, move to fresh air.
- Remove all metal objects from hair before and during coloring.
- Wear gloves and rinse hair well after application.
- Keep product in a cool place away from heat and light. Do not mix this colorant with any other product. Do not keep any unused mixed product. Do not leave the mixture in a closed bottle (bottle may expand or burst).
- Product not intended to be used on children.
STRAND TEST:
Do the Strand Test each time you color to determine optimal timing and color results. Perms, relaxers, previous color, and the sun can affect your results and timing.You will need: scissors, tape and a clock.
- Cut a ¼ inch wide strand from the darkest or grayest part of your dry hair close to the scalp and tape at the cut end. Dampen with water.
- Completely cover the hair strand with the mixture remaining from the Allergy Test. Start timing.
- After 10 minutes (8 minutes for permed or relaxed hair), check the strand. If the strand is not the color you want, return it to the mixture and check the color every few minutes for up to 20 minutes.
My timing for desired color: _______ minutes.