Ever found yourself staring at those vibrant Adore bottles in the beauty aisle, wondering if they're too good to be true? I remember my first time dyeing hair with Adore – half excited, half terrified it'd turn my blonde hair neon green. Spoiler: it didn't (thank God), but I learned loads along the way.
If you're researching dying hair with Adore, you probably want the real deal – not some fluffy review. How long does it last? Will it damage your hair? What colors actually show up without bleach? We'll cover all that and more, including my personal disasters you can avoid.
Why Choose Adore Semi-Permanent Color?
Look, I've tried dozens of drugstore dyes. Adore stands out because it's crazy affordable ($5-7 per 4oz bottle at Sally Beauty or Amazon) and has 88 shades you won't find elsewhere. That espresso black? It's saved me hundreds vs salon visits.
Pro Tip: Stock up during Sally Beauty's monthly hair color sales – bottles drop to $3.99!
But it's not perfect. That magenta I tried last summer? Washed out in 8 shampoos. And if you have dark hair wanting pastel pink... forget it without bleach. Still, for vivid colors on light hair or rich brunettes wanting shine, dying hair with Adore beats alternatives.
How Adore Compares to Other Brands
| Brand | Price Range | Lasting Power | Best For | My Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adore | $5-7 | 4-6 weeks | Vibrant colors, gray coverage | Pigment rocks but fades faster on porous hair |
| Manic Panic | $10-14 | 3-5 weeks | Pastels, fashion colors | Stains everything but fades unevenly |
| Arctic Fox | $12-16 | 6-8 weeks | Long-lasting vibrancy | Great staying power but pricey for frequent use |
| Garnier Nutrisse | $7-9 | 6-8 weeks | Natural shades, root coverage | Chemical smell but reliable for browns/blondes |
Honestly? I keep both Adore and Arctic Fox in my stash. For quick color refreshes between paychecks, dying hair with Adore is my go-to. When I want my purple to last through festivals? I'll splurge on Arctic Fox.
Pre-Dye Checklist: Don't Skip This!
Rushing into dyeing hair with Adore caused my infamous "hot roots" incident. Learn from my mistakes with this essential list:
- Strand test kit ($2 at Sally's) – unless you enjoy surprise colors
- Plastic gloves (the dye stains skin for days)
- Vaseline for your hairline and ears
- Old towels you hate (seriously, they'll be sacrificial)
- Timer – guessing leads to disaster
- Clips to section hair
- Applicator bottle or tint brush ($3-5)
Warning: Skip conditioner 24 hours before dyeing! Clean, product-free hair absorbs color best. I learned this after my Ruby Red came out patchy.
Choosing Your Shade: Reality Check
Those swatches online lie. Based on my experiments:
| Hair Color | Adore Shades That Work | Shades to Avoid | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum/Blonde | Anything! Passion Fruit (), Purple Rage () | None | 15-20 mins |
| Light Brown | Jamaican Black (), Cinnamon () | Pastels, Lilac | 25-30 mins |
| Dark Brown/Black | Blackest Black (), Espresso () | Anything lighter than Garnet () | 30-45 mins |
| Gray Coverage | Creole Spice (), Cajun Spice () | Light blondes, blues | Full 45 mins |
My worst pick? Trying Electric Blue on unbleached dark brown hair. Result: slight navy sheen in direct sunlight. Total waste.
Step-by-Step: Dying Hair with Adore Like a Pro
Mixing & Application
Unlike box dyes, Adore comes straight from the bottle. But here's what matters:
- Shake that bottle like it owes you money – pigments settle
- Use 100% plastic tools (metal causes oxidation)
- Section hair into 4 parts with clips
- Apply from back to front, roots to ends
- Massage it in like shampoo - ensures no patches
Work time: 10 mins max. Adore thickens as it oxidizes.
Application Hack: Mix equal parts Adore with conditioner for pastel shades. My favorite: Cotton Candy Pink made with 50% Adore Passion Fruit + 50% white conditioner.
Processing & Rinsing
Here's where people mess up:
- Cover hair with plastic cap (NOT towel - causes uneven saturation)
- Use LOW heat if applying heat: high temps fade color
- Set timer:
- Vibrant colors: 20-25 mins
- Dark shades: 30-35 mins
- Gray coverage: full 45 mins
- Rinse with COLD water until it runs clear
- Skip shampoo! Condition only
I learned the hard way that hot water opens hair cuticles and washes out color. After my $12 bottle of Purple Rage faded in 2 weeks? Cold rinses forever now.
Making Your Color Last: Post-Dye Care
Dying hair with Adore is easy. Making it last? That's the art. My routine:
- Wash max 2x weekly with sulfate-free shampoo (I use Love Beauty Planet)
- Cold water rinses only - yes, even in winter
- Heat protectant before styling (TRESemmé Thermal Shield works)
- Weekly deep condition (try Shea Moisture Manuka Honey mask)
Fading Fixes Between Dyes
When your magenta starts looking dusty pink:
| Problem | Quick Fix | How Long It Lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Faded ends | Mix dye with conditioner & apply to dry ends for 10 mins | 1-2 weeks |
| Dull color | Color-depositing conditioner (Keracolor Clenditioner) | Until next wash |
| Brassy tones | Purple shampoo (Fanola No Yellow) for blondes/silvers | 3-4 washes |
Saves you from full re-dyes every month!
Real Talk: Pros & Cons of Dying Hair with Adore
After 3 years using this stuff:
The Good Stuff
- $5-7 per bottle – cheapest vivid color out there
- No peroxide = zero damage (my hair feels silkier after!)
- 88 shades from natural to neon
- Smells like grapes instead of chemicals
- Covers gray surprisingly well for semi-permanent
The Not-So-Good
- Fades faster than premium brands (especially reds)
- Can stain bathroom surfaces (wear gloves!)
- Pastels won't show on dark hair without bleach
- Availability issues sometimes (always check expiration dates)
My love-hate relationship? Adore's Cherry Crush is my signature color but disappears after 15 shampoos. Solution: I mix it with Arctic Fox Virgin Pink for longer wear. Problem solved!
Adore Color Favorites: What Actually Works
Based on my tests and salon friends' input:
| Category | Top Picks | Rating | Best On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reds | Cherry Crush (), Cajun Spice () | ★★★★☆ | Blonde to medium brown |
| Purples | Purple Rage (), African Violet () | ★★★★★ | All light bases |
| Blues | Azure Blue (), Indigo Blue () | ★★★☆☆ | Platinum only |
| Naturals | Jamaican Black (), Espresso () | ★★★★★ | Dark brown to black |
| Unicorn Shades | Passion Fruit (), Electric Lime () | ★★★☆☆ | Bleached hair only |
Troubleshooting Common Adore Disasters
We've all been there. Fixes from my color mishaps:
Patchy Color
Usually caused by:
- Applying to dirty hair
- Not sectioning properly
- Uneven product distribution
Fix: Reapply to dry hair focusing on light areas. Add 1 tsp olive oil to dye for better spread.
Color Too Dark
Happened when I left Cajun Spice on 50 mins instead of 30:
- Clarifying shampoo wash (Suave Daily Clarifying)
- Baking soda paste scrub (1 tbsp soda + 2 tbsp water)
- Dish soap soak (emergencies only - dries hair)
Stained Skin
From sloppy application:
- Rubbing alcohol on cotton ball
- Makeup remover with oil
- Baking soda + lemon juice scrub
Your Dying Hair with Adore Questions Answered
How many bottles do I need for dyed hair with Adore?
Short pixie: 1 bottle
Shoulder-length: 2 bottles
Mid-back: 3-4 bottles
Pro tip: Buy extra if you have thick hair - running out mid-application sucks.
Can I mix Adore colors?
Absolutely! My custom mixes:
- Midnight blue: 2 parts Indigo + 1 part Black
- Rose gold: 1 part Cajun Spice + 1 part Passion Fruit
- Forest green: 2 parts Electric Lime + 1 part Azure Blue
Always mix in plastic bowl and do strand test first.
Is Adore safe for damaged hair?
Safer than most! Since it's peroxide-free and vegan, I use it on my bleached hair monthly. Contains keratin and vitamin E which actually condition. But if your hair snaps when wet? Hold off until it's stronger.
How soon can I re-dye after dying hair with Adore?
You can do it next day if you hate the color. Unlike permanent dyes, there's no ammonia damage risk. I frequently layer colors – purple over faded pink creates gorgeous berry tones.
Final Thoughts: Is Dying Hair with Adore Worth It?
For the price? 100%. No other brand gives this pigment payoff under $10. Will it replace salon color? Not if you need precise blonding. But for bold colors or dark glosses, it's magic in a bottle.
My advice? Start with their bestsellers: Purple Rage for cool tones, Cajun Spice for warmth, or Jamaican Black for depth. Do the strand test. And embrace the fade – it creates gorgeous ombré effects!
Still nervous? Hit up Adore's Instagram @adorehaircolor. Their color specialists answer DMs faster than my mom returns calls. Happy dyeing!
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