When it comes to professional hair colour, L'Oréal Professionnel stands in a league of its own. Three ranges dominate salon shelves across the UK — Majirel, Dia Light, and Dia Richesse — yet each serves a very different purpose. Whether you're a professional colourist or a savvy client wanting to understand your options, this guide cuts through the confusion.
Understanding the L'Oréal Professional Colour Family
L'Oréal hair colour is trusted by millions of professionals worldwide, and for good reason: the formulations are precise, the shade range is vast, and the results are consistently brilliant. But choosing the right range matters enormously — use the wrong one and you'll either under-deliver or cause unnecessary damage.
At Beauty Hair, we stock all three ranges in full, so you can get exactly what you need.
Majirel: The Gold Standard Permanent Colour
What it is: Majirel is L'Oréal's flagship permanent hair colour, designed for full coverage and dramatic transformations.
Best for:
- Covering grey hair (up to 100% white coverage)
- Lifting and colouring in one step
- Bold, fashion-forward shades
- Long-lasting results that endure 4–6 weeks
The technology: Majirel uses L'Oréal's Ionène G and Incell technology, which protects the hair fibre during the colouring process. The result is stronger hair structure post-colour — a significant advantage over generic permanent dyes.
Shade range: Over 90 shades spanning naturals, fashion, and high-lift tones. The numbering system (1–10, with letter suffixes for tone) makes shade selection logical once you understand it. For example, 6.3 is a dark golden blonde; 5.0 is a pure light brown.
Developer choice: Use with 10 vol (3%) for deposit-only, 20 vol (6%) for standard coverage, 30 vol (9%) for lifting 1–2 levels, or 40 vol (12%) for maximum lift.
Dia Light: The Acid Gloss for Shine and Tone
What it is: Dia Light is a demi-permanent, ammonia-free colour that works at an acidic pH. It's not designed to lift — it deposits tone, adds gloss, and refreshes faded colour.
Best for:
- Toning after bleaching or lightening
- Refreshing faded permanent colour between appointments
- Adding intense shine and vibrancy
- Clients wanting colour without commitment
- Blending minimal grey (up to 40% grey coverage)
The technology: The acidic formula seals the cuticle rather than opening it, creating extraordinary shine. This is the product professionals reach for when a client wants that glossy, "just done" look without the longevity of a full permanent.
Longevity: Dia Light typically lasts 4–6 weeks with gradual fading — no harsh grow-out line. It fades gracefully, which makes it ideal for clients nervous about commitment.
Developer: Always used with Dia Light Oxydant (Acidic Activator). It comes in 3% only — you cannot lift with this product.
Dia Richesse: Demi-Permanent with Depth
What it is: Dia Richesse occupies the space between Dia Light and Majirel. It's ammonia-free but works at a slightly higher pH than Dia Light, giving richer, deeper colour deposit with improved grey blending.
Best for:
- Grey blending up to 70% white hair
- Rich, deep colour without ammonia
- Clients with sensitised or fragile hair
- Building tone on previously coloured hair
- Colour corrections requiring gentle re-pigmentation
The difference from Dia Light: While Dia Light excels at gloss and tone, Dia Richesse delivers more coverage and depth. Think of Dia Light as a shine treatment with colour benefits, and Dia Richesse as a true demi-permanent colour service.
Longevity: Up to 8 weeks, fading gradually without a harsh line of demarcation.
Quick Comparison: Which L'Oréal Colour Do You Need?
| Factor | Majirel | Dia Light | Dia Richesse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonia | Yes | No | No |
| Lifts? | Yes (up to 4 levels) | No | No |
| Grey coverage | 100% | Up to 40% | Up to 70% |
| Longevity | 4-6 weeks | 4-6 weeks | Up to 8 weeks |
| Best for | Transformation | Gloss and tone | Rich coverage |
Tips for Choosing the Right Shade
L'Oréal's shade numbering system is consistent across all three ranges. The first number indicates depth (1 = black, 10 = lightest blonde) and the numbers after the decimal indicate tone:
- .0 – Natural/pure
- .1/.11 – Ash
- .3 – Golden
- .4 – Copper
- .5 – Mahogany
- .6 – Red/Violet
- .7 – Brunette/Green-ash
A good rule: if you want to go darker or simply refresh tone, Dia Light or Dia Richesse will serve you well. If you need to go lighter or cover substantial grey, Majirel is your choice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix Majirel with Dia Light?
No — never mix ranges. They use different pH levels and developer types. Mixing could produce unpredictable results or damage the hair. Each range has its own designated developer.
Which L'Oreal colour is best for sensitive scalps?
Dia Light and Dia Richesse are both ammonia-free, making them the gentler choices for clients with scalp sensitivity. Always perform a patch test 48 hours before any colour service.
How long does L'Oreal Majirel last?
Majirel typically lasts 4-6 weeks before a noticeable regrowth line appears. Colour vibrancy will begin fading from around week 3, particularly in direct sunlight or with frequent washing.
Is L'Oreal Dia Light the same as a gloss treatment?
Very similar, yes. Dia Light is essentially a professional colour gloss — it adds tone and extraordinary shine without lifting the natural hair colour. It's used both as a standalone gloss service and to refine colour after bleaching.