madison reed hair color exposed

Show Notes from Hair Matters Podcast sponsored by Noelle Salon, today we spoke of  Madison Reed and other at-home colors! I actually purchased Madison Reed color, took their quiz to determine what color best suited me and I used it on my own hair!  The grey coverage was very poor and this is not an all-natural product, in fact, it can be more toxic than other hair dyes!  Additionally, I received a 1.7-ounce tube of color with a non-descriptive developer - cost $30 with shipping, not really a deal. 

I'm sure you have heard the exuberant amount of "Madison Reed" hair color ad's from social media to the radio. As a professional stylist and salon owner, I had to try it as well as testing how to purchase on their website. Their site is user-friendly and they ask as many relevant questions pertaining to your hair as much possible which will help determine the best shade etc. This is far more helpful than buying a box dye at the drug store and thinking the shade on the box will be your end result, but hair dye is not one size fits all. I realize many people may not be able to afford salon hair color but are you really saving a whole lot with Madison Reed? Their color kits can be a bit costly compared to purchasing a hair color at a beauty chain such as Sally's. A one time purchase is $30 and good luck with autos-hipping it is tough to cancel. . They do offer some professional advice via the site, , but without seeing your hair in person & knowing the exact chemicals you use, your hair density, percentage of actual grey, it can be quite difficult to say what will work best for your individual color needs. What I don’t understand is average salons charge about $50 for a true professional color, expertly matched with a wash and blow-dry!

Balayage by our professional stylist Alycia

Now, if you have virgin hair (no color, chemical treatments) then using Madison Reed may be okay. What is not okay is if you have chemicals in your hair (which most of us do) and you are livid by the end result. That being said, in some of Madison Reeds videos they suggest running color from roots to ends - this is not a good idea on previously colored hair. Hair color does not affect previously colored hair, particularly darker shades. The end result may be uneven with light roots (on your virgin hair) & darker ends. If you are staying within your own color level - you may be fine with adding their hair dye, but you may be surprised that the tones are very warm.

Dig deeper and read the reviews about Madison Reed, not the reviews they sponsor, but from real clients.  They have experienced allergic reactions, low grey coverage, and completely messed up their hair.

Is Madison Reed Natural?  No

Why does hair color have Ammonia - it is high in alkaline and opens the hair cuticle to allow hair color molecules to enter the hair, it also serves to activate the peroxide/developer

Instead of Ammonia, they use Ethanomaline which some experience more

Allergic reactions than Ammonia and some say is more toxic perhaps carcinogenic. Ethanolamine essential does the same thing.

they are replacing ammonia with a chemical equal in toxicity. The only difference is it smells better.

As I experimented with Madison Reed, I noticed that the grey coverage formulas were very harsh, so I dug deeper. Supposedly it contains no Ammonia, but it does contain ethanolamine which is essentially (1) part ammonia masked by another name. Ammonia is a part of hair dye because it swells the cuticle and allows for the color to penetrate thus changing your color. There are hair dyes that are semi-permanent, but they will not cover gray - their job is to coat your hair with color and the color fades as you shampoo. So I can not understand how Madison Reed can differentiate itself from other hair dyes. Here is the rub, touch-ups and consecutive processes with the same formula may not render the same result. In-salon, we adjust color formulas based on color fading, greying and chemical processes.

They use PPD vs. PTDS

PPD and PTDS allow the hair color to stick to the cuticle of the hair. It also contains ammonia. These chemicals are especially important to cover grey hair. Is there a difference between PPD or PTDS?

Resorcinol vs, Methylresorcinol:

it can exist in any coloring product.

​​Unfortunately, PPD and PTDS are closely

related ingredients, and it is possible that individuals who are allergic to one of these ingredients may also

be allergic to the other.*

hair color products, resorcinol works with other chemicals in the formula to provide a

permanent color effect. Particularly colors with more yellow tones use resorcinol, though

Methylresoricinal is slightly less irritating than Resorcinol, but most professional dyes

contain Methlyresorcinal. So did Madison reinvent the wheel? No!

As a stylist - I can tell you that hair color is much more scientific than what one may think, that is why it takes years to become a colorist. There is also an artistic factor that is taken out of the at-home dye. They have ​balayage ​tools which in most cases you are advised to bleach your own hair! It took some time to learn how to balayage. Madison Reed also provides you with toner. Toner is applied after hair is lightened and there are many factors to determine which toner will create your desired outcome. The underlying pigment of your hair may be more red, yellow, or gold than expected and a cookie-cutter toner simply may not work. Also, if your hair is already dyed a dark color, bleach is not your best option. I would skip the Madison Reed lightening and balayage completely!  This kit contains bleach with no toner if you do not achieve your desired color!  Definitely use caution with bleaching at home or you may find yourself in a professional salon paying big bucks for corrective color.

Other options if you are on a budget:

So as I said, I worked with the hair dye, it is better than drug store box dye because it does not contain metals, but it is no better than a color that you could purchase at Sally's or beauty supply store. If you are lucky enough, an associate.  Or you can also have color done at your local cosmetology school, they use better products and are supervised by cosmetology instructors.

Conclusion: There is nothing better than having your hair dyed at a professional salon, but if money is an issue go to a beauty store. The hair color is less costly and pretty much the same quality. And please be careful if you attempt to lighten your hair on your own, many clients come to our salon for corrective color after doing so.