Madison Reed

The first time I used this product, I was slightly disappointed that my hair appeared darker instead of the burgundy shade I picked from the quiz. Still, I was really impressed with the box presentation and also, how soft and shiny my hair was. I left a great review because of that. So I contacted them and a very nice consultant suggested a brighter red. She gave me specific instructions on how to apply the new color when it arrived. I waited a few months to re-dye just to be safe, and also make sure the red took, even though the original color had faded within a week. Immediately after dyeing and washing the dye out, my hair started falling out in clumps! Like...right at the root!

It’s now been a month, and it’s still falling out like crazy! My once thick, curly hair is now super thin. You can see my scalp in all the places it has fallen out. I’ve also had intense headaches, burning, and even woke up one night in a cold sweat. It is absolutely devastating to see my hair fall out like this, and feel so off physically. I was 100% fine and loving my hair right up to the moment I used this. Now I have to go to the doctor tomorrow to see if anything can be done to save my hair! And by the way, the red never took. My hair color was the same as before I dyed it!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Garnier discontinued the hair color I have been using for over a decade and I have been on the hunt for a replacement. I thought I'd try Madison Reed because they said they were healthier for hair. I will say, that I enjoyed the packaging and the fact that my hair didn't smell too chemically the next day. But I found the color to be much farther from the example on the website. And afterward, I noticed an increase in how much hair was on my hands in the shower and my sink after styling. About a week later I noticed I could see much more of my scalp than I used to and started investigated what could have caused it. It seems, instead of ammonia, Madison Reed uses ethanolamine to help the dye attach to the hair. One of the side effects from this chemical is hair loss! I'm hoping it'll grow back, but I just used Madison Reed last month, so it'll be a few months before I know for sure.

It looks like I will continue to search for a replacement color elsewhere.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Don’t try this Madison Reed right before you have somewhere important to be. This is was my first try with Madison Reed and I used the 7NCG Genova Red, which was the color that the quiz suggested to me, as well as the provided shampoo and conditioner. My hair came out WAY darker than expected, not red hardly at all, and feels like straw. I have been dying my hair with L’Oreal Preference Mega Reds MR1 Light Intense Copper, which is also a level 7 dye (with a 20 vol developer, both from Sally Beauty) for over 5 years, so I’m not a newbie. This Madison Reed color is more like a level 5-6. Really disappointed and frustrated that I have to correct this dye job and hopefully not damage my hair. Proceed with caution.

Length of Use: Less than 3 months

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I first used MR over 2 years ago. Over time I noticed my hair thinning and strands falling out more often than usual. I just thought since I was getting older it was normal. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was going to a Christmas party so I thought I would dye my hair to cover my grays and look nice. My hair is falling out so much. My hair used to be so thick. I can see my scalp. When I run my fingers through my hair, it feels like there is barely anything there. It just keeps coming out. I've been saving the hair that has fallen out in the past week in a bag and the amount of hair is heartbreaking. I am devastated. My scalp is tingling and it's all I can think about. If I'm going to keep losing it until I am bald? I am 43 years old. I am going to the doctors to see if there is anything I can do. I do not recommend trying this hair color and taking that risk to ANYONE.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Don't use it. After one use the end of my hair turned white and split.

I had to cut off 2-3 inches of my hair to make the mess look decent again. Who wants bangs that are 2 inches long? What a mess. It burned my skin during the application and after one week the grey hair is back.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Why not compare Madison Reed to eSalon? They are direct competitors. As a reader, this is what I most want to know. I have used both and would pick one of these over any grocery store brand.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

They used to deliver in real-time but no longer. Multiple phone calls resulted in patronizing advice that it was "3 to 7 business days". Sorry, but I can count.

Length of Use: 2+ years

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I've been dying my hair for years and this is the worst box dye ever. I did the color consult and sent a photo. I discussed with them that I was worried this wouldn't be dark enough to cover my roots to match my already dark hair. I left it on 55 minutes to be safe. Well, not only was I right but it mostly never covered any grey. Total waste of money. When I contacted them neither phone or chat was available but they did respond by email asking for a photo and a few questions which I responded but they have done nothing since. So I'm stuck with light reddish mixed with my grey roots and my normal dark brown hair. Much worse than pre dye. Don't waste your money.

I bought at Ulta but still have my receipt to prove purchase.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

This company is absurd! I used MR for an entire year before I realized that in the back of my head, my scalp was totally showing through! I can’t believe it took me so long to notice that I was balding on top and in the back! I guess it was gradual and happened a little with every time I dyed it. Now I am unmistakably balding, which is so traumatizing. Because I’ve been growing my hair out, I quit going to the salon. So when I finally returned, in tears, my hairstylist said, "Oh wow. Oh man, I’ve never seen your scalp show through before." I’ve been taking biotin supplements for six weeks and see NO change at all. I’m devastated.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I use Madison Reed in between my colorings at the salon to cover grey roots. What I love about Madison Reed is that it is ammonia-free and comes with everything you need. You can buy the shampoo and conditioner separately which are sulfate-free and good products. The packaging is awesome. I have been using ammonia-free color for at least ten years and although the price point is good, I have to go back to using drugstore ammonia-free color. I have left the Madison Reed color on for as long and longer than the instructions say and at first, the color is great. A week later, the color has faded from the root grow-out area. Ten days later, it is fully showing. The color just doesn't stick. I contacted their customer support about this and they said I wasn't leaving it on long enough. But no matter how much longer I leave it on (an hour and 15 minutes!), it doesn't cover grey. I am super disappointed because I love everything else about it. But I am canceling my subscription.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I've been dying my hair for about five years and only have a few grays. Drugstore dye works well for me but leaves my hair pretty dry so I got suckered by all the ads online.

I never imagined it could go so horribly wrong. My hair is light brown and I dye it a dark golden/strawberry blonde. I took their quiz and based in the picture thought it would be a tad darker than usual but worth it if it was kinder to my hair.

Well, I ended up looking like a teenage goth with a bad dye job. It turned out burgundy. It was MUCH darker than advertised and not a shade found in nature. I was so upset I contacted the company, which is unusual for me.

I will say the customer service is amazing. They sent me a primer and new color within days. I gave it a try and it's now one shade lighter but still an odd color and nowhere on the blonde spectrum. I'd say my hair is two shades darker than my natural light brown with an extremely strange henna-like hue.

They refunded my payment, which was good of them, but I'm still left with ridiculous hair. I'm going to wait a month and go to a salon to have it fixed.

Basically, though they repaid my money, I'll still be out a salon visit.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend