Why Does Clairol’s “Shine Happy” Change My Hair Color

by Left Brain on June 5, 2007 · 21 comments

Jenna Just Wants To Be Happy: In many customer reviews for a product called “Shine Happy” by Clairol, which claims to be like a salon gloss treatment, people complained that it lightened their hair colour. Is there a reason why this would occur with this product but not with the glossing treatments performed in salons? Also, relatively speaking, where do this product and the “glossing” treatments performed in salons fall on the doing-damage-to-your-hair scale? The Left Brain Enlightens Her:

shineClairol’s “Shine Happy” is actually like a hair coloring treatment. The reason that people’s hair is turning lighter is because they are putting Hydrogen Peroxide on it. Here is a list of the ingredients.

Water, Hydrogen Peroxide, Acrylates Copolymer, Steareth-21, Oleth-2, Oleth-5, PEG-50 Hydrogenated Palmamide, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Oleyl Alcohol, Etidronic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Simethicone.

Notice the second ingredient? Peroxide is the thing that colorists use to “dye” hair blonde.

Glossing treatments in a salon either do not contain Peroxide (many are just silicone treatments) or they are put on by the stylist and rinsed away before the color has time to noticeably lighten. When you do it yourself at home, leaving it on too long will result in color lightening.

{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }

Nikki June 9, 2007 at 12:10 pm

Well, you helpfully answered the question of why it lightens hair. But, you failed to mention whether it actually works? I’m curious as to whether or not this product really makes hair shinier. Can you do a post about that?

CORI June 14, 2007 at 10:25 am

YEA, DOES IT WORK????

thebeautybrains June 14, 2007 at 11:15 am

I find it hard to believe that a bleaching product which damages the hair shaft could provide significant shine. Products that don’t chemically damage your hair should do a better job of smoothing the cuticle and enhancing shine.

Afriz June 18, 2007 at 12:07 pm

I have heard that NIOXIN is a good option if you are looking for a scalp treatment. Any comments?

Office Hair June 19, 2007 at 4:27 pm

Here’s an insiders tip. When we hairdressers apply a “gloss treatment” to clients hair we usually use a semi-permanent colour. The reason why these don’t lighten the hair is that they contain no ammonia which means that the hair cuticle does not open. In fact it will fill in any gaps in the cuticle and therefore gives a smoother surface. A smoother surface reflects more light, and so do the shine enhancers such as bees wax, avocado extract etc. The level of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is also very low, usually about 1.9%. The H2O2 is what develops the colour molecules. In a permanent colour the H2O2 level is usually 6% or higher.
Hope this helps.

jennifer July 18, 2008 at 12:54 am

ok folks, i tried it two days ago, and i immediately saw results, right now my hair is super soft, shiny and surprisingly frizz free. My hair is naturally a dirty blond, and has not changed color one bit. I hope this helps! I officially reccommend the shine happy product to all of my friends, because i think that every girl deserves shiny and soft hair like what i have now.

Anya October 5, 2008 at 8:17 pm

I just colored my hair and then streaked it with a kit. Now I wanted to use the Clairol Shine Happy tomorrow but the instructions say to wait 3-4 weeks. If I wait 3-4 weeks, in two weeks after that I’ll have to do another dye job and the shine will be covered up. So, my question is: will something terrible happen to my hair if I use the Shine Happy tomorrow? By terrible, I mean will my hair fall out etc. Thanks for any help.

thebeautybrains October 5, 2008 at 9:23 pm

You should typically follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Your hair won’t likely fall out but it may be more prone to breakage when you style it. To be safe you should wait at least a few days before trying shine happy.

Jennifer November 5, 2008 at 6:31 pm

Jennifer, you sound like a Clairol commercial = BS

Deborah February 6, 2009 at 12:06 am

I was very disturbed by the results I got when I used Clairol Shine happy! I had streaked brown hair with blond streaks approx. 3 wks prior to usoing Shine Happy. However, the results after using Shine Happy wee disastrous! It turned the brown parts of my hair red and the blonde streaks a greenish white colour! So now my hair is ready for Halloween! I feel like suing Clairol!

Kara March 3, 2009 at 12:40 am

I used shine happy just tonight and I’m really enjoying the results. I have natural dark brown hair with a few large blonde streaks, and there is zero apparent color change and wonderfully soft and shiny hair. And you know what? I left the product on too long. I have very long, waist length hair, so just to apply it and distribute it evenly took a good 15 minutes, and then I left it on for an additional 10 minutes. No, I’m not some Clairol spokesperson. But yes, it is very possible that people with highly colored or treated hair may have adverse results. So far it sounds like the only people who have had unfortunate issues with Shine Happy have had fully colored hair. I think if more people are having issues, then Clairol should consider not recommending this product for colored hair. Otherwise, from these posts and other websites, it seems like plenty of people havegotten some great results. I would highly recommend shine happy for natural hair.

Kara March 3, 2009 at 12:45 am

And to the second Jennifer, who commented on the first jennifer’s review: seems to me that Clairol doesn’t advertise Shine Happy as being a product that creates “surprisingly frizz free” hair, but either way, just because someone likes a product that you have doubts about doesn’t automaticaly make them a liar. It just makes you paranoid.

Eva March 3, 2009 at 6:34 pm

i really liked this product and it didn’t lighten my hair. i have auburn hair, not dyed, shoulder length. i read a bunch of bad reviews, but decided to give it a shot anyway. i’d highly recommend it. it made my hair shinier, smoother and slicker. it’s really cool. i plan to use it on regular basis from now on. perhaps it lightens dyed or lighter hair, but not mine.

Karen July 15, 2009 at 6:00 pm

I have grey hair. Will Shine Happy work on my hair?

Molly July 18, 2009 at 4:24 pm

No, it clearly states that it is not for gray hair.

Abby August 1, 2009 at 12:26 am

actually Shine Happy can be used on grey hair! I tried the stuff and loved it so much I made my mom try it (she has natural gray highlights). The only claim they make on the box is that it will not “cover” your grays. It certainly enhanced her brown parts of her hair. go for it.

Sandy December 28, 2009 at 9:08 pm

To Jennifer the skeptic (not the one with the review):

Don’t be so harsh! Try it yourself- I’ve been using shiny happy every few months for almost 2 years. Last time after I used it, I walked up to a friend who said, “Good hair day, huh?” I used to dye my hair when I was younger, but I don’t anymore. I loved how my hair behaved when I was dyeing it though, so Shine Happy seemed like a good alternative. It is. It’s basically the exact same thing, but your (natural) hair will stay the same color. No clue how it would behave on dyed hair!

Not going to lie though- DON’T do it the day of a big event… or maybe even wait 2 days. You will smell like a chemical bomb for the rest of the day.

Tonya April 3, 2010 at 12:34 pm

I have used the clairol shine happy product on a fairly regular basis. I fully color my hair every three to four months as I’m 75% gray. In between hair color jobs, I actually use this product as it seems to make my hair silkier, smoother, and shinier. My hair is in better condition after the treatment then before. In fact my driving force to using this product is to have healthier,shinier hair, and it clairol doesn’t let me down.

dee July 8, 2010 at 11:28 am

I used this shine happy stuff last week. I HATE IT! It ruined my hair!!!! I have never dyed my hair and just wanted more shine, instead it lightened it and made it very dull! I HAD brown hair with natural golden highlights, NOW its all the same color and feels awful! Does anybody know how to get this crap out?????! I want my natural hair back!

Anna January 27, 2011 at 9:50 am

The product is subtly lightening (due to peroxide), however, the results are very natural looking, which are basically your own haircolor, but without the dulling greyness/ashiness that many women with natural brown to blonde hair have. Another plus, no visible roots, as the brightening effect is quite subtle. On the con side, though, there is some hair damage. Women with naturally limp hair may enjoy the extra volume, but coarse-haired girls, beware. There is no need to use this product every month, since the lightening is permanent, and the roots are barely visible. Just use good products for damaged hair. All in all, a useful product, just incorrectly advertised.

Gem Amuleta January 13, 2012 at 3:29 pm

I finally found a product that I absolutely LOVE, & I can’t find it in any of the stores. I’ve searched all over (it’s not like it’s out of stock w/ an empty space either) Every store I’ve searched in, just does not carry it. I would hate to resort to ordering it online, & spend more money… This factor makes me ‘unhappy’

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