Hi Desert_Netta! Thank you for reaching out with your question regarding a comparable shade of haircolor to Couleur Experte, 6.1-French Eclair/ Light Ash Brown. Superior Preference 6A-Light Ash Brown or Excellence Creme, 6A-Light Ash brown, are both appropriate for your root touch up!
Hair Color Try On
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PRODUCT DETAILS
Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color is a fade resistant and uniquely conditioning hair dye designed to deliver long-lasting hair color and shine for up to 9 weeks. The salon-inspired no-drip oil-in-gel formula offers superior hair adherence for precise application. Infused with a UV filter and Vitamin E, the Shine Protect Conditioner helps keep first day color vibrancy and provide silky, resilient hair. Each box contains the components needed for salon quality, at-home coloring, including developer cream, color gel, and Shine Protect Conditioner to help maintain silky, shiny hair after the coloring process. Available in over 45 luminous shades, this permanent hair color formula is suitable for all hair types, including gray hair.
Product Highlights:
- Fade-Defying Color: Provides vibrant, fade-resistant color for up to 9 weeks. 9 out of 10 women agree nothing last longer than Preference*.
- Glossy Shine: Formulated with Vitamin E to enhance shine and softness.
- Oil-In-Gel Texture: Offers precise application for even coverage and salon-quality results at home.
- Complete At-Home System: Includes developer cream, permanent hair color gel, and Shine Protect Conditioner for a professional finish.
- Elevated Fragrance: Subtle floral scent for a luxurious at-home coloring experience.
*in a consumer study.
This shine-enhancing permanent hair dye ensures a professional finish with vibrant results. Perfect for anyone wanting permanent salon-quality hair color at home with ease and precision. This fade-resistant formula is infused with a UV filter and Vitamin E for enhanced luminosity and rich, radiant color. Validate your look with long-lasting gray coverage, salon-quality results, and soft, silky hair.
What It Helps With:
- Vibrant Color: Shades crafted by expert colorists to achieve radiant, fade-resistant color with long-lasting shine.
- Gray Coverage: Expertly covers gray hair for a seamless, youthful look.
- Color Maintenance: Provides professional-quality results that last up to 9 weeks.
WHO SHOULD USE
Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color is perfect for anyone seeking salon-inspired hair color at home. It's specifically designed for color enthusiasts wanting vibrant, non-brassy, fade-resistant color and long-lasting shine. It also provides seamless gray coverage and works on all hair types.
WHEN TO USE
Use Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color every 4-6 weeks to refresh roots and enhance vibrant hair color. Color will last up to 9 weeks.
HOW TO FIND YOUR SHADE
Choosing your Superior Preference shade is simple with the shade guide included on the side of the box, showing color results depending on your starting hair color. Color result may vary depending on your starting hair color and condition.
- Choosing between two shades: If you are in between two Superior Preference shades, we recommend choosing the lightest one.
- Choosing a shade for gray coverage: For the most natural gray coverage, choose a Superior Preference shade that is closest to your natural hair color or go one shade lighter.
If you need help selecting the best shade for you, please use our hair color finder.
Packaging may vary, what you see may not be reflected on site.
HOW TO USE
Using Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color is simple and allows you to achieve vibrant, salon-quality hair color at home. Follow the step-by-step instructions below for a first-time application or a root touch-up, depending on your specific needs. Always refer to the package insert for complete instructions specific to your selected shade.
How to Use L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference for First-Time Application
- Step 1: Apply All Over.
Start with dry, unwashed hair. Apply the prepared permanent hair color mixture at your roots and work it through to the ends of your hair, ensuring all strands are completely saturated. - Step 2: Develop.
Let the color mixture develop on your hair for 25 minutes. - Step 3: Rinse.
Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water until the water runs clear. - Step 4: Condition.
Apply the included Color & Shine Conditioner generously to fully saturate your hair. Leave it on for 2–3 minutes to lock in color, hydrate hair, and add shine. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Step 1: Touch Up Root Area.
Using the applicator tip, create ¼” partings through dry, unwashed hair. Apply the permanent hair color mixture to the new growth at the roots, ensuring that all new growth is completely saturated. Leave the color on the root area for 20 minutes.
- Pro Tip:For resistant gray hairs, leave the mixture on your roots for an additional 5 minutes.
Apply the remaining hair color mixture to the lengths and ends of your hair to refresh previously colored strands. Let it develop for 5 minutes. The total application time is 25 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse.
Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water until the water runs completely clear.
Step 4: Condition.
Apply the included Color & Shine Conditioner generously to your hair, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. Leave it on for 2–3 minutes to hydrate and lock in vibrancy. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Pro Tip: Want to further extend hair color and protect shine? Use the new Superior Preference Ultra Care Conditioner weekly to keep your color vibrant and your hair soft and deeply nourished between coloring sessions.
INGREDIENTS
Vitamin E + UV Filter
What it does: Vitamin E helps nourish and strengthen hair, providing long-lasting hydration and improving color vibrancy. The UV filter protects hair from damage caused by environmental aggressors, ensuring lasting shine and color protection.
Why it matters: Hair coloring can be damaging, but this formula works to keep your locks healthy, shiny, and vibrant while safeguarding your hair color for up to 9 weeks.
Other Ingredients:
AQUA / WATER / EAU • PEG-4 RAPESEEDAMIDE • ALCOHOL DENAT. • DECETH-3 • PROPYLENE GLYCOL • AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE • LAURETH-5 CARBOXYLIC ACID • DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL • HEXYLENE GLYCOL • POLOXAMER 338 • OLEYL ALCOHOL • PARFUM / FRAGRANCE • AMMONIUM THIOLACTATE • p-PHENYLENEDIAMINE • HYDROXYBENZOMORPHOLINE • TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE • ERYTHORBIC ACID • 2,4-DIAMINOPHENOXYETHANOL HCL • 6-HYDROXYINDOLE • m-AMINOPHENOL • OCTADECYL DI-T-BUTYL-4-HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE • 2-AMINO-3-HYDROXYPYRIDINE • N,N-BIS(2-HYDROXYETHYL)-p-PHENYLENEDIAMINE SULFATE • CITRIC ACID
CONSUMER STUDY RESULTS
9 out of 10 women agree nothing lasts longer than Preference.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is permanent hair dye?
What does fade-defying color mean, and how does it work in a permanent hair color formula?
Does Superior Preference permanent hair color provide full gray coverage?
How long does unopened permanent hair color last?
How do you make at-home hair color last longer on gray hair?
SUPERIOR PREFERENCE HAIR COLOR ROUTINE
Ratings and Reviews
Reviews
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Not what I expected at all.
Customer Images and Videos
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Best box hair dye

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 1 Ultimate Black
Light ash brown.
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 6A Light Ash Brown
Perfect color for me.
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 9G Light Golden Blonde
5A medium ash brown
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 5A Medium Ash Brown
10Nb Ultra Natural Blonde Is Absolutely The Best.
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 10Nb Ultra Natural Blonde
NOT new and Improved
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
Not interchangeable with other Loreal color dyes
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
Love it!
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 6R Light Auburn
Reviews
Most Helpful Favourable Review
Most Helpful Critical Review
Not what I expected at all.
Customer Images and Videos
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Makes hair feel fresh and shiny.

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 3 Soft Black
Great alternative for salon

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 3 Soft Black
Very moisturizing and non drying

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 3C Cool Darkest Brown
Easy and long lasting

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 1 Ultimate Black
Not Impressed
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color Ul61 Hi Lift Ash Brown
Discontinued?
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 10Nb Ultra Natural Blonde
Radiant red light Aurburn
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 6R Light Auburn
Old formula worked better for me
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color Lb01 Extra Light Ash Blonde
Horrible product in every sense
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
Great box color Bring back E.L.. Beige Blonde
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 10Nb Ultra Natural Blonde
First blonde color in my hair.
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 8 Medium Blonde
Works

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 81 2A Champagne Blonde
If you want to color your hair and it look natural

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 4 Dark Brown
WHY THE HORRIFIC FORMULA CHANGE?
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
Okay

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 2 Natural Black
Great coverage

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 4Sm Dark Soft Mahogany Brown
New formula is terrible
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 4Sm Dark Soft Mahogany Brown
Formula change, ruined this color.
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 5A Medium Ash Brown
Nice floral smell, but coverage left a lot to be d

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
Aaaaaamazing

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 81 2A Champagne Blonde
Easy to use

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 2 Natural Black
Awful, left my hair dry, brittle and green
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
LOREAL SHAME!!!!
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
Color didn't last
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
Average

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 4 Dark Brown
Perfect for me
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 4M Dark Mahogany Brown
Great product

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 91 2A Lightest Ash Blonde
I want to try it again!

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 4 Dark Brown
Please don’t get rid of it! Or change it!
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 51 2Am Medium Copper Brown
Nice soft color

Originally posted on influenster.com
Originally posted on Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 6 Light Brown
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Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 6A Light Ash Brown
I use Colour Experte in 6.1; I love this base color. If I just want to touch up the base color, will Superior Preference in 6A be a good match? Or, should I use one of your other formulas?
1 answer-
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Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
The box states to use the included conditioner after rinsing the color out, however, it says nothing about shampooing. Do you use your own shampoo after rinsing the color out?
1 answer-
Hi Babs! Thank you for your interest in Superior Preference. The instructions are to add warm water to your hair and lather, then rinse until the water runs clear, remove the excess water and condition for 2-3 minutes. You can shampoo, using your own, if you feel there is a need to!
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Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
Hello I was using L’Oréal excellence natural black for my hair but it fades quickly. Can I use L’Oréal superior in soft black. I last used L’Oréal excellence 4 weeks ago.. Thanks,
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I bought the Superior Preference in Natural Black but when I got home I noticed on the box it says "Not recommended for hair that has been previously colored Black". But loreal answered your question and said you can use it. How did it turn out? Did it work?
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Hello Lee5, Thanks for reaching out! We are sorry to hear Excellence Creme Hair Color fades so quickly. Superior Preference Permanent Hair Dye is fade-defying hair color with dimension. Yes you can apply Preference Soft Black. We thank you for your interest in L’Oréal!
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Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 5Cg Iced Golden Brown
I bought Preference Medium Copper Brown but the picture on top of the box is different. How do know if I should use it?
1 answer-
Hi DBA423, Thanks for reaching out! We suggest doing a strand test to preview your color. Follow the instructions mixing a few drops of developer and tint together, applying it on a section of your hair. We hope this helps! Thanks for your interest in L'Oréal!
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Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 51 2Am Medium Copper Brown
What volume is the developer that comes with L'Oreal Preference? I know Excellence has 30 vol and was hoping to find a dye with lower than that.
1 answer-
Hi harmonics, Thanks for reaching out! Preference Hair Color shades from Black to Light Blonde has a 20% Volume of developer. Very light levels of blonde will have a 30% Volume of developer. Reach back out to us if you need additional information. Thanks for your interest in L'Oréal!
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Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
What do I buy to strip too dark color. Made big mistake
1 answer-
Hi Suze, We would like to assist you in the best way we can. In order for us to do so, please call our toll-free guideline at the number L'Oréal 800-631-7358 and provide the advisor answering your call with the reference number # 35957720.
We look forward to helping you!Helpful?
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Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color Lb01 Extra Light Ash Blonde
What is the difference in shade between Lightest Ash Blonde, Extra Light Ash Blonde, and Light Ash Blonde?
1 answer-
Hi there! The L'Oréal Paris Superior Preference shade 9A is Light Ash Blonde which is the darkest of the shades you are asking about. The shade 9 1/2 A Lightest Ash Blonde is 1/2 shade lighter than the 9A and LB01 Extra Light Ash Blonde is the lightest shade we offer. Thank you for your interest in L'Oréal Paris products!
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Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
I have used the same hair color for years. 7 Dark Blonde. Since coloring last week my scalp is red and there are definitely red tones at my root. Is this a new formula or is it possible for the hair color to go bad on the shelf?
1 answer-
Hi Laylaboo! We are sorry to hear about the experience you had with Superior Preference Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color. We want to speak with you directly about it. Please give us a call at @ 800-322-2036 M-F 9:00 am – 5:30 pm ET for assistance and provide reference 33566442. It would be helpful if you have the product with you when you call. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
A two-month old perm left my hair "washed out" and I wanted my natural hair color back. I used L'Oreal Excellence Creme, medium brown and it came out almost black! NOT as good color on me. Help!
1 answer-
Hi Mimi, We apologize you were not satisfied with the results you achieved with . We know how disappointing it can be to look forward to a new application of color only to find that your results are not what you expected.
There are many reasons why haircolor results can come out too dark. Once you have color-treated hair, we suggest following the touch up application method to achieve optimal results. Otherwise, by doing repeat full head applications, due to the hair's porosity, you are left with a haircolor result that is much darker than what you intended. Shampoo with a clarifying shampoo to fade the color.
If you have any additional questions or would like to speak with one of our haircolor experts directly, please reach back out!
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Fade Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color 8 Medium Blonde
I have used 8 Medium Blonde in Superior Preference for years but would like to go lighter. The lighter shade -9N, I believe?- box, however says not to use if I’ve used 8 medium prior. What lighter shade can I use that’s NOT ash?
1 answer-
Hi Nonna, Thanks for reaching out! Preference #9 Light Blonde is one shade lighter. Hair color does not lighten another hair color. However we suggest using a clarifying shampoo to fade the Medium Blonde from your hair. When it fades you can use #9 Light Blonde. For additional information please call us @ L'Oréal 800-631-7358. Thanks for your interest in L'Oréal!
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