Review: Frederic Fekkai Salon Color

When I heard that Frederic Fekkai was coming out with at-home hair color for $30 a kit, I mentioned it to my colorist.  Her response?  He better be coming home with you to put it on for that price!  Fast forward a year later and I'm unemployed, have seen (gasp!) a gray hair or two, and am the maid of honor in my sister's imminent wedding.  Screw it, I'm using Fekkai.

I admit, while I am an equal opportunity beauty shopper (Wet & Wild eyeshadow is the best!), I still believe that Frederic Fekkai hair color will be better than what I can get at the drugstore.  Don't get me wrong, I have used drugstore brands before - prior to having a "real" job, and again after losing that "real" job - but I'm a sucker for a salon brand, and I was able to get it 25% off.  So it ended costing me about what I would tip one person if I was getting my hair done at the salon.  There are a few other things that set apart Frederic Fekkai Salon Color from other brands.  First, it comes with a pre-color treatment that you apply to dry hair to prevent color over-saturation on damaged areas.  The delivery system is like that of a salon - brush and bowl.  Honestly, it's harder to get this right than it looks.  I've used Fekkai twice now, and both times got color all over myself and the bathroom counter.  Luckily, this formula wipes right off with a damp cloth without staining.  Finally, it comes with a post-treatment mask that I am fairly certain is the Technician Color Care Mask (an amount worth $8).

So the application is a little tricky - it might be best to get help from a friend - but does it work?  Absolutely.  Of course I wouldn't try to go more than a couple of shades lighter or darker than my current color at home, but I've gone from light/medium brown to dark brown both times with no problem.  I have dry, coarse hair naturally, and hair color isn't going to change that, but what really strikes me after using Fekkai is the increase in shine.  Usually at a salon if I'm making a color change I need base color, highlights and then a clear glaze to get this amount of shine.

Processing time is 35 minutes, a bit long for at-home kits, but about what I would expect at a salon.  Of course when you mix the colors, there is a chemical odor, but it's not overwhelming and didn't bother me at all during processing.  My scalp can be sensitive, and there was no stinging or burning at all.  The kit also comes with some good tips, such as not shampooing 24 hours prior to coloring, and to dab - not press - color onto hair.  There's enough of the treatment mask to last for weeks, which is important in keeping up the color.  The only drawback for me is that most women go to a salon and get highlights and lowlights, and the Fekkai color doesn't provide much dimension.  I've heard that when dying hair at home, you should use at least 2 different shades (of the same formula) to give your hair dimension, but I'm not at that level of skill yet.  Maybe next time.


Bottom Line

Product: Frederic Fekkai Salon Color

Website: http://www.fekkai.com/ 

Retail Price: $30

Category: Hair Color

Recommendation: A good salon alternative, better when it's on sale