Clairol ColorStrong Permanent Hair Dye 2.8 Blue Black (Desert Nights) — Ammonia‑Free, 100% Gray Coverage with Bonding System

Clairol ColorStrong Permanent Hair Dye in 2.8 Blue Black (Desert Nights) is an ammonia‑free, PPD‑free permanent color kit that delivers rich, multidimensional blue‑black color while reinforcing hair with a bonding system.

This all‑in‑one at‑home color kit combines a bonding primer, permanent color cream with activator, and a finishing bonding treatment—each step formulated with AHA—to help preserve hair structure while delivering full gray coverage without ammonia. The Desert Nights shade is designed to create deep blue‑black tones with reflective dimension for a glossy, layered look that resists flatness.

How does the Color + Bonding system protect hair during coloring?

The three‑step system uses an AHA‑infused primer, the permanent coloring stage, and a bonding treatment to support hair integrity through processing. Rather than adding harsh ammonia, the formula focuses on rebuilding and sealing the hair’s internal networks so color sits evenly and looks luminous.

• Bonding Primer (AHA) preps and evens hair’s internal surface for more consistent color uptake.
• Permanent Color Cream contains reflective pigments and AHA to deposit rich multidimensional tones.
• Bonding Treatment (AHA) seals the color and reinforces the internal structure for smoother feel.

Will this give 100% gray coverage and what should I expect from the Desert Nights shade?

The formula is designed to cover gray fully, creating uniform depth across the hair strand. Desert Nights (2.8 Blue Black) produces a deep base with cool blue‑black highlights that catch light for a subtle, multi‑tonal finish rather than a flat, single‑tone result.

• Guaranteed full gray coverage when used as directed in one application.
• Blue‑black pigments provide cool dimension under natural and artificial light.
• Suitable for achieving a striking, long‑lasting dark color with reflective shine.

Is this product safe for sensitive scalps and what ingredients are avoided?

Clairol ColorStrong avoids ammonia, parabens, PPD and PTD in its formulation to reduce exposure to those specific ingredients. However, anyone with a known allergy to PPD/PTD or other hair dye components should not use the product and should perform the included patch test to check for reactions.

• Free from ammonia, parabens, PPD and PTD in formulation.
• Includes an instruction leaflet with patch‑test guidance to help identify sensitivities.
• Do not use if you have a known PPD/PTD allergy—severe reactions can still occur.

What comes in the kit and how easy is it to use at home?

The kit contains the full sequence to color and reinforce hair: a Bonding Primer, Permanent Color Cream, Activator, Bonding Treatment, gloves and detailed instructions. The system is designed for at‑home use with step‑by‑step guidance so you can achieve professional‑looking results without extra products.

• Included: Bonding Primer (AHA), Permanent Color Cream, Activator, Bonding Treatment (AHA), gloves, instructions.
• Simple three‑step process: prime, color with activator, then finish with the bonding treatment.
• One kit is generally suitable for a single full‑head application depending on hair length and thickness.

Who this is for: Clairol ColorStrong Desert Nights is aimed at people seeking a deep blue‑black permanent color with complete gray coverage and an emphasis on hair reinforcement. It suits home colorists who prefer ammonia‑free formulas, want multidimensional color rather than flat dye, and those who follow product safety directions including the recommended patch test. Avoid if you have known PPD/PTD allergies or other dye sensitivities.

Ingredients

BONDING PRIMER: AQUA/WATER/EAU, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, QUATERNIUM-80, SODIUM DIETHYLENETRIAMINE PENTAMETHYLENE PHOSPHONATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, MALIC ACID, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, DISODIUM EDTA, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, POLYSORBATE 60, SODIUM PHOSPHATE PERMANENT COLOR CREAM: AQUA/WATER/EAU, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ETHANOLAMINE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, 2,4-DIAMINOPHENOXYETHANOL HCL, 2-METHOXYMETHYL-P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE, N,N-BIS(2-HYDROXYETHYL)-P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE SULFATE, CITRIC ACID, RESORCINOL, SODIUM DIETHYLENETRIAMINE PENTAMETHYLENE PHOSPHONATE, DICETYL PHOSPHATE, SODIUM SULFITE, CETETH-10 PHOSPHATE, STEARETH-200, ASCORBIC ACID, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, HYDROXYETHYL-3,4-METHYLENEDIOXYANILINE HCL, TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE, XANTHAN GUM, DISODIUM EDTA, SODIUM METASILICATE. ACTIVATOR: AQUA/WATER/EAU, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETEARETH-25, SALICYLIC ACID, PHOSPHORIC ACID, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, DISODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM STANNATE, ETIDRONIC ACID. BONDING TREATMENT: AQUA/WATER/EAU, BIS-HYDROXY/METHOXY AMODIMETHICONE, STEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, STEARAMIDOPROPYL DIMETHYLAMINE, MALIC ACID, GLUTAMIC ACID, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, BENZYL BENZOATE, EDTA, HISTIDINE, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, SODIUM CHLORIDE, HEXAMETHYLINDANOPYRAN, HEXYL CINNAMAL, LINALOOL, MAGNESIUM NITRATE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE, MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE, METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE, ASCORBIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM SULFITE