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Covering resistant gray hair at home can be frustrating when a dye leaves visible roots, applies unevenly, or makes your hair feel dry. L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème is a permanent color kit built around 100% gray coverage, a non-drip crème formula, and a Triple Care Color routine with Hyaluronic Acid. This review focuses on the Amazon shade linked here, 5 Medium Brown in a one-kit package, while also explaining how the wider Excellence Crème system works. It is a strong choice when dependable gray coverage is your priority, but correct shade selection, an allergy test, and careful application still matter.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8.5/10, Recommended with caveats
Best For: You want permanent medium-brown color with strong coverage for visible or resistant gray hair.
Bottom Line: Excellence Crème combines verified 100% gray coverage with a non-drip application and an after-color care routine. Its main tradeoff is that it remains a permanent oxidative hair dye, so allergy precautions, correct shade choice, and strict attention to the instructions are essential.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | L’Oreal Paris |
| Product | Excellence Crème Triple Care Permanent Hair Color |
| Amazon Variant | 5 Medium Brown |
| Package | 1 hair-color kit, packaging may vary |
| Color Type | Permanent hair color |
| Gray Coverage | 100% gray coverage, including stubborn grays |
| Formula Style | Non-drip crème |
| Care Ingredient | Hyaluronic Acid in the Triple Care system |
| Kit Components | Developer, protective color crème, Caring Shampoo, and Caring Deep Conditioner |
| Shade Range | 27 shades in the current Excellence Crème range |
| Hair Types | Designed for all hair types and textures |
| Typical Processing | About 30 minutes, subject to the directions for your shade and application type |
| Important Safety Step | Skin allergy test required 48 hours before each use |
What Is L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème?
L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème is a permanent at-home hair-color system designed to cover gray hair while adding a care step before you finish. The current formula uses a Triple Care Color routine with Hyaluronic Acid, replacing older product descriptions that referred to a Pro-Keratine complex.
The linked Amazon product is specifically shade 5 Medium Brown, one kit. L’Oreal offers the broader Excellence Crème range in 27 shades, so you should confirm the shade shown on the product page before ordering rather than assuming every Excellence Crème listing is the same color.
The kit combines a protective coloring crème and developer with a Caring Shampoo and Caring Deep Conditioner. The crème texture is designed to resist dripping, which makes root application and section-by-section coverage easier to control than a very runny liquid formula.
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Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- You want permanent color with verified 100% gray coverage.
- You prefer a thicker, non-drip crème for controlled home application.
- You want an included shampoo and conditioner rather than a color-only kit.
Skip If
- You have previously reacted to permanent hair-color ingredients or cannot complete the required allergy test.
- You want temporary or semi-permanent color that gradually washes out.
- You need a major color correction that is better handled by a professional colorist.
Gray Coverage and Color Performance
The main reason to choose Excellence Crème is straightforward: L’Oreal specifies 100% gray coverage, including stubborn grays. That makes it more relevant when scattered gray strands or resistant roots are your main concern than when you simply want a temporary tone change.
Coverage still depends on using enough product and following the correct application method. Dense gray areas need full saturation rather than a thin layer of color. Dividing your hair into sections helps you reach the roots instead of coating only the most visible surface.
Because this is permanent color, the result does not simply wash away after a set number of shampoos. Your roots will become visible again as your hair grows, and the appearance of the lengths can also change gradually with washing, styling, sun exposure, and normal color fading.
Pro Tip: If resistant gray coverage is your priority, L’Oreal recommends considering a shade in its natural family and choosing a color no more than about two levels lighter or darker than your current hair color.
Hyaluronic Acid and the Triple Care Routine
The current Excellence Crème system is built around Hyaluronic Acid. The Caring Shampoo is designed to cleanse your hair and scalp after you rinse out the color, while the Caring Deep Conditioner helps condition the hair after processing.
L’Oreal states that the system helps seal the cuticle and provides three times more moisture compared with untreated damaged hair. That does not make permanent coloring damage-free, but the included after-color steps give you a more complete routine than a kit that stops once the dye is rinsed away.
This formula update is important if you have read older Excellence Crème reviews. Older descriptions may mention Pro-Keratine or a 30-shade range. Current manufacturer and Amazon information instead identify Hyaluronic Acid and a 27-shade range.
Shade Selection: What to Know About 5 Medium Brown
The linked ASIN is 5 Medium Brown. It belongs to the brown family and is intended for buyers who want a medium-brown permanent result rather than dark brown, black, blonde, or red.
Your starting color matters. L’Oreal recommends staying within roughly two levels of your current shade when you want a natural-looking change. A box color cannot guarantee the identical result on every person because your starting shade, percentage of gray, previous dye, and hair condition all influence the final appearance.
Before You Buy: Confirm that the Amazon selection still shows 5 Medium Brown before ordering. Excellence Crème is sold in many shades, and choosing the wrong variation can produce a very different result.
How to Apply L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème for Best Results
Start with the instructions inside your specific box because L’Oreal notes that directions can vary by shade and application type. The current general directions call for application to dry, unwashed hair.
- Complete the allergy test first. Perform the required skin allergy test 48 hours before every application, even if you have colored your hair before.
- Prepare your sections. Divide dry, unwashed hair so you can reach the roots and cover each area evenly.
- Wear the supplied gloves. Mix the coloring crème with the developer in the applicator bottle as directed and shake until blended.
- Apply the color. Start where the instructions for your situation direct you, making sure resistant gray areas receive enough product.
- Allow the specified processing time. L’Oreal’s general guidance is about 30 minutes, but follow the insert for your exact shade and whether you are coloring all over or touching up roots.
- Rinse thoroughly. Rinse until the water runs clear.
- Use the after-color products. Follow with the included Caring Shampoo and Caring Deep Conditioner according to the package directions.
A common mistake is trying to stretch too little product across too much hair. L’Oreal says one box is typically enough for short to medium-length hair, while long or very thick hair can require two or more boxes for complete saturation.
How It Performs in Real Use
For First-Time All-Over Coloring
The crème consistency gives you more control while working through sections. You still need to work methodically because missed roots or poorly saturated areas can show clearly once you rinse and dry your hair.
For Resistant Gray Roots
This is where Excellence Crème makes the strongest case for itself. The product is specifically marketed for complete gray coverage, including stubborn grays. Following the root-touch-up directions and giving resistant areas full coverage matters more than simply applying extra product at random.
For Long or Thick Hair
One kit may not provide enough mixture for complete all-over saturation. If your hair extends well below your shoulders or is especially thick, having enough product before you start prevents you from running short halfway through the application.
For Ongoing Root Maintenance
L’Oreal suggests recoloring when visible gray returns, commonly around every four to eight weeks. Your timing will depend on how quickly your hair grows and how much contrast develops between your natural roots and the colored hair.
Safety and Ingredients You Should Know About
Permanent hair color can cause allergic reactions. The Amazon safety information for this product requires a skin allergy test 48 hours before every use. A previous problem-free coloring session does not replace that step.
The listed coloring formula includes common permanent-color ingredients such as ammonium hydroxide, P-phenylenediamine (PPD), resorcinol, and fragrance. Ingredient lists can change, so read the box you receive if you have known sensitivities or ingredient concerns.
The listing also advises waiting at least 14 days after bleaching, relaxing, or perming before using applicable hair-color shades and warns that certain high-lift color or bleach products should not be used on relaxed hair. Because instructions vary, use the safety insert inside your package as the final authority.
If you develop burning, swelling, rash, breathing difficulty, or another concerning reaction, stop using the product and seek appropriate medical guidance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the allergy test: The 48-hour test is required before every use.
- Applying to freshly washed hair when directions specify otherwise: Current general instructions call for dry, unwashed hair.
- Choosing by the model’s photo alone: Use the shade number and your starting color as your main guides.
- Using too little product: Long or very thick hair may need additional kits.
- Ignoring prior chemical treatments: Recent bleaching, relaxing, or perming can change what is safe and appropriate.
- Leaving color on longer to make it stronger: Follow the specified processing time rather than extending it on your own.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Verified 100% gray coverage, including stubborn gray hair.
- Non-drip crème gives you better control during application.
- Current Triple Care system uses Hyaluronic Acid.
- Caring Shampoo and Deep Conditioner are included.
- Wide 27-shade range covers many common permanent-color needs.
Cons
- A 48-hour allergy test is required before every application.
- Long or very thick hair can require more than one kit.
- Box color is not ideal for complex color correction or drastic shade changes.
Is It Worth the Price?
Excellence Crème sits in the mainstream budget-to-mid-range permanent hair-color category. Its value comes from combining full gray coverage with a complete home-color routine rather than making you buy the basic after-color care steps separately.
You get the most value if resistant gray coverage is your main goal and you appreciate the thicker crème application. The value is less compelling if you only want a temporary color change or need a complicated correction, where a different type of product or professional service may be more appropriate.
Also remember that long or very thick hair can require multiple boxes. That changes the real cost of an all-over application, so estimate how much product you need before starting.
How It Compares to Alternatives
Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Coverage is worth comparing if you want permanent gray coverage with an oil-focused conditioning system. Garnier promotes avocado, olive, and shea oils alongside its coverage technology. Clairol Nice’n Easy is another permanent 100% gray-coverage option and emphasizes a blend of three tones and highlights for a more multi-tonal result.
L’Oreal Excellence Crème makes the most sense if you place more value on its non-drip crème, Triple Care routine, Hyaluronic Acid system, and specific focus on stubborn gray coverage. None is automatically best for every head of hair, so shade availability and your starting color should guide the final choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does L’Oreal Excellence Crème really cover 100% of gray hair?
L’Oreal states that Excellence Crème provides 100% gray coverage, including stubborn grays. You still need complete saturation and the correct processing time to get the intended coverage.
Which shade does this Amazon link contain?
The verified ASIN B004BYSR6K is listed as 5 Medium Brown, 1 Kit. Check the selected variation again before ordering because the Excellence Crème product family includes many other shades.
Should I wash my hair before using Excellence Crème?
The current general L’Oreal directions call for applying the color to dry, unwashed hair. Follow the instructions in your own kit because directions can vary by shade and application type.
Can I use Excellence Crème on previously colored hair?
It can be used for ongoing permanent-color maintenance, including gray-root coverage, but your application method may differ from a first-time full-head application. Follow the retouch instructions and pay attention to any recent bleaching, relaxing, or perming.
How many boxes do I need for long or thick hair?
One box is generally intended for shorter to medium-length applications. L’Oreal notes that long or very thick hair can need two to three boxes to achieve full saturation, so plan before mixing your first kit.
How often can I recolor my gray roots?
L’Oreal suggests coloring again when visible gray growth appears, commonly about every four to eight weeks. Use the root-touch-up directions rather than repeatedly treating your entire hair length without a reason.
Is Excellence Crème suitable for a sensitive scalp?
Do not assume that it is suitable simply because you have used hair dye before. The product requires a skin allergy test 48 hours before every use, and you should follow all label warnings or seek professional advice if you have a history of reactions.
The Bottom Line
L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème is a strong option if you want permanent color with verified 100% gray coverage, a controlled non-drip crème, and an included Hyaluronic Acid care routine. Shade 5 Medium Brown is especially relevant if that color suits your starting shade and desired result. Skip it if you cannot complete the required allergy precautions, want temporary color, or need a complicated corrective color service.
