You can get salon-like results every time.
By
- Leann Garofolo
May 15, 2024
Although at-home hair color has evolved for the better over the years, some of us may lack the confidence to apply it. Even with extremely detailed instructions or thorough video tutorials, you may still question whether you have the skill to achieve vibrant, even-looking color that rivals salon results.
Enter Colorsonic, an innovative L’Oréal hair color device that makes applying hair dye foolproof and mess-free—whether you’re a novice or a self-proclaimed expert. Ahead, we’re breaking down how this intelligent hair color technology works and what to expect when using it. Keep scrolling to learn how you can become your own pro colorist with the simple tap of a button.
The Evolution of At-Home Hair Color
The concept of hair dye has been around as far back as 1500 B.C. but was known to be a harsh and toxic process. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that hair dye was generally deemed safe: L’Oréal Group founder Eugène Schueller created the first hair dye for commercial use and sold it to Parisian hairdressers. These salon treatments offered clients customized color options and expert application techniques, but many still weren’t interested in professional coloring.
Then, in the mid-20th century, at-home hair color was introduced. Suddenly, people had the chance to switch up their look in a new, discreet way. These DIY dyes also offered convenience, affordability, and a wide range of color options, skyrocketing their popularity.
In 2020, salon closures helped to amplify the demand for boxed dye even further. Aside from professional coloring becoming less accessible, having newfound downtime inspired people to experiment with their hair. Many customers chose to continue with DIY dyes even after salons reopened, feeling empowered and enjoying the convenience of at-home hair color.
Over the years, there have been many advancements in the hair dye space. You can find options that cater to diverse lifestyles, hair types, and color preferences. There are ammonia-free hair dyes, targeted root touch-ups, and much, much more. But despite the strides made in formulas, the application process for these products has remained mostly the same: Carefully measure and mix your formula, meticulously part your hair, apply your dye, rinse, and repeat if needed. It’s only now that a new (and never-before-seen) technology has come around to make this a more seamless and simplified task.
Meet L’Oréal Paris Colorsonic
L'Oréal Paris Colorsonic is a hair color device with oscillating smart bristles that deliver vibrant, even L’Oréal hair color at the touch of a button. All you have to do is select a shade from the complementary color cartridge range (each sold separately), pop it into your device, and brush it through your hair. The Colorsonic automatically mixes your professional-grade color then deposits it right at the root, evenly saturating your strands for long-lasting, rich color with less mess.
The pioneering technology has been in the works for over 10 years and has now been fully developed and incubated by L’Oréal. Since making its public debut in January 2022, the Colorsonic has already been celebrated on the Time Magazine Invention list, CES Best of Innovation Award Honoree, and is protected with over 20 patents. And soon, it’ll be available to shop in stores (and online!). More on that in a bit.
What Are the Benefits of Colorsonic?
If this next generation of at-home hair color has piqued your interest, we’ve rounded up all the reasons why you should consider adding the Colorsonic to your coloring routine.
Easy to use
Bid farewell to playing all the roles of chemist, colorist, and cleaner when dyeing your hair. This first-of-its-kind device takes the guesswork (and messiness) out of applying your at-home hair color. It’s fairly straightforward to use, too; you’re only three steps away from achieving pro-level results:
Step 1: Pick your shade. The Colorsonic’s exclusive, ammonia-free permanent hair dye comes in 20 expertly crafted shades. Each can help give you shiny, hydrated, and conditioned results similar to what you’d expect at the salon. Plus, all of the colors are formulated without parabens, silicones, SLS, SLES, or phthalates, so you can feel good about coloring your hair sans harsh chemicals.
Step 2: Insert the color cartridge. Once you’ve selected your shade, pop your chosen cartridge into your Colorsonic and press the button. The device will automatically mix fresh colorant and developer in a perfect 1:1 ratio, so you don’t need to measure anything yourself.
Step 3: Brush it through your hair. If you can run a brush through your hair, you’re already well on your way to using the Colorsonic wand. With every stroke, the brush-like bristles automatically part your hair while depositing color for uniform root-to-tip coverage.
Fast application
When you’re applying hair dye by hand or with a brush, you typically have to dedicate about an hour to coating your strands just right. Colorsonic, on the other hand, offers you a precise root-to-tip application in just five minutes. Its revolutionary smart bristles can cover up to 20,000 strands every 60 seconds to evenly distribute your color in a fraction of the time you’d spend DIY-ing it—or sitting in a salon chair.
Mistake-free coverage
Sometimes, applying hair dye to the back of your head can feel a bit like operating on blind luck. However, the Colorsonic parts and colors every strand for you—including the hair in hard-to-reach areas.
It’s also worth noting that not everyone needs the same amount of dye: Hair type, length, and texture can all influence how much dye you’ll need to fully coat your locks. As such, Colorsonic is programmed to adapt to every unique head of hair. The bristles can self-adjust their speed based on your characteristics, helping to deposit the ideal amount of formula.
Multi-use color cartridge
You can use the Colorsonic permanent hair dye cartridges up to three times (one full head application or three root retouches), which can be a major win if you’re used to having leftover hair dye. For some quick background, once you mix traditional boxed dye with a developer, you typically can’t save any unused formula for later. That’s because dye often oxidizes once exposed to light and air, reducing its potency. Colorsonic dyes, on the other hand, are enclosed in cardboard cartridges and only dispensed when you need them. Keeping them protected against the elements can help minimize the chances of wasted formula.
Salon-level results
The Colorsonic device has been rigorously tested with real consumers and is demonstrated to be suitable for all hair types, textures, and lengths. No matter what your hair looks like pre-coloring, you’ll enjoy salon-worthy results with rich, high-shine color that leaves your hair feeling soft, refreshed, and healthy. You can even reduce breakage by up to 2x by pairing your innovative color with L’Oréal’s aftercare conditioner.
Where To Find L’Oréal Paris Colorsonic
The Colorsonic wand will retail for $124.99 MSRP, and the color cartridges will retail for $29.99 MSRP starting June 5, 2024. Get ready to shop for both at the following locations:
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lorealparisusa.com
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colorsonic.com
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target.com and in-store
Sign up for more launch information by heading to Colorsonic by L'Oréal Paris.
Next Up: How To Use L’Oréal Paris Colorsonic for Your Best Hair Color Ever