Clairol ColorStrong Permanent Hair Dye vs L'Oréal Paris Excellence Creme

Buy the Clairol ColorStrong if you want a gentler formula: it is permanent color with zero ammonia and no PPD or PTD, plus a bonding primer and treatment built into the kit. Buy the L'Oréal Excellence Creme if you want the widest shade range and a heavy conditioning routine, with 27 shades and a hyaluronic acid mask. Reviewers rate Excellence around 3.7 out of 5 from roughly 900 ratings, so results are good but not universally loved; ColorStrong is the better pick for sensitive scalps and damaged hair, Excellence for rich color and moisture.

• Choose the Clairol ColorStrong if you want permanent gray coverage without ammonia, PPD or PTD and a bonding step to limit damage.
• Choose the L'Oréal Excellence Creme if you want a broad shade range and a deep-conditioning mask with hyaluronic acid in the kit.