Does Madison Reed Hair Color Live Up to the Hype?

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I color my hair at home with professional products, following the guidance of my super awesome hairstylist (thank you, Ashlea!).  This allows me to mix products and have a custom color that no one else has.  The problem is, I like a deep plum burgundy shade that does not last, no matter what kind of shampoo, conditioner, and other products I use.  After a few weeks, as it fades, my hair starts looking a bit brassy and lackluster.

I kept seeing ads for Madison Reed all over social media, and after reading several reviews, it seemed to be a reputable company- and they have both permanent hair color and semi-permanent color glosses that last two to four weeks.  So, when they offered to send me my choice of color to try out, no way was I going to turn them down!

Madison Reed hair color is handcrafted in Italy, and chock full of nutrients such as argan oil, keratin, and ginseng root extract.  There is no resorcinol or ammonia, so no harsh smells, and your hair feels stronger and shinier than before (Madison Reed, 2016).

The Madison Reed website is really easy to use, and very helpful.  It asks if you want permanent color or semi-permanent, then you select your current color.  It will then ask what kind of results you’re looking for, then it displays the best option(s).  This helps ensure you order the right product for foolproof results.  You can also call them and speak with a professional if you have any further questions or issues.

Unfortunately, you can’t just go look at different colors, so I wish they would do something about that.  I understand why they do it the way they do- so people don’t end up purchasing a color that won’t work for them.  But, part of the fun in going to a store to look at color is to see all the options, and possibly even get new ideas.  Also, with the way the system currently works, I couldn’t seem to locate a permanent plum or burgundy shade close to what I use.  If they could just tweak the site a bit, so you can see the different colors available, then click to see if it will work, that would be just super!

Since I’m really happy with the custom mixed shade I currently use, and couldn’t find one similar, I decided to look at the Madison Reed Color Reviving Glosses.  Since my main concern is brassiness and a dull appearance, this seemed like it would be perfect!

When it asked my current color, dark plum wasn’t an option (lol!), so I clicked on several different ones to see the available options.  I settled on a color called Espresso- even though it didn’t have any red or plum tones, it looked like it would definitely get rid of the brassiness.  Plus, it was gorgeous!

Now, technology and I do not get along- I had a minor issue when trying to process my order, it kept saying something about my billing information.  I called Madison Reed’s customer service, and they were SO awesome- and even gave me advice about the color!

I’ll go ahead and tell you that if you’re in a hurry, they encourage you to place your order by phone and ask for expedited shipping.  Otherwise, all orders ship via FedEx SmartPost, which is VERY slow.  (As Madison Reed processes orders quickly and gets them out right away, this is purely a FedEx issue.)

Let me just say, these people really care about their customers.  When I received my order, it was not only packaged with care, but it came with instructions, a sample of styling cream, and even two pairs of gloves!

The Madison Reed Color Reviving Gloss is enough to do your hair twice, unless you’re me…lol… I’m Aleut, with long, very thick hair, so it took almost the whole tube.  This also means that if I color my own hair, I make a huge mess everywhere, so Jerry always does it for me.  He even commented on how great it smelled!  It kind of reminded me of Davines Nou Nou conditioner.

The instructions said to leave the color on for 35 minutes for my hair type.  Because I have so much hair, I did need to raid my stash for a processing cap, but you can get these super cheap.  Since there are no harsh ingredients, I experienced no burning or discomfort.

When I got into the shower, the color rinsed out very easily, and guess what?  My hair did NOT feel like straw- it actually felt silky!  When my hair dried, it was simply stunning- the gloss is kind of translucent, so there was a multi-tonal effect that looked very natural.  No more brassiness, just gorgeous, healthy-looking hair!

Before and after (left to right) using Madison Reed semi-permanent Color Reviving Gloss

If you have wanted to try coloring your hair at home, but never quite felt comfortable enough to do so, now’s the time.  Madison Reed makes the process easier than ever.  Even if you’re a home coloring prodigy, the quality, service, and results are nothing short of spectacular- yes, it lives up to the hype!

The Madison Reed permanent color kits retail for $24.95, and the semi-permanent Color Reviving Gloss retails for $29.95.  If you love your color, you can sign up for more than one shipment, and get it for even less.   Just click any of the banners on this page to check out Madison Reed!

Source:

Madison Reed (2016). Madison Reed, Inc. Retrieved February 21, 2016, from www.madison-reed.com.

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