L'Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss is one of the most searched-for home hair colours in the UK. It is a semi-permanent colour with no ammonia, so it is a gentle way to add richness and shine, refresh faded colour or try a new shade without a long-term commitment. This guide explains what it does, which shades we stock and how to pick the right one.
What is Casting Crème Gloss?
Casting Crème Gloss is a no-ammonia, semi-permanent crème colour. Instead of permanently changing your natural colour, it adds tone and gloss that fades gradually as you wash. L'Oréal says the gloss lasts for up to 32 washes.
Each box contains:
- a colourant crème tube (48 ml)
- a developer crème (72 ml)
- a glossing conditioner (60 ml) for after colouring and for later washes
- a pair of gloves and an instruction leaflet
Who is it good for?
- A first try at home colour. It fades gradually, so you are not locked into a shade.
- Richer, shinier natural colour. A shade close to your own adds depth and gloss.
- First greys. L'Oréal describes it as covering first greys, meaning hair that is less than half grey. If you have more grey than that, a permanent colour will usually give better coverage.
- Refreshing faded colour between permanent colours.
It is not designed to make dark hair much lighter. To go several shades lighter, you need a permanent colour or a lightener instead.
How to choose your shade
Start with your natural colour as it is now, not the colour you would like. Semi-permanent colour works best when you stay within about one or two shades of your natural colour, or go darker. The number on the box gives a guide:
- 100s and 200s: blacks, such as 200 Ebony Black and 210 Blue Black
- 300s to 500s: dark to medium browns, such as 300 Darkest Brown, 323 Dark Chocolate, 400 Dark Brown, 500 Medium Brown and 535 Chocolate
- 600s: light browns, such as 600 Light Brown, 603 Chocolate Caramel and 634 Chestnut Honey
- 700s to 1000s: blondes, such as 700 Dark Blonde, 723 Almond Blonde, 923 Vanilla Lightest Blonde and 1010 Iced Light Blonde
- Reds and plums: such as 360 Black Cherry, 550 Mahogany and 554 Spicy Red
If you are torn between two shades, choose the lighter one. You can always go darker next time, and it is much harder to make hair lighter.
On dark or black hair, lighter shades and reds show up more as a tint or glow in the light than as a big change. That gives a subtle, glossy result rather than a bold one.
How to use it safely
- Do the allergy alert test 48 hours before every use, even if you have used the colour before. Follow the leaflet in the box.
- Do not use it if you have ever reacted to a hair colour, if your scalp is sore, itchy or damaged, or if you have ever had a black henna tattoo.
- Wear the gloves provided, mix the colour as the leaflet tells you, and leave it on for the time it gives.
- Rinse, then use the glossing conditioner. Keep the rest of the conditioner for later washes.
Making your colour last
- Wait a day or two before your first wash after colouring.
- Wash with lukewarm water rather than hot.
- Use a gentle, colour-safe shampoo.
- Protect your hair from strong sun.
Where to buy Casting Crème Gloss in the UK
We stock a wide range of L'Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss shades, with most priced at £9.99. Order online for UK delivery, or pick it up from CC Hair & Beauty in Chapeltown, Roundhay or Leeds City Centre. Stock of each shade changes, so please check the product page for what is available today.
Not sure which shade to pick? Pop into one of our Leeds shops and our team will help you compare the boxes.
Shop this post
The products in this post, in stock now
Free UK delivery on orders over £75, or visit our Leeds stores on Chapeltown Road, Roundhay Road and in the City Centre.
