L’Oreal is one of the most recognized brands in the industry. Based in France, this brand is truly international, offering affordable products in categories throughout the globe.
Wella, a German-based company, has cemented itself in the beauty space over the years dedicated to quality products for hair color, hair care, and hairstyling.
In this post, I will illustrate the differences between these brands in terms of:
- Quality of their products.
- Range of products they have available.
- Price between the two brands.
L’Oreal Vs Wella Hair Color
Application & application times
Both L’Oreal and Wella have multiple different hair color products that come in very similar packaging. Both brands deliver their product with a color crème, color reactivator, and developer bottle.
But, although the process is quite similar, there is a major difference in the leave-in time. L’Oreal requires only 30 minutes compared to 40-50 minutes with Wella products.
Both brands come with some kind of post-color treatment. L’Oreal comes with their Excellence Crème Nourishing Mask while Wella provides their Advanced Intense Gloss Treatment.
Despite the difference in naming, both of these aim to hydrate the hair, add shine and gloss to add an overall healthy look to your hair.
Longevity
Both L’Oreal and Wella are professionally approved brands in terms of hair color. This is measured in both quality and durability. Both brands boast of their product being intact for up to 28 full washes.
Both brands come with unique textures to ensure 100% grey coverage wherever you may need it most.
Wella’s formula may even be better for those who suffer from dry scalps as most of their products come with both a shampoo and conditioner.
And L’Oreal comes with natural coconut oil to fully nourish your hair, free of ammonia which prevents bad odors.
Color Range
Despite the hair color products from Wella being of excellent and professional quality, they do fall short on the options they offer their clients.
L’Oreal has managed to fully flex their global muscle through their various brands to provide many more shades and variations of colors for their diverse and international clientele.
This is also reflected in the price point that L’Oreal is able to provide their products for as it is quite a bit more affordable than that of Wella.
Wella’s professional quality may be able to make up for this with richer, more dynamic colors but ultimately fall short on range.
L’Oreal Vs Wella Shampoos, Conditioners & More
Shampoos & Conditioners
Wella provides a very general and standard haircare range. This includes shampoos and conditioners that are aimed at hydrating and cleansing your hair whilst leaving as little residue as possible.
Wella’s hair care products also contain Dimethicone to aid in locking in moisture and help fight frizz. These products are also designed to strengthen your hair. This is to actively avoid hair breakages and hair loss.
L’Oreal boasts hair care that has cemented its name in hair repair. They have a wide range of products to fit the specific hair type you have.
This is another case in which L’Oreal has used its size and experience in order to provide options for the various needs of their clients. L’Oreal has products designed for frizz control, hair repair, smooth, silky, or even thick hair.
Leave-ins
Wella has an incredibly useful range of leave-ins. They have curated a range that targets almost everyone with products designed for frizz-control, intense conditioning, hair strengthening, nourishing, and UV protection. Wella provides these in the form of a spray, balm, cream, and foam.
L’Oreal’s range of products is more designed for heat and curl protection. These products are specifically formulated and centered around maintaining your curls. L’Oreal also comes in a spray, cream, or foam.
Whereas Wella’s product range is more dedicated to healthy hair, L’Oreal’s range can be seen as centered around styling.
Masks, oils & serums
Although much has been said of the range in products L’Oreal is able to bring to market, this is one area in which the global powerhouse can be humbled.
For this specific sector of the market, Wella boasts a more dynamic and updated range of products.
Wella provides individually packaged hair masks ranging from vibrant color masks to those designed for the deep treatment of waves and curly hair.
L’Oreal has a very limited range of masks but also lacks in its range of oils and serums. Wella has curated entire kits based on these oils and hair care treatments with entire kits dedicated to color, nutrients, boosting volume, and more.
L’Oreal Vs Wella Hair Styling
Gels & waxes
Both Wella and L’Oreal have extensive gels and waxes for both men and women. Wella has a wide range of styling gels and waxes that offer both a matt and shiny finish.
L’Oreal has a more developed range of products that include clays, pomades, pastes, gels, and waxes that come with different styles, strengths, and shines.
Although Wella may have covered all the basics, L’Oreal brings both variety and quality at a more affordable price.
Mousses, foams & creams
Wella has a wider range of mousses, foams, and creams that can help with natural volume, root growth, shape control, boosting bounce, and support curls. This range is highly reviewed and rated as some of the best products on the market.
L’Oreal’s range is fairly limited but does include products for curls and volume. Although these may be more reasonably priced, Wella outclasses L’Oreal in this category by far.
Wella extends this lead with their range of creams designed primarily for men that come in a spray, balm, and cream. Although Wella has hair creams for volume and general style, L’Oreal does have creams designed for heat protection.
Fixing & styling sprays
Wella’s fixing and styling sprays may take longer to dry than their competitors but allow for more work to be done in the process. Wella has sprays with a variety of different levels of hold but all protect from UV, heat, and humidity.
L’Oreal has more range when it comes to fixing sprays rather than styling.
L’Oreal’s hairsprays can also come completely unscented to protect from sensitive hair whilst Wella’s products all fashion a fresh, floral fragrance. L’Oreal also boasts a wider range for different hair types.
A Combination Of Quality & Price (Winner: L’Oreal)
L’Oreal is one of the most trusted brands in the industry. They have perfectly used this to their advantage as they spread across the globe. L’Oreal boasts one of the most diverse collections of products for all hair types and styles.
Although they may lack in some areas, they far exceed any competition in range and affordability. L’Oreal has some of the most competitive prices in the industry by far.
For the budget-conscious, this may be a no-brainer as L’Oreal provides ample quality for their price.
L’Oreal has an extensive range in both hair color and styling. With products for thin, dry, thick, or curly hair, there is something for everyone.
Professional Hair Care, At Home (Winner: Wella)
Wella may lack in the more typical ways of range and scale, but more than make up for it in the quality of their products.
Wella has a basic range of colors to choose from for their hair dyes but boasts a wide range of hair care products that far outshine their competitors.
In terms of hair masks, oils, and serums, Wella is far ahead of L’Oreal in both range and form.
Wella is priced professionally with slightly higher prices than L’Oreal but justifies this with their intense commitment to quality and care.
From their sprays to their creams, they have all been designed meticulously with their clients in mind.
Summary
Through this post, we have clearly indicated some of the major differences of L’Oreal Vs Wella.
L’Oreal is by far the more diverse in its product range as is evident by the variety of colors and styles that are catered for.
Wella has a significantly smaller variety of hair dyes but boasts a much larger product range in the hair care department and seemingly higher quality.
- L’Oreal is definitely better for those who are on a budget but do not want to compromise on the quality of the products they use too much. L’Oreal is competitively priced and has all the basics for all hair types and styles.
- Wella is a significantly better option for those dedicated to professional-grade hair care. Wella is more expensive but is uncompromising in the quality and range of their hair care products.