Introduction
Creme of Nature hair dye gives you rich, long-lasting color while keeping textured and natural hair moisturized through the entire process. This guide covers every formula type, shade selection, step-by-step application, common mistakes, and how to maintain your color after dyeing so results stay vibrant for weeks.
Quick Answer: Creme of Nature hair dye is a permanent and semi-permanent color line formulated with argan oil for natural, relaxed, and textured hair. It covers gray fully, delivers vibrant color, and includes conditioning agents that reduce dryness during the color process. Application takes 25 to 45 minutes depending on the formula.
What Is Creme of Nature Hair Dye?
Creme of Nature hair dye is a professional-grade at-home color line from Revlon, built specifically for melanin-rich and textured hair types. The brand separates itself from standard box dyes by adding argan oil and moisture-retaining ingredients directly into the color formula.
Most standard hair dyes strip moisture aggressively. Creme of Nature hair dye addresses that by combining oxidative color agents with conditioning technology in one step.
The line includes permanent, semi-permanent, and vivid color options. Each targets a different use case, from full gray coverage to bold fashion shades.
Creme of Nature Hair Dye Collections and What Each One Does
Understanding the collections helps you pick the right product before you buy.
Exotic Shine Color is the permanent formula and the most popular. It covers up to 100% of gray hair and comes in over 30 shades, including natural blacks, rich browns, warm coppers, and burgundy tones. This formula penetrates the hair cortex and bonds permanent color molecules to the shaft.
Moisture-Rich Color is also permanent but uses a heavier cream base with extra humectants. It suits dry, brittle, or heat-damaged hair better than Exotic Shine.
Bright Naturals Semi-Permanent uses no developer and no ammonia. It coats the outer cuticle with temporary color molecules. Results on dark hair are subtle; on bleached or naturally light hair, the color shows clearly. This formula rinses out gradually over 4 to 6 weeks.
Vivids targets bold color: electric blue, magenta, jade green, and similar high-saturation shades. These are semi-permanent and work best on lightened hair.
If you’re working with natural hair and want a full hair care routine around your color, that’s worth reading before you start.
How to Choose the Right Creme of Nature Hair Dye Shade
Shade selection is where most people make their first mistake. The shade on the box reflects results on a starting color of medium brown. Your results shift depending on your natural or current hair color.
For dark hair (levels 1-3): Stick to shades within 2 levels of your natural color for predictable results. Going much lighter requires pre-lightening.
For gray coverage: The permanent Exotic Shine and Moisture-Rich formulas cover fully. Pick a shade slightly warmer than your natural color since gray hair often grabs cool tones more strongly.
For color-treated hair: Do a strand test first. Previously colored hair processes faster and can result in uneven results if you skip this step.
The shade numbering system follows the standard color level system: 1 is darkest black, 10 is lightest blonde. Understanding how hair color levels work can save you from a result you didn’t expect.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather everything before mixing. Once developer touches color, the clock starts.
- Creme of Nature hair dye kit (includes colorant, developer, conditioner)
- Plastic mixing bowl and applicator brush
- Gloves (usually included in the kit)
- Old shirt or salon cape
- Petroleum jelly for the hairline
- Timer
- Mild clarifying shampoo if your hair has product buildup
Do not wash your hair immediately before coloring. Natural scalp oils protect skin during processing. Wash 24 to 48 hours before application.
Step-by-Step Application: How to Apply Creme of Nature Hair Dye
Step 1: Do a Strand Test
Cut a small section from underneath your hair. Mix a tiny amount of color and developer. Apply to the strand and wait the recommended development time. Rinse and dry. This shows you the actual result before committing.
Step 2: Protect Your Skin
Apply a thin line of petroleum jelly along your hairline, ears, and the back of your neck. Creme of Nature hair dye stains skin during processing.
Step 3: Mix the Formula
Squeeze the colorant tube into the developer bottle. Shake firmly for 30 seconds until fully blended. Pour into the mixing bowl if using a brush applicator.
Step 4: Section and Apply
Divide hair into 4 sections. Start applying at the roots where gray or regrowth is heaviest. Work section by section from back to front. Apply color to mid-lengths and ends last since they process faster.
For root touch-ups only, apply to new growth and avoid reprocessing previously colored lengths.
Step 5: Set the Timer
Follow the development time on the box exactly. Most Creme of Nature hair dye formulas process in 25 minutes. Do not exceed 45 minutes. Leaving color on longer does not produce richer results and risks scalp irritation.
Step 6: Rinse and Condition
Rinse with warm water until water runs clear. Apply the included color-seal conditioner. Leave it in for 2 to 3 minutes. This closes the cuticle and locks color molecules in. Rinse with cool water.
Gray Coverage: How Well Does Creme of Nature Hair Dye Work?
The permanent formula covers gray effectively when applied correctly. Gray hair has no melanin and a tighter, more resistant cuticle. It absorbs color differently than pigmented hair.
For stubborn gray, mix the color and let it sit for 5 minutes before applying. This allows the developer to begin activating the colorant, which helps penetrate the resistant cuticle.
If you’re covering more than 50% gray, choose a shade one level lighter than your target. Gray hair tends to grab color darker than the box shows.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping the strand test. This is the most common mistake. Hair responds differently based on porosity, previous treatments, and current color.
Applying to wet hair. Excess water dilutes the developer and weakens color deposit. Hair should be dry before application.
Overlapping color on previously dyed ends. This causes uneven color and accelerates damage. Apply fresh color only to new growth, then pull through to ends for the last 5 minutes if needed.
Using metal tools. Metal bowls or brushes react with the developer. Always use plastic or ceramic.
Rinsing with hot water. Hot water opens the cuticle and pushes color molecules out. Use warm, then cool water.
How Long Does Creme of Nature Hair Dye Last?
Permanent Creme of Nature hair dye lasts 4 to 6 weeks before visible fading. Factors that shorten color life include frequent washing, hard water, heat styling, and sun exposure.
Semi-permanent formulas fade gradually over 4 to 6 washes and are fully gone within a few weeks for most hair types.
How to Make Color Last Longer
Use a sulfate-free shampoo after coloring. Sulfates strip the outer cuticle layer and accelerate color fading. Most standard drugstore shampoos contain sulfates.
Wash hair in cool or lukewarm water. Hot water is the single fastest way to fade color at home.
Deep condition weekly. Color-treated hair loses moisture faster than untreated hair. A weekly protein or moisture treatment helps maintain elasticity and color vibrancy.
Limit heat styling between color sessions. UV exposure also fades color. Use a UV-protectant spray or wear a hat in direct sun.
Is Creme of Nature Hair Dye Safe for Natural and Relaxed Hair?
Yes, with reasonable care. Creme of Nature hair dye is specifically formulated for textured hair, including natural coils and chemically relaxed strands. However, applying color over a fresh relaxer is not safe.
Wait at least 2 weeks between a relaxer and a color service. Both processes use chemical agents that weaken the hair shaft. Combining them in the same session risks severe breakage.
For natural hair with high porosity, the color may process faster than the development time suggests. Check the strand every 10 minutes if your hair is highly porous or previously lightened.
Troubleshooting: When Results Don’t Match the Box
Color came out too dark: This usually means hair was highly porous or you left color on too long. Use a color-depositing conditioner in a lighter shade to adjust tone gradually.
Uneven results: Usually caused by product buildup blocking color penetration at the roots. Clarify hair before your next application.
Color faded within two weeks: The formula may not have fully penetrated the cuticle. This happens on very low-porosity hair. Try a warm towel wrap over the color cap during processing to open the cuticle with gentle heat.
Scalp irritation during processing: Rinse immediately with cool water. Do a patch test 48 hours before future applications to confirm sensitivity.
Conclusion
Creme of Nature hair dye is one of the most reliable at-home color options for textured and natural hair. The argan oil formula reduces the dryness that comes with standard oxidative dyes, and the shade range covers everything from classic blacks to vivid fashion colors. Follow the strand test, apply to dry hair, rinse with cool water, and switch to a sulfate-free shampoo afterward. Those four steps alone put your results ahead of most at-home color applications.