L'Oreal • Feria in Violet Soft Black • Hair Color

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shinka on 4/20/2013 12:16:00 PM more reviews by shinka

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

I used this dye in 2007, I can't remember what my hair color was pre-dye but I know my hair wasn't virgin. I ended up with the EXACT color on the box, maybe even darker, I was upset no one could see the purple tint but people could in sunlight. Dyed it again in 2009 and again got the exact color on the box.

Last week I decided to go back to this color and was horribly disappointed - it turned out just as everyone is describing, a deep maroon or reddish magenta, in my case very bright. Most of my hair was virgin after growing out a half shaved head, so I expected the same color I got years ago. I have to chalk this up to Loreal changing the dye formula maybe between 2009 and now. Will not try to redye with this color after reading everyone elses reviews. I thought I had just bought a bad batch at my store but now I know the problem is more widespread.

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LexiJay on 4/8/2013 9:49:00 PM more reviews by LexiJay

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Relaxed, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I started out with a dark red-ish brown. I wanted a violet black color and thought it would work out. My hair did turn black but it had no hints of any purple, blue, or even red tints in it. It made my hair dull, and very dry. I will never go with this dye again. I later tried olia hair color. It was amazing. Word of advise.. SKIP IT. not worth it at all. Waste of 18 dollars (I had to buy two boxes because my hair is so long).

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Zoaie on 3/29/2013 12:28:00 PM more reviews by Zoaie

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I'll admit, I had read some reviews of this product, before I purchased this. However, I didn't actually listen to all of the negative ones, because I had used other shades of Feria hair colors in the past, and was always very happy with the results.

I have dark brown hair, and because I looked on the side of the box to see what shade to expect, I didn't think I would have any issue with this color.

This shade turned some of my hair a way darker brown (still not black), and there was no sign at all of a "violet" or purple hue. The hair on the top of my head came our bright red. I'm not sure how long L'Oreal will keep making this shade, but from my experience and that of so many others, they might want to think of either discontinuing it or completely re-working the color formulation for this shade.

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Stephanie2014 on 1/7/2013 2:51:00 AM more reviews by Stephanie2014

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Other, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Other    

Gonna keep this short. I've been dying my hair black for the past six months. My roots had grown out and I wanted to try something new. The box showed that It would turn out the same on my roots and my black hair. It did not, but I'm still pleased. The black did not change at all, I think this is for naturally dark brown hair. It turned my roots BRIGHT RED/PURPLE. I happen to love it, but it is not at all like it shows on the box. I plan to lighten my hair back to its natural color and go for an all over dramatic red/purple. But it is DEFINITELY not the color on the box.

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Misshepburn15 on 1/2/2013 8:28:00 PM more reviews by Misshepburn15

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I was skeptical when I first read the reviews for this product, but I noticed a pattern: those who have hair that is any lighter than dark dark brown will get very apple red highlights. But! Me having dark dark brown hair, love the results. HOWEVER, the color is definitely not the same as the picture on the box..so don't buy this if you want the color on the box. I would say that the base color is a dark dark brown(I guess it's soft black) but the tint is more of a reddish purple, not a violet/blue that I was expecting.. So, if you are very dark haired and want a little mahogany in your locks then this is for you... Don't buy if you have light hair!!! Shame on L'Oreal for being misleading, but I still give them credit , because its a beautiful color. My only other complaint is that the directions tell you to shake the developer bottle with the flat cap, but it doesn't fit. I used the closed applicator tip to shake it and it worked just as well.

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alf8312 on 11/27/2012 6:16:00 PM more reviews by alf8312

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

There's been alot of bad reviews about this, but it turned out very good on me....I started with brownish reddish hair and I've washed it twice already and it's still dark and there's a purplish reddish tint to it especially in the sun...I love it..now just to see if it fades like all the other Loreal products...

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cupcakeswithsprinkles on 10/28/2012 10:26:00 AM more reviews by cupcakeswithsprinkles

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have to say that I really took a risk trying this product since there were so many bad reviews on it! However, it really worked for me! My naturally dark dark brown hair turned a beautiful rich and even mahogany purplish. Granted the colour is subtle and is only really visible under certain lighting but nonetheless the shine quality of my hair is still preserved and I have a very even colour all over. It's gorgeous although not exactly dark violet. Perhaps this product works better for dark hair than on lighter hair but if you have hair that's not been coloured before and you have dark hair, try this!

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aaaaawr on 10/16/2012 5:11:00 PM more reviews by aaaaawr

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Okay, I read all the reviews after I bought this so before I used it I was scared to try it because of what everyone was saying about it, but I tried it anyway.
I am glad I did, it turned out great for me. I had dark brown hair and it turned out very close to what the box said. There was 1 or 2 little little areas that did turn red like others said but they are hardly noticeable.
I am thinking the people who got a lot of red had lighter brown hair.
I would recommend this to a friend or someone wanting to try something new. It turned out good for me so I do think its worth a try

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RobiJo on 10/6/2012 11:59:00 PM more reviews by RobiJo

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I love my color. This is the first color out of this line that I was able to get the reddish/violet/purple tones I was looking for while still keeping my natural soft black hair color.

I am African American, and have stopped using relaxers, but still love to color my hair. After spending the summer with red hair, I decided to go darker because red hair is harder to keep up, can be drying and doesn't cover my gray. The red came out orange every time I colored and I would have to get something else to tone the red down.

I do see on the reviews that it says that some people got red instead of violet. I did read the instructions on the box and it did say that if you have red in your hair, that this color would not counteract red. I like the fact that the tone is Mahagony based - which will accent red/violet.

This is my new color and I will be using this from now on!!!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* swtlilqtk on 9/28/2012 9:15:00 PM more reviews by swtlilqtk

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

Yes, all these reviews are true. My current color before I used Violet Soft black was a medium netural brown, a 5N say, in haircolor terms. I wanted to do something darker and the violet tone of this color intrigued me. I have green eyes and olive skin, so I thought this would be a flattering color. Well....it would've been if it would have shown up anything like its shown on the box. Nope. I ended up with red roots, uneven and blotchy ends and it didn't even turn black! Dull, lacklustre...no shine. I've used many Feria colors before and this is by far the biggest disappointment in the Feria line. I'm curious to find the ACTUAL color they used on the model on the box, but this is NOT it! Save yourself aggervation of having to wait and re-do your hair and don't waste your time, energy or money of this terrible color.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Mj2012 on 9/26/2012 12:44:00 PM more reviews by Mj2012

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Se4riously the reviews are dead on. I tried it because i thought my turn out would be different. I have dark brown hair and i tried this.. im not kidding my roots were pink. no one knows what they put in this bottle but its not violet nor soft black!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

StrawberryViking on 9/23/2012 3:27:00 PM more reviews by StrawberryViking

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Tan   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

I'm sorry colorsilk for forsaking you, I'll never leave you again.

Like many others on here I was entranced by the color on the box and bought it on an impulse. Of course, this would be a 5 lippie review if my hair actually turned out that color.

My roots ended up turning a deep burgandy color, with the rest of my hair turning purple. Not black with a violet tinge, PURPLE. Mind you, I have dark brown/black hair and it still managed to mess it up this bad.

Not only that, but the conditioner was horrid. It felt grainy and left my hair with a very rough texture. My colorsilk conditioner leaves my hair feeling like I went to a salon. In addition, the directions say after mixing the developer and the peroxide solution to replace the tip cap with the flat cap from the amber bottle. This lid does not fit correctly onto the bottle, and when I went to shake it, the cap went flying off and I got the dye all over the bathroom. At the very least I'm convinced of the staying power of this, because it DOES NOT want to leave my walls.

All in all, I have no idea why this is still on the shelves. I should have checked the reviews, but I stubbornly believed they wouldn't let something THIS bad stay on the market.

I trusted l'oreal, they make quality make-up products but this is just terrible. I will actively tell people not to buy this. It's that bad.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

beeps81 on 7/19/2012 1:23:00 AM more reviews by beeps81

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I never really review products, but I felt I MUST if only to prevent one less sale. This by far is the worst product I have ever used. I normally don't color my own hair. However, my hairstylist is on maternity leave and I'm holding off to get my hair cut and colored in September just before my wedding. My natural hair color is a very dark brown. I've been outside a lot this summer and had a bunch of natural highlights coming through. So I thought what the heck ill swing by target and get some dye. I saw this color and thought it would look so pretty with my already naturally dark hair and cover the summer lightess. Plus the violet color could look cool for summer and not be traditional blonde sun kissed highlight. Man was I wrong. When I put it on my hair I noticed it was very pink, but just thought it must be the processing. When I washed and blew dry my hair I freaked out. My roots somehow became lighter than the rest of my hair resulting in a magenta pinkinsh red. HORRIBLE!! The rest of my hair was a purplish color. I had to get my hair fixed the next day as I work for a law firm and punk purple and magenta is not acceptable. It cost me 120 bucks. I beg you not to buy this product. Shame on Loreal for keeping this product on the market. Sure wish I would have read there views here first!!!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* TinkerbellonCrack on 3/21/2012 4:40:00 PM more reviews by TinkerbellonCrack

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Medium Brown, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I stubbornly ignored all the horrific reviews, went ahead, and bought this anyway. I was colouring over blue black hair so I thought, how bad could it bed? I spent $100 at the salon correcting this atrocity. Some of my roots came out a beautiful, auburn violet color while the rest of my hair remained black. The awful, patchy color wasn't even consistent enough for me to pass off as an ombre effect. There was basically one splotch of vibrant color on the top of my skull and nothing else. Do NOT be seduced by the gorgeous photo on the box. DO NOT BUY THIS, I BEG YOU. This is the bane of the Feria line.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* cavewoman on 2/8/2012 8:24:00 AM more reviews by cavewoman

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Oh Productville I wish I had consulted you before I succumbed to the pretty picture on the box of L'Oreal Feria Violet Black! Did anyone in the L'Oreal company actually test this product before releasing it to the trusting public? I say no, they didn't. You will get NOTHING like what you see on the box. I too am stuck with the crazy red highlights. Not burgundy, but candy-apple RED!
In terms of texture, Feria is hard on the hair. I have very fine hair and I do like the Feria formula for giving my hair a thicker appearance, but it tends to rough up the hair a bit, so just be aware that Feria is pretty harsh.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

pinkroots on 12/28/2011 9:56:00 PM more reviews by pinkroots

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Hazel    

my hair is black, and i wanted to add a violet tint to it. upon using the "violet" color, my hair has pinkish/red roots, and that's it!
luckily i was able to re-part my hair so it's not as obvious in the front, but the rest of my hair is still black, and my scalp is the only thing that changed color...not even violet but pink/red!

the only positive, is that my hair is still in good condition, so hopefully i can cover this color up soon. however, i will never buy this product again. i had a bad experience years ago, and shouldn't have given it a second go.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

hancam1030 on 12/15/2011 8:52:00 PM more reviews by hancam1030

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

PLEASE DON'T BUY THIS! Oh my god! Normally, I stick true to my Revlon colorsilk. I bought this cause the color looked so pretty! I read reviews before coloring too, but i still did it...i just wanted to see how it would turn out. I mean its just hair. I was going to dye it black anyways. But before I used this, my hair was a dark brownish red. I knew I was getting a bright magenta color when it was processing on my hair. I washed it out and thought it looked cool. Dried my hair and realized I had bright magenta ROOTS and my hair had lightened to a brown everywhere else! What the CRAP did I put on my hair? Really, Loreal? What the heck? UNACCEPTABLE for a hair dye. Not even a black-purple. Funny how the box says its a "warm" color. But the model totally sports a cool toned purple hairdo. Don't use this crap. Seriously. Unless you want a f----ed up hair color. Going black tomorrow, I don't want to walk around looking like an idiot.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* princess101 on 10/8/2011 6:42:00 PM more reviews by princess101

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

If I could rate this with a Zero, I would. I have used Feria on a number of occasions with great results, and didnt hesitate to buy this despite the poor reviews. I was so wrong and will not doubt MUA reviewers again!

The dye mixture was creamy as usual but upon application it made my hair feel dry and left it tangled. Most often these mixtures have a slickness that when applied remains the same on your hair---this did not. Watching the colour change in the bottle was a big indicator that i would not be getting a cool purple-black, but a bright magenta. Once i rinsed my hair, i did indeed have bright magenta hair (which is naturally a soft black, but lightened to a cool brown). My hair was straw-like even after the conditioning treatment.

I am waiting 2 weeks to dye it again, but in the meantime i am stuck with magenta hair.

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PrincessBubblegum on 9/27/2011 6:20:00 PM more reviews by PrincessBubblegum

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I was very excited to see that someone was making a purple-y black color. I generally don't buy Feria because I think you can get better results with cheaper brands but I really wanted to try this shade anyway. I knew my hair wouldn't come out the lovely color on the box but I thought at the very least it would make my hair black. My hair is naturally a very dark brown. Basically it made my hair a little bit darker and, just like everyone else, it's got a weird burgundy tint to it. It's cute enough, I can deal with it, but it's not anything close to the picture.

tl;dr This doesn't make your hair purple. If that's what you want, don't buy this. Also it smells more than any other dye I've used, srsly.

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Marasy on 8/6/2011 11:09:00 PM more reviews by Marasy

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Olive, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Wow is this color totally misrepresented by L'oreal. On the box is pictured a deep cool toned violet-black color. My hair turned out to be deep burgundy, not at all a blackened purple. It is a pretty color but I generally don't keep my hair burgundy long as I feel it is harder to coordinate makeup and clothes with a color like this. Hence why the color on the box looked attractive to me. And I agree, the conditioner does not feel conditioning well at all. That's what I get for breaking my ban on animal tested products. I'm going back to Revlon Colorsilk, with the no ammonia and good conditioner.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No