I was so excited to find Garnier Olia in stock at Target. My recovering self-ombre’d, then re-dyed hair was in desperate need of refreshment. Since becoming engaged over the holidays, I’ve focused my priorities on achieving natural, bridal beauty by the time we get married next year. Gone are the days of crazy hair experiments and being lazy with my daily routine.
Having fried my hair with an at-home highlighting spray, I was anxious to try the ammonia-free Garnier Olia, which promises to visibly improves and restores hair as the oils help to reverse roughness and dullness for more brilliant, dimensional color and softer, shinier hair with more bounce.
This product exceeded my expectations. I’ve tried lots of hair dyes that promise to smell better, or make hair shinier, etc… but this is the first that actually lived up to the claims. The whole bathroom smelled as if I sprayed a fruity/floral perfume in the air, and you could see the shine from the oil instantly.
My only complaint about this product, for which I docked one star, was that it didn’t seem like there was enough of it for one full application. When I used to have longer hair, I would buy two boxes of hair dye. But since it’s only an inch or two below my shoulders now, I didn’t think I would need to double up this time. The oil was so concentrated, I guess, that it didn’t seem to spread as easily as a cream or foam hair dye. By the time I used up the bottle, I definitely noticed a few spots in the under layers of my hair where the oil didn’t reach. I’ve learned my lesson and will stock up on an extra box next time (touché, Garnier).
Several weeks later and my hair is still holding its newfound shine. I was at a fundraising event yesterday where a complete stranger at my table kept telling me how pretty and shiny my hair is. After years of digital perms and highlighting mishaps, I didn’t think it was possible for my hair to look in such good condition.
It may sound like hyperbole, but this is seriously the best hair dye I’ve ever used. See for yourself:
What color did u use, it doesn’t say…?
Hi Chelsea! I used Soft Black 1.0.
I used this product 3 times (7.0) and will not buy it again. I found that it covers the gray initially, but doesn’t last. Also, I have short, fine hair and barely get enough product to do the job. I am going back to garnier Fructis, which works fine for me every time. I’m glad I tried the amonia free Olia, but it’s not working for me.
@geekglam Hello!! How are you?? I hope that all is well by you and yours. I also hope and pray that you actually receive this message, and that it finds you doing well, because I know that this is an older post from a while back. But I still hope and pray that the alerts will reach you as the others did. 🙏🏻🤞🏻
I just want to let you know that your hair came out absolutely amazing. It looks so beautiful on you. Truly. ❤️🥰 My highest and my most sincere compliments to you. Keep up the great work! 👏🏻👏🏻
This is where my Total of FOUR (4) different questions come in. LOL!! Please don’t let them scare you away. LoL.
If you could just please answer each question, in detail as much as possible, it would really help me so much more than you could ever even know. Truly. Please. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 And I thank you, so much, in advance. ❤️❤️❤️
I know that you used Garnier Olia. And I was dying to know what shade you used as well.
But when I read that you wrote “Soft Black”, I noticed that you wrote “ 1.0 “ next to it.
So I just want to double-check and to make sure with you first, before I actually go out and buy a box of it, which I definitely already plan on doing thanks to you, LOLOL. ❤️🤗
Since shade 1.0 is just “Black” and I know you said “Soft Black” which is shade 2.o. I was hoping you could please help my confusion.
1.) Could you please help me by clarifying if you used shade “ Black 1.o “ or “ Soft Black 2.0 “ ???
I am so anxious and so excited to finally found out the clarification. Please??? 🙏🏻❤️🥰😘
2.) Could you also please tell me, in detail, why you chose Soft Black 2.o over Black 1.0 (or vice versa) ?
3.) As well as, in detail, what kind of effects and differences that you think you may have achieved with using the Soft Black 2.o once your hair was dry and saw the color, compared to if you had used the Black 1.o instead, please? You know what I mean.
This, in particular, would really help me so much more than you could ever know. Please. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
4.) And, in detail, based on your beautiful color outcome, could you kindly please list all of the differences that you personally think there could be between shades Black 1.0 and Soft Black 2.o. ?
Please, please, please respond, and, in detail. LoL. (Did I say that word enough yet?? LoL.) 😁😁😁
Thank you so, SO very much for your time. I really appreciate it and I really look forward to hearing from you. I can’t wait! Please stay safe and please stay healthy. God bless you and yours always. 🙏🏻❤️🥰😘✨
Thanks for the quick reply!
You’re welcome! Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Gorgeous & shiny!!! Thanks for the review & pics. Have been considering this one (I’ve always used the Garnier Nutriesse in “Black” (the cream formula), but I’m always skeptical to try a new hair dye. Your review won me over! 🙂
P.S. How long do you leave it on for? I didn’t buy it yet, so I don’t have the instructions. Just curious.
Aww thank you! And you’re welcome! I can’t remember exactly how long I left it in, but I want to say it was around half an hour. I don’t usually stray too far from what they recommend in the instructions– scared to mess it up!
The worst dye I’ve ever used and I’ve tried many. Three weeks after using this product and copious rinsing, I’m still bleeding enough dye to ruin my towels. I’ll never use it again!
Yes I used color and it dripped color fo over a week. Within 2 to 3 weeks of he color was horrible and my root were showing like it as a. Couple months ago that I colored. Went to beauty shop and professional worked on it. Color would not take at all and he did it again and it barely worked at all. He had no idea what was in Olia color but he said never to use it again and my hair will just have to grow out. Had to pay for coloring and now have to wait for hair to grow out.DO NOT BUY A D USE THIS COLOR.
This wasn’t great to me. it did not cover gray hairs!
OMG! I wish I had read this site before trying it……it did not cover a single grey hair. It left some parts different colour than others. You need 3 boxes…….hate it and stuck like this for my cruise now cause have to wait 2 weeks!
I’ve got fine hair, but lots and lots of it and it is usually a nightmare for hairdressers to colour as there is so.much.
I bought Olia dye in 3.6 dark cherry and I cannot understand how anyone thinks there isn’t enough, there was plenty.
Covered all my hair and some.
Looks vibrant and shiny and my hair feels softer.
Granted I have no grey yet, so I can’t judge the product on that one, but it seems to be a good product.
This product DOES NOT COVER GRAY, other wise it is a good product. Smells nice. But if you want to cover gray, not the right product.
Hi…use half of the developer and the full tube of color. Mix for a good minute. Leave on hair at least an hour. Again, only use half of the developer. I am full gray and it completely covers it using half of the developer and leaving on for at least an hour.
Hi! I was wondering how you got your hair to the color before the black! What dye did you use? Thank you!
Hi Lily-
Before the black was my natural hair color– it fades to a lighter shade of brown in the sun.
So I am looking to go deep red. I have had purple and cherry red in my hair before and was thinking the garnet red because it is warm but has some brown-ish tints. The only worry I have is I have highlights and large areas of blonde, I wonder if it will be brighter than other spots….
Hi! I recently got dark brown hair extensions for prom. i dyed my hair with a loreal casting temporary medium brown and it matched the extensions, my hair is now slowly fading into the blond/brown hair I had before hence temporary. since the hair extensions are dark brown, but medium brown matched the extensions, should I pick up a medium brown or dark brown garnier olia?
Thanks!
I would say medium brown– it should blend better with the extensions!
If you want to cover gray – use half of the developer and the full tube of color. Shake it for a good minute. Leave on hair for at least 60 minutes. It does do the trick. Again, use half of the developer.
I never knew this! Thank you. Will try when it gets more resistant
Is your hair falling out yet? I am one of hundreds of reviews that have had significant…like 3/4 of my hair fall out. It is one product I willnever use again nor recommend to others!
This post is 4 years old, but no, my hair never fell out. I’m sorry that you experienced that. Everyone’s body has different reactions to chemicals, I’d imagine.
Old post I know, but happened to stumble across it. The comments would have been scary if I’d never used! I’ve been using since Olia launched and it’s probably my most used colour (when I haven’t decided to try something new). Have had no hair loss, it covers greys, no scalp irritation and no overwhelming ammonia smell. Most often do roots only with 50/50 colour and developer using a bowl and brush. Because I’m quite grey, I tend to leave OK for approx 45 mins – but I do that with every brand. Suppose it does go to show that everyone reacts differently. And that a patch test is a good idea. Although I’m really bad at actually doing them!
I used the medium brown. I think I should have used two boxes.. did not cover gray and my old color is bleeding through..??
Can’t believe you wrote this entire thing and never said what colour you used?