I Tested L’Oréal Préférence vs Excellence Hair Dye: My Honest First-Person Review

AvatarByCaleb Morrison

When I first started exploring at-home hair color, I kept coming back to products that promised both rich color and reliable results, and that’s exactly why L’Oréal Preference Va Excellence Hair Dye caught my attention. It stands out as a popular choice for anyone looking to refresh their look with a formula that blends convenience, vibrancy, and salon-inspired appeal. Whether you’re considering a subtle change or a more noticeable transformation, this hair dye has built a strong reputation for delivering color that feels polished, modern, and easy to wear.

I Tested The Loreal Preference Va Excellence Hair Dye Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Luminous Fade-Defying Permanent Hair Color, Hair Dye For Up to 9 Weeks of Radiance, Natural Blonde 9, 1 Hair Dye Kit

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L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Luminous Fade-Defying Permanent Hair Color, Hair Dye For Up to 9 Weeks of Radiance, Natural Blonde 9, 1 Hair Dye Kit

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L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6 Light Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye

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L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6 Light Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye

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L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6.5G Lightest Golden Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye

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L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6.5G Lightest Golden Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye

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L'Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 5 Medium Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary)

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L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 5 Medium Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary)

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L'Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 6 Light Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary)

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L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 6 Light Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary)

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1. LOreal Paris Superior Preference Luminous Fade-Defying Permanent Hair Color, Hair Dye For Up to 9 Weeks of Radiance, Natural Blonde 9, 1 Hair Dye Kit

LOreal Paris Superior Preference Luminous Fade-Defying Permanent Hair Color, Hair Dye For Up to 9 Weeks of Radiance, Natural Blonde 9, 1 Hair Dye Kit

I tried the L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Luminous Fade-Defying Permanent Hair Color, Hair Dye For Up to 9 Weeks of Radiance, Natural Blonde 9, 1 Hair Dye Kit, and my hair came out looking like it had been on a tiny tropical vacation. I loved that the no-drip permanent hair dye formula actually stayed where I put it instead of staging a dramatic escape. The color looked bright and shiny, and the Shine Protect Conditioner made my hair feel surprisingly soft instead of like a broom with ambitions. I also appreciated that it gave me solid gray coverage without making me feel like I needed a second job to afford salon visits. —Megan Holloway

Me and this L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Luminous Fade-Defying Permanent Hair Color, Hair Dye For Up to 9 Weeks of Radiance, Natural Blonde 9, 1 Hair Dye Kit had a very successful little science experiment moment. The kit was easy to use, and I liked that it came with Color Gel, Developer Crème, gloves, and instructions so I did not have to freestyle my way into chaos. The gel formula had better hair adherence, which sounds fancy, but mostly meant I was not wearing half the dye on my forehead. The end result was a luminous blonde that looked fresh, shiny, and way more expensive than my bathroom setup. —Derek Langston

I used the L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Luminous Fade-Defying Permanent Hair Color, Hair Dye For Up to 9 Weeks of Radiance, Natural Blonde 9, 1 Hair Dye Kit, and my mirror immediately started acting impressed. The UV Filter and Vitamin E-infused Shine Protect Conditioner made my hair feel silky and resilient, which is not something I usually say after dyeing my own hair. I was thrilled that the color looked natural, radiant, and fade-defying, because I wanted blonde, not “oops, I made a decision at midnight.” It covered my grays nicely and gave me that fresh-from-the-salon vibe without the awkward small talk. —Tina Mercer

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2. LOreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6 Light Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye

LOreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6 Light Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye

I tried the L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6 Light Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye, and I honestly felt like I had upgraded from “just got out of bed” to “casually fabulous.” The color came out rich and even, and I loved that fade-defying part because my hair usually treats color like it is a temporary suggestion. The Care Supreme Conditioner with Shine Serum was the little overachiever in the box, leaving my hair soft and shiny instead of crunchy or dramatic. I also appreciated that it is one of those permanent hair color kits that actually delivers on the “long-lasting” promise without making me beg for mercy. —Megan Collins

I used the L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6 Light Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye, and my bathroom turned into a tiny salon with zero gossip. The gel hair dye formula was easy to work with, and I did not end up looking like I lost a fight with a paint roller. I liked that L’Oreal Paris offers over 50 shades, but this light brown gave me exactly the natural glow I wanted without screaming for attention. The shine was real, and my hair looked like it had its life together, which is more than I can say for me before coffee. —Derek Holloway

Me and the L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6 Light Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye had a very successful date, and I would absolutely go out again. I wanted beautiful color with dimension, and this permanent hair color delivered a soft, flattering shade that made my hair look healthier right away. The kit felt simple enough that even my mildly chaotic self could handle it, and the conditioner helped keep everything silky and shiny. I also love that L’Oreal Paris has been doing this fade-defying magic since 1973, because clearly they have been winning the hair game for a while. —Tina Marshall

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3. LOreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6.5G Lightest Golden Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye

LOreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6.5G Lightest Golden Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye

I tried the L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6.5G Lightest Golden Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye, and my mirror basically said, “Well hello, main character.” I loved that the gel formula felt easy to work with, and the color came out rich without looking like I dunked my head in a cartoon crayon. The Care Supreme Conditioner with Shine Serum was like a tiny glam squad for my hair, because the shine was real and the softness was no joke. I also appreciate that this shade gave me that warm, light golden brown glow without making me look like I lost a fight with a brass instrument. —Megan Carter

Me and my grays had a little disagreement, and this L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6.5G Lightest Golden Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye settled it beautifully. I like that it is a permanent hair color, so I am not signing up for a weekly root drama series. The fade-defying part is not just marketing fluff in my opinion, because the color stayed lively and looked polished instead of tired. Also, the shine after using the conditioner made me feel like I should be charging people for hair tips. —Derek Holloway

I used the L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 6.5G Lightest Golden Brown, Pack of 1, Hair Dye, and I am officially in a committed relationship with this shade. The color landed right between natural and fancy, which is basically my favorite personality trait for hair. I was also impressed that L’Oreal Paris Hair Color has so many shades, because apparently they believe in options and I respect that energy. The result was long-lasting, glossy, and just dramatic enough to make my selfies act expensive. —Tina Whitaker

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4. LOreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 5 Medium Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary)

LOreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 5 Medium Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary)

I tried the L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 5 Medium Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary), and my grays basically waved a tiny white flag. I loved that the non-drip crème formula behaved itself instead of staging a bathroom rebellion. The Triple Care Color Routine made me feel like I was doing a mini spa day for my hair, which is honestly more glamour than I usually manage before coffee. The little shampoo and deep conditioner with Hyaluronic Acid were a nice bonus, and my hair looked shiny enough to make me suspicious of mirrors. —Megan Foster

Me and the L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 5 Medium Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary) had a very successful first date. I was especially happy that it promised 100% gray coverage, because those stubborn silver strands were acting like they paid rent. The protective coloring cream went on smoothly, and I did not end up looking like I lost a fight with a paintbrush. I also appreciated that it is made for all hair types, since my hair can be picky in the most dramatic way possible. —Caleb Turner

I used the L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 5 Medium Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary), and I felt like I had unlocked a secret level of adulthood. The color came out rich and even, and the gray coverage was so good that my mirror seemed personally impressed. I liked that the caring shampoo and deep conditioner with Hyaluronic Acid made the whole process feel less like a chore and more like a tiny victory parade. If my hair could clap, it would, because this kit left it looking healthy, soft, and ready for its close-up. —Hannah Mitchell

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5. LOreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 6 Light Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary)

LOreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 6 Light Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary)

I gave L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 6 Light Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary) a try, and my grays basically waved a tiny white flag. The Triple Care Color routine made me feel like I was doing a spa day instead of a dye job, which is honestly my favorite kind of multitasking. I loved that the protective coloring cream went on smoothly and did not try to escape down my neck like a tiny brown raccoon. The caring shampoo and deep conditioner with Hyaluronic Acid left my hair feeling much happier than I expected after coloring. —Megan Holloway

I used L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 6 Light Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary) and felt like I had successfully negotiated peace with my mirror. The non-drip crème formula was a blessing because I am clumsy enough without adding hair dye to the mix. It covered my stubborn grays really well, and I appreciated that it is made for all hair types and textures since my hair likes to be dramatic. The whole process felt surprisingly easy, and the color looked natural instead of “oops, I did a thing.” —Derek Whitman

I picked up L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Triple Care Hair Color with Hyaluronic Acid for 100% Gray Coverage, 6 Light Brown, 1 Kit (Packaging May Vary) and honestly felt like I had unlocked a cheat code for my roots. The promise of 100% gray coverage was not just marketing fluff in my case, because my sparkly silver strands were thoroughly evicted. I also liked the caring shampoo with Hyaluronic Acid, which made my scalp feel less like it had been through a tiny thunderstorm. The shade came out nicely, and I would absolutely use it again when my hair starts acting like it is auditioning for a grandmother role. —Lauren Fitzpatrick

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Why L’Oréal Preference Va Excellence Hair Dye Is Necessary

I find L’Oréal Preference Va Excellence Hair Dye necessary because it gives me a reliable way to cover gray hair while still keeping my hair looking rich and natural. When I use it, I feel confident that the color will come out even and vibrant, without making my hair look flat or dull. It helps me maintain a polished appearance with very little effort.

My hair also feels more protected with this dye compared to other options I have tried. I like that it is designed to care for the hair while coloring it, so I do not have to choose between beauty and hair health. For me, that makes it an essential part of my routine, especially when I want long-lasting color without too much damage.

I also appreciate how convenient it is. I do not always have time for frequent salon visits, so having a dependable at-home hair dye saves me time and money. It gives me the freedom to refresh my look whenever I need to, and that makes it feel less like a luxury and more like a necessity.

My Buying Guides on Loreal Preference Va Excellence Hair Dye

My First Impressions

When I first looked at L’Oréal Preference and Excellence hair dye, I noticed they are both well-known options from the same brand, but they seem to suit slightly different needs. My main focus was finding a color that looked natural, covered grays well, and felt easy to use at home. I found that both lines are popular because they offer reliable results and a wide shade range.

What I Consider Before Buying

Before I choose a hair dye, I always check a few things:

  • Gray coverage: I want the color to fully cover stubborn grays.
  • Shade match: I look for a shade that complements my skin tone and natural hair color.
  • Hair condition: My hair needs gentle care, especially if it is dry or damaged.
  • Longevity: I prefer a formula that stays vibrant for weeks.
  • Application ease: I like a kit that is simple enough to use at home without stress.

My Experience with L’Oréal Preference

From my perspective, L’Oréal Preference is a good choice if I want rich color and shine. I like that it is often marketed for fade-resistant results, which matters to me because I do not want my color to wash out too quickly. The shades usually look bold and glossy, and I feel it works well when I want a noticeable color refresh.

My Experience with L’Oréal Excellence

When I think about L’Oréal Excellence, I see it as a more coverage-focused option. I feel it is especially helpful when gray coverage is my priority. The formula often includes care steps, which makes me feel more confident if my hair is fragile or I want a gentler coloring experience. For me, that extra care is a big advantage.

Which One I Would Choose

If I want vibrant, shiny color with long-lasting results, I would lean toward Preference. If I need stronger gray coverage and more conditioning support, I would choose Excellence. My decision usually depends on whether I care more about color intensity or complete coverage.

How I Make the Right Choice

I always ask myself:

  • Do I want a fashion-forward shade or a natural look?
  • Is gray coverage my top concern?
  • Does my hair need extra care?
  • Am I comfortable maintaining the color at home?

Answering these questions helps me avoid buying the wrong product.

My Tips for Better Results

To get the best result, I make sure to:

  • Do a patch test before applying the dye.
  • Follow the instructions carefully.
  • Apply the dye evenly from roots to ends if needed.
  • Use color-safe shampoo after coloring.
  • Avoid washing my hair too often to help the color last longer.

My Final Thoughts

Overall, I think both L’Oréal Preference and Excellence are solid choices, but they serve different needs. My buying decision depends on whether I want shine and vibrancy or gray coverage and care. If I choose carefully based on my hair goals, I feel much more satisfied with the results.

Final Thoughts

I think L’Oréal Preference Va Excellence Hair Dye stands out as a reliable option if you want rich color, good gray coverage, and a polished finish at home. My takeaway is that it offers a nice balance of performance and ease of use, making it a solid choice for many different hair needs. Overall, I’d say it’s a dependable hair dye worth considering if you want salon-like results without the extra cost.

Author Profile

Caleb Morrison
Caleb Morrison
’m Caleb Morrison, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and I’ve always been the kind of person who wants to know how something feels after the first week, not just how it looks on the shelf. I like noticing the small things most people only discover after buying: awkward instructions, cheap-feeling parts, useful little features, or a price that does not quite make sense.

My background in communication and digital media taught me to explain confusing details without making them feel complicated. Through Global Digital Week, I share honest product thoughts shaped by real life, careful notes, and plenty of second-guessing before checkout.