What’s your experience with Madison Reed?

[Anonymous]

I’m the OP of the thread about my aunt not reacting well to my gray hair. I think it bothers me as much as it does because I’m having a really hard time embracing the gray. But I do t miss the time, money spent and itchy, burning scalp. Does Madison Reed have good gray coverage? Is it gentle on the hair? Wondering if it’s a good choice if I decide to go back to coloring my hair.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t hesitate to give it a try. I used it during the pandemic and when I went back to my stylist for the first time she thought it looked great!

[Anonymous]

It took me a few tries to get the exact color I want, and it still doesn't look quite as good as the salon, but it's pretty good. And it's a lot more convenient and inexpensive than salon visits every 5 weeks. I think I'm going to keep doing it post pandemic.

[Anonymous]

I like it but only do semi-permanent.

[Anonymous]

OP - my hairdresser told me some of her other clients had good results with it, but I haven't tried it because there were quite a few reviews saying it turned brassy (which is a problem for me).

I've been using the John Frieda foam hair color and am surprised by how much I like it. It seems to do a good job coverning the grays and my brown hair isn't going brassy.

[Anonymous]

After years of an expensive salon with a top ranked colorist, I just tried it last month. I think it looks pretty good. I can’t tell if it’s a tinge brassy or if it’s just the zoom camera lighting—it seems to look good when I’m not on my computer camera so maybe it’s just my display settings are too red.
The grey coverage is good and it is as pretty easy — I kind of ignored their instructions and did it like I see them do it in the salon.
But you’ve put so much time into growing out the grey—are you sure you want to give that up? Ask someone other than your elderly aunt. Some older ladies (especially Italians—my people) have this attitude that you should dye your hair until you are 90. It doesn’t necessarily look good but they do it anyway. It’s a culture thing more than an actual beauty thing. So don’t do it just because your aunt is scandalized by the Grey!

[Anonymous]

Ps on the brassy—they have three tones for every color and recommend the neutral or ash tone if you’re worried about brashiness. Also order the toner that they recommend.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been to a Madison Reed color bar a few times so far, was happy with it, and will continue. I hadn’t colored before so didn’t feel comfortable doing it on my own.

[Anonymous]

I am allergic to almost all hair dye (I think the PPD?) and this is the first home hair color I can use- it's so shiny after as well. Positive experience- I have very dark brown hair and use it to cover gray, no no brassy issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am allergic to almost all hair dye (I think the PPD?) and this is the first home hair color I can use- it's so shiny after as well. Positive experience- I have very dark brown hair and use it to cover gray, no no brassy issues.

Almost exact same experience here. I’ve been grey since early 20s, now in my 40s. Madison Reed is the only haircolor I haven’t had scalp issues/sensitivity with. I have natural red/auburn highlights so I do get a little bit of brassiness but that happens with every color I’ve ever used.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am allergic to almost all hair dye (I think the PPD?) and this is the first home hair color I can use- it's so shiny after as well. Positive experience- I have very dark brown hair and use it to cover gray, no no brassy issues.

Do you use their demi or the permanent?

[Anonymous]

I used it twice during the early pandemic days. It was fine, definitely made my hair a bit brassy but not too bad. I’m happy to be back with my hairdresser though- she does a much better job.

[Anonymous]

If you’re having an itching and burning reaction to color, I’d figure out a way to make the grey work. Are you using purple shampoo? Changed your makeup? Different cut? Those can all help.

[Anonymous]

I love Madison Reed. I used it during the quarantine and I also have gone to the Bethesda salon. My understanding is that the people who say they are getting a brassy color is that they are trying to go too light. I used the quiz to guide my selection and ended at the perfect color. The color is even better than what I was getting at my (very) high-priced salon.

When the quarantine began abating I went into the Bethesda store for the first time. They are practicing excellent safety protocols. I went on a day when I was the first appointment of the day. I walked out "wet" without blow drying my hair. It was a fabulous experience and I repeated it several times.

I am now back at my regular salon but I keep thinking I should just use MR for color and then the salon only for cuts. The downside for me is that it is a hike for me to get to Bethesda otherwise I would do it in a heartbeat.

I definitely recommend trying Madison Reed. If you're concerned about the color then go in and the colorist will guide you. If you decide to go it alone, then buy the package, make sure you have the tools and watch Angie on Hot and Flashy (youtube) first.