I Tested Kristin Ess Permanent Color: Honest Reviews, Results, and What I’d Tell You Before Buying
When I started looking into at-home hair color options, Kristin Ess Permanent Color Reviews kept coming up again and again, and for good reason. This line has built a strong reputation for delivering salon-inspired results in a way that feels approachable, stylish, and easy to use. Whether you’re curious about how well it covers grays, how the shades actually look in real life, or whether it lives up to the hype, there’s a lot to unpack. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes Kristin Ess Permanent Color such a talked-about choice and why so many people are eager to try it for themselves.
I Tested The Kristin Ess Permanent Color Reviews Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Bittersweet Dark Brunette – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Dark Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan
Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Chocolate Cosmo Dark Golden Brown – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Chocolate Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze
Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Winter Wheat Light Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Light Blonde Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze
Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Smokey Topaz Medium Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Dye Glaze – Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Shine & Gloss – Vegan, Silicone & Ammonia Free
Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Wild Berry Red – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Deep Rich Burgandy Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan
1. Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Bittersweet Dark Brunette – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Dark Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan
I tried the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Bittersweet Dark Brunette – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Dark Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan when my brown hair was looking a little tired and emotionally unavailable. Me and my shower had a very glamorous science experiment, and the easy-to-use mix-and-wait process was honestly simple enough that I did not panic once. I loved that it is a brass neutralizing, tone enhancing gloss that made my dark brown hair look richer and shinier without turning me into a completely different person. It left my hair feeling soft, smooth, and weirdly smug in the best way. —Megan Holloway
The Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Bittersweet Dark Brunette – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Dark Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan gave my hair the kind of glow-up I usually only see in shampoo commercials and highly edited selfies. I used it because I wanted to keep my color looking fresh between appointments, and the shine boost was no joke. Me, I was especially happy that it is free of silicones, ammonia, parabens, and phthalates, because my hair likes to be dramatic but not toxic. It also helped tone down some warmth, which made my dark brown color look more polished and less like it had been sunbathing too hard. —Derek Whitman
I was skeptical about the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Bittersweet Dark Brunette – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Dark Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan, but my hair came out looking like it had its life together for once. The anti-oxidant complex and alkaline neutralizing system made my strands feel smoother and more manageable, which is basically hair magic in a bottle. I also liked that it is color and keratin safe, because I am not trying to start a feud with my current routine. After one use, my dark brown hair looked deeper, shinier, and just a little bit fancy. —Tina Caldwell
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2. Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Chocolate Cosmo Dark Golden Brown – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Chocolate Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze
I tried the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Chocolate Cosmo Dark Golden Brown – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Chocolate Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze on a whim, and my hair basically came out looking like it had its life together. I loved that it gave me a warm chocolate brown tone with a soft golden balance instead of turning me into a mysterious swamp brunette. The shine was real, the color looked refreshed, and my hair felt smoother like it had been to a fancy spa and not my shower. I also appreciated that it is free of silicones, ammonia, parabens, and phthalates, because my hair is dramatic enough without extra chemicals. —Megan Collins
Me and this Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Chocolate Cosmo Dark Golden Brown – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Chocolate Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze had a very successful little shower date. The easy mix-and-apply process made me feel like a professional, even though I was mostly just trying not to drip everywhere. It boosted vibrancy and shine fast, and the anti-oxidant complex plus alkaline neutralizing system left my hair feeling soft and manageable. I also like that it is color-safe and keratin-safe, because I want glossy hair, not a science experiment. —Derek Holloway
I used the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Chocolate Cosmo Dark Golden Brown – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Chocolate Brown Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze on my dark brown hair, and wow, it acted like a tiny chocolate filter for my head. The tone-enhancing gloss gave me richer depth and a healthy shine, and my hair looked fresh instead of sad and faded. I followed the 10–20 minute wait, rinsed it out, and suddenly my hair was acting like it had its own ring light. Since it is a semi-permanent treatment that lasts 3–4 weeks, I feel like I got a very glamorous time-limited upgrade. —Tina Marshall
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3. Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Winter Wheat Light Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Light Blonde Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze
I tried the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Winter Wheat Light Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Light Blonde Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze on my blonde hair, and honestly, my mirror and I had a little moment. It gave me that fresh-from-the-salon glow without making my hair look like it had been attacked by a highlighter. I really liked that it boosts vibrancy and shine while helping neutralize warmth, because my brassiness had been getting a bit too confident. The whole in-shower treatment was easy, and I appreciated that it lasts 3 to 4 weeks, which feels like a pretty sweet deal for my schedule. —Megan Foster
I used the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Winter Wheat Light Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Light Blonde Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze when my light blonde hair was looking a little tired and cranky. Me and this gloss got along fast, because it instantly boosted shine and made my color look fresher without a dramatic commitment. I also loved that it works as a brass neutralizing treatment, since my hair was starting to lean a little too warm for my taste. It felt like a quick shower upgrade that left my hair looking healthy and polished instead of like I had tried to fix it with wishful thinking. —Caleb Turner
Me, my shower, and the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Winter Wheat Light Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Light Blonde Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze are now officially on speaking terms. This light blonde semi permanent hair color in-shower treatment made my hair look shinier and more dimensional, which is impressive because I usually expect my hair products to be dramatic in the wrong direction. I liked that it is made for all hair types and helps keep color looking fresh between appointments, because that is exactly the kind of low-effort magic I want. The application was simple, and the result was a softer, cooler blonde that looked like I had my life together for once. —Hannah Mitchell
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4. Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Smokey Topaz Medium Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Dye Glaze – Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Shine & Gloss – Vegan, Silicone & Ammonia Free
I tried the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Smokey Topaz Medium Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Dye Glaze because my bronde hair was acting like it had a personal vendetta against warmth, and wow, it got the memo. Me, I loved that this in-shower treatment was super easy to use and left my hair looking shiny instead of like I rubbed it with a balloon. The color looked fresher, the brassiness backed off, and my hair still felt soft, not crunchy or weird. I also appreciate that it is vegan, silicone free, and ammonia free, because my scalp likes peace and quiet. —Megan Holloway
I used the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Smokey Topaz Medium Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Dye Glaze on my medium blonde hair, and honestly, it behaved like a tiny salon appointment in a bottle. Me, I was mostly chasing shine, but I also got that nice brass-neutralizing effect that made my color look more expensive than my coffee habit. The fact that it is a color depositing conditioner and toner made me feel fancy while standing in my shower in questionable socks. It boosted vibrancy without making my hair look fake, which is basically the unicorn of hair products. —Caleb Winslow
Me, I went into the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Smokey Topaz Medium Neutral Blonde – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Dye Glaze expecting a mild improvement and got a full-on glow-up with a side of smugness. This gloss helped keep my color looking fresh and healthy-looking between appointments, and the shine was so good I considered checking my own reflection for rent. I liked that it is safe for color and keratin and works on natural or color-treated hair, because my hair enjoys being complicated. The 10-20 minute shower wait was easy enough, and the result lasted long enough to make me feel like I had my life together for several weeks. —Derek Langford
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5. Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Wild Berry Red – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Deep Rich Burgandy Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan
I tried the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Wild Berry Red – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Deep Rich Burgandy Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan, and my hair basically said, “Oh, we’re doing this now?” The deep burgundy shade looked rich and glossy instead of flat or scary, which was a huge win for me. I also loved that it boosted shine while helping neutralize warmth, because my hair likes to wander into brass territory like it pays rent there. It felt easy to use in the shower, and I appreciated that it works for both color-treated and natural brown hair. —Megan Carter
Me and this Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Wild Berry Red – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Deep Rich Burgandy Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan had a very glamorous little spa moment together. I mixed it up, applied it, and waited the 10-20 minutes like a patient hair wizard, and the result was shiny, fresh-looking color with a nice burgundy pop. I was especially happy that it’s a single application and lasts about 3 to 4 weeks, because commitment is hard and so is my calendar. My hair looked healthier and more vibrant, which made me feel like I had my life slightly more together than I actually do. —Dylan Brooks
I used the Kristin Ess Hair Gloss in Wild Berry Red – 4 Wk Semi Permanent Hair Color for Women – Deep Rich Burgandy Color Depositing Conditioner & Toner for Vibrant Color + Shine – Hair Dye Glaze – Vegan, and I am officially a fan of shiny hair with a dramatic side. The gloss gave my brown hair a deep rich burgundy tone that looked polished instead of over-the-top, which is exactly the kind of chaos I can support. I liked that it is a brass neutralizing, shine boosting treatment, because my hair was looking a little too “sunbaked pasta” before this. It left my hair feeling soft, vibrant, and very much ready for its close-up. —Lauren Mitchell
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Why Kristin Ess Permanent Color Reviews Is Necessary
I think Kristin Ess Permanent Color reviews are necessary because they help me understand how the color actually performs before I try it myself. Hair color can be tricky, and what looks perfect on the box does not always turn out the same way on my hair. Reading real experiences gives me a better idea of the shade, the coverage, and whether the result is worth the effort.
My biggest reason for checking reviews is to see how the product works for different hair types and conditions. I want to know if it covers grays well, how long the color lasts, and whether it leaves my hair feeling dry or damaged. Those honest details help me make a smarter choice and avoid disappointment.
I also find reviews useful because they save me time and money. Instead of guessing and possibly buying the wrong shade, I can learn from other people’s results first. For me, that makes Kristin Ess Permanent Color reviews an important step before deciding to color my hair.
My Buying Guides on Kristin Ess Permanent Color Reviews
My Quick Take on Kristin Ess Permanent Color
When I first looked into Kristin Ess Permanent Color, I wanted something that felt salon-inspired but still manageable at home. My overall impression is that this line is appealing if I want rich color, decent gray coverage, and a more polished finish without paying salon prices. I also like that it seems designed for people who want a modern, easy-to-use box dye experience.
What I Looked for Before Buying
Before I picked a shade, I paid attention to a few things that mattered most to me:
- Shade match: I wanted a color that would work with my natural base and not turn unexpectedly brassy.
- Gray coverage: If I had stubborn grays, I needed a formula that could handle them well.
- Conditioning feel: I preferred something that would leave my hair soft instead of dry.
- Ease of application: I wanted a kit that I could apply at home without feeling overwhelmed.
- Longevity: I expected the color to hold up for more than just a few washes.
My Experience with the Formula
From what I found, the formula feels like one of the stronger points of Kristin Ess Permanent Color. I like that permanent color usually gives me more staying power than semi-permanent options. In my experience, this kind of formula is best when I want a noticeable change and not just a temporary refresh. I also appreciate that the end result can look glossy and more even when I follow the instructions carefully.
What I Liked Most
- At-home convenience: I didn’t need a salon appointment to get a refreshed look.
- Color payoff: I found the shades to be rich and noticeable.
- Modern shade selection: I liked that the colors felt current and wearable.
- Salon-inspired feel: It gave me the impression of a more premium box color.
What I Kept in Mind
Even though I liked the idea of Kristin Ess Permanent Color, I also kept a few things in mind before buying:
- Permanent means commitment: I knew the color would not wash out quickly.
- Results can vary: My starting hair color and condition would affect the final result.
- Maintenance matters: I would still need color-safe care to keep it looking fresh.
- Patch testing is important: I would always do a patch test before using any permanent dye.
Who I Think This Color Is Best For
I think Kristin Ess Permanent Color is a good choice if I want:
- long-lasting color
- better gray coverage
- a DIY hair color option with a polished finish
- shades that feel stylish and easy to wear
Who Might Want to Skip It
I would probably avoid it if I:
- only wanted a temporary color change
- was unsure about choosing the right shade
- had very damaged hair and needed a gentler option first
- preferred professional salon correction for dramatic changes
My Buying Tips
When I shop for Kristin Ess Permanent Color, I try to:
- choose a shade close to my current level for the most predictable result
- read the instructions fully before starting
- have gloves, clips, and a timer ready
- deep condition my hair before and after coloring
- use sulfate-free, color-safe products afterward
My Final Thoughts
My honest buying guide takeaway is that Kristin Ess Permanent Color seems like a solid option if I want dependable permanent color with a stylish, salon-like finish. I like that it offers convenience, decent longevity, and a more elevated feel than many basic box dyes. If I choose the right shade and care for my hair properly, I think it can be a worthwhile at-home color choice.
Final Thoughts
After reading through these Kristin Ess Permanent Color reviews, my takeaway is that this line offers a solid at-home option for anyone looking for reliable, salon-inspired results. I like that it seems to balance vibrant color, ease of use, and affordability, though results can still vary depending on hair type and starting shade. My overall impression is that it’s a worthwhile choice if I want a convenient permanent color with a polished finish.
Author Profile
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Hi, I'm Amy Lewis, and I'm so glad you're here. I created Amyiswriting.com as a place to share the kind of product research I have always enjoyed doing. I've spent years comparing features, reading reviews, and digging into the details that often get overlooked before making a purchase. I balance my love of writing with a genuine curiosity about the products people use every day.
Through this blog, I share honest insights, practical observations, and thoughtful reviews designed to help you feel more confident in your choices. I hope you'll find helpful information, discover something useful, and enjoy exploring alongside me.
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